Articles tagged with Wind Power
Iowa State University will lead a five-year project to build the state's research capacity in renewable energy and energy efficiency, supported by a $20 million NSF grant. The program aims to establish Iowa as a leader in transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University have developed innovative superconductors using sapphire fibers, capable of carrying 40 times more electricity than copper wires. This breakthrough has the potential to transform energy transfer, grid stability, and renewable energy collection.
Researchers have developed a new wind turbine blade material that is lighter, tougher, and more durable than current materials. The polyurethane reinforced with carbon nanotubes outperforms existing resins for wind blades applications.
Researchers designed a material that can make energy-storing hydrogen gas 10 times faster than natural enzyme, using inexpensive metals. The synthetic material works at 100,000 molecules of hydrogen gas every second and has potential applications in fuel cells.
The American Chemical Society's new podcast discusses a potential future for the electrical grid powered by renewable energy from the sun and wind. Researchers are developing technologies that can efficiently store and integrate this electricity into the grid.
Researchers at California Institute of Technology have discovered that optimizing wind turbine placement on a given plot of land can increase power output by an order of magnitude. By positioning turbines in close proximity and using vertical-axis wind turbines, the team found that energy loss due to aerodynamic interference between ne...
Researchers at Caltech propose a new wind farm design that places turbines close together, reducing inefficiencies and environmental impacts. The approach uses vertical-axis wind turbines, which provide benefits in turbulent winds, simple designs, and lower profiles.
Acoustics researchers at the University of Adelaide are developing a computer model to predict wind farm noise output, aiming to reduce 'wind turbine syndrome'. The team hopes to control noise through blade shape changes and active devices, improving wind energy efficiency.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are creating an iron-based flow battery to store energy from wind turbines and solar panels. The battery could supply electricity when demand is high, making it a useful alternative to pumped hydro and compressed air systems.
A joint report from Berkeley Lab suggests California can achieve 60% emissions reduction with current technology, while the remaining 20% will require advancements in technologies like artificial photosynthesis and fusion energy. The report recommends electrifying as much as possible, increasing efficiency measures, and changing human ...
Arizona State University will lead a consortium to develop clean energy training programs worldwide, benefiting thousands of people in several countries. The program aims to create curricula around decentralized clean energy technologies, including solar and micro-grid systems.
A pair of Indiana University scientists analyzed regional climate models to assess future wind patterns in the US. They found that most areas will see little or no change in wind density, with high wind potential over the Great Lakes and parts of Mexico.
Scientists analyzed over 300 studies to identify promising energy storage technologies, including high-tech batteries and redox flow batteries. These innovations aim to integrate and store renewable energy efficiently, enabling the growth of sustainable power grids.
A new seismology tip sheet provides critical information on building in hazardous areas near strike-slip faults, as well as tools for predicting quake shaking in Southern California. Researchers also investigated the impact of wind farms on seismic data collection, finding that nearby turbines can cause 'seismic noise'.
Researchers are exploring ways to use distributed energy sources, such as wind turbines, to avoid cascading failures in power grids. The team plans to test their approach using the university's wind turbine and four other wind turbines installed at the Riley County Public Works Facility.
A research team at the University of Pittsburgh is re-engineering the US power grid to deliver electricity from power plants to homes and businesses more efficiently. The goal is to tap into renewable resources like solar and wind power by reducing energy loss and increasing capacity.
A new study by the University of Hawaii at Manoa found that combining on-Oahu wind farms and solar energy could meet over 25% of Oahu's projected electricity demand. The study suggests that implementing large-scale wind and solar projects on Oahu can maintain system reliability while eliminating the need to burn fossil fuels.
A new study published in IBIS reveals that birds see the world differently from humans, with limited spatial detail and enhanced movement detection. This understanding can inform guidelines to reduce bird collisions with obstacles.
A comprehensive review of electrochemical energy storage systems reveals promising technologies like vanadium redox flow, sodium-beta alumina membrane, lithium-ion, and lead-carbon batteries. These systems can store electrical energy in chemicals and release it upon demand, but affordability is key to widespread deployment.
The project develops a new experimental platform for testing wind turbine blades and introduces more realistic loading methods to improve design accuracy. New measuring techniques, including optical digital systems and acoustic emission, are also being developed.
