Articles tagged with Renewable Energy
A group of KIT researchers has been granted €4.25 million to enhance the efficiency of organic solar cells to over 10% using tandem architectures and novel materials. The new generation of solar cells is light, flexible, semi-transparent, and can be produced at low cost.
Researchers in the Journal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy analyze China's emerging energy trends, finding increased bioenergy utilization but still dispersed biomass resources. A study on cooking fuel transition suggests universal access to modern fuels could be achieved in urban areas by 2030 for a relatively low cost.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a system that accurately predicts wave power, enabling devices to extract twice as much energy as currently possible. This breakthrough addresses key challenges in marine energy technology, including device durability and efficiency.
Researchers have designed a new device that converts sea wave motion into electrical energy with high power density and robustness. The proposed electric linear planar switched reluctance generator addresses the challenges of low speed and irregular movements in ocean waves.
The Global Energy Assessment outlines 41 alternative sustainable energy pathways that offer viable, cost-effective choices for policy makers. The study finds that a rapid transformation to clean energy technologies is economically viable and can deliver clean energy to 1.4 billion people without increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
Research reveals voluntary organizations can successfully change behavior in local settings through collective action and alternative infrastructures. However, scaling up these initiatives to reach the wider public is a challenge, requiring additional government support.
Researchers are working on a space-based solar power system that can beam energy back to Earth through microwaves or lasers, providing a constant delivery of solar energy. The project aims to target remote areas difficult to reach by traditional means, such as disaster zones or outlying regions.
The US approach to clean energy needs a reality check, according to Stanford researchers. Drs. Jeffrey Ball and Kassia Yanosek recommend driving down costs of key technologies and speeding up deployment to make renewable power economically viable. This will require targeted government policy and private sector investment.
The Diesel Reloaded project redefines vehicles as integrated information and communication systems with modular, scalable architecture. It aims to address megatrends in environmental care, urbanization, and demographics by optimizing energy efficiency and adapting human-machine interfaces.
Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a new technology to predict solar energy output, which could help utilities generate significant savings. The system uses sky imagers to capture cloud conditions and forecast power output in 15-minute increments.
Researchers at Iowa State University have developed a new approach for scheduling and pricing wholesale electric power, aiming to improve reliability and reduce costs in the face of increasing renewable energy sources. The goal is to create better schedules that optimize generation levels and minimize forecast errors.
A team of Stanford engineers has developed a weather model to recommend the optimal placement of four interconnected offshore wind farms off the US East Coast. The grid would have a total maximum capacity of 2000 megawatts, with each farm delivering an individual maximum capacity of 500 megawatts.
The need for stable sources of power in rural areas of developing countries is pressing, with four-fifths of those without domestic electricity living in urban margins. Researchers suggest that renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, could be a viable option to address this issue.
Smart grids can help reduce electricity waste and fight theft by using advanced technology. The Intelligent Microgrid project aims to create a more efficient grid that can adapt to changing energy demands and reduce the risk of theft, resulting in cost savings for consumers.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new family of liquid salt electrolytes called MetILs, which could lead to batteries storing three times more energy than today's batteries. The breakthrough may help integrate large-scale intermittent renewable energy sources into the nation's electric grid.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new tandem polymer solar cell structure, which achieves an unprecedented power-conversion efficiency of 10.6%, surpassing previous records. The device combines multiple cells with different absorption bands to effectively harvest a broader spectrum of solar radiation.
A new building-integrated aquaculture (BIAq) model aims to improve fish farming operations by combining building design, fish ecology, and aquaculture engineering techniques. The model aims to provide an affordable, holistic, and sustainable approach to indoor fish production, reducing energy costs and environmental impact.
A new tool developed by Sandia National Laboratories helps the nation's real estate industry with standardized appraisals of homes and businesses equipped with PV installations. The tool, PV ValueTM, uses real-time lending information and market fluctuations to determine the worth of a PV system.
Pioneering engineers have found a way to produce highly valuable activated carbon from the invasive Marabú shrub, which could help alleviate Cuba's ecological problems and provide clean drinking water for developing countries. The process uses technology developed by researchers at the University of Strathclyde.
A new Queensland University of Technology (QUT) research project will develop storage and demand management systems to ensure renewable electricity can be better stored during low usage times for use in peak periods. This will help cut down the amount of fossil generation needed as a back-up, benefiting all electricity users.
