Articles tagged with Renewable Energy
A research consortium has analyzed frequency fluctuations in 12 synchronous grid areas across three continents, revealing that bigger grids are more stable. The study used a new measurement technology and a portable GPS-synchronized recorder to collect high-resolution data.
Dr Peter Garraghan aims to unshackle ICT systems from growing energy demand with a new approach to sustainability. He will develop a system that can dynamically reconfigure its components to operate within limited renewable energy targets.
Researchers created a database of measurements from existing global power grid systems to develop new power systems capable of meeting changing demands. The publicly available data can be used worldwide to design and test new energy concepts in response to current and future challenges.
Researchers from the US Department of Energy's three applied energy laboratories have developed a new framework for engineering-based modeling and analysis to support complex optimization of hybrid energy systems. These systems can leverage multiple energy sources to maximize value and deliver lower-emission energy to industry.
Engineers at West Virginia University are developing a new energy conversion system that can reconcile the supply and demand conflict between renewables and power grids. The system uses hydrogen as a fuel to generate power, addressing the issue of excess renewable energy being dissipated due to storage limitations.
A new machine learning algorithm, TranSEC, uses traffic datasets from UBER drivers and publicly available sensor data to map street-level traffic flow over time. This creates a big picture of city traffic, allowing for near-real-time analysis and predictive modeling.
A new international study finds that green energy projects can be as conflictive as fossil fuel projects, disproportionately impacting rural and indigenous communities. Social protest is effective in stopping or modifying projects, but policymakers must address equity concerns to ensure a just transition.
George Mason University will lead a $111 million public-private partnership, Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CyManII), to introduce cybersecure energy-ROI and drive American manufacturers. The university's well-recognized strength in cybersecurity research positions it well to support the five-year goals of CyManII.
Researchers study large-scale wind turbine design to overcome efficiency and cost challenges. Advanced computational methods reveal the physics of giant rotating machines, enabling better understanding of wind turbine wakes and interactions with the atmosphere.
Researchers at the ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science have developed a new nanoscale building method that can arrange tiny gold rods into precise patterns. This technique has potential applications in renewable energy, smartphones, laptops, and efficient lighting, as well as improving security features in banknotes and passports.
The University of Texas at Arlington and North Central Texas Council of Governments partner to assess regional opportunities for diverting food waste, increasing renewable energy production, and reducing vehicle emissions. The project aims to capture methane gas and produce biogas from anaerobic digestion infrastructure.
A new study from Incheon National University develops an eco-friendly buffer for solar panels, increasing efficiency and sustainability. The ZTO buffer uses naturally abundant materials, reducing toxicity and costs.
Climate change is expected to increase cooling demand and decrease heating demand globally, while also affecting energy infrastructure efficiency and reliability. Regional differences in climate change impacts are observed, with South Asia and Latin America being the most vulnerable regions.
A new model predicts the photovoltaic industry can meet Paris Agreement targets with 70-80 terawatts of cumulative capacity from solar cells by 2055. The industry needs to increase production rate by a factor of 30 within 10 years, driven by productivity improvements and material sustainability.
Jifeng Liu, a professor at Dartmouth's Thayer School of Engineering, has been named an OSA fellow for his work on renewable energy and reducing energy consumption in information technology. His research focuses on advancing solar technologies that are less expensive and more efficient.
A new study suggests that renewable energy targets can actually exacerbate sustainability issues, such as rolling blackouts in California. The researchers argue for a more nuanced approach, considering trade-offs between different policy instruments and long-term objectives.
A new study analyzes Germany's bilateral energy partnerships, which are a key instrument of the country's 'soft power' strategy. The partnerships aim to promote climate-friendly technologies and solutions abroad, reflecting Germany's domestic consensus on its energy transition.
Scientists at NREL developed a next-generation thermochromic window that reduces energy consumption and generates electricity. The new technology enables various colors and temperature-driven color changes, increasing design flexibility and control over building aesthetics.
A new modelling study by researchers at UCL and Yale found that paper recycling may increase greenhouse gas emissions unless powered by renewable energy. The study suggests that modernising landfill practices and using renewable energy can reduce emissions significantly.
Seawater air-conditioning (SWAC) has been shown to provide the same cooling energy as 21 wind turbines or a solar power plant the size of 68 football fields, making it a viable alternative to conventional air-conditioning. The technology can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and water consumption in cooling systems.
