Researchers believe metabolic engineering could revolutionize the production of chemicals, replacing non-renewable resources with bio-based alternatives. Jay Keasling's work aims to engineer microbes to perform complex chemistry, expanding product availability and reducing costs.
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.
A study by Diandong Ren finds that rising global temperatures decrease wind speeds, reducing the power output of wind turbines. This means that more wind turbines are needed to achieve the same amount of energy production, highlighting the need for a switch to renewable energy sources earlier.
Four young researchers from TUM have developed a sensor technology that can measure mechanical loads on rotor blades, enabling real-time optimization of energy generation. The EXIST research transfer grant will help the team start their own business and expand renewable energy facilities.
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.
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.
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.
The University of Hawaii at Manoa has identified the Leeward side of Hawaiian Islands as a promising location for ocean-based renewable energy plants using seawater to drive massive heat engines. This technology, known as Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), has the potential to produce steady amounts of renewable energy by harnessi...
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.
Researchers in India have designed a new motorcycle engine that uses compressed air to turn an air turbine, generating power for up to 40 minutes. The technology has the potential to significantly reduce emissions in areas where motorcycles are a major source of transportation.
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.
A City College of New York study, supported by $260,415, aims to pinpoint the top 20 sites for hydrokinetic energy in New Jersey. The research, led by Dr. Hansong Tang and Roger Bason, will use computer modeling and field measurements to estimate tidal energy potential.
The Australian government is funding a project to develop renewable energy technologies for the Murchison Radio-astronomy Observatory and the Pawsey High-Performance Computing Centre. The Sustainable Energy for SKA facility will support solar and photovoltaic technology and direct heat geothermal demonstrator to cool supercomputers.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have discovered an inexpensive metal catalyst that can effectively generate hydrogen gas from water, offering a promising solution for renewable energy technologies. The catalyst, based on molybdenum-oxo metal complex, has high catalytic activity and stability in aqueous media.
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.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute have developed a smart charging station that enables electric vehicles to recharge during periods of low energy demand and high renewable energy production. This system aims to reduce peak loads and maximize the contribution of solar and wind power.
Researchers at Arizona State University have successfully engineered photosynthetic cyanobacteria to secrete fatty acids, which can be converted into oil for use as a renewable biofuel. This breakthrough could significantly increase the energy yield of biofuels while minimizing environmental impact.
Scientists have developed a revolutionary technology to produce isoprene, a key tire ingredient, from renewable biomass sources such as sugar cane and switchgrass. This innovation aims to reduce the tire industry's reliance on crude oil and create a more sustainable future.
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.
A radical change in coordinated network planning and operation is needed for a reliable European grid, highlighting the importance of integrated strategic planning and cross-border coordination. The integration of renewable power sources poses significant challenges, requiring smarter grids to accommodate variable generation.
Researchers at Queen's University suggest examining GHG emissions implications for energy infrastructure to optimize greenhouse gas emission reductions. They propose using dynamic life-cycle analyses to determine carbon-neutral growth rates, which could help policy makers restructure renewable energy production.
The entry of oil companies into renewable energy could hinder a sustainable economy based on carbon resources. A democratic and equitable transition is necessary to avoid a centralized structure that contradicts the nature of renewable energy sources.
Researchers at North Carolina State University are developing a curriculum that uses real-world applications of renewable energy technologies to teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. This project aims to foster cognitive skill development and promote critical thinking among students.
The Ground Renewable Expeditionary ENergy System (GREENS) is a 300-watt photovoltaic/battery system that provides continuous power to Marines in the field. The system reduces logistical supply chain for fuel, cutting fuel use and costs associated with resupply convoys.
A team of researchers from Arizona State University has developed a process that removes a key obstacle to producing lower-cost, renewable biofuels. The team has programmed a photosynthetic microbe to self-destruct, making the recovery of high-energy fats and their biofuel byproducts easier and potentially less costly.
Carnegie Mellon University's Jay Whitacre has received a $5 million award from the US Department of Energy to develop a new room-temperature sodium-ion battery technology. The goal is to improve grid reliability and efficiency, enabling the expansion of renewable energy sources. This project aims to reduce electricity use by 4% in 2030...
Researchers successfully produce PLA and copolymers through direct microbial fermentation, reducing production costs and environmental impact. This innovation could lead to the development of sustainable plastics based on renewable resources.
Engineering students at UC San Diego helped streamline the application process for federal Clean Renewable Energy Bonds, securing $154 million for 192 solar projects. The students developed an analytical tool to calculate energy output and payback time, allowing applications to be completed in 10 minutes.
The US Department of Energy has awarded $151 million in funding to 37 ambitious energy research projects. These projects aim to develop transformative innovations in energy storage, biofuels, carbon capture, renewable power, building efficiency, vehicles, and other energy technology areas.
Scott Anderson of Palm Beach, Fla., and his team won the 2009 ConocoPhillips Energy Prize with their ECO-Auger, a hydrokinetic machine harnessing tidal currents for renewable electric energy. The prize recognizes innovative ideas to create a more secure energy future.
Stanford University researchers propose that transitioning to renewable energy could reduce global power demand by 30%, making it cheaper than fossil fuels or nuclear energy. The study finds that wind, water, and solar energy can meet the world's power demands with minimal land area required.
Researchers have successfully produced renewable hydrogen from wastewater using a microbial electrolysis system at a Napa Valley winery. The process uses bacteria to convert organic material into electrical current and then produces hydrogen gas, which can be used as a clean energy source.
Marine renewable energy devices can boost local biodiversity and benefit marine environments by attracting marine organisms to man-made structures, creating 'artificial reefs'. However, such devices also pose negative environmental impacts from habitat loss, collision risks, noise, and electromagnetic fields.
