A new study finds that transitioning to renewable energy in Europe can reduce land requirements by prioritizing offshore wind power and large solar parks. The study suggests that these alternatives can achieve a fully renewable electricity supply while minimizing additional costs.
A new DOE grant will support research on developing efficient electrochemical systems for renewable energy generation and storage. Dr. Eranda Nikolla's project aims to design catalytically active sites in non-stoichiometric, mixed metal oxides for oxygen reduction and evolution.
Researchers explored ways to ensure power supply in Spain, considering the scarcity of interconnection with neighboring countries. They found that flexible management of hydropower plants could alleviate supply shortages due to renewable energy's intermittency.
Researchers found that current battery technology is too expensive for seasonal storage, but alternative technologies like hydrogen storage can provide cost-effective solutions. The study's findings may help policy makers develop more efficient renewable energy systems.
New offshore wind projects in the UK are expected to produce electricity very cheaply, potentially reducing household energy bills. The projects will operate with 'negative subsidies,' paying money back to the government and then passing it through to consumers.
A study by UC Davis finds that ground-mounted solar energy development in the Mojave Desert harms native plants, including cacti and Mojave yucca, culturally significant to indigenous tribes. Management options like 'halos' can conserve these species, but developing solar energy on undeveloped lands is more sustainable.
The project aims to store green surplus energy in giant underground water balloons hidden beneath 'moving hills', demonstrating a new technology that can optimize energy storage for a future with more renewable energy. The test facility will be built with a focus on abrasion testing and lifetime tests for the membrane.
Researchers found that transitioning to renewable energy technologies has high energy return on investment (EROI) values, making it a worthwhile transition. The study analyzed dozens of studies on wind and solar renewables in regions with high solar and/or wind resources.
Researchers have successfully fabricated various sensor and energy systems inspired by butterfly wings, including thermal, medical, and vapor sensors, anti-counterfeit security devices, and photovoltaic systems. These systems demonstrate competitive efficiency and performance to similar systems inspired by other natural species.
The article emphasizes the importance of climate resilience in urban energy systems to address climate change and extreme events. Nik and colleagues provide an overview of current progress in adapting urban energy systems to climate change, highlighting limitations in existing approaches.
Researchers developed a breakthrough machine learning approach that quickly produces higher-resolution climate data, enhancing wind velocity and solar irradiance by 50 and 25 times respectively. This advancement will enable scientists to complete renewable energy studies with more accuracy and speed.
Researchers developed a deep learning method that enhances global climate models' ability to predict wind velocity and solar irradiance data, leading to more accurate renewable energy prospects. The approach results in high-resolution modeling under various climate scenarios.
Columbia University engineers are developing a risk dashboard to assess and predict risks to the power grid. The project aims to create a decision-making tool for independent system operators, helping them make sound decisions quickly in time scales ranging from minutes to days.
A 16-year analysis reveals that periods of regulatory uncertainty increase electricity price volatility, regardless of renewable energy's intermittent nature. The study highlights the impact of policy changes and economic crises on market prices.
Researchers will create a risk dashboard to help ISOs make sound decisions quickly and allocate resources for reducing renewable energy risks, making the U.S. power grid more efficient and reliable.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed a new CO2 capture technology that conserves energy used to capture carbon dioxide from facilities like thermal power plants. The H2 stripping regeneration technology replaces combustion exhaust gas with CO2/H2 gas at lower temperatures, reducing energy consumption by up to 99%.
Sean Shaheen, associate professor at University of Colorado Boulder, takes over as new editor-in-chief of Journal of Photonics for Energy in July 2020. He aims to publish emerging science and technology concepts in photonics for renewable energy harvesting and applications.
Scientists find electricity generated by interactions between water molecules and metals can be harnessed to create a new source of energy. The study reveals that high humidity levels above 60% can produce voltages up to one volt, offering potential for developing batteries charged from water vapor in the air.
Scientists at Linköping University develop a graphene-based photoelectrode that converts carbon dioxide to methane, carbon monoxide, or formic acid using solar energy. The technique could contribute to renewable energy development and reduce fossil fuel combustion's environmental impact.
A new report by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory suggests that marine renewable energy devices are unlikely to cause harm to marine animals or environments. The study found that small numbers of operational devices may not significantly affect marine ecosystems, but further research is needed to confirm this.
