North Korea condemns U.S. strike on Iran as violation of sovereignty
North Korea strongly condemned the U.S. strike on Iran, calling it a grave violation of Iran’s sovereignty and security interests.
A California homeowner cut ties with his gas utility by converting his water heater into a thermal battery - slashing emissions, lowering bills, and storing energy at home.
When Ted Treadwell’s gas furnace and water heater neared retirement after 25 years, he saw an opportunity. Instead of replacing them with another gas system, the Santa Rosa homeowner installed an all-electric setup from Harvest Thermal that turns his water heater into a “thermal battery.”
The system uses a high-efficiency CO₂-based heat pump to heat water in a 119-gallon tank to 150°F. That tank stores enough energy to supply hot water and space heating for more than 24 hours. A smart controller manages the heat pump’s operation, running it when electricity is cleanest and cheapest.
“It’s a great system,” Treadwell said. “I wish more people knew about it.”
Thanks to solar panels on his roof and time-of-use electricity rates, Treadwell now receives credits from his utility - effectively getting paid to power his home. He expects to break even on the system in under 10 years.
The Bigger Picture: A Battery in Every Tank?
Water heaters consume a big chunk of residential energy. Retrofitting them into smart thermal batteries could help utilities balance the grid, reduce fossil fuel reliance, and save consumers money - especially during peak hours when electricity is most expensive.
Harvest Thermal’s system includes a heat pump, insulated water tank, and smart controller that predicts demand and adapts to real-time conditions. With incentives, systems can cost as little as $15,000, and reduce heating emissions by up to 90%.
Nonprofits like Peninsula Clean Energy are already supporting installations for low- and middle-income households, proving thermal batteries can replace traditional gas infrastructure at scale.
Is It Right for You?
These systems are best suited for homes under 3,000 sq ft in mild climates, especially when replacing both the furnace and water heater. Incentives like the federal 25D tax credit and California’s Energy-Smart Homes program can dramatically cut upfront costs.
“We’re future-proofing homes,” said Harvest Thermal CEO Jane Melia.
With gas prices rising and utilities shifting to time-based electricity pricing, thermal batteries offer both financial and climate resilience.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
The USS Nimitz is heading to the Middle East amid tensions between Israel and Iran. The U.S. aircraft carrier has a decades-long history in the region, from the 1979 hostage crisis to modern deployments, often serving as a key asset during periods of rising friction with Iran.
A 32°C heatwave expected to grip England has been made a 100 times more likely by human-caused climate change, according to a rapid scientific analysis released Thursday.
In 19 EU countries, the share of renewable energy sources in net electricity generation decreased in the first quarter of 2025 compared with the first quarter of 2024. The largest drops were recorded in Greece (-12.4%), Lithuania (-12.0%) and Slovakia (-10.6%).
The first side event of the Global South NGO Platform, initiated by Azerbaijan, was held in Bonn, Germany this week.
Egypt’s first integrated solar and battery storage plant will deliver dispatchable clean energy, enhance grid stability and manage peak demand. The project is expected to generate approximately 3,000 GWh of clean energy and avoid up to 1.4 million metric tonnes of emissions per year.
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rachel Reeves, has announced a record £2.5 billion in additional funding this week to advance the development of the world’s first fusion power plant.
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