Raw Market Intelligence

We forecast natural gas consumption in the United States will increase 1% to set a record of 91.4 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2025. In our latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, we expect natural gas consumption to increase across all sectors except for electric power, which had been the source of most natural gas consumption growth in the previous decade.

<p>Source: Press release: According to the latest updates from the project site, from August 13 to August 15, the Jinta Zhongguang Solar &#8216;CSP + PV&#8217; Pilot Project 100MW CSP Project (‘Project’) operated continuously for three days, with an average daily generation exceeding 1000 MWh. Notably, on August 14, the daily power generation reached 1317 MWh, setting [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/cosin-solars-jinta-zhongguang-100mw-csppv-runs-round-the-clock-for-three-days/">Cosin Solar&#8217;s Jinta Zhongguang 100MW CSP+PV runs round the clock for three days</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org">SolarPACES</a>.</p>

<p>(Via Lina Hockaday at LinkedIn: Our hydrometallurgical iron ore beneficiation project (https://lnkd.in/gQS-JtAA ) is looking for a Research Assistant. The ideal applicant will be a hands-on person who enjoys laboratory work and will carry out research, documenting and reporting the results to the research lead.) Apply Now Research Assistant Faculty of Science &#38; Engineering Perth, [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/research-assistant-hydrometallurgical-iron-ore-beneficiation-perth/">Research assistant hydrometallurgical iron ore beneficiation &#8211; Perth</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org">SolarPACES</a>.</p>

<p>Abstract: Concentrated solar thermal (CST) systems, capable of driving high-temperature processes up to 2000 K, hold significant potential for chemical and industrial applications. This paper reviews methods for measuring concentrated solar flux, focusing on their role in calculating key optical performance metrics such as concentration ratio and optical efficiency. It also explores the challenges associated [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/published-at-solar-energy-advancements-challenges-and-opportunities-in-the-measurement-of-high-heat-flux-for-concentrated-solar-thermal-systems-2/">Published at Solar Energy &#8211; Advancements, challenges, and opportunities in the measurement of high heat flux for concentrated solar thermal systems</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org">SolarPACES</a>.</p>

<p>Abstract: The global freshwater crisis poses an existential threat to sustainable development worldwide. Desalination has emerged as a critical solution, but conventional fossil-fuel plants are energy-intensive and emit substantial greenhouse gases. Concentrating solar power (CSP) offers a promising renewable pathway to drive thermal desalination processes. However, CSP-desalination integration requires thoughtful system configuration design to maximize [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/published-at-renewable-and-sustainable-energy-reviews-realizing-the-promise-of-concentrating-solar-power-for-thermal-desalination-a-review-of-technology-configurations-and-optimizations/">Published at Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews &#8211; Realizing the promise of concentrating solar power for thermal desalination: A review of technology configurations and optimizations</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org">SolarPACES</a>.</p>

Alaska has the highest per capita energy expenditures of any state at $12,100, according to our recently published State Energy Data System information for 2023. Wyoming and North Dakota spent the next most on energy at $10,100 and $9,300 per capita, respectively. All three states spent twice as much as the national average of $4,700. Florida had the lowest per capita energy expenditures at $3,700, followed by New York and Maryland at $3,800 each.

Developers added 12 gigawatts (GW) of new utility-scale solar electric generating capacity in the United States during the first half of 2025, and they plan to add another 21 GW in the second half of the year, according to our latest survey of electric generating capacity changes. If those plans are realized, solar would account for more than half of the 64 GW that developers plan to bring online this year. Battery storage, wind, and natural gas power plants account for virtually all of the remaining capacity additions for 2025.

<p>Abstract: Mixed chloride salts and mixed carbonates are ideal thermal storage materials for future high-temperature concentrated solar power (CSP) plants. However, due to the strong corrosiveness and poor thermal capacity of chloride salts as well as high material costs of carbonates, these two types of molten salts are not suitable for large-scale thermal energy storage [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/published-at-energy-study-on-high-temperature-carbonate-chloride-molten-salt-applied-to-supercritical-co2-concentrated-solar-power-plant/">Published at Energy &#8211; Study on high-temperature carbonate-chloride molten salt applied to supercritical CO2 concentrated solar power plant</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org">SolarPACES</a>.</p>

<p>Abstract: Concentrated solar power integrated with the calcium looping process enables dispatchable power generation. However, from an equipment perspective, various challenges such as high energy demand of CO2 compressors and the immaturity of solid–solid heat exchangers impede the application of such a system. In the present work, an integrated system incorporating concentrated solar power and [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/published-at-energy-conversion-and-management-co-generation-of-methanol-and-electricity-using-integrated-concentrated-solar-power-calcium-looping-and-methane-bi-reforming-energy-exergy-and-econo/">Published at Energy Conversion and Management &#8211; Co-generation of methanol and electricity using integrated concentrated solar power, calcium looping, and methane bi-reforming: Energy, exergy and economic analyses</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org">SolarPACES</a>.</p>

