The use of different methods to measure energy sources is a significant issue, affecting global efforts to combat climate change. The disparity in measuring energy statistics can lead to inaccurate targets and progress tracking.
The Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford University has awarded $2.1 million in seed grants to support promising clean energy research. The projects focus on developing new technologies for solar energy, nuclear waste management, and biofuels, with the goal of reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Researchers at PNNL are developing a computational tool to improve power grid planning and make hydrogen with a hybrid device. A new technology uses seaweed to create biofuel for cars and generators. These innovations aim to reduce energy costs, increase sustainability.
Researchers at Indiana University have calculated the lifetime energy requirements of multiple cell types and genes, revealing a linear relationship between energy consumption and cell volume. This study challenges existing theories on the role of mitochondria in driving genome complexity and evolution.
A new study found that global energy demand has an adverse impact on freshwater resources in less developed nations. The research highlights the need to consider the full range of consequences of the world's demand for energy when designing policies.
Researchers at PNNL found that Cyanothece uses both stored energy and direct sunlight to produce hydrogen. The organism's ability to create robust amounts of hydrogen makes it a viable catalyst for hydrogen production.
A systematic review by University of Bristol researchers found that consuming low energy sweeteners instead of sugar leads to reduced calorie intake and body weight. The study also suggests that LES beverages may be more effective than water in reducing weight, as they do not increase appetite.
A Mayo Clinic study found that consuming a single 16-ounce energy drink can significantly increase blood pressure and stress hormone responses, potentially increasing the risk of cardiovascular events. The study also showed increases in norepinephrine levels and systolic blood pressure after energy drink consumption.
A recent study found that energy drink consumption significantly increases systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 6.2% and 6.8%, respectively, and elevates norepinephrine levels by 74% after a single can of the drink.
A study found associations between masculinity ideology, energy drink consumption, and sleep disturbances among young white men. Energy drinks are often marketed as 'masculine' products, leading some men to feel pressure to consume them to perform masculinity.
Engineers at Oregon State University have developed a new approach for storing concentrated solar thermal energy, enabling more efficient and cost-effective use of this technology. The innovation uses thermochemical storage to hold heat, drive turbines, and reheat for continuous cycles.
A Florida State University researcher has discovered an artificial material that efficiently captures sunlight and breaks it down into oxygen and hydrogen. This process could be used to forge new energy sources in a carbon-neutral way.
Designing alloys to withstand extreme environments is a fundamental challenge for materials scientists. Researchers found that exploiting the complexity of equal amounts of up to four different metallic elements can lead to improved radiation resistance. The results reveal significantly reduced defect production and damage accumulation...
The project aims to develop transactive controls that optimize energy usage in buildings and devices, improving efficiency and reducing costs. Researchers will test the technology at three campuses, including Washington State University and the University of Washington, to demonstrate its potential for grid modernization.
A new study led by UC Riverside researchers found that utility-scale solar energy development can drive land-use and land-cover change, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions. The study emphasizes the need for optimized solar energy development to minimize environmental impacts.
Henrique Pombeiro, a Ph.D. candidate at MIT Portugal, has been awarded a Fulbright Research Grant to investigate strategies for improving energy efficiency in buildings without compromising comfort. He will focus on residential and university buildings, developing energy models and frameworks for evaluating feedback mechanisms.
A meta-analysis of 42 studies found that goal-based, computerized feedback is the best approach to reduce energy use. Feedback on progress towards personal energy use goals was more effective than comparing energy usage to neighbors.
A recent study published in PLOS ONE found a significant association between energy drink consumption and traumatic brain injury (TBI) in teenagers. Researchers discovered that teens who reported TBI were seven times more likely to consume at least five energy drinks in the past week.
Researchers have developed a system that captures energy from 'hot electrons' to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, offering a promising means of harnessing renewable energy. The process uses light-activated gold nanoparticles and efficiently increases solar-to-electric power-conversion efficiencies.
A new study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that gaming computers consume 20% of global PC energy use, but can be optimized for up to 75% energy savings through setting changes and component swaps. By doing so, gamers can improve reliability and performance while reducing their carbon footprint.
A proposed article in Environmental Justice advocates for basic energy rights for low-income populations, addressing energy insecurity and environmental health risks. The author compares two US communities: Dimock, PA, and Detroit, MI, highlighting the disproportionate burden vulnerable communities bear in energy supply and demand.
