Articles tagged with Power Plants
Researchers at MIT have developed an electrochemical system for capturing carbon dioxide from power plant emissions that can operate without a steam connection. This 'plug-and-play' solution could potentially capture 90% of CO2 from plant emissions while consuming only 25% of the plant's power output.
Researchers at PNNL and BPA identified two unique methods and two sites in eastern Washington for compressed air energy storage. These plants can store wind energy produced at night and release it when demand is high, providing flexibility to balance the region's highly variable wind energy generation.
Researchers from Arizona State University launch a crowdsourced 'game' called Ventus to quantify global power plant CO2 emissions, empowering citizen scientists to contribute valuable information for climate change solutions.
Researchers from NREL evaluated CSP systems with thermal energy storage within the CAISO system to estimate operational factors such as fuel cost, emissions, and reliability. The analysis found significant value in dispatchable CSP, particularly when providing reserve power, which can be turned on or off during high or low demand periods.
A new study found that nearly half of Florida manatees seek power plant outfalls for warmth, while about 17% choose warm springs. Hot springs offered the best protection against cold weather, suggesting protecting access to these refuges is crucial for long-term survival.
GCEP is awarding $6.6 million to seven research teams at Stanford and Carnegie Mellon for innovative projects on clean energy and carbon capture. These projects aim to develop technologies that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and produce electricity or hydrogen fuel, with potential applications in the coming decades.
Researchers worldwide are embarking on DEMO projects to demonstrate fusion energy production, following the construction of ITER in France. The challenges ahead include finding solutions to well-known scientific and technical issues.
MIT researchers have developed a coated surface with nanostructured patterns that increase the heat-transfer coefficient, allowing for more efficient condensation and reducing the need for expensive manufacturing processes. The technology has been shown to improve heat transfer in industrial plants by up to 30%.
New research from the University of Washington suggests that a decrease in nitrogen-15 levels in Greenland ice core samples is linked to increased atmospheric acidity. The decline in nitrogen-15 has been attributed to sulfur dioxide emissions, which form sulfuric acid in the atmosphere.
A new technology produced by Oregon State University can generate up to 50 times more electricity per volume than most other approaches, opening the door to a future in which waste treatment plants power themselves and sell excess electricity. The new approach effectively cleans wastewater while producing significant amounts of electri...
Researchers from the University of Southampton have devised a novel method for forming virtual power plants to provide renewable energy production in the UK. They designed a payment mechanism that incentivizes DERs to join CVPPs with large overall production, utilizing intelligent software agents and proper scoring rules to improve acc...
Scientists have identified the Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier (MPC), a universal carrier that transports pyruvate into mitochondria. This discovery could lead to a better understanding of how cancer cells produce energy and potentially develop new treatments.
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.
Satellite observations confirm a nearly 40% decline in sulfur dioxide emissions from coal power plants since 2005, with a significant reduction in acid rain and health problems. The Clean Air Interstate Rule implemented in 2005 is credited for the decline, with desulfurization devices and pollution credits contributing to the reduction.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed a new technology that combines conventional fuel with lower-temperature steam produced by solar power, allowing power plants to operate with 25-50% green energy. This hybrid cycle is highly efficient and uses cost-effective materials, making it a more realistic option for the short-term.
Karen Hixon, a Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission member, will receive the ESA's 2011 Regional Policy Award for her dedication to informing policy decisions with ecological science. The award recognizes her outstanding record of promoting environmental stewardship in local communities.
Texas researchers are studying microalgae's benefits, including its use as a sustainable source of fuels, animal feed and fertilizer. The microscopic algae thrive in freshwater and marine systems and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The AQUASUN project develops a new paradigm in energy production by floating solar panels on water, reducing the need for land-based installations. The technology combines solar cells with a cooling system using water to increase efficiency and reduce costs, while maintaining environmental sustainability.
A new method involves microbial sulfate reduction using an anaerobic bioreactor, reducing over 90% of sulfates in scrubbing water. The treated waste can be converted into elemental sulfur or metal sulfide nanoparticles for industrial use.
Researchers from UCF develop specially treated flyash as a cleaning agent for oil spills, preserving energy-generating capabilities. The innovative process absorbs oil and can be reused, making it a cost-effective and scalable solution.
A new study from Duke University and Georgia Institute of Technology finds that energy-efficient measures in the south could save consumers $41 billion on their energy bills by 2020. Investing $200 billion in energy efficiency programs by 2030 could return $448 billion in savings.
Researchers found Kuwait Bay's sea surface temperature rose at an average rate of 0.62°C per decade, three times the global average. This increase is attributed to 50% due to local drivers such as wind and river flow, while 13% is caused by human activity.
Researchers at the University of Utah are conducting a $10.2 million study in Idaho to develop new techniques for increasing geothermal energy production. By using oil and gas industry methods to create pathways in hot rock, they aim to unlock the country's vast geothermal potential.
A new scrubbing process developed by PNNL uses acid gas-binding organic liquids to capture sulfur dioxide, CO2, and other acid gases. This process requires less energy than current methods and can capture double the amount of harmful gases.
Chemists have developed a catalyst to produce hydrogen and electricity simultaneously in existing gas power plants with minimal investment. The technology could ease the transition to a hydrogen economy by repurposing existing infrastructure.
