A mobile app developed by Graz University of Technology aims to optimize energy consumption through user participation and data collection. The app uses game-like elements to encourage users to share their energy usage data, which is then used to predict household energy consumption and inform smart grid management.
A new study reveals that energy models play a significant role in shaping the energy transition, influencing policy decisions and informing energy futures. Policymakers are increasingly relying on modeling outputs to define energy and climate targets, while researchers demand greater transparency to protect model credibility.
ITQB NOVA researchers have developed a new approach to produce hydrogen from light using non-photosynthetic microorganisms. The biohybrid systems combine high hydrogen-producing bacteria with self-produced cadmium sulfide nanoparticles, which capture light and enable direct energy transfer.
Researchers have developed a Sn/reduced graphene oxide catalyst for efficient formic acid synthesis from CO2 through electrochemical reduction. The catalyst achieved a Faradic efficiency of 98% and significantly reduced overpotential, enabling the production of high-purity formic acid.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a metric that reflects the average price of energy in the United States, providing a way to optimize policies for a smooth and efficient transition to clean energy. The energy price index can forecast energy demands and prices, helping policymakers navigate the evolving energy landscape.
USC experts project significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in air quality, with the city potentially reaching 100% renewable energy by 2045. The study also highlights potential job impacts and challenges to ensuring a reliable water supply.
The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated financing challenges and hampered investment in renewable energy infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries. Despite this, frontrunners in the global energy transition will continue to expand their renewable energy capacities.
Researchers from UC Santa Barbara recommend India increase its target to 600 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. Meeting high renewable targets would not avert the need to build fossil fuel power plants due to specific weather patterns and peak electricity demand requirements.
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.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed nanoporous cubic silicon carbide that efficiently traps and harvests sunlight to split water into hydrogen gas. The material's high charge-separation efficiency boosts water splitting efficiency, making it a promising approach for producing renewable energy.
Researchers found that without battery storage, homeowners only use 30-40% of their solar PV electricity, while the rest is exported to the grid. With a home battery, self-consumption doubles and grid reliance reduces by up to 84%. Innovative energy policies can make PV-batteries profitable, even in low-solar irradiation countries.
Researchers suggest covering California's public water delivery canals with solar panels to reduce evaporation and increase renewable energy production. The study found that cable-supported installations showed a 20-50% higher net present value, indicating greater financial return on investment.
A study of 21 OECD countries from 1980 to 2016 found that military spending hindered green economic growth. Militarization is a major consumer of non-renewable energy and causes significant air and environmental pollution. Economists recommend reducing military spending and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
A Swiss energy market study found that adopting a 'green default' option for consumers leads to significant shifts towards renewable energy. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, showed that both households and businesses predominantly accepted the default option, resulting in substantial CO2 emissions reductions.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers suggests that a carbon tax is the most effective and cost-efficient way to reduce emissions causing climate change. The study found that adding a price to carbon production resulted in lower emissions at half the cost of renewable energy subsidies.
Researchers at NREL have created a simple way to evaluate novel materials for thermal energy storage, aiming to make buildings more efficient and flexible in managing power from renewable sources. The new design method could help mitigate blackouts on the grid by shifting peak electricity demand to other times of the day.
New research by Copenhagen Business School finds that poor planning and execution of decarbonisation strategies in emerging markets challenges the aims of Goal 7. The study highlights the need for governance in energy democracy, allowing marginalized communities to participate in renewable energy investments. This can be achieved throu...
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed a benchmark system to assess the environmental impact of plastics production in the US. The study provides data on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for 18 types of plastics, allowing researchers to compare their designs with current manufacturing practices.
Scientists have discovered Ba7Nb4MoO20-based materials with high oxygen-ion conductivity, shedding light on the underlying mechanisms. These findings pave the way for developing low-cost and scalable renewable energy technologies, such as fuel cells, which could store and produce clean fuel.
A team of Binghamton University researchers will explore advanced grid-forming PV inverter control technologies to integrate renewable energy sources into the US electric grid, aiming for increased reliability and scalability. The three-year project will focus on developing a new grid-forming control algorithm at a hybrid PV plant.
A team of scientists explores the feasibility of achieving 100% renewability in energy production, highlighting the need for electrification and synthetic fuel technology. The study suggests that countries like Argentina, Cyprus, Greece, Portugal, and Spain could meet their energy needs with high-tech renewably derived fuels.
