Articles tagged with Renewable Energy
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.
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 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.
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.
Imperial College London scientists have developed a new type of membrane that can improve water purification and battery energy storage efforts. The new approach uses low-cost plastic membranes with many tiny hydrophilic pores, making them more selective and efficient than current technology.
A survey of stakeholders in the wind energy field reveals a consensus on prioritizing biodiversity protection over climate change concerns. Stakeholders agree that measures to make wind energy production ecologically sustainable should be taken, with most suggesting increased research and improved efficiency.
A new integrated conversion process reduces emissions by 40-96% using ethanol, making biofuels more sustainable. Researchers developed a one-step conversion method to lower costs and environmental footprint.
A new analysis by ORNL and collaborators found that a single-step catalytic conversion process can produce blendstocks at $2/gigajoule and $1.44/GJ in the future, competitive with conventional jet fuel. The process uses a zeolite catalyst to directly convert wet ethanol into hydrocarbon chains.
The US Department of Energy has awarded approximately $80 million over three years to strengthen the nation's energy infrastructure. The funding aims to bolster the reliability and resilience of energy systems through various projects, including malware detection and advanced sensors and data analytics.
Researchers say nanomaterials hold the key to improving energy storage technology, which is crucial for integrating renewable energy sources into the grid. The technology can help stabilize energy supply and demand, making it possible to manage intermittent energy generation from solar and wind power.
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County took top spot in the DOE's CyberForce Competition with its impressive cybersecurity skills. The competition aimed to inspire and develop the next generation of energy sector cybersecurity professionals.
Researchers are developing new metal conductors to replace indium tin oxide (ITO) in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), addressing limitations such as high cost and poor performance. The new technology, funded by a $1 million DOE grant, aims to improve OLED displays with enhanced brightness and flexibility.
A new Harvard study estimates climate and health benefits from renewable energy installation vary greatly by country. The study suggests that companies, investors, and policymakers can use this framework to make strategic decisions around achieving sustainable development goals.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have made a breakthrough in finding catalysts for renewable energy production. They discovered new molecules that can increase the efficiency of water splitting, reducing the
Oak Ridge National Laboratory will lead two new projects and collaborate with seven more to enhance the nation's power grid reliability and resilience. The research focuses on developing efficient solutions for hardening the grid against disruption and making it more resilient when events occur.
A new Harvard study identifies the Upper Midwest as ideal for wind turbines and the Great Lakes/Mid-Atlantic region for solar power to achieve maximum benefits. The research, funded by Harvard University's Climate Change Solutions Fund, provides a guide for policymakers, businesses, and utilities on where to deploy renewable energy.
Researchers identify three grand challenges in wind energy research: understanding wind resources, addressing turbine and system dynamics, and designing wind plants for grid reliability. Addressing these challenges is crucial for advancing the state of the art in wind plant energy output.
The study uses a unique processing technique to create a polymer film capacitor with record-high energy density, promising a step change in the field of dielectric capacitors. This innovation could enable efficient and low-cost electric energy storage systems for intermittent renewable energy sources.
Researchers will explore ways to use renewable energy to increase usable water resources and produce ammonia for fertilizer. The project aims to create a multifaceted economic system sustaining small town and rural communities and maintaining agricultural production.
The Midwest Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Coalition aims to promote the adoption of hydrogen and fuel cells in the region. The coalition will facilitate technology demonstrations and encourage collaboration among researchers and developers to accelerate the adoption of these clean energy technologies.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design proposed a novel probabilistic dispatch strategy to minimize generation costs while ensuring constraint satisfaction in modern power grids. The approach significantly decreases the probability of constraint violation without impacting nominal power generation cost.
The article emphasizes the need for cross-disciplinary research on renewable energy storage and solar energy conversion. Scientists discuss ways to remove carbon from energy sources, crucial to avoiding climate change's worst consequences.
UIC researchers have successfully developed a fully rechargeable prototype of a lithium-carbon dioxide battery, demonstrating its potential for advanced energy storage systems. The battery's efficiency and long-lasting cycle life are significantly improved due to the use of new materials and a hybrid electrolyte.
The new Energy-Water Desalination Hub will focus on early-stage research and development for energy-efficient and low-cost desalination solutions. NAWI aims to recycle 90% of nontraditional water sources, promoting a circular water economy. The hub will advance novel technologies and prioritize high-impact projects.
SUNCAT researchers have made significant breakthroughs in converting CO2 into chemicals, fuels, and plastics using electrochemical reduction. By increasing the surface area of copper-based catalysts, they've improved selectivity and efficiency, offering a potential solution to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers found agrivoltaics significantly impacted air temperatures, direct sunlight and atmospheric demand for water, leading to improved crop growth and reduced water loss. The system also increased energy production efficiency by cooling solar panels with crops underneath.