A new study suggests that converting to clean, renewable energy sources is technologically and economically feasible within 20-40 years. The plan involves using wind, water, and solar power to generate electricity, with a focus on combining these sources to overcome variability challenges.
Researchers developed a new formula to determine optimal turbine spacing for large wind farms, suggesting turbines should be spaced 15 rotor diameters apart for more cost-efficient power generation. This improvement could address underperforming projects in the US, Europe, and China.
Researchers at Syracuse University's L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science have developed a new air-flow technology to increase the efficiency of large wind turbines. The approach uses intelligent systems to control airflow and reduce noise and vibration. Initial results show that flow control can enlarge the operation...
Researchers at PNNL have developed a system to measure winds high up into the air, providing more accurate wind predictions and improving wind power forecasts. This study has the potential to improve how sites are chosen for wind farms and how those farms are operated.
Researchers found that wind turbines increase airflow over nearby crops, keeping them cooler during hot days and warmer at night. This could lead to improved crop yields, reduced moisture levels and increased carbon dioxide absorption.
Charles Meneveau and Johan Meyers develop a model to calculate optimal turbine spacing for large wind farms. They find that energy production depends less on horizontal winds and more on entraining strong winds from higher in the atmosphere, leading to an optimal distance of about 15 rotor diameters.
Researchers are presenting innovative air-flow technology to increase wind turbine efficiency, reducing costs and environmental impact. Tiny grooves on turbine blades also show promise in drag reduction.
A study by Diandong Ren finds that rising global temperatures decrease wind speeds, reducing the power output of wind turbines. This means that more wind turbines are needed to achieve the same amount of energy production, highlighting the need for a switch to renewable energy sources earlier.
The scarcity of new energy minerals will lead to a significant increase in trade tensions between nations. China's growing reliance on wind power to meet its renewable energy targets is exacerbating the issue, as the country needs rare earth elements like neodymium and selenium for high-strength magnets.
A study published in Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment found that raising wind turbine cut-in speeds to 11 mph reduces bat fatalities by 44-93% and annual power loss by less than 1%. This change limits turbines to operating only during higher wind speeds, minimizing bat collisions.
Scientists are tracking golden eagles with satellite transmitters to identify their favourite habitats and monitor the impact of wind farms. The project aims to determine how wind farms affect eagle populations in northern Sweden.
Four young researchers from TUM have developed a sensor technology that can measure mechanical loads on rotor blades, enabling real-time optimization of energy generation. The EXIST research transfer grant will help the team start their own business and expand renewable energy facilities.
The Rice University think tank aims to recycle carbon dioxide into useful products, partnering with energy companies to make carbon a profitable resource. Strategies include repurposing CO2 as a feedstock for chemicals or sequestering it in oil wells.
A University of Maryland study assesses the feasibility of developing and operating wind farms in Maryland's Atlantic coastal waters. The study finds that offshore wind holds potential to help meet State Energy Targets, but addresses serious institutional impediments such as radar interference and transmission facility inadequacies.
Researchers at PNNL have redesigned sodium-nickel chloride batteries to deliver 30% more power at lower temperatures, making them safer and cheaper to manufacture than lithium-ion batteries. The planar design enables compact stacking, improving the battery's performance for large-scale energy storage.
The device uses piezoelectric material and carbon nanotube films to harness light and thermal energy, allowing small electronic devices to operate autonomously. The technology has the potential to impact wireless sensory networks and enable perpetual micro/nano devices.
Researchers have found wind farms' effects on local temperatures and proposed strategies for mediating those effects, increasing the potential to expand wind farms. The study identified two possible mediation strategies: low-turbulence rotors or locational deployment in regions with natural mixing in the atmosphere.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers are developing a novel ceramic material for energy storage, aiming to overcome a key bottleneck in large-scale wind and solar power generation. The goal is to create nanoengineered capacitors that can store energy quickly and efficiently.
Hurricane Igor brought heavy rainfall and strong winds to Newfoundland, Canada, causing extensive flooding, power outages, and wind damage. The storm's circulation increased as it moved north, extending tropical-storm force winds up to 520 miles from its center.
Walter Kohn predicts a new era in human history where solar and wind power dominate global energy, driven by growing alternative energy production and declining oil and gas reserves. International cooperation is crucial to addressing the challenges of a rapidly changing energy landscape.
