Articles tagged with Renewable Energy
A new composite material enables electrochemical water splitting into hydrogen and oxygen without emissions. The catalyst uses cobalt, nickel oxide, and gold nanoparticles to produce cheap, clean hydrogen for fuel cells. This innovation has the potential to store renewable energy on a large scale.
Environmental organizations and social movements in Chile played a crucial role in fostering renewable energy policy, according to a new study. The authors argue that 'contingent coalitions' - collective actors with shared interests - were instrumental in promoting innovative policies and increasing the political clout of these groups.
Renewable energy cooperatives are a viable option for energy production and marketing, offering a democratic alternative to fossil fuels. Despite regulatory hurdles, the number of contracts exceeding 70,000 demonstrates their potential in Spain.
The Jefferson Lab team received a DOE Award for its energy-efficient data center upgrade, which improved flexibility, reduced costs, and increased security and reliability. The lab achieved an average power use effectiveness level of 1.27 through the consolidation of space and implementation of advanced technologies.
Researchers at RiKarbon create a bio-based oil from plant scraps and natural oils to replace petroleum-based products in cosmetics, lubricants, and renewable energy. This eco-friendly oil reduces carbon footprint and minimizes pressure on petroleum resources, offering a sustainable solution for industries.
Researchers developed a hybrid photoelectrochemical and voltaic (HPEV) cell that turns sunlight into both hydrogen fuel and electricity, overcoming the limitations of current materials. The device achieves a combined efficiency of 20.2%, three times better than conventional solar hydrogen cells.
A Chinese research team has developed a new chemical looping process for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen gas, water, and renewable energy. The process offers great promise for saving energy and reducing carbon dioxide emissions, potentially addressing the challenges of the energy and environmental crisis.
A special issue published in Energy Efficiency Journal outlines how carbon emissions can be reduced through demand-side approaches, including transport sector strategies such as telecommuting, public transport, and vehicle electrification.
The partnership will boost the Chicago-area innovation ecosystem by providing a new model for manufacturing high-tech start-ups. Argonne scientists will utilize mHUB's expertise and resources in manufacturing and business modeling to support energy tech-related companies.
The DOE has funded Argonne's high-efficiency latent heat thermal energy storage system (TESS) for use in building applications and process/manufacturing industries. TESS can store waste heat, reducing costs and increasing energy efficiency, especially during periods of high electricity pricing.
ORNL scientists created a 20-kilowatt wireless charging system that transfers 120 kilowatts of power with 97 percent efficiency. The system enables faster and more convenient charging, rivaling the speed of gas station fill-ups.
A study by Christine Horne and Emily Kennedy found bipartisan support for renewable energy, with conservatives viewing it as financially smart and a step towards self-sufficiency. Democrats strongly link renewable energy to environmental protection and reducing carbon emissions. The research highlights an area of common ground between ...
The High Performance Computing for Manufacturing (HPC4Mfg) Program aims to optimize production processes, enhance product quality and speed up design and testing cycles using supercomputers. Argonne researchers will work with industry partners and scientists at the ALCF to develop advanced manufacturing technologies.
The University of Delaware has secured a four-year funding renewal from the U.S. Department of Energy for its Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation, advancing processes for converting biomass into chemicals and fuels. The center has contributed to over 340 publications and trained more than 350 students in sustainable technologies.
Researchers found that large-scale wind farms would require five to 20 times more land area than previously estimated, and their operation would warm average surface temperatures by 0.24 degrees Celsius in the continental US. The study suggests that localized warming occurs even with smaller projections of wind power generation.
Researchers at University of Surrey develop innovative Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs) that capture energy from human movements, wind, and machine vibration. The study provides a step-by-step guide on constructing efficient energy harvesters, paving the way for a future with free and renewable energy.
Michigan State University has been awarded a $2 million grant to develop new designs for long-duration storage on the US power grid. The project, called Scalable Thermochemical Option for Renewable Energy Storage (STORES), aims to create modular thermal storage systems that can store heat energy in the form of chemical energy.
Scientists have developed a comprehensive model of electrochemistry that combines existing theories to predict previously unexplained behavior. The Unified Electrochemical Band-Diagram Framework enables the prediction of material properties and behavior in any electrode, including batteries, supercapacitors, and catalysis.
The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR) has been renewed by the DOE for another five years, with a total of $120 million in annual funding. The center aims to create next-generation energy storage technologies that will transform transportation and the electric grid.