<p>👉 hashtag#Hiring: Master Thesis – Green ammonia synthesis Do you want to contribute to sustainable energy solutions through innovative research? Then the DLR Institut für Future Fuels, which researches processes that enable the production of hashtag#fuels and chemical base materials using renewable hashtag#energy sources, is an attractive employer for you. In this Master’s thesis project, [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/dlr-hiring-master-thesis-green-ammonia-synthesis/">DLR Hiring : Master Thesis – Green ammonia synthesis</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org">SolarPACES</a>.</p>

<p>Learn more and submit your work here: https://lnkd.in/evJeacuu Topic: Solar-to-X Technologies for Sustainable Energy Solutions Submission Deadline: 31 December 2025 Guest Editors: Jie Zhang, Alon Lidor, Meng Tao, Qin Wang Learn more and submit your work here: https://lnkd.in/evJeacuu About the special issue: The concept of &#8220;Solar-to-X&#8221; refers to the conversion of solar energy into various [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/call-for-papers-special-issue/">Call for Papers &#8211; Special Issue: Solar to X</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org">SolarPACES</a>.</p>

<p>Source: Press release SYDNEY, Australia, August 11, 2025 – Vast Renewables (“Vast” or the “Company”), a leading Australian clean energy technology company, today announced that it has secured new funding from existing shareholders and launched a capital raise to support the delivery of its flagship Port Augusta Green Energy Hub and growing international project pipeline. [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/vast-gets-new-funding-and-launches-capital-raise-accelerating-its-port-augusta-green-energy-hub/">Vast gets new funding and launches capital raise accelerating its Port Augusta Green Energy Hub</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org">SolarPACES</a>.</p>

Trinity Morphy takes a closer look at the Youth Agency Marketplace for Africans and its potential for social impact.

<p>SolarPACES interviews Ryan Garvey, Founder and Principal Research Scientist at Outward Technologies, which has NASA funding to develop its concentrated solar system for resource extraction, surface construction, and habitat development on the Moon and other planetary bodies, using solar 3D printing of landing pads, roadways, and habitats directly from lunar regolith, without the need for [&#8230;]</p> <p>The post <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org/startup-concentrates-solar-to-melt-nasas-lunar-landing-pads/">Startup concentrates solar to melt NASA&#8217;s lunar landing pads</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.solarpaces.org">SolarPACES</a>.</p>

<h4><strong>How an Ohio ISP is using Helium Hotspots to deliver stronger, smarter connectivity to his community.</strong></h4><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*_9kZrluqsiqCD7Yuf6OayQ.png" /></figure><p>Dustin Wright didn’t set out to be a full-scale internet service provider. But what began as a radio hobby during the 2008 recession turned into Untangled Technology, a network builder and Wi-Fi architect trusted by schools, local governments, and the City of Fairlawn, Ohio.</p><p>By 2017, Wright partnered with local leaders in Fairlawn, a suburb of Akron. The city determined that declining business growth and stagnant home values were largely the result of poor internet connectivity. In response, the city tapped Untangled to help launch <a href="https://www.fairlawngig.net/">FairlawnGig</a>, a city-owned broadband utility delivering high-speed fiber to every home and business. Wright’s future plans for FairlawnGig involve incorporating <a href="https://www.helium.com/mobile#hotspots">Helium Hotspots</a> throughout the city to strengthen the network.</p><p>After 16 years of successfully building robust private networks, Wright still had clients with coverage gaps, especially in large buildings or public facilities where people struggled with consistent indoor coverage. After learning about Helium Hotspots in December 2024, he realized he had a solution for those customers who were missing out on expanded coverage that didn’t require building new infrastructure.</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*J0atFypD3i049itEEg-MCg.png" /></figure><p>After being in business for so many years, Wright has a long customer list. With Helium Hotspots, he’s able to go back to existing customers and provide more coverage and more reliability — a major connectivity upgrade all around — at no extra charge. Without laying out cables of expensive fiber cable, he can deploy Helium Hotspots on streetlamps, stop lights, outdoor garages, all across the city, to increase coverage using the infrastructure they already have in place.</p><p>While Helium offers token rewards for network coverage, Wright sees those as a bonus to the business rather than a core aspect central to his business model. “We manage these networks, and that’s where the bulk of the business gets done.”</p><p>As network managers, Wright provides a detailed data report tailored to each client. Depending on the business, the metrics can give a lot of information not just about the connectivity, but on business objectives or outcomes. In a school district, the report might highlight Wi-Fi uptime. In a recreation center offering digital skills training, it might show whether public tech resources are being used effectively. These data-driven insights can help his clients make strategic decisions for their school, community center, business or government building.</p><p>Looking ahead, Wright plans to begin integrating Helium Hotspots across Fairlawn as part of FairlawnGig’s evolution. With a long list of clients already relying on Untangled Technology, Helium offers a way to futureproof services — delivering better connectivity with less friction.</p><p>To be a featured Helium Hotspot deployer, please contact <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>.</p><img alt="" height="1" src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=af10b5d0c508" width="1" /><hr /><p><a href="https://blog.helium.com/untangled-technology-af10b5d0c508">Fixing Coverage Gaps with Helium: The Untangled Technology Story</a> was originally published in <a href="https://blog.helium.com">The Helium Blog</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.</p>

Trinity Morphy proposes a modification to the current squad staking model that would unlock funding at scale for the regen movement.

