Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are creating an iron-based flow battery to store energy from wind turbines and solar panels. The battery could supply electricity when demand is high, making it a useful alternative to pumped hydro and compressed air systems.
The University of Southampton is part of a £4.57 million project to evaluate biomass as a sustainable energy source in the UK. The research aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a cost-effective energy system by 2050.
The California Energy Commission is funding $1.4 million in renewable energy research at UC San Diego, including advanced solar forecasting and energy storage systems. The investment will help accelerate the development of clean energy technologies and achieve California's 33% Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard by 2020.
A study by MIT researchers found that remanufacturing products can be more energy-efficient in some cases, but new technology often cancels out savings. The team looked at life-cycle analysis and found that many remanufactured products are less energy-efficient due to newer versions being more efficient.
Scientists have created a novel form of carbon that acts like a super-absorbent sponge, soaking up electric charge. The material can be incorporated into supercapacitor energy-storage devices with remarkably high storage capacity and quick recharge time.
A new Berkeley Lab study forecasts China's energy use will level off, even as its population edges past 1.4 billion, due to saturation in energy demand for appliances and housing. The report also predicts significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through increased adoption of electric cars, nuclear power, and improved energy e...
PSERC is investigating innovations in network architectures and planning approaches to achieve sustainable energy systems with high penetrations of renewable resources. The future grid will be more complex, heterogeneous, and dynamic due to the variability of renewable energy production.
A Clemson University researcher is developing a new approach to designing more energy-efficient buildings by applying psychology concepts such as choice architecture and cognitive bias. His research aims to improve the decision-making process of engineers in building design, which could lead to widespread adoption of net-zero buildings.
A laboratory study found that energy drinks combined with alcohol enhance feelings of stimulation but do not alter the level of behavioral impairment, particularly for impulsive behavior. This combination may make energy drink-alcohol consumption riskier than drinking alcohol alone.
Researchers found that ice makers in four different refrigerators increased rated energy consumption by 12 to 20 percent, with three-fourths of the extra energy used for heaters. This study aims to improve efficiency and inform federal minimum efficiency standards for refrigerators.
The book highlights the crucial role of policy mechanisms, such as the feed-in tariff, in promoting widespread solar energy deployment. In California, a new law aims to make solar affordable at the municipal level.
Short rotation energy crops on England's unused land could produce enough biomass to meet UK's renewable energy targets without disrupting the food industry or environment. This study found that efficient land use can generate approximately four percent of current UK electricity demand from these crops.
NIST has broken ground on three new facilities: a net-zero energy residential test facility, an expanded National Fire Research Laboratory, and over 2,500 solar energy modules. The Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility will serve as a testbed for new home-scale energy technologies, while the National Fire Research Laboratory expans...
A two-year energy audit by McMaster University identified significant energy conservation measures that could save Hamilton schools almost $2.4 million annually. The audit found opportunities to install advanced heat recovery systems, boilers, solar, and wind generating systems.
Experts warn that doubling energy demand by 2050 poses significant challenges to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in California. Berkeley scientists stress the need for efficient energy use, low-carbon electricity options, and strategic behavioral changes to meet state's ambitious goal.
Researchers warn of potential health dangers from mixing energy drinks with alcohol, citing concerns over caffeine intake and increased risk of alcohol-related consequences. Experts advocate for regulatory changes, education, and manufacturer warnings to mitigate these risks.
A study published in BioScience finds strong correlations between energy consumption per person and gross domestic product per person across countries and over time. Researchers conclude that increasing energy supply is necessary to meet projected world population growth without compromising living standards.
Scientists report that household sewage has nearly 20% more energy potential than previously estimated, offering a new avenue for extracting methane, hydrogen, and other fuels from wastewater. The discovery could transform treatment facilities into energy sources, reducing their energy drain.
The Berkeley Lab will work with China to implement energy-efficient practices, such as turning computers around and reducing mechanical cooling. By sharing best practices and case studies, the goal is to reduce carbon emissions and improve the industry's energy performance.
A new theory of energy transfer in photosynthesis is being developed based on experimental findings that challenge the traditional dipole-based mechanism. Energy is rapidly and efficiently transferred when dipoles are orthogonally disposed, contrary to previous assumptions.
