Articles tagged with Renewable Energy
Researchers at Imperial College London caution against relying on over-optimistic renewable energy models that predict whole systems can run on near-100% renewables by 2050. Despite increasing UK energy production from renewables, the lack of firm and dispatchable backup energy systems poses reliability issues.
Researchers at Concordia University developed a method to optimize energy consumption in buildings, reducing carbon emissions by 59% while cutting costs by 75%. The study used hydro-powered heat pumps and lake cooling as renewable energy sources, demonstrating the potential for net-zero energy usage.
Researchers at RMIT University developed an ultra-thin coating that automatically regulates temperature in buildings, reducing energy consumption and emissions. The self-modifying coating can block heat during summer and retain heat inside when it's cold, leading to significant environmental benefits and financial savings.
The study proposes three methods for consistent power among all sectors in 20 world regions, matching supply and demand in 30-second increments. It suggests solutions with no added hydropower turbines and no storage in water, ice or rocks, avoiding blackouts at low cost.
New research reveals that removing fossil fuel subsidies will only slightly slow the growth of CO2 emissions, with smaller effects in developing economies. The largest emissions savings would come from oil and gas exporting countries, but removal could have a detrimental impact on poor households, who may struggle to afford modern fuels.
Researchers developed a new molecule, EH44, to replace the unstable spiro-OMeTAD layer in perovskite solar cells. The new design resolves chemical makeup issues and maintains steady efficiency, bringing emerging technology closer to commercial deployment.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a novel method to create supertough renewable plastic with improved manufacturability. Quantum computers are expected to use dramatically less energy than current supercomputers, reducing energy usage by more than one million kilowatt hours.
Research by NREL found that up to 3% of PEVs on the road (7.5 million vehicles) does not significantly increase residential power demand. However, uncoordinated charging in clusters may overload distribution transformers, requiring infrastructure upgrades.
Renewable energy generation causes grid frequency fluctuations due to variable wind speeds and photovoltaic feed-in. Power trading appears more significant in grid frequency fluctuation than renewable feed-in, with small grids showing larger fluctuations.
Microgrids in Alaska provide electricity for over 200 communities, generating more than 2 million hours of operating experience annually. Renewable energy sources reduce energy costs and improve resilience in the face of grid failures or sabotage.
A new study suggests that unconventional spaces like rooftops, salt-affected land, and contaminated sites can generate renewable energy while sparing valuable agricultural land. The research found that these land-sparing sites in the Central Valley could exceed state energy demands up to 13 times for photovoltaics.
Researchers at NREL discovered distinct roles of small sugars in cellulase activity and stability, shedding light on the functions of glycans attached to proteins. This knowledge can be used to improve enzyme performance for biomass conversion to renewable fuels and products.
Researchers at NREL have created a novel catalytic process to produce renewable acrylonitrile using 3-hydroxypropionic acid, achieving unprecedented yields and eliminating production of hydrogen cyanide. The new method offers a cost-effective alternative to traditional petroleum-based production processes.
Scientists at NREL have developed a switchable solar window that converts sunlight into electricity while maintaining transparency. The device uses thermochromic materials and has an average light transmission of 68% in its transparent state.
Researchers at Ohio State University describe a new semiconductor LED made with GaN-based materials that could enhance LED solid state lighting without significant changes to manufacturing facilities. The breakthrough uses quantum-mechanical tunneling to create 'holes' for radiative recombination, reducing energy losses and self-heating.
A new study suggests that replacing incandescent bulbs with CFLs or LEDs is a good option, especially for reducing power-plant emissions. However, delaying adoption may be more cost-effective for consumers who want to minimize their energy bills and reduce home energy use.
Global carbon dioxide concentrations reached a record 403 parts per million in 2016, and are expected to increase by 2.5 parts per million in 2017. The United States and European Union are projected to see slight declines in emissions this year, while China's emissions are expected to grow by approximately 3.5 percent.
Researchers developed a novel rare earth recovery process that recovered over 80% of the elements present in coal sources and produced more than 80% total rare earth elements on a dry whole mass basis. The concentrates contained critical elements like neodymium and yttrium, representing over 45% of the total concentrate.
A new study by Emory University researchers found that mandatory state policies are associated with the largest reductions in power plant emissions. The analysis shows that policies with mandatory compliance resulted in an average of 2.6 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year reduction.
