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Are subsea oil and gas pipelines a previously unrecognized source of ocean microplastics?

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.

SourceUniversity of Plymouth·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 19, 2026

How cheap clean energy can spark a fairer energy sector

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...

SourceOhio State University·JournalEnergy Policy·DateJul 8, 2026

Combining solar and hydropower could place energy sovereignty within irrigation communities' reach

A study by the University of Córdoba analyzes scenarios to integrate clean energy into an Andalusian irrigation community's system, proposing a hybrid model that combines solar and hydropower. The result is a hybrid circular circuit providing autonomy, stability, and flexibility, while offering a cleaner and more efficient system.

SourceUniversity of Córdoba·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2026

Solar panels on rewetted peatland could be a climate and nature win-win

Researchers found that rewetted peatland solar parks in Northern Germany support threatened bird species and exhibit an unusual mix of species, providing a unique habitat for biodiversity. The study suggests that this novel land use can be a valuable tool for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and restoring peatland ecosystems.

SourceBritish Ecological Society·JournalEcological Solutions and Evidence·TypeObservational study·DateJun 8, 2026

Location matters: Balancing renewable energy and biodiversity in Norway

A new study suggests that expanding Norway's renewable energy could increase habitat loss by up to 28% by 2050. However, avoiding construction in species-rich habitats and using previously developed land can help curb those losses. Meanwhile, rooftop solar has a lower impact on biodiversity compared to ground-mounted solar plants.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalCleaner Energy Systems·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 29, 2026

EU rules could make fossil-free aviation fuels unnecessarily expensive and energy-intensive

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.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalFuel·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 14, 2026

How can renewable energy be most efficiently integrated into the electric grid?

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...

SourceWiley·JournalIET Renewable Power Generation·DateMay 6, 2026

New irradiance forecasting method could improve stand-alone photovoltaic system operation

Researchers developed a feature selection-based solar irradiance forecasting method to improve stand-alone photovoltaic system operation. The approach forecasts solar irradiance using a bidirectional long short-term memory hybrid network, then estimates the optimum tilt angle to increase PV output power.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalGreen Energy and Intelligent Transportation·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2026

New solid-state battery study compares fabrication routes for greener transportation and energy systems

A new study investigates sulfide-based and oxide-based solid electrolyte systems for next-generation lithium-ion solid-state batteries. The researchers found that the oxide-based hybrid approach offered notable advantages in performance, with improved lifespan and capacity retention compared to all-solid-state sulfide cells.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalGreen Energy and Intelligent Transportation·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 14, 2026

Study maps regions with the greatest potential for green hydrogen production and use in Brazil

A study analyzing municipal data identifies seven high-potential production clusters and ten consumption clusters in Brazil, highlighting the need for infrastructure investments to connect energy and industrial hubs. The research reveals a spatial disparity between production and consumption sites, posing a challenge for developing the...

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·DateApr 7, 2026

Island Scholarship launched

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.

Move finances to shift energy

A collaborative team of researchers from Kyoto University analyzed the net-zero transition in Southeast Asia, finding that a flexible grid paradigm allows vertically integrated utilities to accept natural gas as flexible energy. The study also highlights the need for synchronized changes in energy systems and financial systems to achie...

SourceKyoto University·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 23, 2026

Cleaner solar manufacturing could cut global emissions by eight billion tonnes

A new international study found that deploying next-generation solar panels at scale could reduce global carbon emissions by up to 8.2 billion tonnes by 2035. The technology, known as tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) photovoltaics, has lower environmental impacts in fifteen out of sixteen categories compared to the incumbent PE...

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 13, 2026

Batteries from rust? Carbon spheres filled with iron oxide deliver high storage capacity

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.

SourceSaarland University·JournalChemistry of Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 5, 2026

As fossil fuel use declines, experts urge planning and coordination to prevent chaotic collapse

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.

SourceUniversity of Notre Dame·JournalScience·TypeObservational study·DateJan 29, 2026

A slower-than-needed renewable energy transition could weaken the world’s motivation to cut carbon emissions, study warns

A new study suggests delaying renewable energy expansion may reduce global motivation to cut carbon emissions. The research finds that once global warming passes a critical threshold, the social cost of carbon suddenly falls, weakening the economic incentive to reduce emissions.

Mapping the missing green: An AI framework boosts urban greening in Tokyo

Researchers from Chiba University developed an AI-based spatial framework to identify areas with limited vertical greening, revealing uneven distribution and high-priority zones for improvement. The framework provides a citywide map of vertical greenery, aiming to enhance cooling, biodiversity, and urban resilience.

SourceChiba University·JournalSustainable Cities and Society·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 30, 2025

Study documents wind regulations across all Kansas counties, can help guide energy policies nationwide

The study found that about 70% of Kansas counties have some form of regulations, with 40% having enabling regulations to accommodate wind development. Counties in western and southern parts of the state tend to have more restrictive regulations, while rural areas with agricultural economies are more likely to have enabling regulations.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalSustainability·TypeMeta-analysis·DateOct 27, 2025

Solar energy is now the world’s cheapest source of power, a Surrey study finds

A new study by the University of Surrey finds that solar energy has become the world's cheapest source of power, with costs ranging from £0.02 per unit in sunny countries. The research highlights the increasing adoption of hybrid systems combining solar panels with batteries to create a more reliable and dispatchable source of power.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalEnergy & Environmental Materials·DateOct 7, 2025

Revolutionizing electric vehicle performance: a breakthrough in simultaneous efficiency enhancement and vibration reduction

Researchers developed a groundbreaking solution to tackle both energy efficiency and ride comfort challenges in electric vehicles. The innovative Teamwork Optimization Algorithm (TOA) dynamically adjusts the motor's magnetic flux for optimal performance, resulting in reduced energy consumption by up to 15%, smoother acceleration with 4...

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalGreen Energy and Intelligent Transportation·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 27, 2025

Revealing the secrets to good catalytic performance in metal sulfides

Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo discovered that metal sulfides with seven to eight d electrons show superior catalytic activity. This volcano-shaped relationship provides guidelines for designing more effective catalysts, accelerating the development of efficient water-splitting catalysts for green hydrogen production.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalCatalysis Science & Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2025

High-purity green hydrogen with very low tar from biomass, with chemical looping gasification

A study from the University of Johannesburg presents a promising industrial process that can turn sugarcane waste into green hydrogen with high energy efficiency and low tar content. The Sorption-Enhanced Chemical Looping Gasification (SECLG) process produces a small fraction of unwanted by-products, making it an attractive alternative...

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalRenewable Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 14, 2025

University of Texas-led team solves a big problem for fusion energy

A University of Texas-led team has discovered a shortcut to design leak-proof magnetic confinement systems in stellarator reactors, addressing a 70-year-old challenge. This breakthrough enables engineers to simulate the system more efficiently without sacrificing accuracy, paving the way for the development of reliable fusion energy.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 5, 2025