Nine dark energy models have been tested and compared using the latest observational data, including type Ia supernovae, baryon acoustic oscillation, and cosmic microwave background. The cosmological constant (CC) model is found to be the best fit, with five other models providing a good fit to the current data.
A decade-long decline in the nation's energy supply quality may be the root cause of the current economic recession. The Energy Intensity Ratio (EIR) measures how much profit consumers get from their energy, and its decline is correlated with economic downturns.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new metal complex that can convert methane into ethane, a crucial step towards building longer-chain hydrocarbons as alternative energy sources. This breakthrough could pave the way for a cleaner and more sustainable method of producing fuels from greenhouse gases.
A study by UC Berkeley researchers shows that clean energy investments in rural areas can help alleviate poverty and reduce carbon emissions. In Nicaragua, a community went from using diesel generators to efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs, resulting in a 28% drop in energy use and 37% reduction in electricity bills.
A new study found that energy drink consumption is strongly associated with increased risks for heavy drinking and alcohol dependence among young adults. High-frequency energy drink users were more likely to get drunk at an earlier age, drink more per session, and develop alcohol dependence compared to non-users or low-frequency users.
A new assessment warns that current imbalances in energy technology R&D portfolios will hinder climate change mitigation unless investments in energy efficiency are increased. Energy efficiency accounts for up to 50% of potential GHG emissions reductions, yet receives less than 10% of overall public sector investment.
The UK aims to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 with a focus on community-based initiatives. Seven projects have received funding to address energy demand and promote sustainable practices in communities across the country.
The U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center will develop low-energy technologies for residential and commercial buildings, with a focus on commercialization and human behavior's impact on energy use. The consortium aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through dramatic energy savings of 40-70% in existing and new buildings.
The Magnetic Energy Recovery Switch (MERS) harnesses and recycles residual magnetic power to control electrical flow, significantly reducing lighting energy consumption by 39 percent. The technology has the potential to reduce the Navy's total energy consumption from alternative sources by 40% by 2020.
The US Department of Energy has awarded a $1.05 million grant to the University of California - San Diego and San Diego State University to develop and execute commercialization plans for promising renewable energy technologies. The program aims to enhance university-based innovation ecosystems in the region.
A research team from Rochester Institute of Technology conducted a life-cycle assessment of organic solar cells, revealing lower embodied energy compared to conventional inorganic devices. The study also found potential benefits for manufacturing, including low-cost solution processing.
The CUNY Energy Institute has been awarded two grants totaling $4.6 million to develop low-cost, long-lasting energy storage systems and new capacitors for solid-state lighting. The projects aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce the need for excess generating capacity, enabling grid-scale energy storage.
The University of Houston has partnered with ABB and SuperPower to develop a superconducting magnet energy storage system that could revolutionize the US electrical grid. The project aims to create an affordable, large-scale energy storage system using magnetic fields in superconducting coils.
A recent scientific study found that men and women exhibit different responses to liquid calories, with women showing a trend towards greater energy intake after consuming caloric drinks. The research suggests that the body compensates for short-term energy intake, but women may be more susceptible to energy compensation dysregulation.
Walter Kohn predicts a new era in human history where solar and wind power dominate global energy, driven by growing alternative energy production and declining oil and gas reserves. International cooperation is crucial to addressing the challenges of a rapidly changing energy landscape.
Researchers at Georgia Tech Research Institute developed a system to measure high-energy laser beam power and spatial energy distribution. The reusable target board and beam diagnostic system enables simultaneous measurement of power and energy distribution, optimizing lasers for national security.
Researchers estimate that harnessing 10% of Australia's near-shore wave energy could generate enough electricity to meet half of the country's present-day consumption. This could contribute significantly to Australia's goal of producing 45,000 gigawatt-hours/year of additional renewable energy by 2020.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists, led by Caltech's Nathan S. Lewis, will partner with institutions like Berkeley Lab to develop a method to produce fuels directly from sunlight. The goal is to simulate nature's photosynthetic apparatus for practical energy production.
A multidisciplinary team of scientists led by California Institute of Technology will receive funding to develop an integrated solar energy-to-chemical fuel conversion system. The goal is to produce fuels directly from sunlight, reducing dependence on oil and enhancing energy security.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev have been awarded a US-Israel Energy Independence Partnership Grant to develop self-sustainable fuel cycles for light water reactors. The project aims to improve nuclear energy efficiency, reduce uranium enrichment needs, and extend available energy resources.
