A new study found a negative effect of three birds lost for every turbine within 400 meters of a bird habitat, but also suggests ways to minimize the impact through wind turbine design and placement. The researchers estimate that about 150,000 birds are affected by wind turbines in the U.S. every year.
SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalEnergy Policy·DateOct 18, 2019
Researchers from Aarhus University and Durham University have modelled fluid dynamics of multi-rotor wind turbines, demonstrating a clear advantage for a turbine model with four rotors. This design reduces downstream turbulence, allowing for more efficient energy production.
SourceAarhus University·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateOct 16, 2019
Tropical Storm Mitag is undergoing extratropical transition, losing its tropical characteristics and becoming a larger system with increasing wind field size. The storm had maximum sustained winds near 40 knots (46 mph/74 kph) as it moved east-northeast towards landfall over northern Honshu, Japan.
Tropical Storm Jerry is weakening due to strong vertical wind shear and an intruding dry atmosphere, causing its cloud pattern to deteriorate. The storm's shape is becoming elongated, indicating it is losing strength. Forecasters expect gradual weakening over the next few days.
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A team of Penn State researchers developed a model that can accurately predict wind farm energy production and location. The model provides a probability curve for wind production, allowing companies to make informed decisions about investing in wind farms.
Tropical Storm Jerry's organization and strength are affected by wind shear, pushing clouds away from the storm's center. The shape of the storm provides forecasters with an idea of its internal structure, while wind shear weakens rotation by pushing it apart at different levels.
NASA's Suomi NPP satellite tracked Tropical Storm Karen as it formed in the Caribbean Sea and encountered wind shear, causing its shape to become less organized. The storm is expected to bring heavy rains and gusty winds to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
The report examines wind energy impacts on sensitive wildlife, citing the need to balance wildlife conservation with rapid greenhouse gas emissions reductions. It highlights areas where further research is needed to minimize wind turbine effects on birds and bats.
A new study reveals that coastal proximity, rain and prevailing wind direction influence the distribution of marine sulfur on land. Plants in coastal settings utilize marine-derived sulfur, which is affected by human activities such as oil refineries and vehicles.
SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalApplied Geochemistry·DateSep 23, 2019
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Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.
Tropical Storm Mario has lost its rounded shape, indicating weakening, according to NASA-NOAA satellite imagery. Wind shear is affecting the storm, with powerful thunderstorms stretching high into the troposphere, suggesting heavy rainfall potential.
Mechanism modeling can improve the accuracy of air-sea fluxes, which are crucial for predicting marine atmospheric boundary layer processes. By accounting for the impact of waves, currents, and wind coupled together, models can better represent the interactions between the atmosphere and ocean.
SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalRemote Sensing·DateSep 18, 2019
The Suomi NPP satellite's Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument provided an infrared image of Hurricane Kiko on Sept. 16, showing an elongated shape due to wind shear. Wind shear affects tropical cyclones by pushing against the rotating cylinder of winds, weakening rotation and intensifying the storm.
Hurricane Kiko is being disrupted by wind shear from the northeast, preventing a closed eyewall circulation and allowing the storm to weaken. Cloud top temperatures indicate strong storms with the capability to create heavy rain.
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Wind shear is detected in the remnants of Tropical Storm Gabrielle by NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite, pushing its strongest storms northeast and indicating potential for heavy rainfall. The storm's southern quadrant is largely cloud-free due to southwesterly wind shear.
Tropical Depression Erin's strong northwesterly vertical wind shear pushed most of its clouds and thunderstorms southeast, weakening the storm. The cyclone strengthened into a tropical storm despite the wind shear, but weakened back to a depression by 11 a.m. EDT.
A team of astrophysicists discovered a connection between the brightening of pulsar wind nebula and the spin-down rate transition in PSR B0540-69. The study found that the X-ray PWN around PSR B0540-69 increased by 32% over 400 days, indicating a sudden enhancement of the magnetic field that powers the pulsar wind.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Astronomy·DateAug 26, 2019
New analysis reveals Europe's onshore wind farms could supply enough energy for the world until 2050, producing 497 EJ of power. The study identifies Turkey, Russia, and Norway as having the greatest potential for future wind power density.
SourceUniversity of Sussex·JournalEnergy Policy·DateAug 14, 2019
Advances in wind technology have led to significant growth, with larger turbines now capable of generating up to 5 megawatts. Improved efficiency and cost reductions are expected, but maintaining these turbines will require more economical methods.
SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateAug 13, 2019
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Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Researchers at Newcastle University have found that wind erosion is unlikely to be the primary cause of methane gas release on Mars. The team used high-resolution imagery and data to rule out wind erosion as a viable mechanism for producing detectable levels of methane in the Martian atmosphere.
SourceNewcastle University·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 12, 2019
MIT researchers quantify cost targets for energy storage to enable solar and wind power with storage to reach competitiveness with other on-demand energy sources. The study finds that energy storage costs need to fall below $20/kWh to achieve cost-competitive baseload power over a twenty-year period.
Scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison successfully recreated the sun's solar wind and 'plasma burps' in a laboratory setting, confirming their development and providing an Earth-bound model for future study. The experiment used a three-meter-wide hollow sphere to mimic the sun's plasma and electromagnetic fields.
SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 29, 2019
The storm is being affected by moderate vertical wind shear from the southwest, which can displace clouds and showers around the center. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasts 07W to move north before dissipating in Japan.
A new study finds that fossil fuels' ratios of extracted energy to produced energy are lower than previously thought, especially at the finished fuel stage. The study warns that declining EROI may lead to a 'net energy cliff', where available energy declines rapidly.
SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalNature Energy·DateJul 11, 2019
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Researchers developed a wake steering technique that increases total power production while reducing variability in wind speeds, leading to improved efficiency for near-average wind conditions. The study used field experiments on an array of 6 turbines over 10 days at a wind farm in Alberta, Canada.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 1, 2019
A new Stanford study shows that wake-steering can improve the quantity and quality of power from wind farms, increasing overall power output by up to 47% in low wind speeds. Wake steering also reduces the variability of power production, making it easier for grid operators to manage supply and demand.
SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 1, 2019
Researchers have discovered that dung beetles use a wind compass and sun compass to navigate, switching between the two depending on the condition. The insects' brains adapt dynamically to the environment, allowing them to make informed decisions.
SourceUniversity of the Witwatersrand·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2019
Researchers discovered that dung beetles use a wind compass to navigate when the sun is high, complementing their sun compass. This flexible navigation system enables precise direction-finding at all times.
SourceLund University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 25, 2019
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Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
Research suggests that South African dung beetles utilize a multisensory compass, combining wind direction with solar elevation to maintain spatial orientation. The study found that the beetles' ability to orient themselves improves when incorporating wind cues into their navigation strategy.
SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 24, 2019
The €2m High Performance Computing (HPC) project aims to optimise the sustainable exploitation of wind power. Annual energy production by wind turbines reached around 10.4 per cent in the EU, with Brazil experiencing over 10 per cent annual growth.
A new method enables efficient use of energy by smart homes in a microgrid, reducing overall load and demand for renewable energy. The approach allows smart homes to exchange surplus renewable energy, optimizing energy use and scheduling.
SourceChinese Association of Automation·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·DateJun 5, 2019
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered engineered electroactive microbes that can borrow electrons from solar or wind power to break down carbon dioxide molecules. These microbes can then produce biofuels like isobutanol or propanol, which could be used as an alternative energy source.
SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of Biological Engineering·DateMay 23, 2019
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
Researchers from Texas A&M University have developed a biomimetic whistle that uses bat's natural echolocation to deter bats from flying into wind turbine blades. The device, mounted on turbine blades, produces an ultrasonic sound detectable by bats at distances of up to 100 meters.
A team from Ohio State University has built a more efficient and reliable potassium-oxygen battery that can store excess energy from renewable sources. The battery can be charged at least 125 times, making it a potential solution for long-lasting energy storage in the power grid and cell phones.
SourceOhio State University·JournalBatteries & Supercaps·DateMay 13, 2019
Researchers found a significant increase in tourism on Block Island after construction of the offshore wind farm, with occupancy rates rising by 19% and monthly revenue increasing by $3490. The study suggests that curiosity about renewable energy drove the interest, but may not persist long-term.
SourceUniversity of Rhode Island·JournalResource and Energy Economics·DateMay 6, 2019
Tropical Cyclone Lorna was torn apart by strong northwesterly wind shear, weakening the storm and causing it to dissipate. The 'extremely high' vertical wind shear environment was hostile to the storm, leading to its rapid demise.
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Global ocean wind speeds and wave heights have increased slightly over the last three decades, according to a new study. The analysis of satellite data spanning thirty years confirms small but significant increases in extreme conditions, particularly in the Southern Ocean.
SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateApr 25, 2019
New research from Lancaster University and international partners suggests that investing in solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage is a better strategy for tackling climate change than developing carbon capture technologies. The study finds that renewable energy systems with storage offer comparable or even superior net energ...
SourceLancaster University·JournalNature Energy·DateApr 8, 2019
Researchers discovered massive blobs of solar wind in archival data from NASA's Helios spacecraft, which could shed light on the solar wind's beginnings. The study used advanced modeling and analysis to connect the blob patterns to specific regions on the Sun.
A new study challenges the US Department of Energy's plan to expand offshore wind power, citing supply chain issues with rare earth metals like neodymium. The researchers found that creating a domestic program could raise questions about natural resource consumption and recyclability.
SourceYale School of the Environment·JournalNature Sustainability·DateApr 2, 2019
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Subtropical Cyclone Joaninha was torn apart by strong wind shear in the Southern Indian Ocean, according to NASA. The storm weakened from a maximum sustained wind speed of 35 knots (40 mph) as it moved south-southwest.
