Articles tagged with Electrical Power Generation
Researchers found that air pollution from electricity generation led to about 16,000 premature deaths in the continental US, with higher exposures for black and white non-Latino Americans. Emissions from coal-fired power plants accounted for 91% of premature deaths, with significant disparities persisting across states.
The US Department of Energy has funded three Penn State projects to enhance combustion turbine performance and efficiency in fossil fuel power generation. Researchers will utilize additive manufacturing techniques to improve cooling effectiveness, fuel injection hardware, and ceramic matrix composite turbine vanes.
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.
China's coal-fired power plants met ultra-low emission (ULE) standards early, reducing annual emissions by 65% for sulfur dioxide and 72% for particulate matter. The country achieved these results thanks to its strict supervision system and nationwide ULE technology application.
Researchers at UTSA will develop a solar tracking system to optimize solar energy collection and regulate energy flow between indoor and outdoor environments. They will also work on a prototype of a clean energy technology for steam turbines using supercritical carbon dioxide, aiming to increase efficiency and reduce water usage.
Fishing fleets' capacity to capture fish is increasing by an average of 2% yearly due to technological advancements like GPS and echo-sounders. This 'technological creep' leads to a doubling of fleet power every 35 years, further straining dwindling fish stocks.
A study by Aalto University and international partners predicts a 35-fold increase in global cooling demand by the end of the century, driven by rising temperatures and economic prosperity. The researchers estimate that solar power can meet this growing demand, with the potential to power entire countries like France or India.
Researchers at WMG found that inductive charging can increase temperature in mobile phones, potentially shortening battery lifespan. The study compared normal wire charging with aligned and misaligned inductive charging, finding that misalignment led to higher temperatures and reduced charging efficiency.
Demand response analysis and control technologies have been developed to stabilize electricity supply and demand. The condition for demand response to produce economic value has been derived, emphasizing the importance of fluctuating power generation costs.
Researchers replace carbon atoms with nitrogen to enhance supercapacitor's electrochemical performance, achieving a six-fold increase in capacity and excellent cycling stability. The novel method has promising prospects for creating next-generation power sources.
Researchers at DGIST created a single-layer graphene-based device that can generate and store power, with maximum transparency of 77.4%. The device also features touch-sensing systems and can be self-charged and stored.
Researchers at Binghamton University are developing a new power source from human sweat, aiming to create self-powered electronic skins. The project uses metabolisms of sweat-eating bacteria to transform chemical energy into electrical power.
The study found that electric vehicles have a net positive impact on air quality and climate change, reducing ozone and particulate matter pollution. Transitioning to EVs can improve public health, even with current energy mixes, as long as power generation shifts towards clean energy sources.
Researchers propose a new approach for China's electric power generation that combines coal-bioenergy gasification with carbon capture storage. This strategy could reduce CO2 emissions while improving air quality in the country by utilizing crop residue as biofuel.
Researchers found that crop residue ratios over 35% enable CBECCS systems to produce electricity with zero greenhouse gas emissions. This technology helps reduce air pollution and offers a carbon-negative alternative for electricity generation.
Research reveals that power plants in India take the highest toll on human health due to particulate matter and sulfur dioxide emissions. The study also highlights the need for upgrading or shutting down outdated coal power plants to mitigate global warming and air pollution.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a new approach to scheduling generators, addressing previous issues with cost minimization and reliability. The method uses timeslots to optimize individual periods in real-time, ensuring feasible solutions without power surplus or shortage.
Researchers from Osaka University developed a large-scale flexible thermoelectric generator module with high mechanical reliability and efficient power generation. The module achieved improved efficiency in recovering waste heat from curved heat sources, enhancing its mechanical reliability.
Japanese scientists have identified a titanium carbide-reinforced alloy that can withstand extreme temperatures and pressures, outperforming existing Nickel-based superalloys. The alloy's high-temperature strength was demonstrated under constant forces in the range of 1400°C-1600°C.
PolyU has won several prizes at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, including the Grand Prize for its Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) Spectacle Lens for Myopia Control. The lens can slow down myopia progression in children by 60% and provides clear vision.