Researchers developed a new management system for lithium batteries in renewable energy facilities, improving their performance and lifetime. The system uses mathematical models to optimize battery usage, balancing the need for efficient energy storage with minimizing degradation.
Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the conversion of CO2 to electrofuels, shifting from trial-and-error to rational catalyst design. They found that CO2 activation begins with one common intermediate, carboxylate CO2, which is attached to the surface with C and O atoms.
The European Renewable Energy Directive may lead to vast new cutting of the world's forests as a result of additional wood needed just to supply 5 percent of Europe's energy. This is expected to increase greenhouse gas emissions by 10 to 15 percent in Europe's energy use by 2050.
NETenergy will commercialize its hybrid thermal energy storage technology to reduce cooling costs in commercial buildings. The $500,000 grant from the DOE will help construct a hybrid HVAC prototype and develop it for commercialization.
Researchers at St John's College, University of Cambridge, successfully split water into hydrogen and oxygen using semi-artificial photosynthesis, producing more solar energy than natural photosynthesis. This innovation could revolutionize renewable energy production with a green and unlimited source of energy.
A new study sets a deadline of 2035 for governments to take decisive climate action to limit global warming below 2°C. The research found that even with strong renewable energy growth, humanity will likely cross the point of no return unless drastic emissions reductions are made immediately.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy's annual report, wind energy prices in the United States are at an all-time low due to technology advancements and cost reductions. Bigger turbines with increased rotor diameters have improved wind project capacity factors, while lower turbine pricing has pushed down installed project costs.
Four Argonne experts earn Distinguished Achievement awards for their work on transportation, sustainability, and mobility. The team created tools to measure alternative fuel technologies and standardized EV charging standards globally.
A team of researchers led by Dr Marco Taddei at Swansea University's ESRI has found a way to utilize defects in metal-organic frameworks to capture CO2. The team investigated the role of defects in post-synthetic exchange, a process that allows MOFs to be modified through exchange of components of their structure.
A new study reveals that Europe's power system can comfortably generate at least 35% of its electricity using renewable energy alone without major impacts on prices or system stability. The research, which analyzed 30 years of meteorological data, found that Europe could use renewables for more than two-thirds of its electricity by 2030.
Researchers have developed a new organic molecule that can store and release energy tens of thousands of times over multi-year periods. The 'Methuselah' quinone molecule avoids degradation problems of previous molecules, providing long-term stability and high energy storage.
A new study from Indiana University finds that states requiring utilities to increase renewable energy see expansion of renewable facilities and generation, particularly solar. The research highlights the importance of policy design features such as stringency and planning processes in driving renewable energy development.
Longer solar contracts can leverage free fuel in solar power, reducing operating expenses (O&M costs) by up to 2 cents per kWh. This can lead to lower price bids for utility-scale renewable energy projects, making them more competitive.
A University of Texas at Arlington researcher is working on a way to overcome the mathematical and physical barriers to make optimization of the US power grid a reality. The research focuses on increasing efficiency, reliability and security while reducing costs.
Researchers have developed a new catalyst that increases the rate of methanol formation by three times over palladium alone and four times over copper alone. The catalyst combines palladium and copper in a precise atomic ratio, creating an ideal surface structure for efficient CO2-to-methanol conversion.
Researchers developed a new genetic engineering technique to improve an enzyme's ability to break down biomass. The EASy method enables accelerated evolution of desirable traits in microorganisms, leading to more efficient conversion of lignin into fuels and plastics.
Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University are developing a web-atlas of available wind and wave energy in the coastal zones of Russia's 13 seas. The project aims to improve the stability and reliability of renewable energy sources, providing insights for the design of hybrid power stations.
The study finds that a radical shift towards renewable energy, energy efficiency, and measures to achieve SDGs is needed. Investments in low carbon energy will likely need to overtake fossil fuel investments as early as 2025.
Researchers have developed a new method to study electrocatalysts, enabling the precise mechanism of electrocatalytic reactions to be understood. This breakthrough can lead to more efficient and sustainable chemical processes using renewable energy.
Transforming daily activities like transportation, heating, and device use can limit global warming to 1.5°C. This can be achieved through innovations in energy efficiency and low-carbon development, enabling the meeting of UN Sustainable Development Goals while remaining within the climate target.
A new study suggests that the global economy is facing a potential $1-4 trillion loss in fossil fuel assets, regardless of climate policies. The 'carbon bubble' is expected to burst due to declining demand for fossil fuels and technological advancements in low-carbon technologies.
