Articles tagged with Sustainable Energy
Scientists at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have developed a carbon-based active material produced from apple leftovers with excellent electrochemical properties. The material is part of an effort to create environmentally friendly and sustainable energy storage systems.
The Integrated Urban Metabolism Analytical Tool (IUMAT) will measure, evaluate and predict the impacts of urban systems on climate change and energy security. The tool aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of urban sustainability policies to guide growth and development in a coordinated, sustainable way.
Researchers found that by-product metals and minerals are indeed more price volatile than commodity materials, with a 50% increase in volatility over the past 50 years. However, monthly price data showed mixed evidence, which may be attributed to smaller transaction volumes and unchanged published prices for several months at a time.
Investment in renewable electricity surpasses that in fossil fuels globally, according to University of Exeter expert. The shift towards sustainable energy systems is driven by improved policy discourse and decreasing costs, with momentum growing towards a flexible, renewable-based electricity system.
Researchers at University of Bath found that life transitions like moving house can provide a window of opportunity to instill better environmental behaviors, such as recycling and energy use. The study suggests that targeted interventions during these times are more effective than blanket campaigns.
A new study using the MIVES method has assessed the sustainability of various energy sources, including conventional and renewable power plants. Renewable energies consistently score higher in sustainability indices compared to conventional power plants.
A new study by Gerrit Hansen and Dáithí Stone reveals that almost two-thirds of regional climate impacts can confidently be attributed to human-generated emissions. However, the link for trends in precipitation remains unclear due to insufficient observational data in some regions.
Researchers from the US Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have published a study revealing the key market and system drivers for low-priced solar photovoltaic systems. The analysis finds that low-priced systems are more prevalent in local markets with fewer active installers, and are often customer-owned, lar...
Researchers are mining existing landfills to recycle materials and convert them into energy, boosting methane production. This approach could extend a landfill's lifespan from 25-30 years to over 150 years, reducing the need for new landfills in urban areas.
A Berkeley Lab-led team has identified mechanisms that make the new CrMnFeCoNi alloy incredibly tough and strong at room temperature. The alloy's unique nanoscale mechanisms, including crack bridging and three-dimensional stacking fault defects, work together to resist damage.
Researchers at NREL have developed a new approach to producing hydrogen using solar energy, which uses molecular catalysts instead of precious metals. The new method showed comparable activity to metal-based catalysts and has the potential to be scalable and cost-effective.
Researchers at NREL have developed a new photoelectrochemical process for producing hydrogen that uses molecular catalysts instead of precious metals. The new method is more efficient and cost-effective, making it a promising solution for scalable hydrogen production.
A new flow battery technology using organic aqueous materials is expected to cost 60% less than current standard flow batteries. The battery's active materials are inexpensive organic molecules, making it a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option.
The UTSA-led team will design and develop piezoelectric sensors to generate electricity from moving vehicles, powering roadside lights, traffic signals, and electric car charging stations. This technology has been field-tested in US and international studies, offering a clean alternative to fossil fuel-generated power.
Scientists at NREL have developed a new probe to monitor the formation and decay of fields within photoelectrodes, enabling better understanding of their photophysics. This breakthrough could lead to improvements in the design of more efficient and stable photoelectrochemical cells for solar energy conversion.
A study by Osaka University reveals that household income, actual energy consumption, and perception of savings are closely linked. The research found growing gaps between consumption behavior and perceptions of conservation, particularly among high and moderate energy consumers.
A University of Texas at Arlington engineer is co-leading a team to develop tools that can convert temperature changes into electrical energy. The goal is to create energy-harvesting microdevices for sensing systems and other applications, which could have a widespread impact on meeting the global energy challenge.
The Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford University has awarded $2.1 million in seed grants to support promising clean energy research. The projects focus on developing new technologies for solar energy, nuclear waste management, and biofuels, with the goal of reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Mirabbos Hojamberdiev, a senior researcher from Uzbekistan, has won the 2015 Atta-ur-Rahman Prize for his innovative work on producing hydrogen from water using inorganic crystals under visible light. His research aims to develop sustainable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A Florida State University researcher has discovered an artificial material that efficiently captures sunlight and breaks it down into oxygen and hydrogen. This process could be used to forge new energy sources in a carbon-neutral way.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab solved the structure of lithium- and manganese-rich transition metal oxides using complementary microscopy and spectroscopy techniques. The study revealed that the material is defected single-phase monoclinic, ruling out two popular theories.
