Articles tagged with Energy Infrastructure
A new study identifies the barriers to vehicle-to-grid (V2G) adoption, including coordination problems, limited infrastructure, and varying regulations. V2G technology can provide backup power during periods of high energy demand and earn EV owners money for supplying energy to the grid.
A new international study found that deploying next-generation solar panels at scale could reduce global carbon emissions by up to 8.2 billion tonnes by 2035. The technology, known as tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) photovoltaics, has lower environmental impacts in fifteen out of sixteen categories compared to the incumbent PE...
Researchers have created a process to produce clean hydrogen from freshwater and seawater using liquid metals powered by sunlight. The method avoids many obstacles in current hydrogen production methods, including the need for purified water and high costs. The team is working to improve efficiency for commercialization.
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.
Eight SwRI hydrogen projects funded by ENERGYWERX will evaluate new technology and existing infrastructure for a hydrogen-powered future. The projects, conducted at SwRI's Metering Research Facility, aim to improve energy infrastructure and support the use of clean-burning fuel.
Researchers developed a three-stage framework to analyze uncertainties in energy transitions, focusing on climate change and institutional inefficiency. The Puerto Rico case study shows that these factors are crucial in determining total system costs.
Researchers at University of East London found that discarded seashells can be transformed into a low-carbon concrete ingredient, reducing carbon emissions by up to 36%. The study suggests a promising opportunity for industry to adopt sustainable cement alternatives.
A Boston University study finds nearly 14% of the US population lives within a mile of fossil fuel infrastructure, posing potential health risks. The research highlights inequities in exposure, with predominantly non-white groups and urbanites disproportionately affected.
A PhD student at Lehigh University is working with Siemens to develop real-time monitoring and control tools for hyperscale data centers. The goal is to create a localized power network that can operate independently of the main grid, reducing power demands from artificial intelligence and increasing energy efficiency.
A study exploring options for electricity markets during the clean-energy transition highlights key challenges and proposed solutions. The researchers assessed 11 market design proposals to guide energy generation and sources, with findings focusing on forecasting demand, investing in renewable resources, and ensuring system reliability.
Researchers found that electric-powered boilers can reduce emissions by up to 61% in pulp and paper mills. The study suggests that the US electrical grid's shift towards clean energy could make this possible. Increasing water removal during pressing resulted in significant energy savings and emissions reductions, while low-carbon alter...
Researchers analyzed power outage data and weather records to identify planning vulnerabilities and criticality as drivers of prolonged local outages. Targeted interventions, such as isolating critical nodes and improving operational flexibility, can reduce customer outages by up to 49.5%.
A meta-analysis of 100 studies across psychology, sociology, economics, and engineering found that positive attitudes toward conserving electricity are key to saving energy. Individuals who think others expect them to conserve power and have pro-environmental habits tend to save more energy.
A survey by University of Washington researchers found that participants with a negative view of public charging were less likely to choose an electric vehicle than those with a moderate view. Participants demanded strikingly large concessions, such as a 30% discount or 366 extra miles of range, before choosing an EV.
Yilu Liu has won her fifth R&D 100 Award for the Universal GridEdge Analyzer (UGA), a GPS-synchronized power grid monitoring device. The UGA enhances situational awareness capabilities, allowing users to access real-time grid health information on mobile devices.
Achieving universal, meaningful internet connectivity by 2030 would require a significant investment of $2.6-2.8 trillion at current prices. The report outlines the challenges, projected costs, and collaborative strategies needed to make sure everyone, everywhere, can use the Internet.
Rapidly melting glaciers in High Mountain Asia are causing water volume to increase by 10% or more in at least 10% of rivers, including the Yangtze, Amu Darya, and Syr Darya. This surge can bring short-term benefits like increased hydropower and agriculture, but also poses risks such as sediment increases and glacier loss.
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.
A new study shows that climate neutrality is achievable in Europe by 2050 through smart solar technologies and self-sufficiency. The study demonstrates that Europe can achieve net-zero emissions with an average cost increase of only 2.1% compared to the most cost-effective scenario without self-sufficiency.
A new handbook from the University of Vaasa provides a comprehensive toolkit for policymakers, energy companies, and cybersecurity professionals to improve cyber resilience. The handbook emphasizes socio-cyber-physical risk management, education, awareness, cooperation, and strategic investments to reduce threats in the energy sector.