Researchers have captured a molecular mechanism behind the water splitting reaction of photosynthesis using nanoscale imaging and chemical analysis. The study could help inform the design of artificial photosynthetic systems producing clean and renewable energy from sunlight and water.
A study by Jacek Kapica identifies three indicators to help find the perfect size for renewable wind and solar energy storage facilities while optimizing energy harvesting. Increasing power reliability influences the nominal power of energy generation units at a given size of storage.
University of Delaware researchers have developed a technique to visualize the three-dimensional structure of materials in detail while maintaining context. This approach enables scientists to study specific particles on the material's surface and observe how they evolve over time under different conditions.
The study by UC San Diego researchers develops a scalable method to produce microalgae-based polyols from waste oils, creating valuable monomers for sustainable bio-plastics. The team also converts co-products into food flavoring and fragrance molecules, with economic value.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have created a global dataset of major renewable energy sites, mapping solar and wind farms worldwide. The study shows that Europe, North America, and East Asia dominate the renewable energy sector, with data correlating well with official statistics.
Purdue University researchers developed a technique to turn waste polyethylene terephthalate into battery components using ultrafast microwave irradiation. The technology has shown promising results for lithium-ion and sodium-ion battery cells, offering a low-cost and sustainable solution for renewable energy storage.
A new photosensitizer compound created by West Virginia University researchers has the potential to significantly improve the efficiency of solar panels and other technologies. The compound, made from zirconium, can convert light into electrical energy, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option for renewable energy.
The team developed a flexible composite LLZO sheet electrolyte that can be produced at room temperature, reducing energy consumption and enabling widespread adoption of lithium metal batteries. The electrolyte functions over a wide range of temperatures, making it suitable for electric vehicles.
A study by New York University researchers found that mandatory building energy audits led to modest reductions in energy use, but not enough to meet citywide carbon-reduction goals. The results suggest that a more comprehensive data-driven energy policy is needed to encourage significant energy efficiency investments.
Over 2000 renewable energy facilities are built in biodiverse areas, posing a significant threat to plant and animal species globally. The research team urges governments and industries to reconsider locations and prioritize biodiversity conservation.
A new study examines energy inequality across 86 countries, revealing extreme disparities in energy footprints and consumption patterns. The research shows that the top 10% of consumers consume roughly 20 times more energy than the bottom 10%, with significant inequalities in transport, heating, and electricity.
A collaborative research team has developed a system that uses less expensive materials to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, comparable to the current most popular system but without precious metals. This advance holds promise for affordable renewable energy storage and could increase hydrogen production rates nearly tenfold.
A new study reveals energy development has negative impacts on sage-grouse reproduction, affecting their ability to nest and raise chicks. The study's findings emphasize the importance of preserving sagebrush habitats when positioning renewable and non-renewable energy projects to balance species conservation with energy demands.
The new tools, based on MRI principles, allow scientists to observe how next-generation batteries work and fail, enabling strategies to extend battery lifetimes. By charging batteries at lower voltages, they can significantly slow degradation, extending lifespan.
Researchers at Cornell University found that quadrupling wind turbine capacity can achieve a 20% share of US electricity from wind power without expanding to new lands. This scenario eliminates approximately 825 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.
A new method predicts how extreme climate events affect energy systems with a focus on renewable energy sources. Future climate events can have a considerable impact, leading to power supply reliability reductions of up to 16%. Collaboration between energy system experts and climate researchers is necessary for optimization.
Researchers found that seasonal pumped hydropower storage has considerable potential for highly competitive energy storage costs, with estimated global energy storage potential of 17.3 PWh. The study also addresses environmental concerns related to traditional hydropower plants, suggesting a more sustainable solution for renewable ener...
Researchers at UMass Amherst have created an 'Air-gen' device that harnesses natural protein to generate clean energy from atmospheric water vapor, offering a promising alternative to traditional renewable energy sources. The non-polluting technology has significant advantages over solar and wind power, and can even be used indoors.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science have developed a novel technology to measure thermal energy conversion efficiency. This innovation can shed light on the processes of energy-converting systems like leaves during photosynthesis, improving the understanding of energy transfer in plants and solar cells.
A Swansea-led team will assess the impact of integrating renewable energy sources on the UK power grid, focusing on harmonic generation and transfer. The research aims to develop accurate models for devices and power systems, combining detailed converter models with simplified representations.
