Articles tagged with Sustainable Energy
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 Arizona State University have developed new technologies that combine light-gathering semiconductors and catalytic materials to produce clean fuel. The technologies use solar energy to drive chemical reactions capable of producing fuels, which store the sun's energy in chemical bonds.
The world faces an urgent need for a global agenda to manage sand, a key ingredient in modern life. With rapid urbanization and population growth driving high demand, the global sand extraction rate is projected to increase by 300% between 2000-2100.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed an historically accurate solar energy model with global, regional and local level performance data made available via open license. The model will help in optimizing future sustainable energy systems by analyzing photovoltaic installations.
Researchers mapped radiative cooling resource maps to determine the best climates for large-scale deployment of passive cooling technologies. Locations with drier atmospheres and most frequent clear skies show great potential for reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint.
A new analysis reveals that energy availability and benign climate conditions played a crucial role in shaping societal development over the past 10,000 years. The study found that abundant energy led to societal expansion and prosperity, while declining energy sources resulted in contraction and collapse.
The €2m High Performance Computing (HPC) project aims to optimise the sustainable exploitation of wind power. Annual energy production by wind turbines reached around 10.4 per cent in the EU, with Brazil experiencing over 10 per cent annual growth.
Researchers have integrated power grid considerations into the model of a newly planned net-zero energy district, enabling expansion of sustainable urban areas. The study found that centralized planning provides a means to proactively ensure reliable electricity service and mitigate daily and seasonal fluctuations.
Researchers have developed a method to produce diesel fuel and hydrogen by harnessing light energy and biomass-derived feedstocks. The process uses light energy to drive the valorization of downstream biomass products, resulting in high-light transformation efficiencies and higher rates of hydrogen production.
A new study found that humans can only burn calories at 2.5 times their resting metabolic rate before the body starts breaking down tissues to make up for the caloric deficit. This limit is linked to the digestive process and applies to various endurance activities, including marathons, ultra-marathons, and pregnancy.
Researchers have developed a strategy for using floating ocean devices to provide emergency electricity to affected areas, potentially reducing recovery time. The new approach uses variational calculus to optimize the deployment of multiple wave energy devices in a daisy chain configuration.
Engineers have released a freely available quality-controlled dataset from 1,287 residential installations across Australia to improve solar forecasting and grid management. The dataset provides six months' worth of measurements from three different cities, allowing for controlled analysis and spatial analysis.
Researchers at Cornell University have discovered engineered electroactive microbes that can borrow electrons from solar or wind power to break down carbon dioxide molecules. These microbes can then produce biofuels like isobutanol or propanol, which could be used as an alternative energy source.
A collection of papers by industry and academia experts explores the implications of FERC Order 841 on energy storage in the Midwest. The analysis reveals the region's potential as a case study for bringing energy storage to scale, with benefits including increased capacity value of renewables and reduced variability.
DGIST and CNR-ITAE agreed on a memorandum of understanding to share energy research information and promote human resource exchanges. The two institutions will focus on sustainable energy applications and technology-intensive energy use.
Two papers by Michigan State University scientists introduce a new framework to analyze the complex interactions between global water and energy trade. The nexus approach reveals unexpected impacts, including provinces losing one resource while gaining another, and virtual energy transfers driving inequality.
A novel fluorescence probe technique reveals the distribution of active lithium on lithium metal anodes, enabling differentiation between dendrites and dead lithium. This technique aids in understanding battery malfunctions and optimizing new battery structures.
A University of Michigan study found that self-driving cars could partially or completely offset energy savings due to induced driving miles. The researchers estimated that a 38% reduction in perceived travel time cost would eliminate fuel savings, suggesting the possibility of 'backfire' and net increases in energy consumption.
A new recycling process regenerates degraded cathodes from spent lithium-ion batteries, restoring their original capacity and cycle performance. The method uses eutectic lithium salts to dissolve degraded materials without adding pressure, reducing costs and safety concerns.
A new study assesses the environmental sustainability impacts of flying cars and finds that they could outperform ground-based cars for longer trips. For trips over 100 kilometers, fully loaded VTOLs carrying a pilot and three passengers had lower greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline vehicles.