Researchers at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft develop biogas plant that generates 30% more electricity from non-edible corn stalks. The new plant reduces storage time by 50-70% and boosts electrical efficiency to 40-55% with fuel cells.
A $20 million award from the NSF will help Caltech scientists, led by Harry Gray, advance their research on developing nanoscale materials for solar-fuel power plants. The project aims to create efficient catalysts for the oxidation of water to oxygen.
Researchers apply Six Sigma methodology to improve energy efficiency at a thermal power plant, detecting faults in steam and water analysis systems and implementing cost-saving measures. The study finds significant energy savings of over three-quarters of a million dollars annually.
A new analysis by economists at the University of California, Berkeley and UC San Diego shows a significant increase in China's carbon dioxide emissions growth, far surpassing previous estimates. The study predicts an annual growth rate of at least 11 percent for China between 2004 and 2010.
A new analysis by UC economists reveals China's CO2 emissions growth rate is 11% annually, surpassing previous estimates. The study predicts a significant increase in carbon emissions, overshadowing pledged reductions by developed countries.
Researchers developed a new, low-cost material to capture CO2 from coal-fired power plants. The hyperbranched aluminosilica (HAS) material has high capacity and can be reused multiple times, offering a cost-effective solution for large-scale carbon capture.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health found higher-than-acceptable levels of mercury and selenium in channel catfish from areas near a coal-fired power plant. Ingesting these fish can increase the risk of neurological disorders, birth defects, and developmental problems.
A new modified plastic material, known as thermally rearranged (TR) plastic, has been developed to separate carbon dioxide from natural gas more effectively. The TR plastic works four times better than conventional membranes at separating out carbon dioxide through pores.
A groundbreaking Canada-US study proves a direct link between atmospheric mercury emissions and mercury in fish, with implications for global environmental protection. The research suggests that reducing mercury emissions can lead to lower levels of mercury in fish within a decade.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have found fractal patterns in the solar wind that correspond to the Sun's 'storm season', indicating complex magnetic field activity. This discovery could improve our understanding of space weather and its impact on cosmic ray flux, as well as inform the development of fusion power.
Researchers develop mechanism for capturing carbon dioxide from power plants and injecting it into the ground, where it will be trapped naturally. The injected gas forms a plume that rises through permeable rock, eventually breaking into small bubbles or blobs that remain safely stored.
A new system, developed by University of Florida engineers, can produce all three essentials - water, electricity, and refrigeration - from a single source. The system, which harnesses the power of gas turbines, achieves this through a heat-operated refrigeration process, making it efficient and compact.
The SAMMS technology can selectively remove metal contaminants without creating hazardous waste or by-products, with initial targets including coal-fired power plants and municipal facilities. In tests, 99.9% of mercury was successfully removed from simulated wastewater, meeting EPA discharge limits.
Researchers at Ohio State University found that a vapor layer forms between hot particles and cold droplets, allowing them to bounce off each other without touching. This discovery can lead to more efficient heat transfer in industries such as oil refining, boosting efficiency and reducing costs.
Researchers have invented a new class of materials called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) that can store vast amounts of carbon dioxide. One MOF, dubbed MOF-177, sops up 140% of its weight in CO2 at room temperature and reasonable pressure.
Researchers will inject thousands of tons of pressurized carbon dioxide into Western basalt formations to monitor its storage. The experiment aims to create infrastructure for carbon sequestration, potentially storing over 100 billion tons of CO2.
Researchers will study chemical reactions and transformation of mercury in flue gases of coal-fired power plants. They aim to develop a mathematical model to predict mercury emissions and create more effective technologies for controlling mercury emissions.
Researchers found that exposure to fine particles in air pollution impairs blood vessel reactivity in people with diabetes, leading to a higher risk of heart problems. The study also suggests that this association may help explain previous findings on the link between air pollution and cardiovascular issues in diabetics.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a technology that can harness waste heat from electrical power plants to produce millions of gallons of fresh water daily. The system, which employs mass diffusion, reduces energy costs compared to traditional desalination methods.
A new microbial fuel cell technology can produce up to 72 watts per square meter, generating electricity from organic matter. The device has the potential to power small wastewater treatment plants and treat waste from animal farms and food processing industries.
A study by Texas A&M University reveals Houston's air quality is severely impacted due to industrial emissions and auto exhaust, posing a significant health risk to its 5 million residents. The city must take steps to curb its air pollution problems, including alternative energy sources and more efficient transportation.
Florida manatees face a deadly threat when water cools to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, leading to physiological events that weaken their immune systems. The discovery of cold stress syndrome's causes could improve treatment for affected manatees and inform plans to minimize power plant shutdowns' impact.
Researchers at the DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory used computer simulations to explain how plasma doughnuts became hollow when current direction was reversed. This new understanding allows for a more practical design of compact next-generation fusion experiments.
A new study by Resources For the Future finds that emissions trading has shifted sulfur dioxide emissions away from populated areas to the Midwest, improving public health and environmental conditions in the Northeast and East. Health-related benefits are estimated at $125 million annually.
Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory implemented an automated computer system to operate naval plants, improving cost efficiency and reliability. The program has resulted in annual savings of nearly $800,000, with individual sites experiencing significant improvements.
The PowerDigm solid-state transfer switch is being installed at Ford Motor Co.'s Sheldon Road Plant to protect against costly power interruptions. The switch can sense disturbances in one power source and automatically switch to a different source, improving reliability and reducing outages.