The Membrane Solvent Extraction (MSX) process developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory allows for the recovery of highly pure cobalt, nickel, lithium, and manganese from spent lithium-ion batteries. This technology contributes to a circular economy by recycling end-of-life products without generating hazardous waste.
Researchers developed tools to estimate if wave-energy devices will turn over in changing ocean environments. The mathematical approach considers device geometry, mooring systems, and tidal wave properties, yielding accurate predictions.
A study by the University of California, Davis, compares three types of energy providers in California, finding that community choice aggregations (CCAs) purchased more renewable energy but went farther to source it. The study highlights the need for energy providers to prioritize local and renewable sources.
A new solar panel design using checkerboard lines can absorb up to 125% more light, leading to the creation of thinner, lighter, and more flexible panels. This breakthrough could enable a rapid expansion of photovoltaics and greatly reduce carbon footprint.
Researchers at Politecnico di Torino have developed a new composite material that can store heat during the summer and release it during the winter using a low-cost technology. The innovative material combines cement, salt, and water to produce heat through hydration, offering an affordable solution to balance energy supply and demand.
Researchers have developed a method to spray extremely thin wires made from a plant-based material, methylcellulose, onto 3D objects. This innovation could improve the effectiveness of N95 mask filters and be used in energy harvesting devices, with potential applications in organ creation.
A collaboration between NREL and the University of Portsmouth has led to breakthroughs in understanding how enzymes like PETase and MHETase work together to degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. The research reveals that combining these two synergistic enzymes significantly improves their ability to break down PET.
A new study published in Nature Energy reveals that nuclear power does not deliver sufficient carbon emission reductions and should not be considered a low-carbon energy source. Renewable energy investments are found to have stronger correlations with CO2-emission reductions, particularly in countries with lower GDP per capita.
Researchers at KAUST developed semiconductive photocatalysts that efficiently absorb solar energy, reducing the energy required for a bioelectrochemical process to convert CO2 into valuable chemicals. The technology has the potential to reduce carbon emissions while generating useful products.
Researchers estimate that adding floating solar panels to existing hydropower stations could generate up to 10,600 terawatt-hours of power annually. This would account for about 35% of global electricity consumption in 2018.
Researchers from Far Eastern Federal University studied the correlation between TES shape and efficiency, finding that straight walls are often preferred but can vary depending on specific criteria. The study also explored the potential of integrating TES with other energy accumulators, such as adiabatic compressed air storages.
Researchers developed an air-insensitive biphenol derivative cathode with high potential and solubility, demonstrating stable cycling performance and high rate capabilities. The cathode's biphenol structure offers excellent oxidation resistance and four tertiary ammonium groups improve stability.
A study from California Polytechnic State University finds that offshore winds in the Central Coast increase when demand is greatest, making them an ideal candidate to fill the gap left by solar and on-shore wind energy production. The study suggests that offshore wind energy could play a crucial role in meeting California's ambitious ...
Maestro, a predictive software developed by CSEM, analyzes weather forecasts and data from local infrastructure to determine the best time to consume energy. The system can reduce heating costs by approximately 20% and is designed to keep costs down, making it suitable for individual homes and entire neighborhoods.
The ELECTRODE project aims to develop more efficient methods for storing renewable energy, a crucial step towards phasing out fossil fuels. Researchers will create porous photopolymer structures using 3D printing, increasing the effect of fuel cells.
Researchers propose moving workloads to different regions to reduce excess renewable energy generation, saving companies money and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The plan could absorb up to 62% of curtailed electricity capacity in California, equivalent to 100,000 households' annual energy consumption.
Researchers investigated the impact of temperature on solar and wind energy production in Australia, finding small annual changes but significant effects during peak temperature days. The study aimed to inform electricity sector planning for reliability in different climate conditions.
A new DOE grant will support research on developing efficient electrochemical systems for renewable energy generation and storage. Dr. Eranda Nikolla's project aims to design catalytically active sites in non-stoichiometric, mixed metal oxides for oxygen reduction and evolution.
A new study finds that transitioning to renewable energy in Europe can reduce land requirements by prioritizing offshore wind power and large solar parks. The study suggests that these alternatives can achieve a fully renewable electricity supply while minimizing additional costs.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute developed wedge-shaped luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) that can be hung on walls to capture and convert sunlight into electric power. The technology has shown promise in reducing energy needs for buildings, particularly in urban settings where roof space is limited.