The Cool Coalition aims to inspire ambition and accelerate action on the transition to clean and efficient cooling. By addressing the growing demand for cooling, the coalition seeks to cut global warming, improve people's lives and make huge financial savings.
Patel's work has ushered in possibilities in sustainability and health, enabling widespread adoption of systems that monitor individual health with smartphones. His research closed the gap between science fiction and reality in ubiquitous computing for sustainability and health.
A new class of branched single chain surfactant has been reported to improve oil recovery by 72% in both low and high brine solutions. This efficient surfactant reduces surface and interfacial tension, enabling effective wettability alteration and aggregation structure maintenance under extreme conditions.
A novel refrigerator design using a loop thermosyphon has shown promising results in reducing energy consumption, with an estimated 30% saving. This sustainable energy technology could lead to a significant decrease in household energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers discovered how naturally occurring microbes like Rhodopseudomonas palustris use electrons from conductive substances to fix carbon dioxide. The process is connected to the microbe's ability to store and discharge electrons, similar to a rechargeable battery.
Scientists in China have developed a process to convert plant waste into high-density aviation fuel, reducing CO2 emissions from airplanes. The biofuel has higher density than conventional fuels, allowing aircraft to fly farther and carry more.
Researchers found a persistent flow of total virtual energy from less-populated to energy-abundant provinces in China increased after the financial crisis. The study highlights the need for holistic policy decisions to mitigate energy's environmental impacts.
Researchers at Joint BioEnergy Institute demonstrate that sustainable plant-based bio-jet fuels could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and be economically viable. The study found that optimizing the production process can lower the cost of biofuels to $2.50 per gallon, making them a viable alternative to conventional jet fuels.
Researcher Alex de Vries finds Bitcoin mining mechanism cannot be powered solely by renewable energy, citing variable hydroelectric production and significant electronic waste generation. Alternative 'proof-of-stake' mechanisms could reduce energy consumption by 99.99% and eliminate e-waste.
Researchers at NREL discovered a way to transform discarded plastics into high-quality composite materials, exhibiting twice the strength of petroleum-based FRPs. The process reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, offering a promising solution for boosting recycling efforts worldwide.
A University of Texas at Arlington researcher is leading a high-powered team in the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) Grid Optimization Competition. The team has secured $250,000 in funding and aims to develop software solutions for efficient energy delivery through the nation's power grid.
A study by IIASA estimates large gaps in access to essential space cooling, particularly in India, SE Asia, and sub-Saharan Africa. Filling this gap would require a 14% increase in global residential electricity consumption.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology developed a new approach to calculate the fast estimation of solar energy potential in urban environments. The method uses two parameters derived from the skyline profile, which simplifies calculations and enables quick assessments of large urban areas.
A new centre for doctoral training in renewable energies will be established in North East England, aiming to develop sustainable power sources for smart devices and future transportation systems. Researchers will work on creating new materials and devices that can convert energy into power at the point of use.
Researchers at ICMAB-CSIC create a new thermoelectric material using bacterial cellulose and carbon nanotubes, offering high electrical conductivity and thermal stability. The device has potential applications in Internet of Things, Agriculture 4.0, and Industry 4.0.
A team led by Cornell University's Peng Chen has determined that photocurrent loses approximately 20% of its power as it passes through the interface between nanoparticles. This finding provides a benchmark for designing efficient nanostructured photoelectrodes and solar devices.
Researchers develop a new way to measure solar panel degradation by using past meteorological data and machine learning algorithms. The method allows for real-time inspection and prediction of solar power output, enabling faster repairs and improved forecasting.
Scientists engineered a photorespiratory shortcut to boost crop growth by 40 percent in real-world agronomic conditions. This innovation uses genetic constructs to reroute the process, saving precious energy and resources for more photosynthesis.
Researchers discovered a previously unexplored consequence of global wind energy proliferation: wake effects from upwind facilities that can reduce downwind neighbors' energy production. The study shows that these effects are measurable and predictable, with the largest impact occurring when winds are in a specific direction at night.
Scientists at HZDR create an electronic skin with magnetosensitive capabilities, allowing humans to perceive the Earth's magnetic field. The sensor is thin, malleable, and can be attached to human skin, facilitating interaction in virtual and augmented reality.
The study highlights the social and environmental costs of hydropower dams, including displacement of people and disruption of natural ecosystems. Experts propose alternative technologies like instream turbine technology to transform the hydropower sector and ensure sustainable energy.
