Articles tagged with Power Plants
The nationwide average exposure to PM2.5 in China decreased significantly between 2005 and 2015, mainly attributed to declining household solid fuel use. Researchers estimate that replacing all remaining household solid fuels with clean energy sources could prevent an additional half-million premature deaths per year.
A new MIT study finds that every five-year delay in reducing mercury emissions results in a 14% decrease in the effectiveness of policy measures, with remote regions suffering most. The researchers used modeling to estimate legacy emissions and found that delays lead to an accumulation of toxic mercury in the environment.
Researchers have successfully scaled up a water-cooling system that can provide continuous day-and-night radiative cooling for structures. The low-cost hybrid organic-inorganic metamaterial can be scaled into an array small enough to fit on most rooftops and act as a natural air conditioner with minimal electricity consumption.
A team of MIT researchers has found a way to balance the size of droplets used in spraying pesticides, making them stick to targets more effectively. The new method uses a fine mesh screen to break up larger drops into tiny ones, reducing waste and pollution.
Researchers at University of Stuttgart are developing tools to make supercritical heat transfer more viable using high-performance computing and machine learning. They explore using carbon dioxide as a cleaner alternative to water in power plants, which could reduce hardware requirements by ten-fold.
A research collaboration led by Pittsburgh University's Swanson School of Engineering received a $750,000 Department of Energy grant to develop innovative technologies for fossil energy power systems. The team will utilize additive manufacturing and integrated computational materials engineering to design superior alloy components.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a method for producing advanced biofuels through gasification, which could replace 10% of the world's aviation fuel. The technology can be applied to existing plants and could produce 346 TWh of biogas per year if sufficient biomass is available.
The W7-X stellarator achieved improved heating and measurement capabilities with the help of large magnetic trim coils designed by PPPL, enabling plasma discharges lasting up to 30 seconds. The research demonstrated the ability to control error fields and measure magnetic field measurements of unprecedented accuracy.
A Russian scientist improved nanofluids for solar power plants by adding titanium dioxide nanoparticles to increase heat transfer efficiency. The researchers found that the properties of the nanofluid radically changed with temperature, improving its ability to generate electrical energy.
A new method predicts when sudden change occurs in complex systems like bee colonies, which could help prevent colony collapse disorder. The model uses dimension reduction to accurately predict tipping points and informs control strategies to delay or prevent their occurrence.
Researchers at University of the Basque Country analyzed wave energy farm performance and found a capacity factor of 0.11, lower than wind and solar facilities. To improve efficiency, they suggest regulating turbine speed in relation to advancing waves.
MIT researchers have developed a new membrane-based system that can convert carbon dioxide into useful fuels for cars, trucks, and planes, as well as into chemical feedstocks. The process uses heat energy from solar or waste sources to store chemical energy in form of useful products.
Researchers at KIT will develop process knowledge and innovative systems for series- and type-flexible production of electric motors. The 'AnStaHa' project aims to support medium-sized component suppliers and plant equipment providers in the automotive industry.
Researchers developed a Partial Discharge Wireless Sensor Network that reports partial discharge levels remotely, enabling instant monitoring via smartphones. The system has shown encouraging results at Tata Steel's Port Talbot plant, with plans to deploy 100 sensors across the site.
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.
A new study suggests that climate change will negatively impact the reliability of US electricity generation, but today's infrastructure can be adapted to future conditions. Improvements in resiliency are driven by policy and economic opportunities making US power supply cleaner and more efficient.
Researchers have designed an innovative system using liquid lithium loops to clean and recycle tritium, a key fuel in future fusion power plants. The system aims to protect divertor plates from intense exhaust heat and remove dust and impurities from the plasma.
Sandia scientists develop a system to convert surplus solar flux into additional electricity at tower CSP plants, increasing capacity by up to 10 MW and reducing costs. The concept involves cladding the tower with photovoltaic panels, generating over 10% of total capacity.
The second round of experimentation has begun at Wendelstein 7-X, a stellarator designed to produce power from fusion reactions. The upgrade includes new heating and measuring facilities, graphite wall tiles, and ten divertor modules, which will allow for higher temperatures and plasma discharges.
