Articles tagged with Sustainable Energy
A new study by the University of Sussex Business School reveals that countries signing up to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) have seen significant reductions in carbon emissions, with an average decrease of 13% between 2000 and 2014. In contrast, the world average carbon footprint per capita grew by 23% over th...
Researchers analyze how our minds plan resource use to reduce excessive energy consumption and carbon emissions. They propose concrete strategies to fine-tune policy instruments and promote sustainable behavior, taking into account cognitive mechanisms such as spillover effects, rebound effects, and mental accounting labels.
A new passive radiative device, Janus emitter, absorbs heat from the inside of an enclosure and emits it on the outside, creating a sustainable way to keep temperatures low. The technology has potential applications in stationary vehicles, building interiors, and solar cells.
A collaboration between NREL and the University of Portsmouth has led to breakthroughs in understanding how enzymes like PETase and MHETase work together to degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. The research reveals that combining these two synergistic enzymes significantly improves their ability to break down PET.
A new study estimates that the energy needed to provide decent living standards in 2050 could be met with less than 40% of today's global energy, roughly equivalent to levels in the 1960s. The research suggests that sweeping changes in consumption and widespread deployment of advanced technologies are necessary for achieving this goal.
Sodium-ion batteries have great potential to represent the next generation of low cost and environmentally friendly energy storage solutions. The technology offers attractive properties such as low cost, sustainable precursors, and secure raw material supplies.
The UH research center is collaborating with the Southern States Energy Board to accelerate the deployment of carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies. The partnership aims to address early technology deployment risks through workforce development and public-private partnerships.
A new UMass Amherst program, Elevating Equity Values in the Transition of the Energy system (ELEVATE), brings together experts in energy technology and social justice to develop pathways for a sustainable energy transition that promotes socioeconomic equity. The program aims to create technological and policy solutions that reimagine t...
Researchers at USC Viterbi develop a method to upcycle carbon dioxide emissions into polymers and other materials using sunlight, breaking the need for energy-intensive processes. High school student researcher Samantha J. Gomez contributes to the study, which aims to reduce environmental impacts.
Researchers have designed an off-grid, low-cost modular energy source that can efficiently produce power at night. The rooftop radiative cooling system uses commercially available technology and can generate up to 2.2 Watts per square meter, enough to power sensors in security or environmental applications.
UC Riverside engineers develop a process to transform PET plastic into a nanomaterial useful for energy storage. The breakthrough reduces plastic pollution and could lower battery costs, enabling the widespread adoption of electric cars by 2040.
Researchers at KIT and Jilin University developed lithium lanthanum titanate (LLTO) as a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries. LLTO enables higher energy density, power density, and charging rate while improving safety and cycle life.
Researchers discovered a new chemical approach using lithium hydroxide as a catalyst, enabling efficient production of biodiesel from cooking oil waste. The method achieved an average yield of 90% and showed promising results for future studies on biofuel production.
Researchers at NREL conducted the first global assessment of solar panel recycling approaches. They recommend focusing on high-value silicon purification and exploring techno-economic analyses to mitigate environmental impacts. The study aims to contribute to a PV circular economy, reducing waste and conserving valuable materials.
Researchers used fixed effects regression techniques to analyze photovoltaic performance degradation over time. They found that newer projects have degraded at a slower rate than older ones, suggesting photovoltaics technology has improved over time.
Researchers at NREL have found that driving electric vehicles can save motorists as much as $14,500 on fuel costs over 15 years. The study considered state-by-state differences and the cost of charging equipment and installation costs to estimate total fuel cost savings.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed a new rapid-prototyping system to accelerate the design of biological systems, reducing production time from months to weeks. The iPROBE platform leverages cell-free synthetic biology and computational design algorithms to discover optimal biosynthetic pathways for sustainable chemicals.
Researchers at TU Dresden are developing nanostructured porous carbon materials for sustainable energy applications. Prof. Qiang Xu joins the team to advance hydrogen evolution catalysis and electrical energy storage.
A study by Jacek Kapica identifies three indicators to help find the perfect size for renewable wind and solar energy storage facilities while optimizing energy harvesting. Increasing power reliability influences the nominal power of energy generation units at a given size of storage.
