Articles tagged with Wind Power
Researchers tracked seals' movements using GPS and found some individuals repeatedly visiting offshore wind farms, where they foraged on turbines and pipelines. This behavior suggests that man-made structures serve as attractive hunting grounds, potentially impacting seal populations and prey availability.
A new study by Monash University found that implementing efficiency measures addressing climate change can reduce water consumption. Energy efficiency measures, such as wind power and solar photovoltaics, were identified as key options for saving water while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Australian researchers advise incorporating water use into climate change policies, as energy-efficient technologies can also reduce water consumption. The study analyzed 74 options and found that renewable options and energy efficiency measures can help save nearly 100 Mmᶾ of water in Australia annually.
Eranda Nikolla's research aims to improve energy efficiency and lessen environmental pollutants by developing robust solid-state electrochemical systems. Her project will utilize a combination of experimental and theoretical techniques to design efficient electrocatalysts for CO2 conversion, producing syngas.
Finland is developing a new energy system for storing solar and wind energy, targeting greenhouse gas reduction and energy self-sufficiency. The NEO-CARBON ENERGY project aims to create Finnish companies' international RÝ competitiveness and explore business opportunities in the global market.
A global study suggests that capturing CO2 emissions is essential to meet ambitious climate targets. Bioenergy and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies can help reduce non-electric energy-related emissions, but their risks need to be investigated further.
Researchers developed a water-based organic battery that is long-lasting, cheap, and environmentally friendly. The battery uses no metals or toxic materials and can store large amounts of energy, making it a potential solution to the nation's renewable energy challenges.
Net energy analysis provides a quantitative way to compare energy production with energy required for technology development and maintenance. The technique can identify potential costs and barriers to technology development that conventional financial analysis might not reveal.
A team of University of Minnesota researchers used natural snow to measure airflow around large wind turbines, revealing significant differences in patterns at the large-scale compared to lab measurements. This technique is crucial for improving wind energy efficiency, which can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.
The US Department of Energy has renewed funding for Brookhaven's Center for Emergent Superconductivity, aiming to understand the fundamental nature of superconductivity in complex materials. This could revolutionize energy distribution and storage by enabling efficient transport and storage of vast quantities of energy.
The Sopcawind project develops a multidisciplinary database to analyze the impact of wind farms on telecommunications systems, ensuring fluid design processes and minimizing potential interference. The tool facilitates wind farm development while preserving existing telecommunications systems.
Renewable energy capacity surged globally, driven by supportive policies in emerging economies. Over 95 nations now have renewable energy growth policies in place, accounting for 56% of net additions to global power capacity. Renewables accounted for 22% of the world's power production and 19% of global final energy consumption.
A new concept for counter-rotating wind turbines in tandem arrangements has been developed to improve power production performance. Experimental studies have shown that this configuration can increase energy utilization by up to 20%, particularly beneficial for onshore wind farms with smaller spacing between turbines.
Researchers propose using direct current lines to improve power transmission and balance renewable energy production. The GISEL group develops new VSC technology for converters, offering advantages in controlling power transmission and reducing losses.
The golden eagle genome sheds light on the species' vision, suggesting that ultraviolet light is not as sensitive as previously thought. The study also reveals a sharper sense of smell than initially believed, which could aid in tracking populations and monitoring mortality.
Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a way to convert cellulose from trees into nitrogen-doped nanoporous carbon membranes, used in high-power energy storage devices called supercapacitors. This single-step reaction could enable mass production of these devices at lower cost.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University developed a new method to study wake effects in wind farms, challenging conventional wisdom on the best arrangement of turbines. They found that an 'intermediate' staggering, where rows are imperfectly offset, can improve power output in some cases.
Researchers at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft have developed systems to process large amounts of industrial data, increasing plant availability and reducing energy consumption. By analyzing data in real-time, operators can quickly identify and eliminate disruptions, optimizing production processes.
Researchers from Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft have developed a software platform to bring together small energy providers in a virtual power plant, ensuring reliable grid operation. The system optimizes energy use and storage, allowing for efficient management of distributed energy sources.
A Stanford University study finds that wind farms can afford lots of grid-scale storage to support up to three days of uninterrupted power. In contrast, the solar industry can only afford about 24 hours of energy storage due to the high energy required for manufacturing solar panels.
