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Electrical grids planned on outdated climate data face physical and fiscal risk: UN University scientists propose domain-informed AI as the fix

The UN University's latest publication highlights the need for domain-informed AI in grid planning to address physical and fiscal risks from outdated climate data. The authors warn that 15-20 year lifespans of electricity infrastructure are based on historical weather records unlikely to hold in the coming decades.

Platinum powers the future

Researchers developed a novel platinum-cobalt intermetallic catalyst that enables high-performance fuel cells with long-lasting durability. The innovative nanostructured carbon support overcomes the challenge of balancing activity and stability, allowing for improved catalytic performance at high temperatures.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 6, 2026

Lanzhou Jiaotong University researchers develop sustainable wastewater-powered electricity generator system

Lanzhou Jiaotong University researchers developed a droplet-based energy harvesting technology that converts secondary wastewater effluents into electricity. The system achieved high output performance and successfully powered LED lights, demonstrating its practical energy harvesting capability.

SourceEditorial Office of Journal of Environmental Sciences·JournalJournal of Environmental Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 28, 2026

Sustainable breakthrough in low-cost materials for next-generation energy harvesting

Researchers at the University of Surrey have developed a new way of designing thermoelectric materials using metal-polymer superlattices, which improves performance and reduces environmental impact. The breakthrough could lead to practical energy harvesting solutions for wearable technologies and industrial applications.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalAdvanced Energy and Sustainability Research·DateMar 23, 2026

Power generation increased by up to 70 per cent when wind turbines were combined with tidal/wave installations

Researchers from the University of Surrey found that combining wind turbines with wave, solar, and tidal devices on shared platforms generates more reliable power and reduces construction costs. The study identified hybrid offshore renewable energy harvest systems as crucial for meeting ambitious climate targets.

SourceUniversity of Surrey·JournalEnergy Conversion and Management·DateFeb 18, 2026

Location, location, location: Model IDs best spots for offshore energy projects

Researchers developed a portfolio optimization framework to maximize offshore energy production by identifying optimal locations for wind turbines and marine hydrokinetic technologies. The study found that combining these technologies in suitable locations can significantly reduce costs and increase energy stability.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalEnergy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 5, 2026

AI’s energy usage is less than previously thought

A recent study finds that artificial intelligence has a negligible effect on global greenhouse gas emissions. The researchers' analysis of US energy consumption and AI use across industries revealed that the energy usage from AI in the US equals the energy consumption for all of Iceland, but not noticeable on a global scale.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalEnvironmental Research Letters·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 12, 2025

Clean energy is here. Getting it to EVs isn’t

A new Northwestern University study finds that even with renewable energy availability, switching to electric vehicles won't fight climate change without upgraded transmission grids. Targeted upgrades could alleviate congestion and unlock full emissions-reduction potential of EV adoption.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 6, 2025

Increasing solar power could lead to significant cuts in CO2 emissions

A new study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that increasing solar power generation in the US by 15% could lead to significant cuts in CO2 emissions. The researchers pinpointed regions where clean energy investments return the greatest climate dividends and demonstrated the value of coordinated clean energy efforts.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateJul 30, 2025

Does renewable energy reduce fossil fuel production in the US?

A recent study by Ryan Thombs found no association between renewable energy production and fossil fuel production in the US. Despite this, more than 96% of variation in fossil fuel production was explained by fixed factors such as fossil fuel endowments.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Environmental Studies and Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 20, 2025

UV light activation of peracetic acid: new insights into radical generation based on excited states

Researchers developed an in-situ EPR setup to accurately identify radicals generated by PAA activation under different UV wavelengths, revealing distinct radical generation pathways. The study provides new insights into the mechanisms of radical formation and transformation using density functional theory calculations.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 9, 2025

Rare earth element-enhanced TiO2 achieves high-efficiency photocatalytic overall water splitting

Researchers have developed a novel semiconductor material that significantly improves the efficiency of photocatalytic water splitting by eliminating charge recombination and facilitating efficient charge separation. The Sc-doped TiO2 semiconductor achieves a record-breaking quantum yield of 30.3% and a solar-to-hydrogen efficiency of ...

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 8, 2025

Riding the AI wave toward rapid, precise ocean simulations

Researchers developed a machine learning-powered fluid simulation model that significantly reduces computation time without compromising accuracy. The new surrogate model maintains the same level of accuracy as traditional particle-based simulations while reducing computation time from approximately 45 minutes to just three minutes.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalApplied Ocean Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 3, 2025

Diagnosing a dud may lead to a better battery

A team of chemists from Virginia Tech found a way to visualize the intricate structure and chemical reactions of battery interfaces using an X-ray beam line. This breakthrough enables researchers to gain better control over these critical surfaces, potentially leading to cheaper, higher performance batteries.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 1, 2025

Household electricity three times more expensive than upcoming ‘eco-friendly’ aviation e-fuels, study reveals

A new study published in Climate Policy highlights the significant cost disparity between household electricity and e-fuel for long-distance mobility. The research shows that the wealthiest 1% of EU citizens are responsible for 66% of air travel, while the majority emit less than 0.1 ton of CO2 equivalent emissions per year.

SourceTaylor & Francis Group·JournalClimate Policy·DateMar 23, 2025