Articles tagged with Alternative Energy
Researchers developed a thermogalvanic system from lignosulfonate, a papermaking black liquor component, to convert low-grade heat and sunlight into electricity. The system achieved a Seebeck coefficient of 4.3 mV/K and generated 1.56 V under a 40 K temperature difference.
A study of 122 Australian consumers found that EV misinformation can lead to misconceptions about safety, environmental impact, and practicality. Researchers suggest addressing underlying concerns and providing credible information to build trust in electric vehicles.
Researchers developed a new experimental approach using high pressurization in a wind tunnel to simulate the flow physics in the atmosphere, offering new insights into optimizing turbine alignment, blade pitch angles, and tip speed to boost power output. The study also validated a computationally lightweight model for testing different...
Researchers from the University of Surrey have found that silicon solar cells can reduce satellite power costs by up to 90% by improving efficiency and reducing material costs. The study also showed that silicon cells can be used to halve the weight of solar cells needed on spacecraft, freeing mass for fuel or instruments.
Researchers at the University of Waterloo developed a new electrode design that increases the performance of redox flow batteries by 52% by using triply periodic minimal surface geometries. This innovation enables more efficient storage of renewable energy, addressing the intermittency of wind and solar power.
Southwest Research Institute's PaSTA technology stabilizes solar arrays for spacecraft docking, while ALTRIOS simulates locomotive energy technologies for efficient rail systems. Both innovations were recognized as two of the most important of 2026.
A new study models a future net-zero European power system and tests it against 80 years of historical weather data to understand how it would handle stress with periods of low wind and solar generation, combined with high demand. The study concludes that the risk is greatest during winter when cold and wind-still conditions persist, h...
A new study estimates that decommissioning subsea oil and gas pipelines could release 4.5 to 500 tonnes of microplastics into the North Sea each year. The research highlights the potential environmental risks of legacy plastics and recommends integrating environmental consequences into decommissioning decision-making.
The Oxford Smith School and Bank of America will examine how energy storage and next-generation fuels can reshape global energy markets and strengthen UK energy resilience. The research will also identify where bottlenecks may emerge, which technologies have the greatest commercial potential, and where investment could deliver the grea...
Researchers found that people's perception of technology as natural predicts their support, with a shift in framing prompting higher levels of trust and acceptance. Climate solutions like nuclear energy face resistance due to perceived unnaturalness, highlighting the need for effective communication strategies.
A new study by MIT researchers aims to give the budding industry a framework for understanding how fusion can be profitable. The method considers the physical inputs needed to sustain controlled fusion energy production and the cost of building power plants that can compete in energy markets.
A simulation study from the University of Illinois suggests that winter canola can increase overall productivity by 18% while maintaining stable greenhouse gas intensity. The diversified system also improves net ecosystem carbon balance, with benefits increasing over time.
Researchers developed a novel platinum-cobalt intermetallic catalyst that enables high-performance fuel cells with long-lasting durability. The innovative nanostructured carbon support overcomes the challenge of balancing activity and stability, allowing for improved catalytic performance at high temperatures.
Researchers developed a cost-effective and sustainable approach to produce freshwater by capturing water vapor from the air using specialized materials. The wind-driven strategy utilizes hygroscopic polymer sponges integrated with wind-powered eddy current heating, generating up to 9.9 liters of water per day.
Researchers developed a self-adaptive Cu–Co catalyst that converts nitrate pollutants into green ammonia, achieving high activity and selectivity. The catalyst's adaptive reconstruction strategy enables it to continuously evolve into its most active state during operation.
MIT researchers developed framework to make climate-informed energy siting choices, showing how location affects energy system resilience and reducing blackouts. Climate-informed energy siting reduces energy shortfalls by up to fivefold in regions like New England and Texas.
A new analysis by Ohio State University researchers suggests that expanding energy infrastructure can boost community employment and reduce fossil fuel emissions without significant cost increases. The study's scenario-based framework revealed that even expensive policies taking community health concerns into account are only 0.7% more...
Researchers developed an optimized energy management strategy for hybrid residential microgrids using Particle Swarm Optimization, reducing Net Present Cost by 12.01%, cost of energy by 16.09% and CO2 emissions by 17.65%. The study also found that battery storage had a strong impact on diesel fuel consumption and CO2 emissions
Researchers aim to develop reliable power generation in harsh environments, including space and underwater settings, using perovskite solar cells. Advances in material composition and device engineering can overcome instability issues, enabling long-term reliability and performance.