The Fraunhofer Institute's micro smart grid demonstrator is designed to manage EV fleets efficiently, avoiding short circuits during peak load times. The system aims to provide electricity exclusively from renewable sources, reducing the country's reliance on imported electricity and mitigating power outages.
Research by the University of Delaware and Stanford University shows that offshore wind turbines can buffer damage to coastal cities during hurricanes. The study found that large wind farms with tens of thousands of turbines can slow down hurricane winds, reduce wave heights, and decrease storm surge.
A Stanford-led study found that large arrays of offshore wind turbines can disrupt hurricanes enough to reduce peak wind speeds by up to 92 mph. The turbines' energy extraction also decreases storm surge by up to 79 percent.
A team of University of Vermont scientists has developed a novel solution to manage the growing fleet of plug-in electric cars, allowing them to charge in smaller chunks and distribute demand over time. The approach uses smart meters and computer algorithms to smooth out supply and demand, protecting grid overload.
Researchers analyzed UK wind farms and found that turbines produce three-quarters of their original output after 19 years, compared to a third after ten years. The study suggests that wind farms are an effective long-term investment and can help the UK tackle future energy challenges.
Researchers have developed a technological system to measure wind turbine oscillations from a distance of several hundred meters. The system uses a laser that automatically tracks the motion of rotor blades, collecting data on precise positions and building a model of rotary motion.
A NREL study reveals that wind power technology can assist the power grid by controlling active power output, improving system reliability. The research also shows that providing active power control services to wind turbines can be economically viable and is essential for better integrating variable generation into electric systems.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a new humidity-driven generator using bacterial spores, which can generate 1000 times more force than human muscle. The prototype captures just a small percentage of the energy released by evaporation, but could provide a new source of renewable energy if scaled up.
A new multi-model analysis suggests that achieving a 40% reduction in EU emissions by 2030 is feasible and would require little to no additional costs. The study, led by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, found that technological innovation could help reduce costs and meet long-term climate targets.
Wind farms can worsen oscillations in power grids if sited incorrectly. Researchers developed algorithms that match control efforts between wind farms and energy storage facilities to mitigate these effects, restoring stable grid behavior. This approach is crucial for the increasing integration of wind energy into the US power grid.
The 2012 Renewable Energy Data Book reports a significant increase in US renewable electricity capacity, with installed capacity over 163 GW and renewables accounting for 56% of new electrical capacity installations. Wind and solar PV were among the fastest-growing electric generation technologies.
A new study from the University of Colorado Denver estimates that wind turbines killed over 600,000 bats in 2012, a significant blow to pollination and insect control. The study found that areas near the Appalachian Mountains had the highest bat fatality rates, with some species experiencing fatalities of up to 40%.
A new estimate suggests that more than 600,000 bats likely died from wind turbine collisions in the contiguous US in 2012. Bat populations are already under stress due to climate change and disease, making this figure particularly worrisome for their already slow growth rates.
Researchers at UTSA aim to reduce wind turbine lifespan by studying turbulence effects; they will use advanced computational modeling to simulate aerodynamics of rotating turbines. The study's findings may lower wind energy costs and improve wind farm efficiency.
A new study assesses the impact of offshore wind farm construction on marine mammals, providing a framework to mitigate potential harm. The research focuses on harbor seals and could inform climate change targets while protecting endangered species.
Researchers at the University of Delaware found staggering results in arranging wind turbines to improve performance. Staggering and spacing out turbines can increase efficiency by up to 33 percent, according to a new study published in Geophysical Research Letters.
Eleven Stanford researchers have received funding for promising new clean energy and efficiency projects, including studies on hybrid car performance, natural ventilation systems, and smart meter data analysis. The awards total $2.2 million and support early work on concepts with high potential impact on energy production and use.
Researchers are developing a new type of battery that uses copper foam to increase power density and reduce volume. The new battery aims to store the same amount of energy in two-thirds the volume, charge five to ten times faster, and last up to ten times longer than conventional batteries.
Researchers developed a new model to measure changes in air flow patterns affecting wind turbines' output power. The study found that energy can be transferred to wind turbines from both above and below the blades, expanding our understanding of wind turbine performance.
A new study from MIT and SFI reveals a significant rise in renewable-energy patents, driven by research investments and market growth. Patents for solar and wind energy increased dramatically between 2004 and 2009, while fossil-fuel technologies showed modest growth.
