The article emphasizes the need for cross-disciplinary research on renewable energy storage and solar energy conversion. Scientists discuss ways to remove carbon from energy sources, crucial to avoiding climate change's worst consequences.
The new Energy-Water Desalination Hub will focus on early-stage research and development for energy-efficient and low-cost desalination solutions. NAWI aims to recycle 90% of nontraditional water sources, promoting a circular water economy. The hub will advance novel technologies and prioritize high-impact projects.
Researchers develop a low-cost thermoelectric generator that harnesses temperature differences to produce renewable electricity at night, when solar power is not available. The device can generate up to 25 milliwatts of energy per square meter and has the potential to be scaled for practical use.
A new study by researchers at the Institute for Transformative Sustainability Research (IASS) in Potsdam shows that many regions and municipalities in Europe can meet their electricity demand using renewable energy systems. However, achieving complete self-sufficiency would require large shares of land to be assigned to electricity gen...
The NYU Tandon team discovered a way to improve the efficiency of organic electrosynthesis, a process that can easily integrate with renewable energy sources. By applying artificial intelligence to optimize the reaction, they achieved a 30% improvement in adiponitrile production.
A UH engineer offers two winning proposals to the US Department of Energy to enhance the nation's electric grid, focusing on accommodating variable renewable energy generation. His projects include reconfiguring transmission networks and upgrading energy management systems with microgrids.
Researchers suggest that reaching an 80% reduction in building CO2 emissions by 2050 requires highly energy-efficient technologies, new operational approaches, and electrification of fossil fuel-based systems. The study identifies two promising avenues for reducing emissions: energy-saving retrofits and smart software optimization.
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.
New research challenges long-held assumptions about whole-tree harvesting, finding it does not deplete soil and lead to weaker forest ecosystems. The study demonstrates that residue removal has few effects on forest ecology in managed stands, making biomass energy from whole trees a more sustainable option.
The Stanford group's battery captures blue energy by releasing sodium and chloride ions, then reincorporating them through rapid wastewater and seawater exchanges. The technology has shown 97% effectiveness in capturing salinity gradient energy over 180 cycles.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a low-cost, high-performance battery chemistry that achieves exceptional voltage and high efficiencies. The new innovation uses chromium and organic binding agents to stabilize a potent electrolyte, offering promise for cost-effective manufacturing.
The Supergen ORE Hub has awarded £1 million to UK universities to support ambitious research projects in offshore renewable energy. The funding aims to tackle key engineering challenges and explore the transfer of research findings between sectors.
A mathematical model confirms that renewable energy accelerates economic growth in Myanmar, while non-renewable energy has a minimal impact. The study suggests increasing green energy use can lead to economic growth of up to 0.3 units per unit increase.
Researchers at Tokyo Tech create sensitized thermal cells (STCs) that can generate electric power using the Earth's crust heat. The team found that the battery can recharge itself when opened, making geothermal energy a promising renewable source.
A new PSU study found that shifting to renewable energy can increase energy poverty, particularly in nations with increasing inequality. Renewable energy consumption reduces carbon emissions more effectively in contexts of increased inequality, whereas it has a lesser impact when inequality is decreasing.
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.
A recent study by the University of California, Davis, reveals 20 overlooked advantages of distributed solar energy, such as carbon sequestration and improvements for pollinator habitats. The study provides a framework for analyzing solar projects and highlights the potential of rooftop solar to benefit both humans and wildlife.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed an historically accurate solar energy model with global, regional and local level performance data made available via open license. The model will help in optimizing future sustainable energy systems by analyzing photovoltaic installations.
Researchers have integrated power grid considerations into the model of a newly planned net-zero energy district, enabling expansion of sustainable urban areas. The study found that centralized planning provides a means to proactively ensure reliable electricity service and mitigate daily and seasonal fluctuations.
A new hybrid technology called Optiverter combines photovoltaic power optimizers and grid converters to maximize energy harvest from PV modules. The Optiverter ensures maximum energy production even in heavy or opaque shade, making it a significant improvement over current technology.
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.
A new study by University of Exeter expert Richard Lowes found that lobbyists and campaigners were the most influential group in shaping UK Renewable Heat Incentive policy. Strengthening lobbying regulations could provide more visibility and control over their influence.
A new study from Oregon State University researcher Hilary Boudet challenges the notion that technology is the primary driver of energy policy in the US. Societal values, personal experiences, and social networks play a significant role in shaping public perceptions of new energy technologies.
A new Stanford study finds that companies claiming 100% renewable energy don't necessarily reduce carbon emissions by 100%. Hourly accounting methods show wind power produces more emissions reductions than solar power in California. The study highlights the need for hourly data to measure environmental benefits accurately.
A collection of papers by industry and academia experts explores the implications of FERC Order 841 on energy storage in the Midwest. The analysis reveals the region's potential as a case study for bringing energy storage to scale, with benefits including increased capacity value of renewables and reduced variability.
DGIST and CNR-ITAE agreed on a memorandum of understanding to share energy research information and promote human resource exchanges. The two institutions will focus on sustainable energy applications and technology-intensive energy use.
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.
A new study outlines a roadmap for expanding Stanford's energy system innovations to other campuses, maximizing purchases of electricity during renewable power hours and reducing carbon emissions. Thermal storage tanks offer an affordable alternative to traditional batteries, with costs about 15% lower.
A new research paper proposes an alternative technology - renewable electrosynthesis - to replace fossil fuels in the production of chemicals, plastics, clothing, and fertilizers. The process uses CO2 from the air, renewable electricity, and innovative catalysts to create carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative products.
A study by University of Kent researchers found a direct correlation between increasing solar panel demand and rising silver prices, with the latter accounting for 6.1% of solar panel cost.