Silicon-based lithium-ion batteries with a 40-60% increase in energy density could power smartphones up to 500 km without recharging. The eco-friendly technology reduces battery weight and enhances vehicle performance.
Researchers analyzed four Canadian cities using RETScreen software and found that geothermal heat pumps are most viable in Halifax. The study suggests that the systems could provide significant financial savings, breaking even within 7 years.
A recent study found that green commercial buildings have higher average rents (3.7%) and occupancy rates (18.7% in Canada, 9.5% in the US) compared to non-green buildings. Tenant satisfaction scores also increased by 7% in Canada.
Researchers at ORNL discovered the atomic mechanism behind tin selenide's high efficiency in converting temperature gradients to electricity. The material's unusual atomic vibrations help prevent 'heat leaks,' maximizing conversion into electricity.
The Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership report outlines innovative means to help realize national CO2 pledges and reduce electricity use. The group urges policymakers to adopt secure, stable, clear, consistent, and long-term policies to foster industry innovation and investment.
Henrique Pombeiro, a Ph.D. candidate at MIT Portugal, has been awarded a Fulbright Research Grant to investigate strategies for improving energy efficiency in buildings without compromising comfort. He will focus on residential and university buildings, developing energy models and frameworks for evaluating feedback mechanisms.
Berkeley Lab's report reveals a 70% decline in PPA prices since 2009, making solar increasingly cost-competitive for utilities. Installed project costs have fallen by over 50%, with median up-front costs dropping from $6.3/W to $3.1/W.
Scientists have developed a method to produce a palladium-based nanomaterial that can efficiently break down formic acid into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The new process surpasses existing heterogeneous catalysts in efficiency, also eliminating the production of carbon monoxide.
A new study from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory found that gaming computers consume 20% of global PC energy use, but can be optimized for up to 75% energy savings through setting changes and component swaps. By doing so, gamers can improve reliability and performance while reducing their carbon footprint.
A new study maps potential wind-power sites and nesting patterns of golden eagles, revealing 'sweet spots' where wind power can coexist with eagle habitats. The research provides a framework for industry and managers to assess potential development and minimize bird deaths.
A comprehensive analysis of electricity reliability trends found that increasingly severe weather is linked to longer-lasting power outages. The study analyzed reports for nearly 70% of U.S. electricity customers spanning 13 years and found a 5-10% increase in the total number of minutes customers are without power each year.
The installed price of US distributed solar PV systems fell 10-20% in 2014 and 6-13% in early 2015, with significant reductions attributed to decreases in solar soft costs. The 'Tracking the Sun' report highlights progress in lowering solar system prices, with substantial variability observed across different market segments.
New research at Binghamton University finds a positive correlation between municipal power companies and increased community-wide sustainable energy policies. Municipal utilities provide financial resources and local expertise, enabling governments to take action on energy conservation and green-energy production.
A Rice University-led consortium has been chosen to establish a new NSF Engineering Research Center to develop compact, mobile, off-grid water-treatment systems. The NEWT Center aims to provide clean water to millions of people who lack it and make U.S. energy production more sustainable and cost-effective.
Wind energy pricing has reached new lows in the US, with turbines becoming economically viable in more locations. The report highlights improvements in turbine scaling and manufacturing costs, making wind power a credible source of new electricity generation.
The book reviews up-to-date accounts promoting energy access in remote areas, covering scientific and technological advances and enabling factors for sustainable development. Experts discuss the importance of coordinated action from governments, private investors, and development funders to achieve sustainable energy for all by 2030.
Student teams at Stanford University have won grants to develop and commercialize innovative energy technologies, including a miniature ultrasound sensor for windmill blades that can detect potential failures. The projects aim to reduce costs and improve efficiency in clean energy sectors, with the goal of creating sustainable entrepre...
Researchers are exploring how indoor home microbial environments change after whole-house weatherization projects, aiming to understand the impact on human health. The study will analyze ventilation-system design and its influence on exposure to airborne microorganisms.
Researchers at NREL have identified battery second-use strategies that can offset vehicle expenses while improving utility grid stability. Reusing Li-ion batteries can retain up to 70% of their initial capacity and provide a credit of $1,000 to car owners.