Researchers at Kyushu University have created a solid-state material that converts visible light into ultraviolet (UV) light under ordinary outdoor sunlight, achieving a conversion efficiency of 1.9%. The material offers advantages for real-world use, including straightforward synthesis and low-cost starting materials.
Researchers developed nanotube membranes that enable ultrafast ion transport, opening new pathways for high-efficiency clean energy generation and lithium recovery. The discovery shows boron nitride nanotubes selectively move lithium ions faster than expected, with potential applications in blue energy generation and battery recycling.
Researchers have developed a soft, custom-molded acoustic contact lens that actively corrects outgoing sound waves before they pass through an autonomous drone's protective shell. The lens boosts sonar signal strength by up to 10 decibels while cutting background reverberation without draining extra battery power.
Researchers developed a liquid material that charges like a battery, transforms like a living organism, and resets itself in open air. The material stores power for months and can be recharged, making it useful for adaptive clean renewable systems.
The papers validate and de-risk Commonwealth Fusion Systems' approach to commercial fusion, demonstrating scientifically robust path to grid electricity in the early 2030s. Advanced computational tools combined decades of empirical research on tokamaks worldwide, predicting 1.1 GW of fusion power and 400 MW of continuous net electricity.
Carbon Research has achieved a new milestone with a 2025 CiteScore Tracker of 19.2, reflecting growing visibility and citation performance. The journal focuses on carbonaceous materials, renewable energy, and greenhouse gases, publishing high-quality research for climate change, sustainable energy, and environmental remediation.
A new study by the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry finds that accelerating renewable energy expansion can effectively close the energy supply gap while providing climate change mitigation benefits and improving public health. This creates substantial societal and economic benefits, outweighing the costs of renewable energy expansion.
The study offers a detailed look at the nation's sustainable aviation fuel industry and found that domestic production is expanding quickly but unlikely to meet its goal without additional support. The most optimistic scenario projects 2.1 billion gallons of SAF production annually by 2030, roughly two-thirds of the federal target.
Researchers developed high-performance catalysts that convert ortho hydrogen to para hydrogen before liquefaction, reducing energy release and partial vaporization of liquid hydrogen. This innovation is expected to contribute to the development of a hydrogen economy in Japan.
A recent study published in PNAS has found no meaningful health impacts from exposure to wind turbines. The researchers analyzed data from over 120,000 households and found no correlations between turbine installation and health problems such as headaches, depression, or sleep disturbances.
Southeast University and Korea University researchers developed advanced copper catalysts to convert CO₂ into valuable fuels. Their strategy integrates tandem effects, synergistic interactions, and geometric control to enhance reaction pathways, reducing energy barriers for C₂+ product formation.
A new study finds that coal pollution reduces global solar electricity output by 5.8%, equivalent to 111 TWh of lost energy, with aerosol-related losses reaching 74.0 TWh annually. This constraint on the clean energy transition underscores the need for pollution control measures to maximize renewable energy output.
The EU's plans for domestic production of fossil-free aviation fuels risk steering development towards more expensive and energy-intensive pathways. A study from Chalmers University of Technology found that the current regulatory framework favours combustion-based alternatives over gasification, leading to increased costs and energy use.
The study suggests that a more collaborative, cross-sector approach known as horizontal governance can help identify overlooked opportunities and empower local communities to become both producers and consumers of their own energy
The study reveals that renewable energy sources like solar panels and electric vehicles can lower emissions and costs, but also cause voltage regulation challenges due to variable output. Community-scale battery energy storage systems are the most viable solution to mitigate these technical vulnerabilities, offering a 52% cost advantag...
A new study published in Communications Sustainability reveals that investing in renewable energy yields more combined climate and public health benefits than direct air capture. The analysis models the health and climate benefit of cost-equivalent deployments of DAC, solar, and onshore wind across US grid regions from 2020 to 2050.
A new universal model explains and guides energy level alignment in perovskite solar cell interfaces using hole-collecting monolayers, enabling optimized interfacial energy levels and reduced development time. The study provides practical guidance for designing materials with improved performance for emerging solar technologies.
A new report by the UN University finds that critical minerals extraction is causing severe environmental and health crises in vulnerable communities, while benefits accumulate mainly in wealthy nations. The investigation highlights intense water requirements, contaminated water, lost livelihoods and serious health consequences.
A breakthrough in computer-designed thermoelectric generators has achieved more than eight times better efficiency than conventional designs. The innovative approach uses topology optimization to precisely control heat flow and minimize electrical resistance.
Researchers developed a method that improves perovskite solar cell performance by triggering molecular interactions at the interface between two films, resulting in more efficient and durable material. The technique achieved a power conversion efficiency of 25.61%, surpassing previous records.