The research demonstrates significant potential for semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes as primary material for efficient thermoelectric generators. The discovery enables the fabrication of devices from a single material, simplifying production and improving performance.
Sandia National Laboratories engineers developed new fractal-like receivers that are 20% more efficient at absorbing sunlight without special coatings. The designs can be used in small-scale concentrating solar facilities and have potential applications in India's renewable energy market.
The licensed technology increases deposition rates by three orders of magnitude, improving quality and minimizing roughness in printed parts. This enables the production of high-resolution parts with reduced post-processing needs.
Researchers have created a new material that can store renewable energy efficiently. Metal-organic frameworks exhibit conductivity similar to metals, enabling large-scale storage of solar and wind power. This breakthrough could revolutionize intermittent renewable energy sources.
A new battery powered by sulfur, air, water, and salt has been developed to store twice as much energy as a lead-acid battery while being nearly 100 times less expensive to produce. The invention aims to help integrate more renewable energy into the grid, addressing variability challenges.
Researchers at MIT have developed an 'air-breathing' battery that can store electricity for months, reducing costs to around $20-$30 per kilowatt hour. The battery uses sulfur and oxygen to generate charge, making it a potential solution for widespread renewable energy integration.
New research from Carnegie Institution for Science suggests that North Atlantic wind farms can generate at least three times more power than onshore wind farms, tapping into winds throughout the atmosphere. However, this tremendous wind power is seasonal and primarily available during winter months.
Researchers at NREL and Johns Hopkins University have developed a methodology to quantify the life cycle land use of natural gas. The study provides quantifiable information on the land use requirements for natural gas production, enabling fair comparisons of energy technologies.
The US Department of Energy has awarded the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center $16 million to develop stress-tolerant sorghum lines for bioenergy production. The project aims to optimize photosynthesis and water use efficiency, leveraging recent investments from DOE to accelerate sorghum feedstock enhancements.
The Colorado State University team aims to increase algal cultivation productivity, optimize biomass composition, and extract different types of algal lipids to reduce upgrading costs. The goal is to double the yield of biofuel precursors from algae to around 3,700 gallons per acre per year.
Researchers propose a 'sociotechnical' framework to accelerate low-carbon transitions by aligning innovations and systems, focusing on socio-technical systems rather than individual elements. This is critical to achieve the goals of decarbonizing and saving energy faster, further, and more flexibly.
Researchers have discovered an enzyme that can break down cellulose fibers regardless of their crystalline structure, paving the way for commercial cellulosic biofuels. The enzyme, CelA, excels at hydrolyzing both simple and highly complex crystalline cellulose.
Researchers at Idaho National Laboratory and Colorado State University are integrating electrical grids globally to address disruptions. The Real-Time Super Lab concept shows how electricity can be rerouted across vast distances to prevent large-scale blackouts.
Researchers at NREL are developing nickel-based coatings to mitigate corrosion levels in CSP plants, which could improve system efficiency and extend lifespan. The coatings have shown a 96% reduction in corrosion rate compared to uncoated steel, with potential applications in thermal storage and heat-transfer fluid.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab developed graphene-wrapped magnesium nanocrystals with enhanced hydrogen storage properties. The study found that an atomically thin layer of oxidation forms on the crystals without degrading their performance.
Researchers from UK and China collaborate on five projects to tackle key challenges in offshore renewable energy, maximizing environmental and socio-economic benefits. The projects will inform technology development and structure resilience to extreme events.
Researchers created algorithms that allow homes to use and share power from renewable energy sources during outages. The system improves grid reliability by prioritizing distribution of power based on forecasts and energy storage availability.
Scientists have developed a new algorithm that can mirror a microgrid's inertia by adjusting the photovoltaic system's direct current. The solution aims to make microgrids work like large power grids with high inertia, improving stability and reliability.
Researchers have discovered a way to improve Li-ion battery technology by replacing graphite with silicon, quadrupling anode capacity. The new material has been found to be more suitable when particles are sized between 10-20 micrometres and have the right porosity.
A discovery by two scientists at NREL could aid the development of next-generation semiconductor devices. They used ultraviolet light to modify the interface between two dissimilar semiconductors, creating a flawless interface and enabling the integration of different classes of semiconductors.
Researchers at NREL and EPFL achieved record efficiencies of 32.8% and 35.9% for dual-junction and triple-junction solar cells, respectively. The high-efficiency cells could reduce the cost of solar energy by up to 45 cents per watt.
