Articles tagged with Renewable Energy
A new study suggests that collective battery storage can significantly reduce the cost of providing load smoothing and peak shaving services to households. By sharing batteries or having one per 20 houses, households can provide essential grid services while reducing individual costs, a key finding published in Energy & Buildings.
Faster EV adoption and renewable energy generation will significantly reduce CO2 emissions in Hawaii, with a potential decrease of up to 93% by 2050. This is made possible through mathematical models created by University of Hawaii at Manoa faculty member Katherine McKenzie.
Researchers from Trinity College Dublin have made significant progress in developing a recipe for entirely renewable energy by splitting water to produce green hydrogen. The team has identified nine earth-abundant metal combinations as highly promising leads for experimental investigation, with chromium, manganese, and iron standing ou...
A new study finds that the decline of US landfills and state bans on organic waste disposal have created a need for alternative pathways for food waste. Researchers evaluated five options, including anaerobic digestion, composting, incineration, and hydrothermal liquefaction.
Rutgers researchers have created a machine learning model that uses real-world meteorological data and physics-based simulations to improve the prediction of offshore wind power. The model achieved accuracy improvements of up to 91% over traditional methods, highlighting its potential for supporting the growth of renewable energy.
A novel energy storage solution featuring pipes and anchors could store intermittent renewable energy from offshore wind power plants. The technology offers a promising alternative to conventional battery systems with lower costs per megawatt hour.
A new study published in PNAS predicts that changes in farming practices could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from grain production by up to 70% within the next 15 years. The study identifies a combination of technological innovations, including digital agriculture, crop genetics, and electrification, as key drivers of this reduction.
Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) are investigating a method to produce synthetic methane from hydrogen and CO2, which can be used as a fuel. This process, known as methanization, has the potential to make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions in road transport.
Researchers at Penn State have designed and tested prototype batteries for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles, which require high energy density and rapid charging. The batteries can sustain over 2,000 fast-charges and retain some charge to ensure safety in the air.
KTU's rooftop solar plant project, selected from 2,500 entries worldwide, combines multiple energy sources and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative aims to educate students on renewable energy and mitigate climate change.
Researchers from Heriot-Watt University developed AI algorithms to optimize community energy assets, using multi-agent systems and cooperative game theory. The models provide fair ways to share joint gains among community members, considering individual contributions and needs.
A new strategy using massive molecular dynamics simulations has been proposed to improve the energy density and power density of EDLCs with ILs. By introducing ionophobicity, the researchers found a significant enhancement in overall performance, particularly with an extremely ionophobic electrode.
By achieving carbon neutrality, China can reduce PM2.5 concentrations from over 10 μg/m3 to around 8 μg/m3, meeting national air quality standards.
Scientists at PNNL have demonstrated the potential of low-cost organic compounds for storing massive amounts of energy to be fed into the electric grid. The researchers showed that fluorenone, a common compound found in candles, can operate continuously for 120 days and lose less than 3% of its energy capacity after 1,111 full cycles.
Researchers are developing a bio-inspired hydrofoil turbine that harnesses the power of natural river flows to generate electricity. The system aims to provide a more efficient, environmentally friendly alternative to traditional renewable energy sources.
The new software suite Quest helps utility companies and businesses evaluate energy storage scenarios and model its potential. Energy storage systems increase grid stability and reliability by capturing energy when produced and saving it when needed.
A new framework combines renewable energy with flexible carbon capture, improving efficiency and reducing costs. The system utilizes dynamic operational schedules to manage complex decisions, providing an effective decarbonization mechanism for the current fossil-dominated energy landscape.
A sensor system developed by PNNL can prevent buildup of flammable gases in outdoor battery enclosures, reducing the risk of explosion. The technology, IntelliVent, responds to smoke, heat, or gas alarms and automatically opens cabinet doors.
A team of researchers developed a method to detect simultaneous sensor and actuator faults in wind turbines, eliminating the need for redundant hardware components. The approach uses a state observer model to identify discrepancies between the original system and its duplicate, enabling real-time fault detection and correction.
Researchers have designed optical rectennas that can capture excess heat and turn it into usable electricity, achieving efficiencies 100 times higher than previous tools. The devices use a phenomenon called resonant tunneling to pass through solid matter without losing energy.
