Wind turbine blades made from glass fibre-reinforced polymer can serve up to 25 years before ending up in landfills. Lithuanian researchers have proposed a method to break down these composites, extracting usable materials like phenol and fibre for reuse.
Researchers found that tree spacing can control the likelihood of tree survival and reduce forest damage risk. Trees in forests with closer spacing are more vulnerable to strong winds due to reduced energy transfer buffering between trees.
Researchers found shifts in airflows and sea currents downwind of North Sea offshore wind farms, affecting plankton production and the food web structure. The turbines induce atmospheric wakes that redirect existing currents, leading to changed salinity distribution and mean temperatures.
A study led by Pedro Machado reveals a significant difference in wind speed at two altitudes, suggesting energy transfer from the lower layers to the atmosphere. The team collected measurements of wind speed parallel to the equator and at the altitude of the bottom of the cloud deck, providing new insights into Venus' climate.
New research suggests nuclear power can provide low-cost energy and replace natural gas as a backup source, enabling faster decarbonization in countries with poor wind resources. The analysis found that nuclear is the cheapest way to eliminate all electricity-system carbon emissions nearly everywhere.
A new study from Cornell University provides detailed models characterizing the frequency, intensity, and height of low-level jet streams over the U.S. Atlantic coastal zone. The research finds that low-level jets can occur up to 12% of the time in the late spring and early summer, potentially impacting wind turbine performance.
Scientists have discovered a new type of wave that replaces electromagnetic waves called whistler waves in the solar wind, allowing for better understanding of energy flow near the sun. This discovery can help predict 'space weather' events that affect satellites and astronauts in space.
A study by Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research found that juvenile Nathusius' pipistrelle bats are killed more frequently than adults at wind turbines, with females also being disproportionately affected. This highlights the need to implement schemes to mitigate wind turbine mortality and protect migratory bat populations.
A new Stanford University study finds that an energy system powered by wind, water, and solar with storage can avoid blackouts, lower energy requirements, and consumer costs. The study also predicts creating millions of jobs and improving people's health while reducing land requirements.
A team of researchers explored the possibility of producing hydrogen from offshore wind in China and delivering it to Japan at a cost competitive with the country's future projections. The study found that Chinese-produced hydrogen could supply Japan's net-zero transition needs by 2030, even under a high-cost scenario.
Researchers explore harnessing China's wind energy to produce carbon-free green hydrogen at a lower cost than coal-derived black hydrogen. Shifting from black to green hydrogen could reduce 100 million tons of CO2 emissions per year by 2030.
A recent study suggests that wind and solar power can meet more than 80% of global electricity demand, especially in larger, lower-latitude countries, but may require energy storage for multi-day periods in colder regions
Scientists at Cornell University have developed a method to optimize turbine spacing in offshore wind farms, reducing wake effects and increasing power production. The research aims to support the rapid expansion of offshore wind energy in the US and Europe, with potential to generate over 7,000 terawatt hours per year.
Researchers from the University of Rhode Island studied the interaction between tornado-strength winds and highway overpasses, finding no evidence of wind acceleration under an overpass. The study, published in Physics of Fluids, suggests that using an overpass as a shelter during a tornado may not be safer than other options.
Researchers have been exploring tribocatalysis as an alternative clean energy technology. The process converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through the triboelectric effect, with potential applications in material synthesis and energy conversion. Further research is needed to fully develop this promising field.
Researchers find that most countries are not growing wind and solar power fast enough to meet global warming targets of 1.5°C or 2°C. The study analyzes data from 60 countries and finds that only a few countries, like Portugal and Ireland, have seen rapid growth in onshore wind and solar power.
Climate change-driven reductions in precipitation and river discharge will diminish the Amazon's hydropower capacity, according to a new study. As a result, alternative energy sources like solar and wind are expected to become more important.
A Flinders University study found that residents living near wind farms reported similar levels of sleep disruptions as those in quiet rural areas. Only a small percentage attributed their sleep disturbance to wind farm noise, which was comparable to rates from road traffic and other sources.
Researchers study Martian sand ridges to understand wind behavior, finding evidence of dune interactions similar to those on Earth. By analyzing these features, scientists can better interpret wind patterns on Mars and gain insights into the planet's geology.