The new partnership aims to address the need for smart alternative energy sources and prepare students for the emerging industry. The Smart Grid Research Center will focus on developing reliable, affordable, secure, clean, and efficient energy systems.
The program aims to educate future tribal leaders on energy resource development and environmental evaluations, focusing on wind and solar energy. Students work on research projects analyzing potential impacts and economic opportunities, creating jobs and revenue for tribal communities.
The Office of Naval Research has selected nine researchers to receive funding for their innovative energy projects, aiming to help the Navy decrease its reliance on fossil fuels. The winners will use up to $100,000 to develop technologies such as solar power and microbial energy generation.
Low-external-input cropping systems reduce energy and yield impacts compared to conventional corn and soybean rotation. Manure application decreases fossil fuel energy costs without significantly increasing labor inputs.
The inaugural issue of OSA's Energy Express highlights research on solar concentrators, which aim to increase the efficiency of solar energy generation. New devices and technologies are being developed to concentrate sunlight, making solar power more economical and efficient.
A new study from Duke University and Georgia Institute of Technology finds that energy-efficient measures in the south could save consumers $41 billion on their energy bills by 2020. Investing $200 billion in energy efficiency programs by 2030 could return $448 billion in savings.
A new report by CSIRO outlines the potential of distributed energy to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Australia. Distributed energy systems can provide local generation, efficiency, and demand management, offering an immediate and cost-effective response to climate change.
Michigan State University professor Bruce Dale says that while EROI (energy return on energy invested) is a useful method of measurement, it alone is not enough. He argues that we need to consider differences in energy quality and critical materials required for various energy alternatives, such as lithium for electric vehicles.
Solid-state lighting has the potential to reduce energy consumption for lighting by a factor of three to six times, with current forms of light-production producing up to 95% wasted energy. Phillips will discuss ways to harness existing energy sources and identify areas of needed nanotechnology research
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed an artificial foot that recycles energy wasted in between steps, reducing energy spent per step by 14% compared to conventional prosthetic feet. This innovation could significantly improve walking efficiency for individuals with lower limb amputations.
John Kitchin, an assistant professor in Chemical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon, has been awarded funding to research new materials for efficient hydrogen production from water. His work tackles a primary hurdle in energy efficiency and may play a crucial role in managing CO2 emissions through advanced fossil energy power systems.
Researchers have identified a molecular mechanism that controls energy expenditure in muscles and helps determine body weight. This discovery could lead to a new medical approach in treating obesity by targeting the ATP-sensitive potassium channel function in muscle tissue.
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology has won a contract for a European knowledge and innovation community, focusing on sustainable energy systems. The consortium plans to develop a climate-neutral energy supply by 2050 and create 65 energy patents and 90 new products in the field.
A new, inexpensive method for solar energy storage has been developed, enabling personalized solar energy at the individual or home level. This innovation uses a practical catalyst to split water molecules into hydrogen, producing clean electricity in a fuel cell.
A consortium of five universities, including Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, has been awarded a collective $465 million contract to provide research services to the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The team will work on a range of projects, including fossil energy research and energy sector planning.
The facility will contain testbeds for building systems integration, allowing researchers to develop and validate technologies for N-ZEB. Berkeley Lab will work with industry partners to address key technical challenges and achieve aggressive energy savings.
A University of Utah scientist argues that energy conservation doesn't save energy, but instead spurs economic growth and accelerated energy consumption. The study finds a constant link between global energy use and accumulated economic productivity, tied to a physical constant of 9.7 milliwatts per inflation-adjusted dollar.
The energy gap concept estimates the change in energy balance required to achieve and sustain reduced body weight outcomes. Researchers suggest that small changes of 100 kcal/day can prevent weight regain in most adults, but larger gaps of 200-300 kcal/day are needed for maintenance.
ASU has been awarded two grants totaling over $10 million to support high-risk, high-reward advances in alternative energy research. The projects focus on developing ultra-high-energy metal-air batteries and using photosynthetic bacteria to produce automotive fuel from sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
A Stanford University research team has been awarded $6.27 million to develop an interactive software system that encourages people to be more energy efficient at home. The system will provide consumers with information about household energy consumption, aiming to reduce energy consumption by 10-30 percent.