Research on clean and renewable energy. Covers 3D-printed energy storage, fossil-fuel transition, affordable renewable power, and battery innovation.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Researchers at Surrey's Advanced Technology Institute develop a new three-layer composite using carbon nanotubes, PANI, and hydrothermal carbon that demonstrates remarkable rate-capability at high energy densities.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have created a global dataset of major renewable energy sites, mapping solar and wind farms worldwide. The study shows that Europe, North America, and East Asia dominate the renewable energy sector, with data correlating well with official statistics.
Scientists developed a unique nanostructure that limits silicon's expansion while fortifying it with carbon, enabling it to hold twice the charge of traditional graphite anodes. The porous silicon structure exhibits remarkable mechanical strength, making it suitable for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.
Scientists at NREL have fabricated a solar cell with an efficiency of nearly 50%, setting two world records for the highest solar conversion efficiency. The six-junction solar cell can be used in concentrator photovoltaics to reduce material usage and increase efficiency.
An international team of scientists has proposed a method to design climate-resilient energy systems. The study found that urban areas are expected to hold more than two-thirds of the world's population by 2050, and distributed energy systems will play a vital role in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Over 2000 renewable energy facilities are built in biodiverse areas, posing a significant threat to plant and animal species globally. The research team urges governments and industries to reconsider locations and prioritize biodiversity conservation.
Researchers at NREL developed a new formula to boost perovskite solar cell longevity and efficiency by suppressing light-induced phase-segregation. The tandem perovskite/silicon solar cell achieved an efficiency of 27%, outperforming existing silicon-based cells.
A collaborative research team has developed a system that uses less expensive materials to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, comparable to the current most popular system but without precious metals. This advance holds promise for affordable renewable energy storage and could increase hydrogen production rates nearly tenfold.
A new study published in Energy and Environment found that despite high awareness of climate change, people are hesitant to take action due to differing worldviews. The study identifies four major worldviews influencing opinions on policy interventions and individual responsibility.
A new study reveals energy development has negative impacts on sage-grouse reproduction, affecting their ability to nest and raise chicks. The study's findings emphasize the importance of preserving sagebrush habitats when positioning renewable and non-renewable energy projects to balance species conservation with energy demands.
The new tools, based on MRI principles, allow scientists to observe how next-generation batteries work and fail, enabling strategies to extend battery lifetimes. By charging batteries at lower voltages, they can significantly slow degradation, extending lifespan.
A new study explores strategies that could help reduce emissions from the transport industry by combining economic and transport models and data from 17 regions around the world. In one scenario, countries producing only electric vehicles and implementing a carbon pricing strategy led to a global mean temperature increase of 1.82 degre...
Developed by NREL and NIU researchers, the technique prevents toxic lead from leaking into water when perovskite solar cells are damaged. The additive layers reduce lead toxicity without affecting cell performance.
Researchers at Cornell University found that quadrupling wind turbine capacity can achieve a 20% share of US electricity from wind power without expanding to new lands. This scenario eliminates approximately 825 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions by 2030.
A new method predicts how extreme climate events affect energy systems with a focus on renewable energy sources. Future climate events can have a considerable impact, leading to power supply reliability reductions of up to 16%. Collaboration between energy system experts and climate researchers is necessary for optimization.
Researchers found that seasonal pumped hydropower storage has considerable potential for highly competitive energy storage costs, with estimated global energy storage potential of 17.3 PWh. The study also addresses environmental concerns related to traditional hydropower plants, suggesting a more sustainable solution for renewable ener...
Researchers have identified key technological and scientific challenges in producing hydrogen through seawater electrolysis. The study highlights the need for new catalysts and electrode materials to overcome competition between chlorine chemistry and water oxidation in seawater.
A thermosyphon cooling unit installed at Sandia National Laboratories' supercomputer center saved 554,000 gallons of water during its first six months of operation. The unit also reduced electricity consumption by 195,000 kilowatt hours, making it a cost-effective solution for cooling large servers.
Researchers at the University of Queensland have achieved a significant breakthrough in solar technology by developing a unique surface engineering strategy that improves the conversion of solar energy to electricity. The team set a world record for quantum dot solar cell efficiency, reaching 16.6%, which is a major improvement over pr...
A Swansea-led team will assess the impact of integrating renewable energy sources on the UK power grid, focusing on harmonic generation and transfer. The research aims to develop accurate models for devices and power systems, combining detailed converter models with simplified representations.
Researchers aim to create a less expensive and efficient natural gas storage system using super-absorbent materials, enabling smaller tanks for vehicles.
Researchers at UCF's Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have determined that ethanol is the best biofuel for producing minimal soot during combustion. The study also identified chemical pathways involved in combustion reactions, which can be used to further research into reducing soot production.
The International Arctic Station (IAS), dubbed Snowflake, will be a fully autonomous facility powered by renewable energy sources and hydrogen fuel. The station aims to test and promote environmentally friendly technologies for life support and remote settlement maintenance in the Arctic region.
Scientists have created an alloy that generates hydrogen on demand, enabling the use of portable fuel cells. The innovative method uses a gallium-indium-tin-bismuth alloy to produce hydrogen when combined with water and aluminum.
Scientists at EPFL develop a reactor system to observe real-time production of synthetic natural gas from CO2 and H2, capturing dynamic reaction phenomena with high resolution. The method allows for optimized reactor and catalyst designs to improve performance in dynamic conditions.
A series of five-year tests measured solar panel performance, providing data for better error correction factors and choosing the most efficient panels. The results highlight a simple data aggregation method that yields reasonable results without bias.
The Stanford report outlines a roadmap for 143 countries to transition to 100% clean, renewable energy by 2050, reducing worldwide energy needs by 57%, creating 28.6 million jobs, and saving 91% on energy, health, and climate costs. The plan requires an initial investment of $73 trillion but pays for itself over time through energy sales.
Researchers have developed a bio-inspired membrane that combines the strength of bones with the ion transport properties of cartilage, enabling it to harness osmotic energy from saltwater. The membrane has shown high stability and performance, making it a promising solution for harvesting ocean energy.
Researchers at NREL have discovered a novel oxygenate molecule that can be produced from biomass, showing promise as a blend for diesel fuel. Initial results suggest improved ignition quality, reduced sooting, and fuel economy gains.
Researchers warn of potential negative impacts of offshore renewable energy on marine life, including head trauma and hearing loss. The study suggests that consideration should be given to the impact of technologies like wind turbines and wave energy converters on marine animals before implementation.
Global carbon emissions are projected to increase by 0.6% in 2019, with natural gas and oil driving growth, while coal use declines in the EU and US. The slower rate of growth is attributed to structural changes and energy policies aimed at phasing out fossil fuels.