New Oxford analysis finds that up to 90% of industrial energy demand could be electrified with existing technologies, but policy failures and technology risks hold back deployment. Electrification offers a pathway to stable and resilient energy costs, reducing exposure to geopolitical disruption and price volatility.
The University of Utah has launched a new Institute for Critical and Strategic Minerals (ICSM) to address the US's growing reliance on foreign critical minerals. The institute aims to expand sustainable, domestic sources and production of critical minerals through education, workforce development, and cutting-edge research.
A new study introduces AI-based control strategies that ensure local grids remain reliable and resilient. By utilizing Artificial Neural Networks, the system can predict and compensate for grid changes in real-time, outperforming traditional control methods.
Researchers discovered that faster dendrite growth is associated with lower stress levels in a commonly used battery electrolyte material, revealing chemical reactions as a new culprit behind the problem. The study provides guidance for designing stronger electrolytes to make solid-state batteries successful.
Scientists have created a new biodiesel process using locally sourced materials, such as algae and oyster shells. The process reduces production costs by 70-85% compared to traditional methods, making it a more sustainable alternative to petroleum products.
A new framework, proposed by Professor Zongjie Wang, helps transmission and distribution operations work together to make holistic decisions without centralization. The method combines data from both systems using reduced distribution network models and AI-powered modeling to account for uncertainties and complexities.
The Island Scholarship programme aims to draw more talent to Orkney, supporting population retention and attraction on Scottish islands. Fifteen postgraduate students will have their fees paid in full for specialist MSc courses, with applications now open.
Researchers have developed a 3D electrode inspired by an aquatic plant, which captures and transports gas bubbles to increase hydrogen production. The design achieved a current density eight times higher than common flat electrodes, collecting 53.9% more hydrogen.
Oregon State University's Experimental Deep Geothermal Energy lab will recreate extreme underground conditions in the lab with Quaise Energy's support. The goal is to learn about superhot rock geothermal energy, which could supply 63 terawatts of firm, carbon-free power.
A new research project, (not)NOISY, aims to predict cumulative underwater noise produced by tidal turbine arrays before they are built. The team will develop advanced models and AI-assisted tools to quantify how noise travels through marine environments, supporting informed decision-making.
A two-year study found that small household solar power systems have limited capacity, typically only 6 watts, which does not deliver meaningful energy services. Households with access to higher-capacity systems (50+ watts) reap the most direct benefits and are more likely to adopt additional solar components.
As climates become more extreme, traditional building designs are failing to keep people safe and comfortable. A new generation of architects is creating climate-ready buildings that can maintain comfortable temperatures independently from the grid, using local natural resources like sun, wind, and ground-sourced energy.
A team from the University of Seville has developed a hybrid device that captures energy from both the sun and rain, allowing for more efficient and durable photovoltaic cells. The device can generate up to 110 volts per impact from a single raindrop, powering small portable devices.
To meet basic copper demands, prices must rise substantially and mining processes need reforms. Recycling and alternative materials can alleviate some demand but may come with higher emissions.
Researchers at HKUST have achieved a breakthrough in calcium-ion battery technology, utilizing quasi-solid-state electrolytes to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The innovative CIBs promise to transform energy storage solutions in renewable energy systems and electric vehicles.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed carbon spheres filled with iron oxide, achieving promising results for environmentally friendly lithium-ion batteries. The material's storage capacity increases over time as the iron oxide is electrochemically activated, making it a potential solution for renewable energy storage.
Researchers identify vulnerabilities in three major sectors: physical, financial, and managerial 'cliffs' that could trigger localized energy crises and price shocks. Policymakers are urged to adopt managed decline strategies to avoid disruption of services and stabilize the mid-transition period to zero carbon energy.
Researchers at the University of Rochester create a new process to turn ordinary metal tubes unsinkable by etching micro- and nano-pits on their surface, making them superhydrophobic. The tubes stay afloat in water, even when damaged or submerged for extended periods.
Researchers at Jeonbuk National University have developed a new dual-chemical looping process that improves the efficiency of ammonia synthesis by 8.4% and reduces global warming potential by up to 15.85 kg CO2-equivalent per kilogram of ammonia produced.
A new study from Chalmers University of Technology shows that locally produced green hydrogen is the best option for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from heavy-duty road transport. This method enables all countries to become self-sufficient in energy and fuel, even in times of crisis.
A new study examines behavioral mechanisms of rural distributed photovoltaic development, finding that collaboration between PV enterprises and village organizations is key to expanding adoption. The research also highlights the importance of balancing self-consumption requirements with grid capacity constraints.