Mildred S. Dresselhaus and Burton Richter are recognized for their pioneering research and scientific leadership in various fields, including condensed matter systems and particle physics. The award acknowledges their contributions to energy and economic security, as well as their efforts to promote diversity and gender equity in science.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new design that reduces land requirements and increases sunlight collection for concentrated solar power plants. By arranging mirrors in a sunflower-inspired spiral pattern, the team achieved a 20% increase in energy generation and significant cost savings.
The Ground Renewable Expeditionary ENergy System (GREENS) provides continuous power to Marines in the field, reducing the need for fuel transport and minimizing logistics expenses. Developed by ONR, GREENS is a portable, lightweight, and modular system that uses solar power to generate electricity.
Researchers propose sustainable hydrogen economy as a solution to climate change and dwindling oil reserves, leveraging renewable energy sources for production and conversion. Complementary deployment of hydrogen fuel cells and battery electric vehicles can offer a versatile transportation option.
Researchers have developed a cheap material to store solar-heated energy, releasing it slowly at night to keep homes warm without fossil fuels. The phase change material blends paraffin wax and stearic acid, which can be stored in small spherical capsules.
A new study by Duke University and Georgia Tech researchers found that energy efficiency and renewable energy can work together to meet projected growth in the South. The study debunks six common myths about clean energy, including those that claim it cannot meet demand or will increase electricity rates.
Energy storage device efficiency metrics need standardization, according to Drexel University researcher Dr. Yury Gogotsi. The current Ragone plot method may not provide a complete picture of device capability, and other metrics such as cycle lifetime, energy efficiency, and self-discharge must also be reported.
The NCAR wind forecasting system has improved the accuracy of wind energy forecasts by 35%, allowing Xcel Energy to harness wind more effectively and save ratepayers millions of dollars yearly. The system uses cutting-edge computer models and real-time observations to provide high-resolution forecasts, updated every 15 minutes.
Researchers confirmed that converting cow manure to electricity on farms is technically possible. However, the economic viability of such projects heavily depends on factors like government grants, subsidies, and premium paid for converted energy.
A public-private research team led by the University of Houston will develop an efficient and low-cost high-temperature superconducting wire for use in future advanced wind turbine generators. The goal is to make superconducting wind generators more practical for widespread use.
A $5 million grant will support the development of high-energy density lithium-sulfur batteries that can provide 600 watt-hours per liter. The goal is to create safe, reliable, and economical long-lasting advanced cells with nonflammable electrolytes for improved cell cycling life.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have made significant improvements to lithium battery anodes, leading to faster charging times and increased capacity. The new designs could enable the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
The California Energy Commission awards Calit2 at UCI a $1 million grant to research plug-load devices, which consume 20% of building electrical power. The project aims to create more energy-efficient appliances and provide data for future standards by 2030.
The average installed cost of residential and commercial PV systems fell by 17% and 11%, respectively, between 2009 and 2010. Non-module costs also decreased, with a 18% drop from 2009 to 2010. Large utility-scale PV projects showed even lower costs, ranging from $3.80/W to $4.40/W.
The system produces enough electricity to power 35 homes for a year and prevents the release of greenhouse gases equivalent to nearly 5,000 metric tons of CO2 per year. The pilot project demonstrates how hog farms can manage waste, reduce emissions, and generate on-farm renewable power.
Iowa State University will lead a five-year project to build the state's research capacity in renewable energy and energy efficiency, supported by a $20 million NSF grant. The program aims to establish Iowa as a leader in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
Researchers found that adding a pretreatment step can increase the amount of ethanol obtained from switchgrass harvested in the fall. The study also showed that proper harvest time can significantly impact ethanol production, with spring harvesting resulting in more cellulose but also more lignin.
The USDA and DOE have awarded grants to spur research into improving the efficiency of growing biofuel crops, including switchgrass, poplar, and Miscanthus. The goal is to develop more resilient crops that can thrive in challenging environments, reducing competition with food production.
Researchers have introduced a scenario that assumes action will be taken to limit emissions, showing a lowest cost option to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to less than 40% higher than today. The RCP 4.5 scenario includes nuclear and renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and forest preservation to achieve this goal.
The American Chemical Society's new podcast discusses a potential future for the electrical grid powered by renewable energy from the sun and wind. Researchers are developing technologies that can efficiently store and integrate this electricity into the grid.