The Stanford report outlines a roadmap for 143 countries to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050, reducing worldwide energy needs by 57%, creating 28.6 million jobs, and saving 91% on energy, health, and climate costs. The plan requires an initial investment of $73 trillion but pays for itself over time through energy sales.
Researchers warn of potential negative impacts of offshore renewable energy on marine life, including head trauma and hearing loss. The study suggests that consideration should be given to the impact of technologies like wind turbines and wave energy converters on marine animals before implementation.
Imperial College London scientists have developed a new type of membrane that can improve water purification and battery energy storage efforts. The new approach uses low-cost plastic membranes with many tiny hydrophilic pores, making them more selective and efficient than current technology.
Expert survey reveals conflict between renewable energy and bat protection, with most stakeholders agreeing that ecosystem sustainability is crucial. Possible solutions include accepting reduced wind turbine efficiency to compensate for shutdown times and prioritizing bat conservation over green electricity production.
A survey of stakeholders in the wind energy field reveals a consensus on prioritizing biodiversity protection over climate change concerns. Stakeholders agree that measures to make wind energy production ecologically sustainable should be taken, with most suggesting increased research and improved efficiency.
Researchers say nanomaterials hold the key to improving energy storage technology, which is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources into the grid. The technology can help stabilize energy supply and demand, making it possible to manage intermittent energy generation from solar and wind power.
A new system converts CO2, water, and renewable energy into ethylene under neutral conditions, offering a carbon-neutral alternative to fossil fuels. The improved catalyst reduces side products and increases selectivity for ethylene production.
A nationwide study led by University of Wisconsin Oshkosh researcher Jeremiah Bohr finds that high energy bills can force households to reduce spending on necessities, leading to increased risk of poverty. The study emphasizes the importance of energy assistance and efficiency for low-income households.
A new study from Harvard University and the University of Leicester estimates that nearly 50,000 people could die prematurely each year from fossil fuel emissions in Africa by 2030. The researchers found that a shift to clean energy sources could have a substantial health benefit for Africans.
The Dartmouth team aims to create sustainable technological solutions that will benefit communities worldwide, focusing on renewable energy and reducing dependence on diesel and fossil fuels. The four-year project is expected to improve living standards while promoting a more sustainable society.
A new Harvard study estimates climate and health benefits from renewable energy installation vary greatly by country. The study suggests that companies, investors, and policymakers can use this framework to make strategic decisions around achieving sustainable development goals.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have made a breakthrough in finding catalysts for renewable energy production. They discovered new molecules that can increase the efficiency of water splitting, reducing the
Scientists have successfully created a highly efficient method to convert sunlight into hydrogen using hematite mesocrystal-based photoanodes. This breakthrough improves light-to-energy conversion efficiency and enables large-scale production of clean fuel hydrogen, making it a viable source of renewable energy.
A new Harvard study identifies the Upper Midwest as ideal for wind turbines and the Great Lakes/Mid-Atlantic region for solar power to achieve maximum benefits. The research, funded by Harvard University's Climate Change Solutions Fund, provides a guide for policymakers, businesses, and utilities on where to deploy renewable energy.
Pitt researcher Dr. James McKone investigates using renewable electricity as energy source for industrial hydrogenation reactions, which are crucial for producing fuels and fertilizers.
Researchers identify three grand challenges in wind energy research: understanding wind resources, addressing turbine and system dynamics, and designing wind plants for grid reliability. Addressing these challenges is crucial for advancing the state of the art in wind plant energy output.
The study uses a unique processing technique to create a polymer film capacitor with record-high energy density, promising a step change in the field of dielectric capacitors. This innovation could enable efficient and low-cost electric energy storage systems for intermittent renewable energy sources.
Researchers will explore ways to use renewable energy to increase usable water resources and produce ammonia for fertilizer. The project aims to create a multifaceted economic system sustaining small town and rural communities and maintaining agricultural production.
A team of Cornell University researchers will investigate the interrelationships between food, energy and water through a three-year, $2.4 million grant. The study aims to understand how ag-to-energy land-use conversions affect agricultural production, water quality and quantity, as well as electrical grid operational efficiency.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design proposed a novel probabilistic dispatch strategy to minimize generation costs while ensuring constraint satisfaction in modern power grids. The approach significantly decreases the probability of constraint violation without impacting nominal power generation cost.