Researchers found that plant architectures mimic subway networks by balancing competing objectives of cost and performance. By analyzing 3D scans of growing plants, the team identified a universal design principle guiding plant growth, which could help increase crop yields or breed plants better adapted to climate change.
Scientists have discovered three new toad species in Nevada's Great Basin, with the Dixie Valley toad having unique physical features and a small population size. The finding is significant due to the rarity of toad discoveries in the United States.
An analysis of 27 US states found that summer temperature increases lead to higher electricity-related emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and carbon dioxide (CO2). States with more coal power plants, such as Ohio and Pennsylvania, released the most SO2 emissions.
The new cogen facility will save BMC about $1.5 million in heat and energy costs annually by operating at 70 percent efficiency compared to traditional power plants. The cogeneration plant, located on the Yawkey roof, can heat and power hospital's inpatient units for months if the electric grid goes down.
A new sensor system can continuously monitor the quality of engine oil in combined heat and power plants, providing reliable feedback on its condition and detecting potential deterioration. This enables operators to schedule maintenance more conveniently and reduce the risk of costly engine damage.
Scientists have successfully created plant-based wires and supercapacitors that can store energy, opening up new possibilities for renewable energy sources. The innovative technology enables plants to absorb conducting polymer solutions, forming functional transistors and storing electrical charge.
Research reveals companies strategically locating facilities near downwind state borders to avoid 'not-in-my-backyard' opposition, while also sharing air pollution costs with neighboring states. The study finds a significant trend of large polluters being more likely to locate near downwind state borders.
A University of Missouri study found that switchgrass can improve soil quality and be grown on farms with lost fertile topsoil. The perennial plant enhances water permeability, leading to increased crop production in previously challenging areas.
A new study by the University of Missouri identifies effective ways for states to partner and share resources to boost renewable energy production through woody biomass. By working together, states can maximize energy output and reduce carbon emissions, providing policymakers with flexible options for meeting emission reduction targets.
A new method uses genetic algorithms to rapidly identify top materials for pre-combustion carbon capture. A variant of NOTT-101 has been found to have the highest capacity for capturing carbon and good selectivity, meeting the DOE's 90% CO2 removal target.
Scientists are developing an early warning system to detect and predict jellyfish blooms that can clog water intakes at coastal power plants. The tool will provide gridded maps showing the probability of jellyfish arrival times, enabling rapid risk evaluation and informing operational responses.
Scientists have discovered a molecular component in plant cells that senses electric voltage, enabling them to respond to threats. This finding has implications for understanding how plants defend against pathogens like Ebola viruses.
A new study recommends using residual fertilizer to give plants staying power and add value for consumers. Controlled-release fertilizers proved to be more effective in maintaining plant performance beyond the production phase.
A new study finds that US counties would receive significant health co-benefits from a power plant carbon standard, with the largest gains expected in the Northeast and Southwest regions. The estimated net benefits range from $1 million to $5.6 billion annually, outweighing costs of $1.5 to $3.6 billion.
Scientists have developed a method to transform CO2 from smokestack emissions into high-value materials for lithium and sodium batteries. The process produces carbon nanotubes with stable performance, offering a potential solution for reducing environmental impact of current power plants.
The EPA underestimated mercury emissions' benefits, which far exceed the cost to industry. Research shows that reducing coal-fired power plant emissions can result in tens of billions of dollars in health benefits.
Researchers gather features and metrics from private datasets, creating vast data points that describe the physical power grid. The combination of these elements determines the performance of the grid, which has become more complex with recent additions like renewables and intelligent devices.
High-resolution satellite maps track air pollution trends over the last decade, revealing a human fingerprint on global air quality. Nitrogen dioxide levels have decreased significantly in the US and Western Europe due to environmental regulations, while China saw an increase in emissions.
A study by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science found that emissions controls on coal-fired power plants reduced mercury levels in the air by up to 75% over a 10-year period. This reduction was strongly correlated with power plant emissions from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
A study by University of Pittsburgh researchers outlines a framework for developing catalysts that convert excess CO2 into liquid fuel. The catalyst's effectiveness is determined by its hydrogen adsorption energy and Lewis pair hardness, allowing for more efficient and inexpensive production.