Cornell University is developing a system to convert cattle manure into methane and other products to meet peak heating demands. The proposed system produces approximately 909 million liters of renewable natural gas per year, providing 97% of the campus's annual peak heating demand.
A new study from University of California, Davis and John Hopkins University aims to help decision-makers avoid unintended environmental consequences of renewable energy development. The study identifies key research priorities, including site selection and wildlife interactions, to promote sustainable solar and wind developments.
A study by Cornell University researchers suggests that New York can reach a carbon-free economy by 2050 with five years to spare. The key to achieving this goal lies in the widespread adoption of offshore wind energy, geothermal heating, and electric air heat pumps.
Bioengineers at Cornell University have created theoretical solutions for efficiently absorbing and storing large-scale renewable energy from the sun while sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide. The developed microbes can store energy and absorb CO2, potentially creating low-carbon fuel with net-zero emissions.
A new study highlights the importance of coordinated policy reforms in supporting renewable electricity across EU member states. Without coordination, investors may shift their focus to subsidized technologies or countries with available subsidies, increasing the overall costs of expanding renewable energy generation in Europe. Strengt...
Researchers from three US DOE labs outline a framework for engineering-based modeling and analysis to support complex optimization of hybrid energy systems. The study presents an objective new path forward for leveraging multiple energy sources to maximize value.
A new study from North Carolina State University reveals that the environmental benefits of renewable power generation differ significantly across regions. The researchers found that one megawatt hour of renewable power produces varying emissions reductions depending on where it was generated.
Researchers have developed a renewable energy-driven food processing and drying system that alleviates both pollution and landfill issues. The system uses high temperature thermal energy storage to provide heated air for drying, replacing fossil fuels and reducing air pollution.
Researchers from the US Department of Energy's three applied energy laboratories have developed a new framework for engineering-based modeling and analysis to support complex optimization of hybrid energy systems. These systems can leverage multiple energy sources to maximize value and deliver lower-emission energy to industry.
Engineers at West Virginia University are developing a new energy conversion system that can reconcile the supply and demand conflict between renewables and power grids. The system uses hydrogen as a fuel to generate power, addressing the issue of excess renewable energy being dissipated due to storage limitations.
Researchers at Lancaster University have discovered a crystalline material that can capture and store solar energy for several months at room temperature. The energy is released on demand as heat, providing a promising solution for renewable heating systems and environmentally-friendly applications.
Researchers developed graphene-coated nickel, cobalt, aluminum nanoparticle cathodes to improve lithium-ion battery performance, reducing degradation mechanisms and increasing energy density. The new design showed low impedance, high rate performance, and long cycling lifetimes.
Researchers study large-scale wind turbine design to overcome efficiency and cost challenges. Advanced computational methods reveal the physics of giant rotating machines, enabling better understanding of wind turbine wakes and interactions with the atmosphere.
Researchers have developed a thermoplastic resin for wind blades, enabling recyclability and reducing costs. The material can be melted and reused, decreasing the need for landfills.
The University of Texas at Arlington and North Central Texas Council of Governments partner to assess regional opportunities for diverting food waste, increasing renewable energy production, and reducing vehicle emissions. The project aims to capture methane gas and produce biogas from anaerobic digestion infrastructure.
A new study by Cornell University researchers found that government policies played a crucial role in Denmark's widespread adoption of wind energy. The study analyzed the impact of policies on small producers' decisions to shut down or upgrade aging equipment and found that well-designed policies were essential for the industry's growth.
A new model predicts the photovoltaic industry can meet Paris Agreement targets with 70-80 terawatts of cumulative capacity from solar cells by 2055. The industry needs to increase production rate by a factor of 30 within 10 years, driven by productivity improvements and material sustainability.
A new study suggests that renewable energy targets can actually exacerbate sustainability issues, such as rolling blackouts in California. The researchers argue for a more nuanced approach, considering trade-offs between different policy instruments and long-term objectives.
A new study analyzes Germany's bilateral energy partnerships, which are a key instrument of the country's 'soft power' strategy. The partnerships aim to promote climate-friendly technologies and solutions abroad, reflecting Germany's domestic consensus on its energy transition.
Scientists at NREL developed a next-generation thermochromic window that reduces energy consumption and generates electricity. The new technology enables various colors and temperature-driven color changes, increasing design flexibility and control over building aesthetics.