A new study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers suggests that investing in EV charging infrastructure is more effective than offering consumer tax credits to boost adoption. The study found that increasing EV adoption could reduce emissions by 51% and increase sales by 26% by building Level 3 fast-charging stations.
A new study by TUM reveals that African green hydrogen production is much more costly than previously assumed, with only 2% of investigated locations being competitive. To make exports to Europe viable, governments and policymakers must provide price and offtake guarantees.
A new study from Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability finds that over 60% of energy infrastructure projects worldwide run over budget and take longer than expected to complete. Nuclear power plants are the worst offenders, with an average construction cost overrun of 102.5%. In contrast, solar energy and wind farms hav...
A new end-to-end framework, DarkAD, enhances anomaly detection in low-light environments by introducing a feature adapter that reduces noise and amplifies critical features. The model outperforms other state-of-the-art models in detecting subtle anomalies with high accuracy and speed.
A new study explores the future of EV ultrafast charging stations in China, finding that increased power capacity does not necessarily double station loads. The researchers propose two generalized solutions: energy storage and dynamic waiting strategies, which can effectively decrease peak loads and satisfy surging demands.
A new study models how Western US states can build out clean energy infrastructure between now and 2050 under different climate policy scenarios and levels of power sector coordination. States that coordinate more closely could save billions in energy system costs, even if their climate policies do not align.
Biomass is crucial for Europe's ability to reach its climate targets, providing both energy and negative emissions. Excluding biomass from the European energy system would increase costs by 169 billion Euros per year.
A new hardware platform for AI accelerators capable of handling significant workloads with reduced energy requirement has been developed. The platform leverages III-V compound semiconductors to create photonic integrated circuits, which operate at the speed of light with minimal energy loss.
A new configuration approach for radial distribution systems incorporates distributed renewable energy resources, achieving superior voltage stability, reduced system losses, and improved resilience. The study also quantifies significant environmental benefits, including reduced CO2 emissions and optimized resource utilization.
A new study from the University of Massachusetts Amherst found that co-undergrounding wires, particularly in outage-prone areas, can pay off with a cost savings of nearly 40% compared to replacing them separately. The study suggests that proactively undergrounding lines that are currently above ground can bring significant benefits.
Researchers at the University of Surrey developed a cost-effective method for removing CO2 from the air and converting it into synthetic fuel. The Dual-Function Material (DFM) process has been shown to be financially competitive with established industry methods, offering a promising route to decarbonize industries.
Researchers developed a method that uses high-resolution satellite imagery and deep machine learning to double the mapped infrastructure of Alaska, more accurately projecting economic risks associated with permafrost thaw. The new model nearly doubles the amount of information available for Alaska on OpenStreetMap.
The California Solar Canal Initiative brings together seven leading research universities to identify optimal locations for generating renewable energy and conserving land statewide. By covering large sections of the state's canal network with solar panels, researchers aim to conserve water, reduce air pollution and generate clean energy.
A novel copper-based zeolite imidazolate framework (Cu-ZIF-gis) has been developed to separate deuterium (D2) from hydrogen (H2) at 120 K (-153°C), exceeding the liquefaction point of natural gas. This material exhibits improved separation efficiency and lower energy consumption compared to traditional methods.
Distributed acoustic sensing systems face data processing speed limitations; researchers leverage photonic neural networks to overcome these challenges. The TWM-PNNA system achieves high recognition accuracy above 90% with low power consumption, outperforming electrical GPUs by orders of magnitude.
Researchers applied web search algorithms to prioritize critical infrastructure protection. The multilayer approach stops failure faster with fewer damaged structures than other methods. It identifies systems with influence going both ways, helping defenders prevent cascade failures.
Researchers at Penn State propose reusing depleted oil and gas wells to store compressed air, improving efficiency by 9.5% compared to existing technology. This could make the technology more economically viable and provide job opportunities in areas with rich energy industry traditions.
OFC 2025 features live, multi-vendor interoperability demonstrations from Ethernet Alliance, OIF and Open ROADM MSA. The event highlights advancements in open, standards-based networking solutions, including SDN-integrated demonstrations and energy-efficient interfaces.
Climate change drives large increases in electricity demand and costs in Texas due to extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, atmospheric rivers become more frequent, larger, and moister globally. Diagnostic studies also predict malaria outbreaks with five-month lead time using sea-surface temperature anomalies.
A new study by the University of Texas at Austin estimates that by 2050, new hydrogen production facilities in Texas could account for 2-6.8% of water demand in the state, disproportionately affecting water-stressed regions like the Gulf Coast.