A new study by Indiana University researchers reveals that government entities are less likely to comply with certain federal environmental regulations than similar entities owned by private companies. Publicly owned facilities are more likely to violate standards and face lower consequences for non-compliance.
Researchers found significant environmental and public-health benefits from co-firing oat hulls with coal, including 90% reduction in filterable particulate matter. Burning oat hulls also reduced hazardous air pollutants by 41% and heavy metals by 51%.
A new study explores the potential of Pressure Retarded Osmosis technology to extract energy from salinity gradients in Australian waters. The research suggests that brine, rejected during desalination, can be used as a source of osmotic energy, offering a carbon emission-free alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers aim to identify annoying features of wind power plants from people's experiences in Finnish climatic conditions. A real-time feedback system and statistical models will be used to model the formation and dissemination of sound.
The study analyzes three options for power plant carbon standards and finds that stronger standards can prevent an estimated 3,500 premature deaths annually. States with the greatest dependence on coal-fired electricity are expected to see the largest health gains.
A new, non-toxic liquid can create tiny cracks in deep underground rocks to improve power production, reducing water use by half. This environmentally friendly polymer-based fluid also reduces costs and could make unconventional oil and gas recovery more sustainable.
A new model developed by Iñigo de la Parra simulates power fluctuations in large grids of photovoltaic power stations, enabling operators to optimize energy efficiency and reduce costs. The model helps to comply with grid codes and provides a solution for companies setting up large-scale photovoltaic plants.
According to Robert Jackson, minimizing water and air impacts of fracking requires best practices, with surface spills, wastewater disposal, and drinking-water contamination posing primary threats. Natural gas power plants emit less CO2 than coal-fired plants but methane leakage is a significant problem in the US natural gas industry.
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.
A new nanoparticle-based material developed by the University of California, San Diego, can absorb and convert over 90 percent of sunlight into heat. This breakthrough aims to improve concentrating solar power plants' efficiency, making them more competitive with traditional energy sources.
A new study from Harvard, Syracuse, and Boston University scientists reveals that strong carbon standards for power plants can significantly reduce air pollution and provide substantial human health benefits. The research estimates that such standards could prevent thousands of premature deaths and hospitalizations every year in the US.
A CU-led study found that emission caps and encouraging renewable energy are effective strategies for reducing power plant emissions. The study's findings have significant implications for the EPA's Clean Power Plan and suggest a bottom-up approach to climate mitigation.
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.
A new material, a microporous organic polymer, has been developed that can adsorb carbon dioxide extremely well. It's stable, cheap, and has the potential to play a role in reducing CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030, according to President Obama's plan.
BYU professors create sloped channels with micro posts or ribs, producing highly hydrophobic surfaces. These surfaces could significantly speed up steam condensation in power plants, saving time and costs.
A new study estimates that the global management of freshwater mussels, clams, and other clinging animals costs $277 million U.S. dollars annually due to their economic impact on shipping, power generation, and water treatment. Biofoulers are filter-feeders that readily colonize pipes and channel walls, causing extensive coverage and o...
A team of scientists, led by Wilfred Elders, has successfully created the world's first magma-enhanced geothermal system in Iceland. The system utilizes superheated steam from a well drilled into molten magma at a temperature of 900-1000 C.
Engineers from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid have designed a model to maximize energy savings and CO2 reductions by using solar power for heating and cooling. The system, which can be installed in large office blocks, can provide air conditioning or heating according to daily needs.
A unique experiment involving 500 industrial plants in Gujarat, India, reveals that changing the auditing system from firm-paid to central-funded auditors significantly reduced pollution levels and increased accuracy. The study's findings have implications for the global debt-rating system and corporate financial reports.
Researchers at MIT have discovered charged droplets that can improve power plant efficiency by repelling each other and applying an external electric field. This technology has the potential to enhance heat transfer on condensers and even generate electricity from ambient air.
Physicists at the University of Houston have discovered a non-toxic material that can convert waste heat from vehicle tailpipes, industrial smokestacks, and power plants into electricity. The new compound, tin telluride with indium, shows promise in boosting vehicle mileage by up to 5% and power plant efficiency by as much as 10%.