<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*QmiZlJ2-Iu8sZB0e" /></figure><p>Six years ago, a simple but radical idea went live: what if everyday people could build a wireless network together?</p><p>Instead of relying on giant telecom towers, the Helium Network invited everyone to plug in a small device called a Hotspot and become part of wireless connectivity.</p><p><strong>Fast forward to today:</strong> that idea has grown into the <strong>world’s largest people-powered network</strong>, connecting millions of phones and sensors across the globe.</p><p>And now, as Helium blows out the candles on its 6th birthday 🎂, it’s also celebrating another big milestone! <strong>Helium’s Third Halving. 🥳</strong></p><p>So, whether you’re brand-new to Helium or have been here since the first Hotspot shipped, this is a moment worth celebrating.</p><p><em>Let’s look back at how the Network got here and what the halving means.</em></p><h4><strong>From Big Idea to Big Impact</strong></h4><p>The Helium Network launched in 2019 with a bold mission: build wireless from the ground up, owned and operated by the people who use it.</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*gLDt38E8-N5sdLwy" /></figure><h4><strong>How It Works</strong></h4><ul><li><strong>Hotspots, not giant towers:</strong> Instead of billion-dollar cell towers, anyone could deploy a Hotspot: a plug-and-play device that acts like a mini cell tower, creating Helium Network coverage.</li><li><strong>HNT rewards:</strong> In exchange for providing wireless connectivity, participants earn HNT — a cryptocurrency — when their coverage is used by sensors, phones, or other devices.</li></ul><p>What began with just a few pioneering Hotspots quickly exploded into a global movement.</p><p>By 2021, there were nearly a million Internet of Things (IoT) Hotspots in 192 countries, connecting everything from water meters in smart cities to air-quality sensors in schools.</p><p>But the Helium Network didn’t stop at connecting “things.” In 2022, it expanded into cellular coverage with Hotspots that provide phone service. That breakthrough paved the way for <a href="https://heliummobile.com/"><strong>Helium Mobile</strong></a>, a bold new carrier offering phone plans powered by both a nationwide 5G network and the Helium Network.</p><p>And as the community kept building, industry leaders took notice. <a href="https://www.fierce-network.com/newswire/att-partners-helium-better-wi-fi-offload"><strong>Major carriers</strong></a> now use Helium’s carrier offload to boost service for their own customers.</p><p>That’s the power of the people-powered Network!</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*saRh666X8VwrT-Ps" /></figure><h4><strong>🎂 6 Years of Helium: What’s the Gift?</strong></h4><p>Birthdays are for giving — and we’re celebrating with some big ones:</p><ul><li><strong>25% off </strong><a href="https://www.helium.com/"><strong>Helium Mobile Hotspots</strong></a> with code <strong>BIRTHDAY. </strong>Offer available from August 1 through August 8, 2025 for customers in the United States. Limit 1 Hotspot per customer.</li><li><strong>25% off </strong><a href="https://heliummobile.com/"><strong>Air</strong> and <strong>Infinity</strong> plans</a> for your first 3 months. Phone plan offer automatically applies at checkout for people purchasing or upgrading to paid plans and is only available within the US. Offer is only visible on the latest version of the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/helium-mobile/id1640323514">app</a> (3.8.0).</li></ul><p>The best part? This Network is people-powered. Every Hotspot deployed, every byte transferred, every phone connected it’s all possible because of you.</p><h4><strong>What’s This “Halving” Everyone’s Talking About?</strong></h4><p>Today, August 1, 2025, Helium hit another milestone: <a href="https://blog.helium.com/helium-halving-2025-8ecaa1fff464"><strong>the Third Halving.</strong></a><strong> </strong>🎈</p><p>The halving is a deflationary mechanism that occurs every two years. Starting today, the total amount of new HNT tokens emitted annually is <strong>cut in half.</strong></p><p><em>It sounds intense, but here’s the simple version:</em></p><p>Every two years, the amount of new HNT tokens created annually is cut in half.</p><p>This was introduced (and approved) by community members in 2020 as Helium Improvement Proposal 20 <a href="https://github.com/helium/HIP/blob/main/0020-hnt-max-supply.md">(HIP-20)</a>. Halvings enable a maximum supply for HNT.</p><h4><strong>What This Means for You as a Hotspot Owner</strong></h4><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*S-xmkwTpXROBEqZh" /></figure><p><strong>Proof-of-Coverage (PoC) Rewards:</strong> Your earnings in HNT from Proof-of-Coverage will be directly impacted. Assuming all other factors remain constant, the amount of HNT you earn for PoC activities will be halved, however be aware that the actual earnings rate may be reduced by more or less than half depending on additional network factors.</p><p><strong>Data Transfer Rewards: </strong>Unlike PoC rewards, data transfer rewards will remain unaffected by the halving. Hotspot owners are compensated for the utility they provide by offloading data to the Network. For example, when someone connects to your Mobile Hotspot — maybe taking a video call from a coffee shop or streaming YouTube while waiting in an airport lounge — the data they use earns you rewards. If a Mobile Hotspot was earning the HNT equivalent of $0.50 per gigabyte of data transferred before the halving, it will still earn roughly $0.50 worth of HNT per GB transferred.</p><p>If you’ve locked and delegated HNT, remember to<strong> re-delegate your veHNT</strong> to keep earning uninterrupted rewards through 2026.</p><p>As a final step of HIP-138, approved by community members in 2024, HNT emissions to the MOBILE treasury has ended.</p><p><strong>The MOBILE → HNT swap rate remains fixed at 7473.58 MOBILE = 1 HNT. <br />The IOT → HNT swap rate remains fixed at 6608.32 IOT = 1 HNT. <br /></strong>Read more in the <a href="https://blog.helium.com/hip-138-tl-dr-hnt-is-back-return-to-simplicity-994a32639dda"><strong>HIP 138 blog</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>You can swap MOBILE → HNT using the Helium Wallet app, any Solana wallet, or Jupiter Exchange.</p><p>If you hold MOBILE on Coinbase, first withdraw it, then swap via the Helium protocol treasury (or in DeFi if you find a better rate). The Helium Wallet, other Solana wallets, and Jupiter will automatically show you the best available rate across all options. There’s no deadline — the treasury will remain live. Read the full <a href="https://blog.helium.com/helium-halving-2025-8ecaa1fff464"><strong>halving blog</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*8DMZVEyQnkUuY2oO" /></figure><h4><strong>Here’s to the Next 6 Years</strong></h4><p>From IoT sensors to phones, from a bold experiment to partnerships with global telecom giants…Helium turned 6 this year, and we’re just getting started! <strong>🥳</strong></p><p>Whether you’re here for the rewards, the mission of affordable connectivity, or just because you like being part of game-changing tech, you’re helping reshape wireless connectivity for everyone.</p><p>So grab a slice of cake 🍰, check your Hotspot, maybe even lock up some HNT, and get ready for the next chapter.</p><h4><strong>How Can You Get Involved?</strong></h4><p>If you’re new, now’s the perfect time to join:</p><ul><li>Sign up for <a href="https://heliummobile.com/"><strong>Helium Mobile</strong></a></li><li>Deploy a <a href="https://www.helium.com/"><strong>Hotspot</strong></a></li><li>Stake &amp; <a href="https://heliumvote.com/hnt"><strong>Delegate HNT</strong></a></li></ul><p>The future of wireless is people-powered. And we’re building it together. LFG! 💪🏻</p><img alt="" height="1" src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=237e923a15b7" width="1" /><hr /><p><a href="https://blog.helium.com/helium-birthday-237e923a15b7">Happy 6th Birthday, Helium! 🎉 + What You Need to Know About the Third Halving</a> was originally published in <a href="https://blog.helium.com">The Helium Blog</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.</p>