A study led by Argonne National Laboratory found that waste-to-energy production pathways generate less greenhouse gases than decomposing organic waste. Researchers suggest diverting waste to energy can avoid landfill emissions and promote energy independence.
The study outlines infrastructure changes for 139 countries to transition to 100% renewable energy, reducing energy consumption, air pollution deaths, and creating jobs. The roadmap aims to avoid global warming and create energy self-sufficient countries.
Distributed wind power has grown significantly in the US, with the nation's cumulative capacity reaching 1% of total wind power capacity. The 2016 report highlights the success of third-party financing and leasing options, which have made it more accessible for companies and individuals to install wind turbines on their properties.
The US Department of Energy's Wind Technologies Market Report reveals that wind power additions reached a record high in 2016, with 8,203 MW of new capacity. Bigger turbines are enhancing project performance, while low turbine pricing continues to push down installed project costs.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory scientists have developed a technique to efficiently extract hydrogen from water using electricity. The new catalysts enable high-performance water splitting with minimal catalyst loading, making it scalable and cost-effective.
Researchers developed an optimization model that improves solar power integration in residential photovoltaic systems through demand-response applications. The study found that DR applications with 100% PV penetration reduced energy consumption by 32%, network losses by 42%, and improved network utilization by 12%.
Portland State University will study Deep Direct-Use geothermal technology, a new method of harnessing geothermal energy for passive heating and cooling. The study aims to analyze Portland's underlying geology and potential storage capacity for this renewable energy source.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a method to analyze sediment and animal life on the ocean floor, reducing the need for time-intensive identification work. The study found relationships between sediment characteristics and marine animal life consistent across eight sites off the Pacific Northwest coast.
Smart solid-state transformers could enhance the functionalities of tomorrow's power grid, but system designers need to ensure that customer power demand, renewable energy generation, and energy storage capacity are accounted for. The technology has the potential to improve efficient use of renewable energy and storage.
A UCSB political science professor suggests that public support for renewable energy is strong in the US, with states having abundant resources at the top of the list. However, public opinion can sometimes fail to translate into state legislation, and framing context and local benefits as key factors can increase support. A study found...
A coalition of over 60 scientists, business leaders, and policymakers urge swift climate action by 2020 to avoid devastating consequences. The authors propose six milestones for a clean industrial revolution, including renewable energy targets and electric vehicle incentives.
A new report found that if commercial buildings fully used controls nationwide, the US could slash its energy consumption by an average of 29%. This would result in significant national energy savings, with some building types potentially saving up to 49% and 41%.
Researchers at WMG, University of Warwick, discovered that intelligent management of vehicle-to-grid technology can improve EV battery life by up to 10% while powering large buildings. Their 'smart grid' algorithm optimizes energy transfer without degrading batteries.
Researchers created new alloys by mixing materials with different atomic arrangements, revealing a predictive route for properties of other alloys. The breakthrough allows for the use of commercial thin film deposition methods to fabricate heterostructural alloys for real-world semiconductor applications.
Researchers propose a day-ahead economic dispatch model to optimize wind power generation, considering both planned and real-time energy use. The framework successfully predicts optimal models for energy commitment and has been tested in real-world simulations.
A WSU study reveals that US consumers are interested in using more renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions, with many willing to shift their appliance usage to achieve this goal. The researchers propose developing an app prototype to monitor electricity sources in real-time, empowering consumers to make informed decisions.
Researchers at Technische Universität Dresden have developed a new, low-cost electrocatalyst for producing molecular hydrogen. The MoNi4/MoO2@Ni catalyst exhibits high HER activity comparable to platinum and presents state-of-the-art HER activity amongst all reported Pt-free electrocatalysts.
A Pew Research Center survey finds that Americans lean towards government regulations to encourage renewable energy consumption. While there is a close divide on cutting back environmental regulations, most believe protecting the environment from energy development should be a top priority. The public also supports increasing reliance ...
Researchers have found a new method of microbial energy production called flavin-based electron bifurcation, which is an ancient form of energy generation and conservation. This mechanism allows organisms to generate two levels of energy from a single precursor compound, conserving wasted energy in the process.
NCAR will develop a three-year project to provide detailed forecasts of wind and solar irradiance at Kuwait's 2-gigawatt Shagaya renewable energy plant. This technology will help Kuwait reach its goal of generating 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2030.