The study finds that high levels of wind and solar power reduce fossil fuel costs by $7 billion per year, while incurring cycling costs of $35 million to $157 million. Cycling increases operations and maintenance costs by $0.47 to $1.28 per megawatt-hour of generation.
A study by Stanford University researchers found that grid-scale batteries make sense for storing surplus solar energy, but not for wind. This is because the energetic cost of storing wind-generated electricity is lower than curtailment, making it more energetically efficient to shut down wind turbines.
A new NREL study indicates that wind and solar power electricity generation could become cost-competitive with natural gas by 2025 in certain regions of the West. The report identifies areas where renewable energy development is likely to occur, including Wyoming, New Mexico, Montana, and Idaho.
A comprehensive US study of over 50,000 home sales near 67 wind facilities found no measurable impact on nearby property values. The researchers controlled for various factors using sophisticated techniques, supporting previous findings that widespread impacts from wind turbines are likely to be small or non-existent.
A new rechargeable flow battery has been engineered by MIT researchers, generating three times as much power per square centimeter as other membraneless systems. The device stores and releases energy through laminar flow, without relying on expensive membranes, and may enable cheaper, large-scale energy storage.
A new report reveals that 68% of US wind turbines installed between 2003-2012 were for distributed wind projects, generating 812 megawatts of power. This represents a significant shift towards local energy production, with large turbines being used in more distributed wind projects.
The NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center has been recognized as a leader in sustainability, achieving a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold certification. The facility's ultra-efficient cooling tower configuration and use of native species for landscaping enable water savings of up to 6 million gallons per year.
A 7-year Kansas State University study found that wind turbines have little effect on greater prairie chicken populations. Female survival rates increased after turbine installation, possibly due to reduced predator presence. Conservation management practices, such as grazing and fire management, had the strongest impact on bird habitats.
The US Department of Energy has commissioned the Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) facility to investigate and develop technology for wind plants. The facility will host research on improving wind plant performance, with a focus on reducing energy losses due to complex wind interactions.
Researchers found that hydropower could accommodate unexpected variations in wind energy, but only if operating guidelines were relaxed over a two-week period. Changing these guidelines is complex and may require congressional action, according to Penn State researchers.
Researchers have created a battery made from wood coated with tin that shows promise for becoming a tiny, long-lasting and efficient energy source. The device performed successfully through 400 charge-discharge cycles, making it suitable for large-scale energy storage applications such as wind farms or solar energy installations.
Researchers have developed hand-held instruments powered by scavenged energy to analyze water quality and bridge safety in the field. The devices use sophisticated photonics systems to generate spectral signatures for identification, with potential applications including wearable biomedical monitors and tracking devices.
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 have designed a low-cost, long-life battery that can regulate natural fluctuations in solar and wind energy. The new battery uses lithium and sulfur molecules and has excellent energy-storage performance through over 2,000 charges and discharges.
The global solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is making positive strides in reducing its energy debt, with electricity generated by all installed PV panels likely surpassing energy used to manufacture new modules. Continued technological advances and efficient conversion of sunlight into electricity are key factors driving this progress.
Researchers at the University of Calgary have developed a new, affordable catalyst for converting electricity into chemical energy, enabling the efficient storage and reuse of solar and wind power. The breakthrough technology has the potential to support a large-scale clean energy economy.
Researchers propose a new strategy to optimize power-generation efficiency in fluctuating wind conditions by predicting maximum turbine generation capacity and incorporating various factors. The approach shows promise in improving power-generation efficiency, but further refinement is needed based on local conditions.
A new study proposes converting New York's all-purpose energy infrastructure to renewable energy sources like wind, water, and sunlight. The plan aims to reduce pollution-related costs, create local jobs, and save the state billions of dollars annually.
Researchers at Stanford University have found that the majority of grid-scale battery technologies have high embodied-energy costs compared to pumped hydroelectric storage. Improved cycle life can reduce long-term energetic costs for batteries, making them a more practical option.
Researchers at Northwestern University have identified conditions for a self-healing power grid, which can synchronize spontaneously and recover from failures in real-time. By applying these guidelines, power companies can reduce the frequency of blackouts and improve the reliability of renewable energy sources.