The Sandia Cooler technology significantly reduces the energy needed to cool processor chips in data centers and large-scale computing environments. It achieves this by efficiently transferring heat across a narrow air gap, minimizing boundary layer thickness and fouling problems.
A joint report from Berkeley Lab suggests California can achieve 60% emissions reduction with current technology, while the remaining 20% will require advancements in technologies like artificial photosynthesis and fusion energy. The report recommends electrifying as much as possible, increasing efficiency measures, and changing human ...
The California Energy Commission is funding $1.4 million in renewable energy research at UC San Diego, including advanced solar forecasting and energy storage systems. The investment will help accelerate the development of clean energy technologies and achieve California's 33% Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard by 2020.
A Berkeley Lab study found that homes with solar PV systems in California sell for an average of $17,000 more than similar homes without the system. The research analyzed over 72,000 home sales and controlled for various factors to show a significant impact of PV systems on home prices.
Researchers at The University of Nottingham are working to make rural living more sustainable in both the UK and India. They aim to develop community-scale hybrid renewable energy systems using small-scale energy generation, tailored business models, and mobile technologies to promote economic growth in rural communities.
Scientists analyzed over 300 studies to identify promising energy storage technologies, including high-tech batteries and redox flow batteries. These innovations aim to integrate and store renewable energy efficiently, enabling the growth of sustainable power grids.
A new study shows that optimal algal biofuel growth locations can significantly reduce water use, potentially replacing up to 48% of the country's transportation oil imports. Algae-derived oils could also meet congressionally mandated renewable fuel targets and provide a carbon-neutral energy source.
Short rotation energy crops on England's unused land could produce enough biomass to meet UK's renewable energy targets without disrupting the food industry or environment. This study found that efficient land use can generate approximately four percent of current UK electricity demand from these crops.
NIST has broken ground on three new facilities: a net-zero energy residential test facility, an expanded National Fire Research Laboratory, and over 2,500 solar energy modules. The Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility will serve as a testbed for new home-scale energy technologies, while the National Fire Research Laboratory expans...
Researchers are exploring ways to use distributed energy sources, such as wind turbines, to avoid cascading failures in power grids. The team plans to test their approach using the university's wind turbine and four other wind turbines installed at the Riley County Public Works Facility.
A research team at the University of Pittsburgh is re-engineering the US power grid to deliver electricity from power plants to homes and businesses more efficiently. The goal is to tap into renewable resources like solar and wind power by reducing energy loss and increasing capacity.
A new carbon material, engineered to be the lightest solid, shows promise in detecting pollutants, improving robotic surgery techniques, and storing energy more efficiently. The material's large surface area allows for great amounts of energy storage, increasing the capacity of lithium batteries.
At this year's AAAS meeting, Caltech researchers will present topics ranging from solar and renewable energy solutions to the latest advancements in bioengineering. Nathan Lewis will discuss strategies for achieving clean energy goals and generating clean fuels from sunlight and water.
The LRC will test LED-based off-grid lighting products, evaluating performance and reliability criteria. The results will help manufacturers and buyers identify good quality products and prevent market spoiling.
North Carolina State University is developing a transformerless intelligent power substation (TIPS) to enable direct interconnection of renewable energy resources and energy storage systems to the grid. The project aims to improve grid power quality and reliability through enhanced communication.
A new study suggests that converting to clean, renewable energy sources is technologically and economically feasible within 20-40 years. The plan involves using wind, water, and solar power to generate electricity, with a focus on combining these sources to overcome variability challenges.
Researchers at PNNL have developed a system to measure winds high up into the air, providing more accurate wind predictions and improving wind power forecasts. This study has the potential to improve how sites are chosen for wind farms and how those farms are operated.
The cyanobacteria Cyanothece 51142 produces hydrogen gas at a rate roughly 10 times higher than its nearest competitors due to its unique genetic makeup and metabolic processes. This ability allows the microbes to survive on air, water, and sunlight alone.
Researchers at the University of Washington used numerical models to study how tidal turbine blades affect sediment accumulation and fish health. The study found that rapid pressure changes could disorient fish, increasing the risk of injury or death.
A new study by the University of Colorado Denver has discovered a way to simultaneously desalinate water, produce hydrogen gas, and treat wastewater. The technology uses microbial electrolysis and desalination cells, which can generate pure hydrogen gas and facilitate desalination with an external power supply.