<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*PUFgEVAQNreFofXj0tI8lA.png" /></figure><p>The next evolution in decentralized wireless is here. Today we’re excited to announce the official launch of <a href="https://www.helium.com/plus">Helium Plus</a>, a transformative new service that empowers any business or public Wi-Fi provider to join and expand Helium coverage. This feature is set to accelerate the growth of reliable, community-driven wireless coverage across the U.S. and Mexico while creating monetization opportunities for participants.</p><h4><strong>A Breakthrough in Network Participation</strong></h4><p>Until now, contributing to the people-powered Helium Network involved setting up physical Hotspots. Helium Plus revolutionizes this process. Now, businesses can seamlessly integrate into the Helium Network with their existing infrastructure. From local cafes to large shopping malls, any venue can now begin providing coverage through a simple, <a href="https://www.helium.com/convert">self-served software upgrade</a> to their current Wi-Fi routers. This pivotal update removes the need to purchase any additional hardware, dramatically lowering the barrier to entry.</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*0NzCI-sNDaYfQfxM" /></figure><p>The Helium Network is experiencing explosive growth, and Helium Plus is set to accelerate it. In June, the network paid out over $300K+ for carrier offload data, with rewards growing a staggering 20% month-over-month. Now, Helium Plus invites hundreds of thousands of new contributors to share in this success, earning HNT or USD simply by using their existing Wi-Fi.</p><blockquote>“Helium Plus represents a major leap forward in how businesses can contribute to the Helium Network,” said Mario Di Dio, Network General Manager at Helium. “It offers instant, low-cost wireless integration, reducing infrastructure costs while creating new revenue streams and improving connectivity. The simplicity of our process is key to unlocking the full potential of this expansion.”</blockquote><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*vLnzjWhb7mQfkQ7s" /></figure><h4>Powering a New Era of Connectivity</h4><p>Beyond creating value for individual businesses, Helium Plus is designed to supercharge the entire Helium ecosystem. It directly fuels the Helium Network’s powerful carrier offload capability, which enables major U.S. carriers to route customer data through The People’s Network, enhancing their coverage and cutting operational costs.</p><p>The results already speak for themselves: since launching carrier offload, the Helium Network has soared past one million daily users, proving its remarkable scale.</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*-nT0DjojneVvE31F" /></figure><p>Helium Plus represents the next major leap in building a stronger, more accessible network for everyone.</p><p>Join the new wireless economy and learn how Helium Plus can create value for your business by visiting the <a href="https://www.helium.com/plus">Helium website</a>.</p><img alt="" height="1" src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=51c23f3eacfb" width="1" /><hr /><p><a href="https://blog.helium.com/helium-plus-51c23f3eacfb">Introducing Helium Plus: Monetize Existing Wi-Fi and Join The People’s Network</a> was originally published in <a href="https://blog.helium.com">The Helium Blog</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.</p>