The Carnegie Mellon Power Sector Carbon Index reports a 26.8% decline in emissions intensity from 2005 levels, with natural gas and renewables displacing coal as primary energy sources. The index also provides regional insights and international expansion, offering objective data for policy makers and regulators
Researchers at Osaka University have created a new thermoelectric material (ytterbium silicide) with an improved power factor at room temperature. The material's unique layered structure suppresses heat conduction, preserving the temperature gradient and enabling efficient power generation.
Researchers at Binghamton University developed a micro-scale biological solar cell that generates high power density and long operational capability, making it suitable for lab-on-a-chip applications in remote regions. The device harnesses microbial photosynthetic and respiratory activities to provide a clean and renewable power source.
Researchers at Binghamton University developed a paper-based bacteria-powered battery activated by spit, which can generate reliable power from one drop of saliva. The battery has competitive advantages over conventional solutions due to the availability of biological fluid and long-term storage capabilities.
The University of Texas at Arlington researcher will design and install a 150 kilowatt distributed generation source testbed to study configuration and integration challenges for the Navy's future ships. The testbed aims to emulate high-power, intermittent loads on ships and test how energy storage can maintain power quality.
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.
Researchers from Case Western Reserve University proposed a new method to calculate and correct short-circuit errors in large-scale distribution systems. The method, which was published in IEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica, uses real-time simulations and modeling to optimize the system in just 74 milliseconds.
Scientists developed an algorithm to accurately identify multiple signals at multiple levels in the circuit to detect open-switch faults. The combination of the algorithm and artificial neural network can improve microgrid reliability, efficiency, and cost.
Researchers at UMass Amherst create a breathable, pliable, metal-free electrode coating that can be applied to off-the-shelf clothing without compromising comfort. The coating generates small electric currents through triboelectric charging and has been tested on various fabrics with promising results.
Researchers developed a process that purifies polluted air while generating power as hydrogen gas, which can be stored and used as fuel. The device uses specific nanomaterials and is triggered by sunlight, offering a promising solution for clean air and alternative energy production.
Researchers have developed a theoretical framework to quantify the degree of transparency of 2D materials to an electrostatic field. This allows for microscopic control over charged carriers in bulk semiconductors, leading to next-generation optoelectronics with lower power consumption.
Researchers have developed a nickel-carbon-based catalyst that replaces platinum in producing hydrogen from water, offering a cheaper alternative for renewable energy technologies. The new catalyst exhibits highly efficient hydrogen evolution performance and impressive durability.
Researchers at UCL have achieved a record-breaking data rate of 1.125 Tb/s using custom-built optical communications system with multiple transmitting channels and a single receiver. This breakthrough is expected to support the growth of high-speed internet and cloud services, enabling faster data transfer rates.
Smartphone sensors can measure various physical quantities such as ultraviolet index, heart rate, respiratory rate, blood oxygen saturation, and air quality. A smart home system has been developed using mobile phones to detect CO2, temperature, humidity, and other parameters.
A new study suggests the US can transition to a low-carbon electricity system by 2030, reducing CO2 emissions by up to 78% and delivering electricity at costs similar to today's. The model uses weather-driven renewable resources to supply most of the nation's electricity.
A two-stage power management system developed by Georgia Tech researchers improves triboelectric generator efficiency, enabling the powering of wearable and mobile devices. The system converts fluctuating energy amplitudes to continuous direct current, increasing energy output up to 330 times.
A recent study suggests that solar eclipses will have a minimal effect on Germany's photovoltaic systems and electrical supply. During the shadowing period, there may be temporary drops in power generation but the overall impact is expected to be limited.
Researchers at the University of Strathclyde are developing groundbreaking plasma-based light amplifiers to replace traditional high power laser amplifiers. The new technology has the potential to produce real particles from virtual particles, cracking the vacuum and achieving a significant scientific breakthrough.
Researchers have developed a new capability to minimize human health effects of air pollution from electric power generating facilities. The Air Pollutant Optimization Model provides a hybrid approach that balances health and cost savings, reducing health impacts by $176 million while increasing costs by $84 million.
Researchers at MIT developed a graphene coating that improves condenser heat transfer, potentially leading to a 2-3% overall improvement in power plant efficiency and significant reductions in carbon emissions. The coating has been shown to last for two weeks without degrading under typical power plant conditions.