Researchers have developed an innovative GIS map to help building professionals achieve successful Plus Energy Building design. The European Climate and Cultural Atlas combines knowledge from social sciences and building engineering to provide insights into energy practices.
A Dartmouth Engineering study finds that incorporating renewable energy into the American Electric Power System would boost the grid's ability to withstand attacks and maintain its resilience. The researchers used a novel method called hetero-functional graph theory to analyze over 175,000 energy resources in the US.
Degrowth scenarios, focusing on global North reduction in energy and material use while maintaining wellbeing, have clear advantages over established pathways. Combining social change with technological improvements can achieve net-zero carbon emissions more easily.
To reach its goal of 70% renewable energy generation by 2030, New York state will need to utilize lower-grade agricultural land and dual-use (agrivoltaics) options for solar energy development. This approach can help alleviate public concerns and mitigate negative economic activity in rural communities.
Researchers created a new type of phototransistor using metal-halide perovskites, exhibiting persistent photoconductivity that mimics synapses in the brain. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient energy usage in computers and sensors for self-driving vehicles.
A new IIASA-led study investigates the potential of polycentric governance in facilitating citizen participation in energy transition. The research found that providing citizens with options to make choices about services affecting their communities increases trust in decision makers, while also increasing awareness and willingness to ...
A new study by the University of California - Davis suggests that rapid solar development may harm rare desert plant species more than common ones. The research found that weather and landscape features influenced how plants respond to solar panels, with rare species facing potential threats from panel shade.
A team of researchers explores how Game-theoretic models can optimize value proposition for different stakeholders in renewable energy investments. The study reveals a practical framework for analyzing investor decision-making and investigating feasible tariffs that encourage distributed renewable investment.
The GridScale technology stores electrical energy as heat in basalt crushed to tiny stones, offering a cost-effective solution for long-term electricity storage. The facility will support electricity supply for up to a week, addressing the challenge of storing intermittent wind and solar electricity.
A UMass Amherst-led team will develop a self-powered, decentralized network of computing hardware and solar batteries to reduce carbon emissions. The team plans to virtualize energy systems and engineer digital carbon-capping policies to track applications' use of traditional grid-based carbon emissions.
New research by Richard York found that adding alternative meat sources like poultry and fish increases overall meat consumption, rather than suppressing traditional grazing animal sources.
Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories used 22-foot-wide tethered balloons to collect dust samples, confirming the new solar-power technology's safety. The technology stores heat in heated particles, which can store energy for days or weeks, stabilizing power output.
Versogen, a UD spinoff company, has developed patented membrane technology to produce low-cost green hydrogen at scale using a new class of low-cost electrolyzer technology. This technology aims to decarbonize heavy industries and reduce industrial carbon emissions in an environmentally responsible way.
Experts predict significant cost reductions in wind energy by 2035 and 2050, driven by larger turbines, lower capital and operating costs. The study's findings offer insights into the magnitude of cost reductions and drivers for improvement.
A new study reveals that energy models play a significant role in shaping the energy transition, influencing policy decisions and informing energy futures. Policymakers are increasingly relying on modeling outputs to define energy and climate targets, while researchers demand greater transparency to protect model credibility.
A mobile app developed by Graz University of Technology aims to optimize energy consumption through user participation and data collection. The app uses game-like elements to encourage users to share their energy usage data, which is then used to predict household energy consumption and inform smart grid management.
Researchers at Politecnico di Milano and IFN-CNR have developed new materials that minimize efficiency losses in organic photovoltaic cells. These advancements enable future solar cells to be more efficient, flexible, and environmentally friendly.
USC experts project significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and improvements in air quality, with the city potentially reaching 100% renewable energy by 2045. The study also highlights potential job impacts and challenges to ensuring a reliable water supply.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a metric that reflects the average price of energy in the United States, providing a way to optimize policies for a smooth and efficient transition to clean energy. The energy price index can forecast energy demands and prices, helping policymakers navigate the evolving energy landscape.
The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated financing challenges and hampered investment in renewable energy infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries. Despite this, frontrunners in the global energy transition will continue to expand their renewable energy capacities.
Researchers from UC Santa Barbara recommend India increase its target to 600 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. Meeting high renewable targets would not avert the need to build fossil fuel power plants due to specific weather patterns and peak electricity demand requirements.