Three community-based organizations, Mee Panyar from Myanmar, Solar Freeze from Kenya, and Takataka Plastics from Uganda, have won the first Stanford Global Energy Heroes prizes. They will receive $20,000 and a trip to Stanford for the Global Energy Forum. The organizations are working on projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions a...
A conference of over 400 scientists highlights the need for transformative change in energy systems and lifestyles to combat climate change. They emphasize the importance of framing sustainability as a shared goal that benefits health and the environment, rather than just addressing climate change alone.
A new membrane-based technique recovers ammonia from urine while removing it as a pollutant from waste streams. This innovation uses moderate temperatures and recycle the ammonia for reuse in fertilizer, providing a more sustainable approach to nitrogen production.
Researchers at RMIT University designed a solar chimney that optimises energy saving and fire safety, increasing evacuation time from two minutes to over 14 minutes. The design maximises ventilation for cooling and sucks smoke out of the building in case of fire.
A new study found that telecommuting may have limited energy savings due to increased travel for recreation and other purposes. Studies with more rigorous methodologies showed less clear-cut results, highlighting the complexity of modern work patterns.
The University of Stirling has received £1.2 million to study global sustainability, with a focus on resolving conflicts between the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The project will use hydropower as a model system to identify and mitigate issues caused by competing objectives.
Scientists at NREL have fabricated a solar cell with an efficiency of nearly 50%, setting two world records for the highest solar conversion efficiency. The six-junction solar cell can be used in concentrator photovoltaics to reduce material usage and increase efficiency.
Researchers have created an all-organic proton battery with the ability to charge in seconds and retain capacity down to -24°C. The battery uses quinones as active material and an acidic aqueous solution as electrolyte, providing a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional batteries
Researchers have developed a graphene system that combines superconducting, insulating, and ferromagnetic properties, enabling new physics experiments and potential applications in quantum computing. The device was created using an ultrathin trilayer graphene structure with boron nitride layers.
Scientists have successfully manipulated individual atoms to exhibit collective behavior, a crucial step towards creating room-temperature superconductors. The study uses atomic manipulation to place cobalt atoms on copper surfaces in a perfectly ordered pattern, demonstrating the potential for higher temperatures.
Researchers have designed a new approach to power system operation that uses multiple microgrids to provide electricity to smaller areas, reducing the risk of power outages. By conserving energy and using locally available generating reserves, these islanded systems can keep the lights on for longer periods.
A research team, led by Caroline Krejci, is developing a framework to analyze food, energy, and water systems in the Des Moines area. The project aims to test the impact of different policies on farmer and consumer decisions, with the goal of promoting sustainable cities.
Researchers found that seasonal pumped hydropower storage has considerable potential for highly competitive energy storage costs, with estimated global energy storage potential of 17.3 PWh. The study also addresses environmental concerns related to traditional hydropower plants, suggesting a more sustainable solution for renewable ener...
A Swansea-led team will assess the impact of integrating renewable energy sources on the UK power grid, focusing on harmonic generation and transfer. The research aims to develop accurate models for devices and power systems, combining detailed converter models with simplified representations.
By combining pump-probe measurements with theoretical simulations, researchers can now observe the energy flow in acetone at a key energy window between closely related states. This synergy of experimental and theoretical methods provides new insights into light-matter interactions and molecular dynamics.
African charcoal production supports nomadic lifestyles, while its large-scale use contributes to deforestation. Despite efforts to regulate, charcoal remains a significant source of energy worldwide, with millions of metric tons produced annually.
Research shows that personal energy choices can be contagious, influenced by social norms, observation, word-of-mouth communication, and trusted community leaders. The study identifies factors that affect the impact of peer influence, including individual characteristics, relationship strength, learning processes, and behavior complexity.
Researchers at Los Alamos National Laboratory have developed a new product that converts biomass-derived acetone into a cyclobutane, a high-energy-density fuel additive. This process reduces the need for hydrogen treatment and generates carbon dioxide, offering environmental benefits and improving US energy security.
Researchers have developed a coating that releases water vapor to dissipate heat from running devices, outperforming existing strategies in cooling efficiency. The coating uses metal organic frameworks (MOFs) and can absorb moisture from the air, providing effective cooling and quick recovery.
A new device uses specialized polymer electrodes to reduce arsenic in water by over 90% while using less energy than traditional methods. The process is powered by electrochemical reactions, making it suitable for field deployment in areas with limited electricity.