GCEP has awarded funding to six new projects, including a device that harnesses nighttime radiation and a charcoal-like soil amendment that removes carbon dioxide from the air. These promising technologies have the potential to transform our global energy system in the future, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers have found a way to capture high-energy electrons from plasmonic metals, opening a new pathway to efficient solar energy conversion. By coupling nano-rods of cadmium selenide with gold nanoparticles, they can harness the energy and use it to fuel chemical reactions.
Researchers have developed a new capacitor dielectric material providing an electrical energy storage capacity similar to certain batteries. The hybrid sol-gel material shows maximum extractable energy densities up to 40 joules per cubic centimeter, exceeding conventional electrolytic capacitors and thin-film lithium ion batteries.
The University of Delaware research team aims to improve solar cells and medical imaging by changing the color of low-energy light into higher-energy colors. Their novel approach could lead to a significant boost in solar energy harvesting, with predicted efficiencies of up to 30%.
A new study by Northwestern University and the U.S. Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory found that perovskite solar modules have a significantly shorter energy payback time than existing options, with some models returning energy investment in just two to three months. The researchers also analyzed the environmental impa...
Switzerland seeks to replace nuclear power with a mix of renewable energy sources, including wind, photovoltaics, and hydropower. The country aims to be largely independent of fossil fuels by 2034, reducing carbon intensity through efficient production processes and substantial reductions in consumption.
The UT Arlington team has developed an all-vanadium photo-electrochemical flow cell that enables large-scale solar energy storage even at night. This innovation overcomes a major limitation of current solar technology, allowing for uninterrupted energy storage around the clock.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new power scheduling technique that coordinates energy produced and stored by conventional and renewable sources. The approach replaces traditional centralized management with decentralized, distributed computing, enabling more efficient and secure energy distribution.
NREL is awarding up to $6.5 million in federal funds to technical teams across the US to test advanced control systems, smart consumer devices, energy storage, and emerging communications technologies for grid reliability and efficiency. The projects aim to accelerate modernization of the electric grid and enable a clean energy future.
Energy efficiency upgrades significantly benefit low-income single-family homeowners, providing improved thermal comfort, enhanced health and safety, and reduced energy costs. Landlords also experience benefits, including lower heating fuel prices and an improved sense of safety.
The partnership aims to enhance the operation and development of testing facilities, enabling better understanding of wind turbine drivetrain systems. The collaboration will also promote public-private partnerships and workforce education in the energy industry.
A fully renewable energy system featuring high shares of wind and solar energy is economically feasible for Finland by 2050, producing over 166 TWh of electricity annually. The system also includes power-to-gas technology and energy storage solutions, with total annual costs estimated at around 25 billion euros.
NREL's Innovation and Technology Transfer Awards ceremony recognized professionals behind the lab's greatest innovations from FY14. Distinguished Innovator Min Zhang and Rising Stars Chuck Booten and John Simon were honored for their contributions to clean energy technology development.
Chemistry student Anders Bo Skov has made a breakthrough in developing molecules capable of harnessing and storing substantial amounts of solar energy. His achievement doubles the energy density in a molecule that can hold its shape for a hundred years, offering potential for sustainable solar power.
Researchers found that teens aged 15-17 who mixed energy drinks with alcohol were four times more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder. The study highlights the potential risks of combining these substances, particularly among adolescents.
A new study found that while most people are willing to reduce their personal energy consumption, many are hesitant to share their energy data with third parties. Climate change awareness and cost concerns play a significant role in shaping public acceptance of demand-side management systems.
A team of researchers from the University of Waterloo has developed a novel design for electromagnetic energy harvesting based on the full absorption concept, which enables the collection of essentially all electromagnetic energy that falls onto a surface. This technology has vast applications in space solar power and wireless power tr...
Researchers at Kyoto University discovered how nerve cells adjust to low energy environments during brain growth, shedding light on neurodegenerative disorders. They found two protein molecules that produce enzymes to allocate energy molecules for cellular survival in areas with low ATP energy concentrations.
Energy balance experts from six continents collaborate to develop innovative approaches to prevent and reduce obesity. The Global Energy Balance Network will convene a 'think, do tank' in 2016 to explore new solutions.