Researchers believe that wind and hydropower are the most promising renewable energy sources in Russia, with suitable areas for installation identified. However, the transition to these energy sources has been slow due to reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear energy.
A study found wind farms have a significant effect on local climatology but a minimal impact on regional climate. The Shangyi Wind Farm in China warmed the area by up to 0.95°C at night during summer and autumn, while decreasing wind speed by 6%.
New research from Cornell University suggests that accelerating wind-energy technology deployment can achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, with potential to reduce global warming atmospheric average temperatures of 0.3 to 0.8 degrees Celsius by the end of the century. The study confirms that advancing wind energy...
Researchers investigated the effects of atmosphere, sea ice, and ocean on August 2018 polynya formation. Thinnest sea ice cover and southerly wind played a crucial role in its development.
Researchers explored wind turbine dynamics under simultaneous wind and earthquake excitation, finding a coupling effect between aerodynamic damping and blade stiffness. This knowledge can guide seismic design of wind turbines and inform determination of wind-earthquake combinations.
Researchers find wind turbine night noise contains 'amplitude modulation' (AM) sound that worsens sleep and annoyance after sunset. The 'swoosh' sound is detected up to 60% of the night-time at distances around 1 km from a wind farm.
New analysis of 71 years of data reveals that Santa Ana wind fires are largely driven by powerline ignitions and wind speeds. Ignitions account for all fires during these events, with powerline failures being a major contributor to land area burned.
A study published in Ibis found that Golden Eagles avoid wind turbines due to habitat loss, affecting their suitability inside and outside of wind farms. The largest impact of wind farms was the loss of Golden Eagle habitat, which could be mitigated by incorporating the findings into wind farm planning.
Researchers identified a method to automate identification of turbines experiencing wake effects in changing wind conditions. This allows wind farms to increase power gain by 1%-3% through standard yaw control procedure guidance.
A study by KIT researchers found that stopping further expansion of wind energy use in scenic areas could increase power generation costs by up to 7 cents per kilowatt hour and CO2 emissions by up to 200 grams per kilowatt hour. This may require alternative renewable energy sources like solar or bioenergy.
A US-based study reveals that Americans generally support transitioning to renewable energy sources like solar and wind power. However, they are less accepting of having these infrastructures built near their homes, with a preference for distances of over 5 km/miles from residences.
Rutgers researchers have created a machine learning model that uses real-world meteorological data and physics-based simulations to improve the prediction of offshore wind power. The model achieved accuracy improvements of up to 91% over traditional methods, highlighting its potential for supporting the growth of renewable energy.
Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign designed controllers to optimize wind turbine performance by considering downstream effects, resulting in noticeable gains. The study demonstrates that incorporating networked wind farms and time-dependent wind estimation models can improve power extraction.
Researchers discovered that wind turbines in close proximity to each other reduce overall energy output. They suggest smaller, spaced-out farms may be more efficient, but further research is needed. The study's findings have implications for global energy supply and the transition away from fossil fuels.
A simulation study found that wind farms generate little power beyond a certain size, causing interference with neighboring installations. Optimizing arrangement and placement of turbines can increase power density up to a site-specific point.
A recent study found that China's annual mean surface wind speed stopped weakening around 2014 and started strengthening, but stilling persists in certain regions. The reversal was driven by regional and seasonal variations.
A novel energy storage solution featuring pipes and anchors could store intermittent renewable energy from offshore wind power plants. The technology offers a promising alternative to conventional battery systems with lower costs per megawatt hour.
Researchers used ALMA to detect a galactic wind driven by a supermassive black hole 13.1 billion years ago, pushing back the start of galaxy-growth interactions by 100 million years. The observation reveals coevolution between supermassive black holes and galaxies since less than a billion years after the Universe's birth.
Researchers at Purdue University are working on mimicking the process of photosynthesis to harness sunlight directly into usable energy. The goal is to create a clean and efficient fuel source that could replace traditional forms of renewable energy like wind power and solar panels.
Researchers at Niigata University have developed a highly efficient nickel sulfide nanowire anode for electrocatalytic water splitting, which reduces the initial energy required for oxygen evolution and accelerates four-electron transfer. This breakthrough enhances long-term performance and stability of electrochemical cells.
For the first time, scientists have created a 3D map of the heliosphere boundary using data from NASA's Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX) satellite. The boundary marks the edge of the solar system and protects Earth from interstellar radiation.