The authors of The Green Crypto Handbook discuss the transition to onchain environmental finance, regulatory and narrative shifts, and the EU's recent nature credit announcement.

<p>Following successful deployments across the U.S. and Latin America, LongFi Solutions is bringing Helium’s people-powered Network to communities across Mexico.</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*_5ZsUtmWQUatdztwImr2Ow.png" /></figure><p>When <a href="https://www.telefonica.com/en/communication-room/press-room/telefonica-mexico-bringing-helium-network-2-million-subscribers-mexico/">Telefónica</a> set out to bring mobile coverage to underserved parts of Mexico, they didn’t go back to cell towers. Instead, the Latin American carrier opted for a decentralized model, working with Helium to build a more agile and more robust network. And when Helium was tasked with a project so wide-reaching with the potential to affect 2 million subscribers in Mexico, the team reached out to longtime deployers at <a href="https://www.longfisolutions.com/">LongFi Solutions</a>.</p><p>LongFi’s successful work history in Texas and Latin America as a decentralized network builder made them a natural fit for this project. Today, their deployers are bringing mobile coverage via Helium Hotspots in those areas Telefonica identified as needing expanded coverage, such as the historic center of Oaxaca. (For a more detailed view of future Hotspot deployments in Oaxaca, check out the <a href="https://world.helium.com/en/network/mobile/region/29879">expansion zone</a> in <a href="https://world.helium.com/en/network/mobile">world.helium.com</a>). The historically sensitive environment posed a unique deployment challenge: its tightly packed neighborhoods, colonial-era buildings, and protected cultural sites make traditional infrastructure rollouts not only impractical but potentially compromising or damaging to the local culture (no one wants to see a giant cell tower in the historic Zocalo Plaza, for example).</p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshlongfi/">LongFi CEO Josh Heller</a> said the project would require much more upfront planning than just installing hardware. Building trust and training local talent would be critical, so LongFi invested time and resources into building and training a local deployment team of technicians and location scouts.</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*3gv-fqJ7NelmOBAafudcaw.png" /></figure><p>“In southern Mexico, there’s a natural skepticism of outsiders, especially when it comes to tech,” said Heller. “Even having a Colombian team member didn’t make us local. That’s why we focused on hiring people from Oaxaca itself. It was the only way this was going to work.”</p><p>LongFi also partnered with small local ISPs, many of whom had already laid fiber in select areas but didn’t have the resources to expand. By deploying Helium Hotspots on top of these existing connections, LongFi helped extend service and create new revenue streams for these businesses. “In some ways,” said Heller, “we’re helping them build out the network they would’ve built anyway, if they had the capital.”</p><p>From finding rooftops with line-of-sight, to adapting to power and internet constraints, to navigating local permitting in a sensitive historic zone, LongFi made sure every step of the rollout was customized, careful, and community-first.</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*777jfz6fZ2hFv1agJEyYvg.png" /></figure><p>LongFi began as a side project while Heller was working at Exxon. As a hobbyist network builder, decentralized network connectivity had an appeal for being “a model that was lighter, more flexible, and better suited for the kinds of places that usually get overlooked.”</p><p>By 2021, Heller had pivoted to LongFi full time. What makes it work, he says, isn’t just the tech. It’s the alignment of incentives. “You don’t have to care about the bigger picture to participate, but when you contribute, you benefit from the whole network getting stronger. There’s this virtuous cycle: the more we all put in, the more everyone gets out.”</p><p>To accelerate the project and ensure its success, <a href="https://www.helium.foundation/">Helium Foundation</a> allocated funds from its <a href="https://www.helium.com/grant">$50M coverage grant</a>. The foundation announced in May it would commit grant funds to “support deployers and accelerate the buildout of Helium coverage and promote accessability…[and] drive down the cost of deployment to bring affordable connectivity to as many people as possible.”</p><p>To be a featured Helium Hotspot deployer, please contact <a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a>.</p><img alt="" height="1" src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=b701fb1220f5" width="1" /><hr /><p><a href="https://blog.helium.com/longfi-b701fb1220f5">How LongFi &amp; Helium Are Expanding Network Coverage in Mexico</a> was originally published in <a href="https://blog.helium.com">The Helium Blog</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.</p>

Trinity Morphy catches up with the authors of The Green Crypto Handbook to discuss ecocapitalism, the onchain environmental finance stack, and the maturity of blockchain.