Tropical Cyclone Joaninha's maximum sustained winds dropped to 65 knots on March 29, 2019, after being pushed away from its center. The storm was expected to weaken further due to increasing wind shear and cooler sea surface temperatures.
Savannah's maximum sustained winds dropped to 35 knots (40 mph) as it weakened under strong vertical wind shear from the northwest. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center issued its final warning at 5 a.m. EDT, predicting further dissipation later in the day.
Researchers found a persistent flow of total virtual energy from less-populated to energy-abundant provinces in China increased after the financial crisis. The study highlights the need for holistic policy decisions to mitigate energy's environmental impacts.
SourceMichigan State University·JournalApplied Energy·DateMar 21, 2019
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The NASA-NOAA satellite revealed a burst of strong storms in Tropical Depression 03W, indicating vertical wind shear effects. The storm's circulation center was displaced from the bulk of clouds and precipitation.
Developed by Zhang et al., the CS-WD-WNN model outperforms other models in wind speed prediction with high accuracy, providing essential data for wind farm operations.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAtmospheric and Oceanic Science Letters·DateMar 11, 2019
Scientists found that wind stress and its curl are key factors in simulating the Pacific North Equatorial Countercurrent. Weak biases in these models affect tropical surface currents and climate simulations.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalJournal of Advances in Modeling Earth Systems·DateMar 6, 2019
The development of a new generation of catalysts is crucial to meet the world's demand for clean energy. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made a breakthrough in finding better, cheaper catalysts using high-entropy alloys, which can aid the conversion of chemical substances in chemical reactions.
SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalJoule·DateMar 5, 2019
Wutip's weakening was caused by vertical wind shear and cooler waters, which knocked out the storm's winds. The depression is expected to make a turn toward the west with decreased forward speed over the next 24 hours.
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount
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A study by KU Leuven reveals that red giants lose less mass than previously thought, as their stellar winds are affected by an overlooked partner star. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption of high mass loss rates for these stars.
A new software tool has been developed to analyze Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES) that utilize lightweight kites or large drones. This innovation offers a cost-effective way to harness wind energy at high altitudes, where traditional wind turbines are not feasible.
SourceUniversidad Carlos III de Madrid·JournalApplied Mathematical Modelling·DateFeb 19, 2019
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London, University of Arizona, and University of Iowa made the first direct measurement of how energy is transferred from electromagnetic fields to particles in the solar wind. This process, known as Landau damping, causes electrons to be energized and heats interplanetary space.
SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 14, 2019
Scientists at the University of Manchester have created flags that can harness both wind and solar energy to generate electricity. The innovative flags use piezoelectric strips and flexible photovoltaic cells to produce power, making them suitable for powering remote sensors and small electronics.
SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalApplied Energy·DateFeb 11, 2019
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Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
A study published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research found that water-based outdoor recreationists on Lake Erie overwhelmingly support offshore wind energy development. The researchers discovered a strong correlation between OWD support and positive perceptions of tourism opportunities and enhanced recreation experiences.
SourceUniversity of New Hampshire·JournalJournal of Great Lakes Research·DateDec 19, 2018
Researchers discovered a previously unexplored consequence of global wind energy proliferation: wake effects from upwind facilities that can reduce downwind neighbors' energy production. The study shows that these effects are measurable and predictable, with the largest impact occurring when winds are in a specific direction at night.
SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·DateDec 18, 2018
Researchers discovered that vibrating stamens, pollen-bearing organs of flowers, are a key trait for understanding early stages in the transition from insect to wind pollination. This finding helps explain why some flowering plant species have evolved to rely on wind instead of insects for pollination.
A collaborative research team examined predictive models used to forecast wind farm effects, revealing the importance of model resolution in simulating weather patterns. Higher vertical and horizontal resolutions improved simulations, but more study is needed to optimize wind energy deployment.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalAdvances in Atmospheric Sciences·DateDec 13, 2018
A new study found that warming waters in the Indian Ocean are causing a decline in wind power potential in India, with western regions experiencing the steepest decrease. The research suggests that investing in wind turbines in areas with stronger monsoon winds can help minimize the impact of climate change.
SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 5, 2018
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A new study reveals a significant decline in wind energy resources over the Northern Hemisphere, with 30-80% of stations losing wind power potential since 1979. Climate models are found to be inadequate in simulating long-term wind energy changes, underscoring the need for careful consideration when using GCM-based projections.
SourceInstitute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalEnergy·DateDec 5, 2018
Tropical Cyclone Owen weakened from a tropical storm to a depression due to wind shear, resulting in disorganized storm patterns and reduced thunderstorm development. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center notes a chance for the storm to re-strengthen after two days when wind shear relaxes.
A new study highlights the previously underexplored consequence of wake effects from upwind wind farms on downwind neighbors' energy production. The research demonstrates that these effects are measurable and predictable yet remain largely unaccounted for in current U.S. property law.
SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalNature Energy·DateNov 26, 2018