The UK is investing £4.5 million in research projects to tackle the challenges of water-energy-food nexus. The three projects aim to improve resilience, produce nexus models, and identify existing structures with low impact across water, food and energy systems.
A study by Mayo Clinic researchers found that energy drinks increase resting blood pressure, particularly in caffeine-naive individuals, doubling their blood pressure compared to a placebo.
The NREL tool uses Battery Lifetime Analysis and Simulation Tool (BLAST) to evaluate unique scenarios and identify the most cost-effective energy storage system configurations. Small battery systems reducing peak demand by 2.5 percent offer the most attractive return on investment.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison developed a novel approach to combine biomass conversion and solar energy conversion, enabling more efficient hydrogen production and creating a valuable byproduct. This breakthrough could significantly increase the efficiency and utility of solar-fuel-producing photoelectrochemical cells.
A new study published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior found that nearly half of energy drink advertisements aired on networks with themes likely to appeal to adolescents. The study highlights the potential dangers of energy drink consumption among teenagers, particularly due to high caffeine content.
The 2013 Renewable Energy Data Book reports a significant increase in installed renewable capacity in the US. Key findings include solar electricity's rapid growth and renewable sources accounting for 23% of global electricity generation worldwide.
Researchers at Lund University successfully tracked supersonic electrons through a light-converting molecule, finding that the conversion of light to chemical energy happens rapidly without energy loss as heat. The study provides insights into constructing molecules for artificial photosynthesis, paving the way for solar fuel production.
A new zinc-polyiodide redox flow battery boasts an energy density exceeding other flow batteries of its kind and size. This design enables efficient long-duration energy storage for urban grids, enhancing resiliency and flexibility.
A new study published in Diabetologia shows that eating a high energy breakfast and a low energy dinner improves blood sugar control for individuals with type 2 diabetes. The study found significant reductions in post-meal glucose levels and insulin levels when participants followed the high-energy breakfast and low-energy dinner diet.
Marriott International partners with UTSA to improve its energy efficiency, leveraging Bing Dong's proprietary tool for real-time occupant behavior analysis and data-driven energy-saving recommendations. The partnership aims to reduce the company's global energy footprint by 20% by 2020.
Farms in Indiana have a high chance of saving money by using solar energy, thanks to the ability to depreciate their investment. In contrast, homeowners face uncertainty and lower chances of saving. The analysis suggests that putting solar on a level playing field with coal power would give homes more incentive to adopt solar.
Renewable electricity in the US grew to nearly 15% of total installed capacity and 13% of total electricity generation in 2013. Solar electricity was the fastest growing technology, with a 66% increase in cumulative installed capacity from the previous year.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have discovered that adding carbon nanoballs to insulation plastic can increase the voltage by up to 26%, resulting in a 26% efficiency gain in electric power transmission. This could lead to more efficient power grids and sustainable energy systems.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have identified a new material, perovskite, that can efficiently generate photovoltaic energy in various atmospheric conditions. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce the costs of solar energy production.
Researchers at KAIST have developed zinc oxide-based micro energy harvesting devices that can harness mechanical energy to generate electricity. The devices, known as nanogenerators, were found to be more efficient when insulating layers such as aluminum nitride were inserted into the zinc oxide material.
Leading conservation scientists argue that nuclear energy should be part of the energy mix to mitigate climate change. The researchers evaluated different energy scenarios and found that nuclear power performs well compared to renewables, considering factors like safety, cost, scalability, land transformation, and emissions.
Eight seed grants support promising new research in clean technology and energy efficiency, focusing on photovoltaics, nanoscale heat transmission, power electronics, and sustainable energy systems. The projects aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste heat.
Researchers say that improved storage technologies and hybrid systems could address the variable nature of alternative energy, making them more cost-effective and efficient. Advanced energy storage and smart-grid connections are being explored to match different forms of renewable energy and provide a consistent power supply.
Antonio Luque will receive the Karl W. Börner Solar Energy Medal of Merit at a ceremony on March 13, 2015. Luque is being recognized for his work in developing high-efficiency solar cells and stimulating the adoption of renewable energy in Spain.
The new Lab-Corps program aims to accelerate the commercialization of clean energy technologies from national laboratories to the marketplace. The program will partner with five national labs and provide funding, equipment, and expertise to help innovators bring their ideas to market.