Researchers used Life Cycle Assessment to identify environmental hotspots in the production of lactic acid, a key bioplastic. The study found that heavy solvent usage and black energy consumption can negatively impact sustainability. Additionally, the development phase is crucial for identifying and addressing these hotspots.
Researchers at University of Leeds and Procter & Gamble found that shorter, cooler washes can significantly extend garment lifespan and reduce microfiber release by up to 52%. This reduces environmental impact, as microfibers contribute to ocean pollution.
The global low-carbon revolution faces a significant threat unless new governance mechanisms are established to ensure a sustainable supply of rare minerals and metals. The extraction and processing of these materials poses environmental and social risks, and their growing demand could lead to shortages and market instability.
A series of five-year tests measured solar panel performance, providing data for better error correction factors and choosing the most efficient panels. The results highlight a simple data aggregation method that yields reasonable results without bias.
Researchers at NREL have discovered a novel oxygenate molecule that can be produced from biomass, showing promise as a blend for diesel fuel. Initial results suggest improved ignition quality, reduced sooting, and fuel economy gains.
Scientists developed a two-scale coupled momentum balance method to simulate wind farm aerodynamics, accounting for the impact of turbine towers. This updated model helps understand the potential impact of wind turbine support structures on the wind farm blockage effect.
A McGill-led study found that people's reluctance to give up traditional stoves is linked to factors like age, education, and self-reported health. The study highlights the need for better understanding of household motivations to encourage a successful transition to clean energy.
A new policy brief highlights the risks of an uneven low-carbon energy transition and provides concrete proposals to prevent such risks. The authors recommend focusing on 'just transitions', accelerating technology transfer initiatives, and coordinating financial flows for energy transitions in developing countries.
Expert survey reveals conflict between renewable energy and bat protection, with most stakeholders agreeing that ecosystem sustainability is crucial. Possible solutions include accepting reduced wind turbine efficiency to compensate for shutdown times and prioritizing bat conservation over green electricity production.
A new analysis by ORNL and collaborators found that a single-step catalytic conversion process can produce blendstocks at $2/gigajoule and $1.44/GJ in the future, competitive with conventional jet fuel. The process uses a zeolite catalyst to directly convert wet ethanol into hydrocarbon chains.
A survey of stakeholders in the wind energy field reveals a consensus on prioritizing biodiversity protection over climate change concerns. Stakeholders agree that measures to make wind energy production ecologically sustainable should be taken, with most suggesting increased research and improved efficiency.
The American Chemical Society has identified 10 emerging start-ups revolutionizing the field of chemistry, from pharmaceuticals to green chemistry processes. These companies are addressing global issues such as microcontaminant removal, sustainable materials, and climate change.
The Dartmouth team aims to create sustainable technological solutions that will benefit communities worldwide, focusing on renewable energy and reducing dependence on diesel and fossil fuels. The four-year project is expected to improve living standards while promoting a more sustainable society.
The five-year grant, awarded by the USDA, aims to transform nutrition and water use in the poultry industry. Researchers will explore alternative feed proteins, such as microalgae, to improve production efficiency and quality while reducing competition with food sources.
China's annual carbon emissions growth declined significantly from 10% to 0.3% between 2002-2012 and 2012-2017, respectively. The slowdown is attributed to China's focus on high-quality development, improving energy efficiency, and shifting consumption patterns.
The study uses a unique processing technique to create a polymer film capacitor with record-high energy density, promising a step change in the field of dielectric capacitors. This innovation could enable efficient and low-cost electric energy storage systems for intermittent renewable energy sources.
Researchers from RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science have found that optimal binding energies can deviate from traditional calculations at high reaction rates. This discovery may lead to the development of novel catalysts using less expensive and environmentally friendly materials.
A new standard of reference for assessing solar forecast has been proposed, combining climatology and persistence methods to gauge forecaster performance. The combined approach provides a way to compare forecasters' skills and determine the best forecasting methods.
A Michigan State University study found that fundamentalist Christians are more likely to engage in pro-environmental behaviors such as conserving water and energy. However, their willingness to sacrifice for the environment does not extend to addressing climate change and protecting biodiversity.
A team of researchers led by Ohio University's Jason Trembly has received a $2 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop coal-based composite decking boards. The project aims to utilize coal in the manufacture of construction composite building materials, resulting in lower energy consumption and emissions.
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.