Articles tagged with Wind Power
A new report from PNNL shows that floating offshore wind farms could potentially triple the Pacific Northwest's wind power capacity while offsetting millions of dollars in costs. This could lead to a significant increase in renewable energy production and help reduce carbon emissions, with the potential to power tens of million of homes.
The study found that offshore wind could generate up to 8% of the nation's electricity by 2050, with deployment ranging from 30 to 250 gigawatts. High levels of deployment are likely in scenarios with stringent decarbonization policies and low technology costs.
A new study by Caroline Hachem-Vermette and Kuljeet Singh analyzed the design and energy characteristics of various neighborhoods to assess their vulnerabilities to power outages. The researchers found that thoughtful design can reduce a neighborhood's energy vulnerability during disruptions, and they recommend modifications to shelter...
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new method to purify rare earth elements using metal-loving microbes. The microbe selectively adsorbs and purifies these elements, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals.
A study by UC Santa Barbara and Gallup Inc. found that nearly one in five wind projects faced opposition, with rates increasing over time. White, wealthy communities are more likely to oppose wind farms in the US, while wealthier communities in Canada also show resistance.
A new study analyzes challenges in sustainably meeting different hydrogen demand scenarios on a country-by-country basis. The research finds that less than half of projected 2050 demand for hydrogen fuel could be produced locally using wind or solar power due to land and water scarcity.
The project aims to assess the operational resilience of microgrids on DoD installations and ships, using new operational resilience indexes developed by Lehigh University researcher Javad Khazaei. The team will develop a dashboard to monitor resilience indexes in real-time, providing recommendations for improving the systems.
Researchers from the University of Oldenburg developed a new stochastic method to mitigate sudden swings in wind turbine power output. The study found that control systems are mainly responsible for short-term fluctuations and can be optimized to ensure more consistent energy output.
A new catalyst designed by researchers at City University Hong Kong and tested by Imperial College London could boost renewable energy storage. The catalyst uses single atoms of platinum to produce an efficient but cost-effective platform for water splitting, paving the way for cheaper hydrogen production.
A new battery design without a membrane has been developed by researchers at the University of Cincinnati, offering higher energy density and lower costs. The battery can generate nearly 4 volts of power, eliminating costly and inefficient membrane-separators.
A new study by Edith Cowan University has discovered zinc-air batteries as a superior alternative to lithium-ion, offering low costs, environmental benefits, and high theoretical energy density. The breakthrough redesigns the batteries using natural resources like zinc from Australia and air, enhancing their viability for sustainable e...
A recent review paper highlights the need for an interdisciplinary approach to designing and implementing renewable energy systems. Local communities' values and concerns must be considered to ensure public backing for the essential energy transition. The study emphasizes the risks of ignoring socio-technical grand challenges in wind e...
The seventh cohort of Innovation Crossroads aims to develop transformative energy technologies. Cohort 7 fellows are creating innovative solutions for plastic waste recycling, energy storage, and wind turbine blade production.
Researchers develop low-cost, scalable energy storage system using cement and carbon black. The technology facilitates renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and tidal power by providing stable energy networks.
A University of Central Florida engineer is leading a $3.3 million ARPA-E funded project to develop simulation software for floating offshore wind turbines. The goal is to improve turbine design and increase their use as a renewable energy source. The software will be licensed or commercialized and can be hosted on a university web page.
Cornell University researchers found that unused solar, wind, and hydroelectric power in the US could support the exponential growth of NFT transactions. The study suggests that harnessing this excess energy could reduce carbon emissions from NFT processing, which currently reach an equivalent of 0.37 megatons of CO2 per year.
Research by Politecnico di Milano finds offshore wind farms significantly reduce climate change impacts, with a 92% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. The study also highlights the importance of life cycle analysis for assessing environmental sustainability of renewable energy technologies.
Researchers have identified an operational strategy that can reduce shipping emissions by up to a quarter by combining modern sail technology with efficient routing systems. The study found that this approach can provide greater assurances of carbon savings by mitigating the impact of unpredictable weather patterns.
Aarhus University's AELECTRA project aims to develop a decentralized technology for producing liquid ammonia from renewable energy. The new process could halve investment costs and enable farmers to produce their own fertilizer or e-fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
A study by Flinders University researchers found that short exposure to wind farm and road traffic noise triggers a small increase in waking from slumber, fragmenting sleep patterns. However, wind farm noise wasn't more disruptive to sleep than road traffic, which was slightly more disruptive at higher audio levels.