A recent study by Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon found that wind farms in the North Sea experience a significant slowing down of wind speeds when built close together, leading to reduced power output and economic consequences.
Researchers from Heriot-Watt University developed AI algorithms to optimize community energy assets, using multi-agent systems and cooperative game theory. The models provide fair ways to share joint gains among community members, considering individual contributions and needs.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a method to compare the performance of different wind turbine designs, using machine learning and social science analysis. The study found that this technique can provide a robust and accurate way to determine the merit of competing technologies.
Scientists at PNNL have demonstrated the potential of low-cost organic compounds for storing massive amounts of energy to be fed into the electric grid. The researchers showed that fluorenone, a common compound found in candles, can operate continuously for 120 days and lose less than 3% of its energy capacity after 1,111 full cycles.
Researchers found a predicted average annual production gain of 0.8% for large sampling of commercial US wind plants using wake steering. This technique increases power output by nearly 70% while maintaining energy generation costs.
A team of researchers developed a method to detect simultaneous sensor and actuator faults in wind turbines, eliminating the need for redundant hardware components. The approach uses a state observer model to identify discrepancies between the original system and its duplicate, enabling real-time fault detection and correction.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers found significant correlations between wind speed and direction and genetic diversity throughout forests globally. Tree populations connected by stronger winds tend to be more genetically similar, while those in the direction of prevailing winds have greater genetic diversity.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a theoretical model explaining how pelicans exploit wind updrafts from breaking waves to conserve energy during flight. This discovery has potential applications in drone control and weather forecasting, highlighting the intricate dance between ocean, wind, and bird behavior.
A study found that wind patterns strongly affect genetic differentiation, gene flow, and genetic diversity in tree populations. Downwind populations tend to exhibit high genetic diversity.
Experts predict significant cost reductions in wind energy by 2035 and 2050, driven by larger turbines, lower capital and operating costs. The study's findings offer insights into the magnitude of cost reductions and drivers for improvement.
A 34-year climate study reveals that decreased wind speed is associated with delayed onset of annual leaf drop, extending favorable growth conditions later into autumn. The authors suggest that reduced soil drying due to decreased winds may be a key factor in this phenomenon.
A new study suggests that expanding solar and wind power across the region could alleviate disagreements between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt over Africa's largest hydropower plant. Integrating GERD operation with solar and wind power would provide regional win-win situations, benefiting all countries involved.
Research from the University of New Hampshire found significant support for offshore wind energy development among coastal recreation visitors, with 77% in favor. The study's findings suggest that OWD will likely have little impact on coastal recreation and tourism, instead potentially amplifying visitation.
New research suggests that existing acoustic monitoring measures are insufficient to reliably predict bat mortality risk at large wind turbines. To improve coverage, scientists recommend installing supplementary ultrasonic detectors and complementary sensor technologies like radar systems or thermal imaging cameras.
Researchers will explore decision-making processes for adopting solar energy systems and electric vehicles, as well as improve the efficiency and manufacturing process for solar panels. The studies aim to identify non-technological barriers to clean-energy adoption and evaluate the effectiveness of low-cost interventions and incentives.
A study analyzing tornado wind speed and size data from 120 events found that stronger and wider tornadoes exist than damage-based estimates indicated. The median peak wind speeds were around 60 m/s, sufficient for Enhanced Fujita scale ratings of 2-3.
A Stanford University study found that wind turbines produce more electricity during extreme cold weather, which is often accompanied by increased demand for heating. This suggests that wind energy can provide critical power to meet growing seasonal heat demands, even in the coldest of times.
New research reveals the length, speed, and flight heights of Shelduck migration across the North Sea, showing interactions with offshore wind turbines. The study used solar-powered GPS tags to track four birds, finding that they all ended their migration in almost exactly the same place despite taking different routes.
A new study found that whooping cranes migrate around wind turbines to select safe rest and refueling locations. The researchers suggest placing infrastructure outside migration corridors to mitigate negative impacts on bird populations.
A recent field study conducted by Iowa State University researchers found that wind turbine icing can have a significant impact on power production, with losses reaching up to 80%. The study, which analyzed data from a Chinese wind farm, showed that icing conditions can disrupt blade aerodynamics and lead to reduced energy output.