After making landfall in northeastern Mexico, Tropical Storm Alex has weakened to a tropical storm and is moving west at 12 mph. The system is expected to weaken further, with heavy rainfall the main threat, before dissipating in 24-36 hours.
Researchers demonstrate the feasibility of floating wind turbines, supporting a 5-megawatt turbine in deep waters. The WindFloat platform, developed by Principle Power, is stable enough to harness high-speed winds at depths over 50 meters.
The program aims to educate future tribal leaders on energy resource development and environmental evaluations, focusing on wind and solar energy. Students work on research projects analyzing potential impacts and economic opportunities, creating jobs and revenue for tribal communities.
Researcher Gary Seidel aims to develop tiny sensor patches with carbon nanotubes for structural health monitoring of huge wind turbine blades. The patches can detect deformation and send signals to the control center to prevent damage.
Researchers at Caltech have found a way to improve the efficiency of wind farms by using vertical-axis turbines in strategic arrays. By studying the vortices left behind by schools of fish, they discovered that alternating turbine rotations and staggering their placement can increase energy extraction up to 10 times.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute are studying the feasibility of placing large wind turbines on deep-ocean platforms. The project aims to assess the potential for offshore wind power generation in the United States, which could fill a significant portion of coastal states' electricity needs.
Researchers at Fraunhofer Institute have developed a smart charging station that enables electric vehicles to recharge during periods of low energy demand and high renewable energy production. This system aims to reduce peak loads and maximize the contribution of solar and wind power.
A new wind power grid could compensate for natural fluctuations in wind direction and strength, providing a smoother power supply. Researchers linked offshore wind generators with a shared power line to achieve this goal.
Researchers from the University of Delaware and Stony Brook University proposed a new grid design that can minimize the impacts of local weather on power fluctuations, making offshore wind power more consistent. The study found that connecting wind power generators with a shared power line can smooth out power output, allowing sufficie...
A radical change in coordinated network planning and operation is needed for a reliable European grid, highlighting the importance of integrated strategic planning and cross-border coordination. The integration of renewable power sources poses significant challenges, requiring smarter grids to accommodate variable generation.
Iowa State University engineer Steve Martin is working to develop better batteries for renewable energy alternatives by studying electrochemical reactions and new materials. His research aims to improve the efficiency and safety of batteries, which are crucial for widespread adoption of wind power and other forms of clean energy.
A new technology could increase wind turbine efficiency by up to 30-40% at lower wind speeds, opening up new geographic areas for wind power. The circulation control aerodynamic technique will be applied to wind turbine blades, allowing for simpler designs and increased power production.
A new study suggests that policymakers should focus on achieving mid-century emission targets to preserve long-term options for avoiding dangerous levels of warming. The research identifies critical mid-century thresholds that would make particular goals unachievable with current energy technologies.
Clemson University has received a $45 million grant from the US Department of Energy, combined with $53 million in matching funds, to build a large-scale wind turbine drive train testing facility. The testing facility will create at least 134 jobs and generate 568 indirect jobs, supporting South Carolina's emergence as an industrial hu...
Researchers apply aerospace principles to create a durable and efficient wave-energy system that can be placed anywhere in the ocean. The system effectively cancels incoming waves, capturing their energy while flattening them out.
The US Department of Energy has awarded $151 million in funding to 37 ambitious energy research projects. These projects aim to develop transformative innovations in energy storage, biofuels, carbon capture, renewable power, building efficiency, vehicles, and other energy technology areas.
Scott Anderson of Palm Beach, Fla., and his team won the 2009 ConocoPhillips Energy Prize with their ECO-Auger, a hydrokinetic machine harnessing tidal currents for renewable electric energy. The prize recognizes innovative ideas to create a more secure energy future.
Stanford University researchers propose that transitioning to renewable energy could reduce global power demand by 30%, making it cheaper than fossil fuels or nuclear energy. The study finds that wind, water, and solar energy can meet the world's power demands with minimal land area required.
Researchers found that slowing turbine blades in low-wind periods significantly reduces bat mortality, as bats are more likely to fly when winds are relatively low. The study demonstrates a successful way to mitigate bat deaths without significantly reducing energy generated from wind farms.
A study by Harvard University researchers estimates that China's electricity demands projected for 2030 can be met by wind power. The switch from coal to greener energy would reduce carbon emissions, but requires an investment of around $900 billion dollars.