A new study models optimal investment in China's grid-connected offshore wind, suggesting at least 1000 GW of capacity could be deployed at a lower cost than nuclear units. The research aims to improve provincial deployment plans and boost national renewable penetration from 31.5% to 40%.
Researchers investigated the tradeoff between reducing CO2 emissions and increasing renewable energy supply in office buildings. They found that access to the power grid can mitigate the impact of weather variability, but extreme weather events increase battery storage costs.
FES2023 brings together leading researchers and industry experts to share groundbreaking research on AI-based energy solutions, smart grids, and renewable energy systems. The conference covers key themes including planning and operation of energy systems, electricity markets, and demand response.
Long-duration energy storage (LDES) is crucial for US states with decarbonization goals to address variable energy generation and customer demands. LDES systems can store renewable energy until needed, providing a reliable solution for a decarbonized grid.
Bird and bat deaths at US wind turbines surge during seasonal migrations, with most species affected in the prairies and plains. The study's findings suggest adjusting curtailment requirements to protect sensitive bird and bat species.
Researchers highlight the need for a coherent international framework for decommissioning offshore structures due to limited evidence on their environmental impact. The study emphasizes the critical need for consensus on future approaches as an estimated 1,800 offshore wind turbines will require decommissioning by 2030.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a chemical process to disassemble epoxy composite materials from wind turbine blades, extracting intact glass fibres and high-quality epoxy resin building blocks. The process has potential applications for circular economies in the aerospace, automotive, and space industries.
Carreon is developing technology to capture and convert greenhouse gases into clean-burning fuels using reactors powered by renewable energy sources. Her $538,659 NSF award will support this research over five years.
New research reveals that offshore wind farms in the North Sea significantly impact red-throated loon populations, with a 94% decline in numbers within a 1km zone. The study suggests that these birds are forced to forage in smaller areas due to restricted movements.
A new study suggests that using underground water for thermal energy storage (ATES) can reduce heating and cooling energy demand in the US by 40%, making urban energy infrastructure more resilient. ATES stores energy as temperature underground, leveraging natural geological features to heat or cool buildings during extreme weather events.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a unique method to reduce ship aerodynamic drag, which could lead to significant energy efficiency gains and reduced fuel consumption. The method uses the Coanda effect to create a more efficient airflow around the ship's superstructure, reducing drag by 7.5%.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have found that more predictable solar or wind energy generation can save millions of dollars in operating costs and prevent clean energy spillage. By analyzing six existing solar farms, they discovered that optimal locations changed when predictability was considered, leading to significant in...
A pioneering project aims to retrofit large vessels with ultramodern wing-sails to cut carbon emissions from the maritime sector. The research, funded by Innovate UK, will create software tools to predict fuel savings and support further investment in the UK's marine technology sector.
Researchers develop site-specific mitigation strategy for wind turbines, significantly reducing bat fatalities. The approach uses wind speed, temperature, and rainfall data to adapt curtailment strategies, resulting in a 86% reduction in bat deaths.
Researchers used Reinforcement Learning to enable kites and gliders to adjust their orientations in real-time, accounting for turbulence. This improvement could significantly enhance the performance of airborne wind energy devices, expanding the reach of wind power to poorer communities.
Researchers developed a new molten salt battery design using sodium and aluminum that can charge and discharge faster, operate at lower temperatures, and maintain excellent energy storage capacity. The battery's specific energy density could reach up to 100 Wh/kg, making it a promising solution for 10-plus hours of energy storage.
A study found that wind turbines in forests cause common noctules, a threatened bat species, to collide with blades and lose foraging space. The researchers recommend building turbines at least 500 meters away from roosts and compensating for lost habitats elsewhere.
New research highlights the need for a re-imagined regulatory framework to balance competing interests and promote sustainable growth. The study shows that hydrogen can enhance profitability for wind farm owners, but disparate rules and regulations hinder its potential.
Researchers from Finland investigated the impact of wind turbines on bat presence and activity in boreal forests. Bats were found to be repelled by wind turbines, with Northern bats avoiding distances of up to 800 meters and Myotis species avoiding areas over one kilometer away.
A new study uses drone-mounted technology to deter bats from flying into wind turbines, reducing fatalities by 40% and allowing turbines to operate efficiently. The device transmits ultrasonic signals and lights to warn bats of danger, leading them to fly over the turbine and out of harm's way.