Large dams are not sustainable due to environmental and social concerns, but in-stream turbine technology protects fish and delivers energy locally. This technology can be part of a large sustainable energy portfolio combining solar, wind, and biomass energy production.
Researchers at KAUST developed a metal-organic framework that selectively adsorbs hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from natural gas, making it cleaner-burning and more environmentally friendly. The technology could also promote increased use of natural gas worldwide, potentially yielding large environmental and economic benefits.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide modelled the transition to a sustainable energy future, examining the relative productivity of fossil fuels and renewables. The study shows that fuel productivity determines the viability of renewable energy and how economies will transition from fossil fuels to sustainable sources.
Scientists at Swansea University's Energy Safety Research Institute are working on a £20,000 Royal Society Research Grant to create ultra-conductive wires that can transport electricity with improved energy efficiency. By mixing copper with carbon nanotubes, they aim to reduce the 10% of electricity lost in the grid.
A new study presents a unified path for development and conservation, considering the needs of both people and nature. By using leading projections and aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, researchers envision a world in 2050 where human well-being and nature thrive together.
The Extended Continental-scale Hydroeconomic Optimization (ECHO) model integrates hydrological, environmental, economic, and institutional aspects to study continental-scale water management. It considers local constraints and regional policies at multiple spatial scales.
Disruptive startups attract funding quickly but receive less money than conventional counterparts. Investors are drawn to self-proclaimed disruptors who promise extraordinary returns, but may also deter large investments due to perceived risk.
The University of Delaware has secured a four-year funding renewal from the U.S. Department of Energy for its Catalysis Center for Energy Innovation, advancing processes for converting biomass into chemicals and fuels. The center has contributed to over 340 publications and trained more than 350 students in sustainable technologies.
Researchers at ASU have made significant advances in catalysis, a crucial energy technology. Their work, featured on the cover of the October edition of ACS Catalysis, explores electrocatalytic properties of binuclear Cu(II) fused porphyrins for hydrogen evolution.
A majority of U.S. beer drinkers are willing to pay $1.30 more per six-pack for beer produced with sustainable practices. The brewing industry can reap financial benefits from introducing energy-saving practices, according to a new study published in PLOS ONE.
PolyU has received a generous HK$100 million donation from Ir Dr Otto Poon for strategic research in smart city, smart mobility, and sustainable energy. The fund will support the establishment of two research institutes and two endowed professorships.
Researchers at Hokkaido University create photoelectrode that harnesses 85% of visible light, 11 times more efficient than previous methods. The innovative design uses gold nanoparticles to absorb a broad range of wavelengths, enabling efficient conversion of sunlight into renewable energy.
Researchers advise caution on new pebble-bed nuclear reactors due to potential for accidents and inadequate safety measures. The design lacks key safeguards, including a high-pressure containment structure and redundant cooling system, increasing the risk of radioactive material release.
Researchers have successfully controlled plasma instabilities in a way that could lead to the efficient operation of ITER, a key step towards harnessing fusion power. The experiments used high-pressure plasmas and resonant magnetic perturbations to suppress large ELMs and produce benign ones.
Researchers at NYIT have developed a 3D data modeling tool called IN-SOURCE to simulate and visualize the impact of environmental conditions on FEW distribution networks and urban infrastructure. The tool aims to help policymakers make informed decisions about infrastructure investments and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Researchers investigated natural refrigerants as replacements for CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs in geothermal heat pumps to reduce energy consumption and operating costs. They found that ammonia and n-butane are the most economical and environmentally friendly alternatives.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have discovered a method to make the linkages between COFs much more sturdy, giving them new characteristics and expanding their applications. The technique targets weak links and forms resilient bonds that hold up in harsh chemical environments.
The University of Texas at Arlington has received the Excellence in Sustainability Award for its commitment to reducing energy and water consumption. The award recognizes the university's various Earth-conscious initiatives, including bike- and car sharing programs, sustainable materials and designs, and campus green spaces.
Scientists identified nanoscale defects as the cause of voltage fade in Lithium-rich NMC cathode materials. By combining experimental and theoretical approaches, researchers showed that heat treating the materials eliminated most defects, restoring original voltage.