<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*a_5l7hFZ_t8-4_9D8CXmQw.jpeg" /></figure><p>For decades, traditional telecom has burdened consumers with eye-watering prices, locked-in contracts, and spotty indoor coverage, all symptoms of a brutally expensive, centralized infrastructure model. Helium flips that model on its head.</p><p><strong>What makes Helium different</strong></p><ul><li><strong>People-powered infrastructure.</strong> Anyone can deploy a mini cell tower “Hotspot”, to extend coverage exactly where it’s needed. Think of it as Uber or Airbnb for connectivity. Network builders can earn rewards in HNT every time a device or phone routes data through their Hotspot.</li><li><strong>Proven at IoT scale.</strong> Helium built the world’s largest decentralized IoT network, peaking at 1M+ Hotspots and still operating in 170+ countries, all powered by people.</li><li><strong>Now serving humans, not just sensors.</strong> Over 100k Helium Mobile Hotspots in the U.S. already handle 30–35 TB of cellular traffic a day, with more than 1 million phones connecting daily.</li></ul><p><strong>Helium Mobile: a telco carrier re-imagined</strong></p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*o07yjby1UVlO6a4h02AvMg.png" /></figure><p>Traditional MVNOs are locked to a single host network, cost $40–70 per month with multi‑year contracts, and provide no benefits beyond service.</p><p><a href="https://heliummobile.com/">Helium Mobile</a> dynamically combines nationwide 5G with the people-powered Helium Network, offers a free phone plan with 3 GB of data plus voice/SMS and no contracts, and rewards users for sharing their anonymized location coverage data, which helps guide where new Hotspots should be deployed.</p><p><strong>Why incumbents are taking note</strong></p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*US-xEn-RGXvrIzigVFHGAQ.jpeg" /></figure><ul><li><strong>Cost advantage.</strong> Building or leasing indoor coverage has traditionally cost telcos thousands per site. A <a href="https://www.helium.com/">Mobile Hotspot</a> can light up a coffee shop or airport gate for a fraction of that.</li><li><strong>Live pilots.</strong> <a href="https://www.fierce-network.com/newswire/att-partners-helium-better-wi-fi-offload">Major carriers</a> automatically shift subscribers to Helium Hotspots whenever they’re in range, reducing OPEX (operating expenses) while improving indoor experience.</li></ul><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*1aC89sq8_FV_4D980hzmaA.png" /></figure><p><strong>Fueling the next growth wave</strong></p><p>The Helium Foundation’s new <a href="https://www.helium.com/grant"><strong>$50M Coverage Grant Program</strong></a> targets high-demand zones where aligning Hotspot growth with subscriber density can slash costs for users and boost earnings for hosts.</p><p>Telecom doesn’t have to be painful or expensive. By putting infrastructure in citizens’ hands and aligning incentives with crypto, Helium is proving there’s a smarter, cheaper, and more inclusive way to connect the world.</p><p><strong>Join Helium Network</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Deploy coverage:</strong> <a href="https://helium.world">https://helium.world</a></li><li><strong>Try Helium Mobile:</strong> <a href="https://heliummobile.com">https://heliummobile.com</a></li></ul><img alt="" height="1" src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=293e4880c56f" width="1" /><hr /><p><a href="https://blog.helium.com/what-is-helium-293e4880c56f-293e4880c56f">What If You Got Paid Instead of Paying Your Phone Bill?</a> was originally published in <a href="https://blog.helium.com">The Helium Blog</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.</p>