ETRI successfully developed eco-friendly color CIGS thin-film solar cells with high conversion efficiency and low material costs. The innovative technology features a Zn-based buffer layer, eliminating toxic cadmium, and enables flexible substrate applications.
As electric vehicles accelerate, cities and utilities face the challenge of smoothing out the duck curve and avoiding costly new infrastructure. Smart charging strategies can help reduce demand peaks and fill in the gap.
New offshore wind projects in the UK are expected to produce electricity very cheaply, potentially reducing household energy bills. The projects will operate with 'negative subsidies,' paying money back to the government and then passing it through to consumers.
The Peterborough Integrated Renewables Infrastructure (PIRI) project aims to deliver a significant drop in CO2 emissions by 2030 while cutting energy bills by up to a quarter. The project combines a next-generation heat network, electricity network, and electric vehicle infrastructure under one smart holistic scheme.
The project aims to store green surplus energy in giant underground water balloons hidden beneath 'moving hills', demonstrating a new technology that can optimize energy storage for a future with more renewable energy. The test facility will be built with a focus on abrasion testing and lifetime tests for the membrane.
Researchers found that transitioning to renewable energy technologies has high energy return on investment (EROI) values, making it a worthwhile transition. The study analyzed dozens of studies on wind and solar renewables in regions with high solar and/or wind resources.
Researchers at NREL conducted the first global assessment of solar panel recycling approaches. They recommend focusing on high-value silicon purification and exploring techno-economic analyses to mitigate environmental impacts. The study aims to contribute to a PV circular economy, reducing waste and conserving valuable materials.
The article emphasizes the importance of climate resilience in urban energy systems to address climate change and extreme events. Nik and colleagues provide an overview of current progress in adapting urban energy systems to climate change, highlighting limitations in existing approaches.
Researchers used fixed effects regression techniques to analyze photovoltaic performance degradation over time. They found that newer projects have degraded at a slower rate than older ones, suggesting photovoltaics technology has improved over time.
Researchers developed a breakthrough machine learning approach that quickly produces higher-resolution climate data, enhancing wind velocity and solar irradiance by 50 and 25 times respectively. This advancement will enable scientists to complete renewable energy studies with more accuracy and speed.
The study demonstrates that solar assisted heating networks can reduce environmental impact by up to 89.3% compared to traditional heat generation methods, while also providing economic benefits through cost reduction of up to 66%. The system is most effective in larger communities, with a return on investment within 13.7 years.
Columbia University engineers are developing a risk dashboard to assess and predict risks to the power grid. The project aims to create a decision-making tool for independent system operators, helping them make sound decisions quickly in time scales ranging from minutes to days.
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Physics of Solids developed a new intermetallic compound Al2Pt as a precursor for oxygen evolution reaction electrocatalyst material. The compound's reduced density of states and polar chemical bonding provide inherent OER activity, increasing stability under harsh oxidative conditions.
A 16-year analysis reveals that periods of regulatory uncertainty increase electricity price volatility, regardless of renewable energy's intermittent nature. The study highlights the impact of policy changes and economic crises on market prices.
Researchers will create a risk dashboard to help ISOs make sound decisions quickly and allocate resources for reducing renewable energy risks, making the U.S. power grid more efficient and reliable.
Researchers at NREL have found that driving electric vehicles can save motorists as much as $14,500 on fuel costs over 15 years. The study considered state-by-state differences and the cost of charging equipment and installation costs to estimate total fuel cost savings.
A new Yale-led study finds that a decline in green energy spending during the global crisis could outweigh the short-term environmental benefits of reduced carbon emissions and local air pollution. The economic downturn may lead to a significant setback in clean energy innovation, with potential impacts on human health.
Sean Shaheen, associate professor at University of Colorado Boulder, takes over as new editor-in-chief of Journal of Photonics for Energy in July 2020. He aims to publish emerging science and technology concepts in photonics for renewable energy harvesting and applications.
Researchers have captured a molecular mechanism behind the water splitting reaction of photosynthesis using nanoscale imaging and chemical analysis. The study could help inform the design of artificial photosynthetic systems producing clean and renewable energy from sunlight and water.
University of Delaware researchers have developed a technique to visualize the three-dimensional structure of materials in detail while maintaining context. This approach enables scientists to study specific particles on the material's surface and observe how they evolve over time under different conditions.