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) has earned the prestigious R1 designation, recognizing its highest level of research activity. UTA has maintained this classification since 2015 and continues to demonstrate its commitment to innovation and academic excellence.
The Expand Appalachia project aims to accelerate the identification and characterization of unconventional critical mineral resources throughout the region. The team will assess regional infrastructure, identify industries that could benefit from production, and develop strategies to boost economic growth and attract investment.
Researchers developed a framework that combines competition and cooperation to help operators in multiregional networks strategically determine when and how they should work together. By investing in shared infrastructure projects, independent operators can earn more revenue and improve regional train service, benefiting users.
A new analysis of social media posts reveals that public support for solar energy remains high, but has become increasingly polarized. The study found that attitudes toward solar energy are largely being driven by politics, with significant differences in support across regions and states.
Researchers at Mizzou have developed a proactive approach using artificial intelligence to address evolving threats against smart grids. The CIBR-Fort system can predict cyberattacks with 91.88% accuracy and defend against them in real-time, enabling scalable security for power grids of the future.
A recent study led by Qian found that income, rather than proximity, is the dominant factor in determining who benefits most from public EV infrastructure. Wealthier individuals have more flexibility to spend time at charging stations while charging their vehicles, whereas lower-income communities struggle to integrate public charging ...
The University of Vaasa's FlexiPower project aims to develop and commercialize a 'Building as a Battery' (BaaB) solution that enables dynamic response of building heating and cooling systems to power grid needs. This innovation offers cost-effective and scalable solutions for balancing the power grid.
The study reveals the existence of valley vortex states within water wave crystals, introducing a new degree of freedom for water wave manipulation. These states have significant implications for ocean energy extraction, marine engineering, and coastal infrastructures.
Researchers propose a new local electricity market to harness the power of homeowners' grid-edge devices in case of outages or attacks. Devices like solar panels and electric vehicles can pump power into the grid or rebalance consumption.
UTA research projects contributed $59 million to the national economy in 2024, supporting student development and collaboration with other research organizations. The university's research infrastructure, including cutting-edge equipment, helped drive economic impact in North Texas and beyond.
Researchers use AI to predict moisture damage in asphalt pavements, enabling optimized material selection and reduced maintenance costs. The study's findings have significant implications for the nation's roads and bridges, which require over $1 trillion in repairs and maintenance.
A team from Tokyo University of Science developed a novel trivalent platform for triple click chemistry, allowing for the efficient synthesis of complex compounds. The approach utilizes simple initial materials and promotes sustainable pharmaceutical synthesis.
A new study from the University of Cambridge suggests that hitting Europe's 2030 renewable energy targets could reduce electricity price volatility by an average of 20% across 29 European countries. This would lead to significant reductions in price spikes, with the UK and Ireland expected to benefit the most.
A research team developed an autonomous geological assessment tool that uses machine learning to measure dip angles and directions in rock facets with high accuracy, achieving rates of up to 99.4%. The R-C-D-F method eliminates joint bands while preserving joint embedment points, making it ideal for modern infrastructure projects.
A new optimization model improves microgrid operation by reducing computational burden and introducing replanning, ensuring stable power supply under uncertain conditions. This approach boosts energy efficiency, minimizes waste, and supports the transition to sustainable energy.
Establishing a permanent lunar presence will depend on the use of AI, robotics, and 3D printing to adaptively respond to challenges. The moon's natural resources, such as regolith, can also reduce the need for Earth-launched supplies.
A study published in Science of the Total Environment found that stormwater detention basins in Northern Virginia face significant salt stress due to road salts. Native plant species, such as cattails, showed promise in tolerating high salt concentrations, but their impact on overall salt removal was limited.
The Laboratory for Laser Energetics at the University of Rochester has launched an IFE-STAR ecosystem to develop a clean, safe, and virtually limitless energy source. The initiative aims to accelerate fusion science and technology by building a national network of coordination and collaboration.
The study identifies 14 key impacts of wind energy on various systems, including environmental, socio-economic, and political-legal aspects. Researchers found that public acceptance is a major challenge for wind turbines, but also discovered benefits such as the phasing out of fossil-based energy and job creation opportunities.
NCSA is leading the way in AI research support, partnering with the National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource Pilot and the NSF-Simons SkAI Institute. The organization is also working on healthcare projects like MarginDX, combining optical imaging technologies with AI screening tools to ensure accurate tumor removal during sur...