A new study in Addiction journal challenges previous reports on aldehyde content of third generation e-cigarettes. It found that only under 'dry puff' conditions can e-cigarettes produce high levels of aldehydes, which vapers avoid due to unpleasant sensory effects.
Scientists have created a more efficient way to generate broadband terahertz radiation by using a microplasma in air, which can be used for applications such as monitoring explosives or drugs. The approach uses lower power lasers and can provide higher spectral resolution, enabling clearer identification of materials.
A Griffith University research project has developed an intelligent scheduling system to manage peak demand and load balancing in low-voltage electricity distribution networks. The system uses battery energy storage to store surplus energy during the day and distribute it when needed, reducing peak generation charges and improving powe...
François Légaré, an INRS researcher, has been awarded the 2015 Herzberg Medal for his work in ultrafast molecular imaging. His research team made significant breakthroughs in dynamic imaging, capturing images of molecular reactions at unprecedented resolution.
The 2013 Renewable Energy Data Book reports a significant increase in installed renewable capacity in the US. Key findings include solar electricity's rapid growth and renewable sources accounting for 23% of global electricity generation worldwide.
Renewable electricity in the US grew to nearly 15% of total installed capacity and 13% of total electricity generation in 2013. Solar electricity was the fastest growing technology, with a 66% increase in cumulative installed capacity from the previous year.
The College of Engineering & Computer Science educates students on complex power engineering topics through modernized courses and hands-on experiments. Students learn to work as a team and develop essential skills in open-minded lifelong learning, making them attractive candidates for the smart grid workforce.
A researcher at the University of Kansas is exploring a new way to cool power plants using laptop-cooling technology, which could save freshwater and reduce costs. The approach involves using closed thermosyphons, which are commonly used in laptop computers to keep them cool, but have not been scaled up for use in power generation.
Researchers at MIT developed a model to evaluate the performance of large PRO systems, finding that membrane size affects power generation. The team found that up to 95% of maximum power output can be generated using half or less of the maximum membrane area, reducing upfront costs.
Several companies are racing to develop new battery technologies for electric vehicles, including sodium-ion and lithium-metal options. These alternatives could potentially improve range and reduce costs, making them more viable for mass production.
Scientists from Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research found that connecting dead ends can significantly increase power grid stability. By adding alternative routes in the network, dead ends make the effects culminate at single points of the network, but judiciously adding transmission lines can repair this.
The Next Generation Power Electronics Innovation Institute aims to create new jobs and boost the nation's manufacturing industry. ASU researchers will focus on developing gallium nitride-based power electronic devices for energy-efficient power conversion and Silicon Carbide-based materials for medium voltage high power converters.
Researchers have developed a new geothermal power plant design that utilizes unwanted carbon dioxide to generate electricity. The innovative approach is at least twice as efficient as conventional geothermal methods and can store energy for days or months, making it available when needed on the grid.
Larger commercial and industrial operations in areas with access to large timber resources could convert to wood-powered burners for heat and power. Wood is a renewable resource that could contribute to the nation's energy needs indefinitely if managed sustainably.
Researchers at Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute demonstrate that light-responsive Chlorobium can act in tandem with Geobacter to produce electricity. The two bacteria work together to generate current when Chlorobium transfers electrons to Geobacter, which then produces electricity.
Researchers have developed a measurement tool to assess market power in deregulated electricity markets, taking into account emerging smart grid phenomena. The tool, called transmission constrained network flow, unifies existing measures and provides a unified view of market power potential under varying operating conditions.
Researchers found that archer fish modulate water jet velocity to create a single large drop that hits prey with great force. This approach avoids the need for specialized internal structures, allowing the fish to achieve powerful impact without significant evolutionary costs.
A new small-scale solid oxide fuel cell system achieves up to 57 percent efficiency, significantly higher than previous systems of its size. The system uses methane as fuel and incorporates microchannel technology and external steam reforming for increased efficiency and scalability.
A new technology harnesses power from a single droplet sliding along an electret film, producing electricity when it reaches maximum velocity. The device has potential for low-power portable devices and human body motion harvesting, with a prototype demonstrating peak output power of 0.18 microwatts.
The Lemelson-MIT InvenTeam initiative inspires a new generation of inventors by engaging students in creative thinking and hands-on learning. This year's projects include a natural disaster emergency relief filtration station and a portable medical support system.