The study explores how retail rate design affects PV deployment, finding dramatic impacts from -14% to -61%. Increased solar deployment can lead to changes in compensation levels that accelerate or dampen further deployment.
The UT Arlington team has developed an all-vanadium photo-electrochemical flow cell that enables large-scale solar energy storage even at night. This innovation overcomes a major limitation of current solar technology, allowing for uninterrupted energy storage around the clock.
The collaboration aims to provide diverse sources of investment for solar PV asset development in China, reducing future CO2 emissions. NREL will advise CPVFA on documentation standardization, data availability, and consistency in asset deployment.
Researchers found that Chinook winds precede significant shifts in wind power output, allowing grid operators to better manage energy supply. The study's findings have implications for wind energy's success on a massive scale.
Researchers analyzed data from 20 states to determine the average cost of saving electricity through utility customer-funded energy efficiency programs. The study found that efficiency programs and participants split the cost almost equally, with home lighting programs driving costs down.
The NREL has released updated guidelines for PV manufacturer quality assurance to ensure reliable performance of solar technologies. The guidelines, developed by an international task force, aim to maintain investor, utility, and consumer confidence in PV system performance.
A new method to simulate soiling and weathering processes has been approved by ASTM International, reducing product rating time from three years to just three days. This allows for the introduction of high-performance cool roofs worldwide.
The new report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current bioenergy landscape, technology, production financing systems, and markets. It highlights opportunities for enhancing energy security and mitigating climate change through advanced biomass conversion technologies.
Researchers at the University of South Carolina and Clemson University have discovered a way to improve the transport of oxygen ions in batteries and fuel cells. This breakthrough could lead to faster and more efficient energy conversion devices with significantly enhanced performance, increasing energy efficiency.
The EnerGAware project uses a specially devised game for smartphones and tablets to encourage affordable housing residents to adopt energy-efficient practices. The three-year initiative also enhances IT literacy and promotes community engagement.
Researchers at the University of Houston have discovered a conductive electron-transporting polymer that offers significant electronic conductivity and stability. The lithium-doped naphthalene-bithiophene polymer enables ultrafast battery applications, with record-setting charge-discharge performance.
The NREL tool uses Battery Lifetime Analysis and Simulation Tool (BLAST) to evaluate unique scenarios and identify the most cost-effective energy storage system configurations. Small battery systems reducing peak demand by 2.5 percent offer the most attractive return on investment.
Scientists have found a method to electrically read out the orientation of magnetic vortices in nanodisks using characteristic microwaves. This knowledge could be used in novel memory technology and wireless data transmission.
A recent NREL report examines the PV interconnection process in the US, revealing that delays can range from several days to months. The study found that streamlining application review and final authorization processes can benefit utilities and solar consumers by reducing time and cost associated with going solar.
Two NREL reports analyze the economic options for financing commercial and residential solar energy systems. Analyzing banking opportunities in the US distributed photovoltaic market and examining commercial retailers' decisions on PV-financing strategies, the reports found that businesses can save up to 30% by using low-cost financing...
The 2013 Renewable Energy Data Book reports a significant increase in installed renewable capacity in the US. Key findings include solar electricity's rapid growth and renewable sources accounting for 23% of global electricity generation worldwide.
A team of researchers has developed a new sizing system for hybrid photovoltaic panel/battery systems using fuzzy logic, which can determine optimal panel surfaces and battery capacity. The system was verified through simulations and demonstrated effectiveness in optimizing cost and losses.
Marriott International partners with UTSA to improve its energy efficiency, leveraging Bing Dong's proprietary tool for real-time occupant behavior analysis and data-driven energy-saving recommendations. The partnership aims to reduce the company's global energy footprint by 20% by 2020.
A new UC Berkeley study shows that combining biomass electricity production with carbon capture and sequestration can store more carbon than emitted, making the western US a critical contributor to an overall zero-carbon future. The technology could reduce emissions by up to 80% by 2050 and even become carbon-negative.
Renewable electricity in the US grew to nearly 15% of total installed capacity and 13% of total electricity generation in 2013. Solar electricity was the fastest growing technology, with a 66% increase in cumulative installed capacity from the previous year.