Top nitrogen researchers discuss potential pathways to achieve radical improvements in nitrogen fixation chemistry, driven by molecular-level understanding and discovery of new catalytic systems. They also present a clean and renewable light-driven process for converting nitrogen to ammonia, a primary component of fertilizer.
A review of 40 studies from 16 countries found that models differed in their assumptions about market conditions, vehicle prices, and other factors. This led to vastly different projections of future electric vehicle market shares, ranging from a few percent to over 50% by 2030.
Researchers found that local population involvement and fair decision-making processes are critical to successful low-carbon energy transitions. This includes communication channels, information sharing, and addressing concerns of those affected by the change.
Researchers from Imperial College London found that investing in existing low-carbon energy technologies now can save 61% of future costs compared to waiting for a mythical future technology. Delaying investment can lead to grossly oversized and underutilized power systems, or those that are far from being decarbonised by 2050.
A team of scientists has responded to criticisms on the feasibility of 100% renewable electricity systems, finding that technical solutions exist to address concerns about grid stability and variability. The study reveals that these solutions are affordable, especially given the decreasing costs of wind and solar power.
A new study by ICTA-UAB analyzes the impacts of substituting fossil fuels for cleaner energies on lifestyles. The researchers conclude that renewable energy sources must grow at a rate two to three times current projections to maintain net energy per capita.
A research team developed a more effective variant of an enzyme that can break down polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common plastic used in bottles. The improved enzyme shows promise in degrading not only PET but also a bio-based substitute, polyethylene furandicarboxylate (PEF).
A recent study found that less than 2% of pages in leading biology, chemistry, and physics textbooks discuss climate change. The research team analyzed over 15,000 combined pages from current editions of 16 undergraduate textbooks published between 2013 and 2015, concluding that there is a significant lack of emphasis on renewable ener...
Researchers at Kumamoto University developed a new catalyst that improves NH3 combustibility and suppresses NOx generation. The catalyst allows for the decomposition of NH3 into H2 with low ignition temperature and purification through oxidation.
A team of renewable energy experts at the University of Exeter has developed a new method to produce hydrogen from sunlight using a revolutionary photo-electrode. This breakthrough could create a virtually limitless energy source with zero carbon emissions and double the energy density of fossil fuels.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory found that nuclear power plants can adjust to changing demand for power, enabling the use of more renewable energy. This flexibility can lower electricity costs for consumers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The Chain Reaction Innovations program at Argonne National Laboratory aims to accelerate the development of sustainable energy technologies. Eighty-three innovators from 26 states have been selected to participate in a two-year program focused on enhancing energy efficiency or sustainability, and overcoming complex scientific challenges.
The University of Surrey has developed a new methodology for designing smart-wearables that utilizes triboelectric materials. This technology, known as Triboelectric Nanogenerators (TENGs), can harvest energy from movement through electrostatic induction.
Researchers at NREL have made progress in scaling up perovskite solar cell production, but issues persist, including the non-uniform coating of chemicals and inactive zones between cells. To address these challenges, scientists are exploring various scalable deposition methods.
The High Throughput Experimental Materials (HTEM) Database contains detailed properties and synthesis conditions of inorganic materials, accelerating material science advancement globally. NREL's large-scale database makes it easier for researchers without expensive equipment to explore new materials.
Scientists at NREL have discovered a method to enable the reversible chemistry of magnesium metal in noncorrosive carbonate-based electrolytes. The technology possesses potential advantages over lithium-ion batteries, including higher energy density, greater stability, and lower cost.
A team of researchers from Colorado State University's Energy Institute has received a $1.2 million grant to study the efficiency of natural gas engines, aiming to make them as efficient as diesel engines. The research could lead to cost savings and improved air quality, with potential benefits for commercial vehicles.
Researchers at Ames Laboratory have developed a CaloriSMART test system that demonstrates sustained cooling power of about 10 watts, with a 15 degree Celsius gradient, using only three cubic centimeters of gadolinium. The system enables rapid evaluation of materials in regenerators without significant investment.
Researchers from NREL have pinpointed regions on enzymes that can be targeted via genetic engineering to break down cellulose faster. The team has gained a better understanding of the structure-activity relationships of these enzymes, which are crucial for industrial processes such as cellulosic ethanol production.
USU chemists design a molecule featuring a pi-electron conjugation unit as a two-electron storage anolyte for AORFBs, enabling total use of organic materials. The battery delivered high voltage, impressive energy efficiency, and capacity retention.