Researchers will explore decision-making processes for adopting solar energy systems and electric vehicles, as well as improve the efficiency and manufacturing process for solar panels. The studies aim to identify non-technological barriers to clean-energy adoption and evaluate the effectiveness of low-cost interventions and incentives.
Researchers at NREL and University of Utah developed a spin-polarized LED using metal-halide perovskites, enabling room-temperature operation without magnets. This breakthrough has broad implications for applications like quantum computing and bioencoding.
A study of 21 OECD countries from 1980 to 2016 found that military spending hindered green economic growth. Militarization is a major consumer of non-renewable energy and causes significant air and environmental pollution. Economists recommend reducing military spending and transitioning to renewable energy sources.
A Swiss energy market study found that adopting a 'green default' option for consumers leads to significant shifts towards renewable energy. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, showed that both households and businesses predominantly accepted the default option, resulting in substantial CO2 emissions reductions.
A recent field study conducted by Iowa State University researchers found that wind turbine icing can have a significant impact on power production, with losses reaching up to 80%. The study, which analyzed data from a Chinese wind farm, showed that icing conditions can disrupt blade aerodynamics and lead to reduced energy output.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers suggests that a carbon tax is the most effective and cost-efficient way to reduce emissions causing climate change. The study found that adding a price to carbon production resulted in lower emissions at half the cost of renewable energy subsidies.
Scientists at NREL have demonstrated that white-rot fungi can use carbon captured from lignin as a carbon source, consuming it and utilizing it to grow. This discovery provides another strategy for carbon sequestration in nature.
Researchers at NREL have created a simple way to evaluate novel materials for thermal energy storage, aiming to make buildings more efficient and flexible in managing power from renewable sources. The new design method could help mitigate blackouts on the grid by shifting peak electricity demand to other times of the day.
The UK must decommission around 300 and 1600 early-model offshore wind turbines by 2025 and 2030, respectively. Research reveals that the remaining years before these original turbines' end of life can be proactively used to prevent safety lapses and huge costs.
The University of Toledo will develop flexible solar cell sheets to harness solar energy in space and transmit power wirelessly to Earth. The five-year project aims to create large, efficient solar arrays that could generate up to 800 megawatts of electrical power.
New research by Copenhagen Business School finds that poor planning and execution of decarbonisation strategies in emerging markets challenges the aims of Goal 7. The study highlights the need for governance in energy democracy, allowing marginalized communities to participate in renewable energy investments. This can be achieved throu...
Researchers from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology create self-repairing polymer to stabilize silicon anode capacity, paving way for more durable Li-ion batteries. The coating prevents SEI formation and enhances stability, allowing for improved performance over 300 cycles.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new tool to study wind power and its potential as a source of distributed energy. The custom-built wind turbine emulator mimics actual wind turbines, allowing for real-time simulations of various weather conditions and load demands.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed a benchmark system to assess the environmental impact of plastics production in the US. The study provides data on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for 18 types of plastics, allowing researchers to compare their designs with current manufacturing practices.
Researchers developed multiple feasible technology pathways to achieve carbon-neutrality by 2050, with cost estimates ranging from 0.2% to 1.2% of GDP. The study suggests increasing energy efficiency, switching to electric technologies, and deploying clean electricity can help meet this goal.
Researchers have developed a prototype of an anode-free zinc-based battery that uses low-cost, naturally abundant materials. The battery shows high efficiency, energy density and stability, opening new directions for using aqueous zinc-based batteries in energy storage systems.
A new blockchain technology enables optimal matching of buy and sell orders in peer-to-peer energy trading, allowing for more efficient use of surplus electricity from renewable energy sources. The system allows consumers to engage in direct trading at optimal prices, maximizing the amount of surplus electricity available in the market.
A team of Binghamton University researchers will explore advanced grid-forming PV inverter control technologies to integrate renewable energy sources into the US electric grid, aiming for increased reliability and scalability. The three-year project will focus on developing a new grid-forming control algorithm at a hybrid PV plant.
Cornell University is developing a system to convert cattle manure into methane and other products to meet peak heating demands. The proposed system produces approximately 909 million liters of renewable natural gas per year, providing 97% of the campus's annual peak heating demand.