<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/0*KxoiUcQwdbgYtrFM" /></figure><p>If you’ve ever wondered if your Helium Hotspot is doing more than just blinking, the answer is a resounding yes. In fact, it might be playing a crucial role in the global mobile ecosystem, supporting some of the world’s largest mobile networks, all without a single cell tower in sight.</p><p>This process is called carrier offloading, and it’s a foundational element of modern telecommunications. Let’s explore what it is, how your Hotspot facilitates it, and why it represents a major shift in how wireless networks are built.</p><p><strong>What is Carrier Offloading? A Simple Explanation</strong></p><p>Imagine the cellular network as a massive highway system. During peak hours, like in a bustling city center, a sports stadium, or a busy airport, this highway can get congested. When too many people try to use their mobile data at once, speeds slow down for everyone.</p><p>Carrier offloading is like opening up a series of local express lanes to relieve this congestion. Instead of every device connecting to the cellular highway (towers), mobile carriers can “offload” some of that data traffic onto nearby, trusted Wi-Fi networks.</p><p>For the user, this transition is seamless and automatic. Their phone intelligently switches from cellular to Wi-Fi without them ever needing to enter a password. The result is a faster, more reliable connection, while the main cellular network breathes easier.</p><p><strong>How Your Hotspot Becomes an “Express Lane”</strong></p><p>This is where the Helium Network comes in. As a decentralized, people-powered wireless network, it’s made up of hundreds of thousands of individual Hotspots deployed by people and businesses around the world.</p><p>When a subscriber from a partner mobile network operator enters an area with a Helium Hotspot, their device can automatically and securely connect using a technology called Wi-Fi Passpoint.</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*lIJme2AdDJKGZmyFfZcaYA.png" /></figure><p><strong>Here’s what happens behind the scenes:</strong></p><p><strong>🤝 Seamless Handshake:</strong> The subscriber’s phone recognizes the Helium Hotspot as a trusted network, authorized by their mobile carrier.</p><p><strong>📶 Data Offload: </strong>The phone’s data usage is temporarily routed through your Hotspot’s internet connection instead of the cellular tower.</p><p><strong>✅ Verified Usage:</strong> This connection is recorded by the Helium Network, verifying that your Hotspot provided service.</p><p><strong>💰 You Get Rewarded: </strong>For providing this valuable offloading service, you, the Hotspot owner, earn rewards in HNT.</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*kUf_TwJPm0aQDxZCUUDWUw.png" /></figure><p><strong>Why Your Deployment Location is Key</strong></p><p>Mobile networks don’t need to offload data everywhere. They need it most where their own networks are under the greatest strain. Think about places with high concentrations of people:</p><ul><li>Downtown commercial districts</li><li>Shopping malls and retail corridors</li><li>University campuses</li><li>Transit hubs and airports</li><li>Stadiums and event venue</li></ul><p>Deploying a Hotspot in these high-traffic areas dramatically increases the chances of it being used for carrier offloading. For a business owner, this creates a powerful win-win: your customers receive superior connectivity in your establishment, and you earn rewards for providing it.</p><p><strong>Why This is a Revolutionary Shift</strong></p><p>This decentralized model fundamentally changes who builds and benefits from wireless infrastructure.</p><p>Historically, building a network required billions of dollars in capital and the monumental task of erecting cell towers. Now, for the first time, anyone can participate directly in the telecom economy. By deploying a simple Hotspot and sharing your existing internet connection, you are providing a carrier-grade service.</p><p>This isn’t just a novelty; it’s a disruptive and efficient way to scale network capacity precisely where it’s needed most. You’re not just running a device, you are part of a global, dynamic infrastructure that is making connectivity more accessible and affordable for everyone.</p><p>This is what the future of decentralized infrastructure looks like, and you’re the one building it. <strong>Ready to find the perfect spot for your next Hotspot? </strong><a href="http://world.helium.com/">world.helium.com</a></p><img alt="" height="1" src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=c19eb03f62e6" width="1" /><hr /><p><a href="https://blog.helium.com/carrier-offload-c19eb03f62e6">Your Hotspot’s Secret Job: Understanding Carrier Offloading</a> was originally published in <a href="https://blog.helium.com">The Helium Blog</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.</p>

<figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*JpjSWqgNpXA5NFlj8FytUA.png" /></figure><p>On August 1st, the Helium Network will undergo another major milestone: the Third Helium halving. This scheduled event cuts daily HNT emissions in half and affects everyone in the ecosystem — from Hotspot operators to HNT stakers.</p><p>In this guide, we’ll explain what the halving is, how it impacts network economics and governance, and the steps you need to take to stay eligible for rewards.</p><p>Hear directly from the Helium core Protocol team in the <a href="https://x.com/helium/status/1945936117242667333">recorded X Spaces discussion</a>.</p><h3>What is the Helium Halving?</h3><p>The Helium halving is a deflationary mechanism that occurs every two years. On August 1st, the total amount of new HNT tokens emitted per day is cut in half.</p><p>Helium Improvement Proposal 20 <a href="https://github.com/helium/HIP/blob/main/0020-hnt-max-supply.md">(HIP-20)</a>, proposed and approved by the community on November 18, 2020, introduced two key features to the Helium Network’s design:</p><p>1. <strong>A maximum supply for HNT:</strong> capping the total number of tokens that can ever exist.</p><p>2. <strong>Halvenings:</strong> a mechanism that cuts the rate of new HNT emissions in half every two years on the Network’s genesis anniversary.</p><p>This halving, annual emissions will drop from 15 million HNT to 7.5 million HNT, bringing the daily HNT issuance down to 20,548. This event is part of Helium Network’s design, established back in the L1 days to create a fixed, predictable supply of HNT, ensuring long-term economic stability.</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*O8DEtgNaVs37FTMagWvD6g.png" /></figure><h3>How Does the Halving Affect Hotspot Operators?</h3><p>If you run a Mobile or IoT Hotspot, you’re likely wondering, “How will this affect my earnings?” The answer depends on how you earn rewards.</p><ul><li><strong>Proof-of-Coverage (PoC) Rewards:</strong> Your earnings in HNT from Proof-of-Coverage will be directly impacted. Assuming all other factors remain constant, the amount of HNT you earn for PoC activities will be halved, however be aware that the actual earnings rate may be reduced by more or less than half depending on additional network factors.</li><li><strong>Data Transfer Rewards:</strong> Unlike PoC rewards, data transfer rewards will remain unaffected by the halving. Mobile Hotspot owners are compensated for the utility they provide by offloading data to the network. For example, if a Mobile Hotspot was earning the HNT equivalent of $0.50 per gigabyte of data transferred before the halving, it will still earn roughly $0.50 worth of HNT per GB transferred.</li></ul><h3>Governance, Staking, and Your Role in the Network</h3><p>The halving is more than just an economic event; it’s deeply connected to Helium’s governance model, which relies on veHNT (vote-escrowed HNT).</p><h3>What is veHNT?</h3><p>Helium no longer follows a “one token, one vote” model. Instead, it uses veHNT, a system that rewards long-term commitment with greater voting power. When you lock your HNT tokens, you receive veHNT, which is your voting power. The longer you lock your tokens, the more veHNT (and thus, more voting power) you receive.</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*X-ifX5aiu79-9Mg5K-GtGg.png" /></figure><p><em>For example:</em></p><ul><li>Locking 1 HNT for 1 year will give you 25 veHNT.</li><li>Locking that same 1 HNT for 4 years will give you 100 veHNT.</li></ul><p>This system gives more weight to those who demonstrate a long-term belief in the network’s future.</p><h3>What is Delegation?</h3><p>As a veHNT holder, you hold the “brains of the network.” You get to decide how the daily HNT emissions are allocated between the two sub-networks: IoT and Mobile. This is done through delegation.</p><p>You delegate your veHNT voting power to the sub-network(s) you believe have the most potential for future growth and data credit burn. The total HNT emissions are then split proportionally based on the total delegation to each sub-network. Currently, the split is roughly 75% to Mobile and 25% to IoT.</p><p>Think of delegation as a strategic decision, you’re deciding where emissions can drive the most growth. Should more incentives go to deploying new Mobile Hotspots, or should they reinforce the established IoT network? You can even split your delegation between both if you see potential in each.</p><h3>How to Earn Rewards on Your Locked HNT</h3><p>Locking HNT gives you veHNT — but to earn rewards, you must delegate and vote.</p><ol><li>Delegate: You <em>must</em> delegate your veHNT to a sub-network (or split it to both).</li><li>Vote: You must vote on active Helium Improvement and Release Proposals (HIPs and HRPs).</li></ol><p>To make voting easier, you can delegate your vote to a proxy. A proxy is a trusted community member or group that will vote on your behalf, ensuring you remain eligible for rewards even if you miss a proposal. Don’t agree with your proxy? You can override their vote anytime. It is highly recommended to set a proxy as a backup to ensure you don’t miss out on rewards.</p><p>An important clarification: Your rewards now also depend on your participation — not just where you delegate. This decoupling encourages voting based on what’s best for the network, not personal yield. This was changed to encourage veHNT holders to vote for the long-term health of the entire ecosystem, rather than trying to optimize personal rewards.</p><figure><img alt="" src="https://cdn-images-1.medium.com/max/1024/1*hQB3hGTYJzGx2TlcElyUqA.png" /></figure><h3>IMPORTANT ACTION: Re-Delegate by August 1</h3><ul><li>All delegations previously made before July 1, 2025 reset on August 1, 2025</li><li>If you don’t re-delegate and assign a proxy, you won’t earn rewards</li><li>Set delegation + proxy in the Helium Wallet App or at <a href="http://heliumvote.com">heliumvote.com</a></li></ul><h3>How to Manage Your Position:</h3><p>You can manage your veHNT position, delegations, and voting proxies in two primary places:</p><ul><li><strong>The Helium Wallet App:</strong> Available on <a href="https://apps.apple.com/us/app/helium-wallet/id1609525848">iOS</a> and <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.helium.wallet.app&amp;hl=en_US">Android</a>. You can use the in-app browser to access the Helium Vote website.</li><li><strong>Helium Vote Website:</strong> Visit<a href="https://heliumvote.com/"> heliumvote.com</a> and connect your wallet (such as Phantom or Solflare).</li></ul><p>The halving is a fundamental part of the Helium Network. By understanding how it works and re-delegating your staked HNT tokens, you help steer the future of the People-Powered Network.</p><img alt="" height="1" src="https://medium.com/_/stat?event=post.clientViewed&amp;referrerSource=full_rss&amp;postId=8ecaa1fff464" width="1" /><hr /><p><a href="https://blog.helium.com/helium-halving-2025-8ecaa1fff464">Helium Halving 2025: What It Means for Hotspot Operators, HNT Holders, and Network Governance</a> was originally published in <a href="https://blog.helium.com">The Helium Blog</a> on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.</p>

Trinity Morphy provides his analysis of the recent round by Octant and Climate Coordination Network.