Wind energy could account for 30% of Spain's overall energy production by 2030, according to a study. The proposal also suggests a mix of solar energy and gas turbines to achieve this goal, while reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, the sector has generated 226% more jobs in the European Union since 2003.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will lead a $6.8 million study to examine the environmental impacts of marine and hydrokinetic power. The project will investigate risks to wildlife and habitats, conduct laboratory and field experiments, and predict long-term effects.
A team of South Korean scientists has successfully engineered the bacterium E. coli to produce putrescine, an industrial chemical traditionally created using fossil fuels. The production process relies on renewable materials and reduces environmental harm associated with chemical synthesis.
A new study suggests that transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind and solar could eliminate 130 worker deaths annually. The researchers found that these industries pose significantly less risk of workplace injury and death compared to traditional fossil fuel industries.
The US Department of Energy has awarded $377 million to fund 46 new energy frontier research centers, aiming to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in clean and renewable energy. The centers will focus on advancing solar energy, biofuels, transportation, energy efficiency, and nuclear energy.
Researchers, led by Professor Neal Armstrong, are working to harness solar energy for utility-scale generation and portable devices, with potential breakthroughs in organic solar cells and interface science.
Researchers have developed a method to estimate the amount of heat that can be produced by abandoned mine tunnels, providing an alternative source of renewable energy. The geothermal energy from mines can be used for heating, hot water, and even industrial processes, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering CO2 emissions.
PNNL has won two R&D 100 Awards for its PowerPuck technology, which harnesses environmental heat to create sustainable electrical power. The laboratory also developed an ultrasensitive ESI-MS Source & Interface, increasing sensitivity in human health studies and enabling precise measurements of chemical compounds.
The Clemson University-led Center for Atomic-Level Catalyst Design aims to develop new catalysts for producing clean fuels and chemicals from renewable sources. The project seeks to lower the cost of renewable fuels and reduce carbon footprint through advanced computational methods.
The Southwest Nano Consortium brings together six states and northern Mexico to pool resources, encourage collaboration, and host internationally recognized events. The consortium aims to expedite the commercialization of nanotechnology technologies with significant impact on renewable energy, biotech, IT, and other sectors.
A new study in the International Journal of Exergy provides a formula to calculate wind turbine performance and optimize energy production. The formula offers a theoretical boost of 20% efficiency at varying wind speeds, reducing wasted energy by 80%.
Dr. Bruce Logan has developed energy-sustainable water infrastructure that can be used in both industrialized and developing nations. His microbial fuel cells produce clean water and energy, making it a game-changer for powering water infrastructure in developing countries.
The Arizona State University EFRC will pursue advanced research on solar energy conversion based on photosynthesis principles. The goal is to design a synthetic system that uses sunlight to convert water into hydrogen fuel and oxygen, providing a renewable source of clean energy.
A perspective article published in International Journal of Private Law suggests that the prairies can capitalize on environmentally friendly farming practices and produce renewable energy sources. The author proposes solutions such as marketable sod, fertilizers, bio-methane, and artificial wetlands to address climate change.
Researchers at Iowa State University are developing a new, low-emissions burner and catalyst to produce clean, renewable energy for the ethanol industry. The technologies use biomass-based gasification to efficiently and cleanly burn biomass and convert it into ethanol.
The NCAR forecast system will provide highly detailed, localized weather forecasts to enable utilities to make critical decisions about powering down traditional plants when sufficient winds are predicted. The system will help increase reliance on wind energy while meeting customer needs.
A study published in Human Ecology highlights the problems linked to converting crops into biofuels, including inefficiency, economic costs, and environmental degradation. The research reveals a negative energy return for many biofuel sources, making them less productive than projected.
Researchers at CSIRO Australia have developed smart fridges that can negotiate the most energy-efficient way to keep food cold, reducing electricity consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The fridges work as a network, sharing energy provided by renewable sources like solar panels or wind turbines.
A University of Michigan engineer has created a machine called VIVACE that converts slow-moving ocean and river currents into clean, renewable power. The device works by creating vortex-induced vibrations in the water, which are then converted into mechanical energy and electricity.
The University of Texas at Austin's Center for Electrochemistry has received a $5 million grant to develop new photovoltaic materials, improve battery storage, and enhance electrocatalysts. The initiative aims to promote advances in renewable energy technologies and create next-generation energy solutions.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a new carbon-based material called graphene that can store electrical charge in ultracapacitor devices, potentially doubling their capacity. The breakthrough could enable the massive installation of renewable energies like wind and solar power.
The NC State-led FREEDM ERC will develop technology to transform the nation's power grid into a smart grid that can store and distribute energy from renewable sources. This 'Internet for energy' system will enable millions of users to generate their own energy and sell excess back to the power companies.
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle will be the first recipient of a prestigious award from the Ecological Society of America. The award recognizes his commitment to ecological and environmental policy issues through initiatives such as invasive species control and renewable energy promotion.
The newly established Solar Power Laboratory aims to advance solar energy research and development while improving the efficiency of solar electric power systems. Researchers will collaborate with industry partners to accelerate the expansion of Arizona's renewable energy economy.
The RAND Corporation study finds that biomass resources and wind power have the greatest potential to contribute towards reaching the 25 x '25 goal, with significant investments needed in renewable energy technology. Meeting this goal would reduce carbon dioxide emissions and lower long-term oil prices.
Researchers discovered a new technique to visualize the electronic structure of pigment-protein complexes, enabling better understanding of how plants transfer energy. This breakthrough could lead to designing future experiments to study individual energy relaxation pathways in photosynthesis.
The report highlights that RPS policies apply to nearly 50% of total US electricity load in 25 states and Washington D.C. It also notes that existing policies would require roughly 60 GW of new renewable capacity by 2025, equivalent to 15% of projected electricity demand growth.