Seawater air-conditioning (SWAC) has been shown to provide the same cooling energy as 21 wind turbines or a solar power plant the size of 68 football fields, making it a viable alternative to conventional air-conditioning. The technology can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption in cooling systems.
A new modelling study by researchers at UCL and Yale found that paper recycling may increase greenhouse gas emissions unless powered by renewable energy. The study suggests that modernising landfill practices and using renewable energy can reduce emissions significantly.
A new €639,000 EU-funded project will develop cost-effective space cooling technologies powered by green technologies. The CO-COOL RISE consortium aims to accelerate the adoption of these innovations in the marketplace.
A study by the University of California, Davis, compares three types of energy providers in California, finding that community choice aggregations (CCAs) purchased more renewable energy but went farther to source it. The study highlights the need for energy providers to prioritize local and renewable sources.
Researchers at Politecnico di Torino have developed a new composite material that can store heat during the summer and release it during the winter using a low-cost technology. The innovative material combines cement, salt, and water to produce heat through hydration, offering an affordable solution to balance energy supply and demand.
A new study published in Nature Energy reveals that nuclear power does not deliver sufficient carbon emission reductions and should not be considered a low-carbon energy source. Renewable energy investments are found to have stronger correlations with CO2-emission reductions, particularly in countries with lower GDP per capita.
Researchers estimate that adding floating solar panels to existing hydropower stations could generate up to 10,600 terawatt-hours of power annually. This would account for about 35% of global electricity consumption in 2018.
Researchers from Far Eastern Federal University studied the correlation between TES shape and efficiency, finding that straight walls are often preferred but can vary depending on specific criteria. The study also explored the potential of integrating TES with other energy accumulators, such as adiabatic compressed air storages.
KAUST researchers developed a statistical model providing the best wind forecast yet for Saudi Arabia, aiming to increase renewable energy in the grid and reach 9 gigawatts of installed wind energy by 2030. The model uses advanced statistical approaches to jointly model wind speed and direction, showing improved prediction performance.
Researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena have developed a new polymer electrolyte that improves the efficiency and heat-resistance of redox flow batteries. This breakthrough enables the use of renewable energy sources without significant losses or additional effort.
Researchers developed an air-insensitive biphenol derivative cathode with high potential and solubility, demonstrating stable cycling performance and high rate capabilities. The cathode's biphenol structure offers excellent oxidation resistance and four tertiary ammonium groups improve stability.
Researchers have developed a new type of solar cell that can reflect 99% of the energy it can't convert into electricity, allowing for more efficient use of waste heat from exhaust pipes and chimneys. This technology has the potential to make renewable energy storage cheaper by ten-fold compared to traditional battery-based systems.
A research team at Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a new solvation strategy to enhance the oxidation stability of carbonate-based electrolytes in Zinc/Graphite batteries. This breakthrough could lead to high-voltage cells with low self-discharge and long shelf life, making them suitable for large-scale grid storage.
A study from California Polytechnic State University finds that offshore winds in the Central Coast increase when demand is greatest, making them an ideal candidate to fill the gap left by solar and on-shore wind energy production. The study suggests that offshore wind energy could play a crucial role in meeting California's ambitious ...
Maestro, a predictive software developed by CSEM, analyzes weather forecasts and data from local infrastructure to determine the best time to consume energy. The system can reduce heating costs by approximately 20% and is designed to keep costs down, making it suitable for individual homes and entire neighborhoods.
A Virginia Tech chemistry lab has successfully split water molecules into hydrogen fuel and oxygen gas, paving the way for a renewable energy future. The team's new technique reassembles a catalyst to improve efficiency and stability, solving a key barrier in the process.
The ELECTRODE project aims to develop more efficient methods for storing renewable energy, a crucial step towards phasing out fossil fuels. Researchers will create porous photopolymer structures using 3D printing, increasing the effect of fuel cells.
Researchers propose moving workloads to different regions to reduce excess renewable energy generation, saving companies money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The plan could absorb up to 62% of curtailed electricity capacity in California, equivalent to 100,000 households' annual energy consumption.
Researchers investigated the impact of temperature on solar and wind energy production in Australia, finding small annual changes but significant effects during peak temperature days. The study aimed to inform electricity sector planning for reliability in different climate conditions.