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...
Researchers at Arizona State University are developing advanced grid models and control technologies to increase the amount of renewable power operating in distribution systems. The goal is to improve grid resilience and performance while ensuring reliable power to critical infrastructures.
Researchers have found that water accelerates the conversion rate of furfural by a factor of two to three. The presence of water enables hydrogenation to occur in the liquid phase instead of on the catalyst surface.
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.
Researcher Alex de Vries finds Bitcoin mining mechanism cannot be powered solely by renewable energy, citing variable hydroelectric production and significant electronic waste generation. Alternative 'proof-of-stake' mechanisms could reduce energy consumption by 99.99% and eliminate e-waste.
Research led by University of East Anglia finds that policies supporting renewable energy and energy efficiency are helping reduce CO2 emissions in 18 developed economies. The study suggests that these efforts need to be expanded and enhanced to limit climate change.
A NYU Tandon team has designed a novel reactor that uses solar energy and plant waste to produce adiponitrile, a precursor material for Nylon production. The technology employs organic electrosynthesis, which can be generated via renewable energy sources like solar or wind power.
Researchers from São Paulo and the UK presented advances in new battery development to address increasing demand for energy storage. Lithium-air batteries have great potential for use in transportation, power distribution networks, and can store energy for up to 24 hours at a low cost.
A new centre for doctoral training in renewable energies will be established in North East England, aiming to develop sustainable power sources for smart devices and future transportation systems. Researchers will work on creating new materials and devices that can convert energy into power at the point of use.
Researchers in Japan developed an integrated system combining photovoltaic power generation and rechargeable batteries to produce hydrogen at a globally competitive cost. The system can adjust the amount of battery charge/discharge and electrolysis hydrogen production in relation to solar power generated, enabling the production of hyd...
Researchers have developed a new catalyst that can efficiently split water molecules using nickel-based hydroxide and polyoxovanadate nanoclusters. The resulting material reduces the required overpotential for electrolysis, making it more efficient and potentially game-changing for renewable energy.
Researchers propose using compressed air storage in porous rock formations to meet UK's electricity needs during winter months, providing a viable option for steady and reliable renewable energy supplies. The approach aims to store enough compressed air to cover the UK's typical electricity demand for January and February.
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.
A new low-cost catalyst made of copper, nickel and chromium enhances hydrogen production from water under neutral pH conditions. This breakthrough enables the use of renewable electricity to produce hydrogen, which can be stored for clean power on demand.
A UMass Lowell team is working on developing renewable fuel additives from sawdust to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions. The project aims to create a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels in internal combustion engines.
Researchers propose new storage system to deliver electricity on demand using molten silicon and high-temperature pump, offering cost-effective alternative to pumped hydroelectric storage. The system could be paired with existing renewable energy systems to capture excess electricity during the day and store it for later use.
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.
A new composite material enables electrochemical water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen without emissions. The catalyst uses cobalt, nickel oxide, and gold nanoparticles to produce cheap, clean hydrogen for fuel cells. This innovation has the potential to store renewable energy on a large scale.
Environmental organizations and social movements in Chile played a crucial role in fostering renewable energy policy, according to a new study. The authors argue that 'contingent coalitions' - collective actors with shared interests - were instrumental in promoting innovative policies and increasing the political clout of these groups.
Renewable energy cooperatives are a viable option for energy production and marketing, offering a democratic alternative to fossil fuels. Despite regulatory hurdles, the number of contracts exceeding 70,000 demonstrates their potential in Spain.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed a method to produce graphene with several layers in a controlled process, enabling the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into renewable fuel. The graphene also exhibits superconducting properties when arranged in a special way.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide modelled the transition to a sustainable energy future, examining the relative productivity of fossil fuels and renewables. The study shows that fuel productivity determines the viability of renewable energy and how economies will transition from fossil fuels to sustainable sources.
Researchers developed a hybrid photoelectrochemical and voltaic (HPEV) cell that turns sunlight into both hydrogen fuel and electricity, overcoming the limitations of current materials. The device achieves a combined efficiency of 20.2%, three times better than conventional solar hydrogen cells.
A Chinese research team has developed a new chemical looping process for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen gas, water, and renewable energy. The process offers great promise for saving energy and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, potentially addressing the challenges of the energy and environmental crisis.
A study by Christine Horne and Emily Kennedy found bipartisan support for renewable energy, with conservatives viewing it as financially smart and a step towards self-sufficiency. Democrats strongly link renewable energy to environmental protection and reducing carbon emissions. The research highlights an area of common ground between ...
Artificial enzymes convert solar energy into hydrogen gas using a new method developed by researchers at Uppsala University. The technique utilizes photosynthetic microorganisms with genetically inserted enzymes combined with synthetic compounds, enabling efficient production of renewable hydrogen gas from solar energy.
Researchers at University of Surrey develop innovative Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs) that capture energy from human movements, wind, and machine vibration. The study provides a step-by-step guide on constructing efficient energy harvesters, paving the way for a future with free and renewable energy.
Michigan State University has been awarded a $2 million grant to develop new designs for long-duration storage on the US power grid. The project, called Scalable Thermochemical Option for Renewable Energy Storage (STORES), aims to create modular thermal storage systems that can store heat energy in the form of chemical energy.
Researchers developed a new management system for lithium batteries in renewable energy facilities, improving their performance and lifetime. The system uses mathematical models to optimize battery usage, balancing the need for efficient energy storage with minimizing degradation.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the conversion of CO2 to electrofuels, shifting from trial-and-error to rational catalyst design. They found that CO2 activation begins with one common intermediate, carboxylate CO2, which is attached to the surface with C and O atoms.