A new research project led by Associate Professor Marta Victoria aims to describe periods of extreme weather and design strategies for reliable renewable energy systems. The project, funded with DKK 6.2 million, will run for four years and focus on predicting and adapting to multiple adverse events.
In Germany, community participation in decision-making processes and sharing of financial benefits from renewables projects enhanced public support. However, recent delays and corporate investments have led to resentment. In contrast, Australia's decentralized approach to its power grid, including community energy projects, aims to bri...
A team of researchers suggests a global mineral supply agreement to ensure green energy infrastructure development. The US, with its current metal shortage, particularly relies on China for mineral supplies, which could hinder the green transition.
A new MIT study suggests that prioritizing polluting power plants in times of wind energy generation could quadruple the health benefits associated with wind power, resulting in $8.4 billion in nationwide health benefits. However, this approach would not address existing disparities in air pollution exposure among low-income and minori...
A new research project at Aarhus University aims to develop intelligent drones that can detect ice on turbine blades, optimizing energy production and expanding market opportunities. The project has the potential to reduce energy losses by up to 80% and enable wind farms to operate in colder climates.
A new study estimates the cost of a green transition in greenhouse gases, finding that building renewable infrastructure generates significant carbon emissions. However, speeding up the transition could dramatically decrease these emissions and limit warming to 2 degrees or even 1.5 degrees.
A new study presents a comprehensive framework for assessing and mitigating the impacts of offshore wind energy development on marine birds. Researchers propose three steps for mitigation: avoid, minimize, and offset, with the potential to offset negative impacts through conservation strategies that can increase seabird population sizes.
Researchers at the University of Oldenburg have developed a new statistical model that accurately describes wind turbulence and generates fully three-dimensional wind fields using limited measurement points. This breakthrough enables precise wind turbine load estimation and improves wind farm planning, with applications in various fiel...
Researchers found that acoustic monitoring alone is insufficient for large wind turbines, emphasizing the need for carcass searches and additional ultrasonic detectors. Uneven bat distributions can lead to incorrect curtailment times, putting many bats at risk.
Scientists have found a way to produce high-performance magnets without rare earth elements, using the 'cosmic magnet' tetrataenite. The discovery could reduce reliance on China's dominant rare earth supply, supporting low-carbon technologies.
The NTU-developed wind harvester generates a voltage of three volts at wind speeds as low as two meters per second, powering commercial sensor devices. The device can also store excess charge for extended periods in the absence of wind, serving as an alternative to smaller lithium-ion batteries.
The UBC Okanagan team has created a novel, passive-de-icing coating that integrates an ice-detecting microwave sensor. This technology enables automatic melting of ice without external energy input, reducing wear-and-tear and energy waste.
A new Stanford study found that widespread home electric vehicle charging at night could strain the US western grid by up to 25% by 2035. The researchers recommend daytime charging at work or public stations to reduce peak demand and greenhouse gas emissions.
A new study suggests that transitioning to a decarbonized energy system by 2050 can save the world at least $12 trillion compared to continued fossil fuel use. The study shows that rapidly transitioning to clean energy results in lower energy system costs, provides more energy to the global economy, and expands energy access.
A new study found that decarbonization efforts in Texas significantly reduce air pollution-related health effects, offsetting the cost of these efforts. However, Black and low-income communities still face higher levels of air pollution and related health effects.
A University of Houston engineer has developed a sprayable ice-shedding material that is 100 times stronger than any others. The new durable coating material controls interfacial fractures and can accelerate crack formation and growth.
A study by University of Cambridge and University of California, Berkeley finds that competition with China drove significant increases in clean energy investment between 2000 and 2018. The share of RD&D funding for clean technologies grew from 46% to 63%, while fossil fuel funding remained relatively unchanged.
Researchers at University of Cincinnati found that emphasizing cost savings over global warming increases support for renewable energy sources. The study tested four messaging approaches and found durable bipartisan effects in favor of cost savings.
Researchers at the University of Oldenburg and Fraunhofer IWES collaborate on a new project to develop more accurate wind flow simulations using artificial intelligence. The goal is to reduce computing times and enhance precision, ultimately accelerating innovation in wind turbine design.
Researchers have developed a new composite resin suitable for wind turbine blades that can be recycled into new blades or other products. The material has the same physical properties as its predecessor, making it ideal for reuse.