Articles tagged with Wind Power
Using a first-time combination of multiple modelling systems, researchers show that relying mainly on wind and solar would bring most co-benefits for the health of people and planet. Land use requirements for power production will increase in all scenarios, with bioenergy being the most land-devouring method.
Research by Princeton University shows a reversal of global terrestrial stilling, with wind speeds in northern mid-latitude regions increasing by 7% since 2010. This trend has significant implications for wind power generation, predicting a 17% increase in energy production and a potential 37% increase by 2024.
A team of researchers has successfully tested a superconducting rotor on an active wind turbine, demonstrating the compatibility of this technology with operational environments. The achievement marks a significant step towards wider adoption of superconducting generator technology in wind turbines.
A new control system has been developed to better control wind energy systems, improving efficiency and reducing costs. By decoupling power generation and feedback, the system enables turbines to respond quicker and with less strain on physical components.
A Princeton University-led study shows that solar and wind energy enhance drought resilience and aid in groundwater sustainability by reducing reliance on hydropower. The researchers suggest deploying solar and wind energy simultaneously with regulations on groundwater use can increase overall benefits.
A new study finds that increasing solar and wind energy in California can enhance drought resilience and benefit groundwater sustainability. The researchers developed a trade-off frontier framework to quantify the water sustainability value of solar and wind energy.
Researchers identify three grand challenges in wind energy research: understanding wind resources, addressing turbine and system dynamics, and designing wind plants for grid reliability. Addressing these challenges is crucial for advancing the state of the art in wind plant energy output.
A new study by Duke University predicts that switching to natural gas will save 12,000 billion gallons a year by 2030, while solar and wind power yield even greater savings. These reductions come despite increased water use from fracking and shale gas production.
A new study found a negative effect of three birds lost for every turbine within 400 meters of a bird habitat, but also suggests ways to minimize the impact through wind turbine design and placement. The researchers estimate that about 150,000 birds are affected by wind turbines in the U.S. every year.
Engineers at WVU have created a liquid form of electricity that can be transported using existing infrastructure, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The technology has the potential to improve American economic and energy security, and can also be used as fertilizer or generate electricity again.
Researchers from Aarhus University and Durham University have modelled fluid dynamics of multi-rotor wind turbines, demonstrating a clear advantage for a turbine model with four rotors. This design reduces downstream turbulence, allowing for more efficient energy production.
A team of Cornell University researchers will investigate the interrelationships between food, energy and water through a three-year, $2.4 million grant. The study aims to understand how ag-to-energy land-use conversions affect agricultural production, water quality and quantity, as well as electrical grid operational efficiency.
A new concept for an aluminum battery has twice the energy density of previous versions and is made of abundant materials, potentially leading to reduced production costs and environmental impact. The idea could be used in large-scale applications such as solar and wind energy storage.
A team of Penn State researchers developed a model that can accurately predict wind farm energy production and location. The model provides a probability curve for wind production, allowing companies to make informed decisions about investing in wind farms.
The report examines wind energy impacts on sensitive wildlife, citing the need to balance wildlife conservation with rapid greenhouse gas emissions reductions. It highlights areas where further research is needed to minimize wind turbine effects on birds and bats.
The hoary bat population is declining at a rate that suggests the species is in jeopardy in the Pacific Northwest. The study found evidence of decline for the hoary bat, but not for the little brown bat, which has been heavily impacted by white-nose syndrome.
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.
A UH engineer offers two winning proposals to the US Department of Energy to enhance the nation's electric grid, focusing on accommodating variable renewable energy generation. His projects include reconfiguring transmission networks and upgrading energy management systems with microgrids.
New analysis reveals Europe's onshore wind farms could supply enough energy for the world until 2050, producing 497 EJ of power. The study identifies Turkey, Russia, and Norway as having the greatest potential for future wind power density.
Advances in wind technology have led to significant growth, with larger turbines now capable of generating up to 5 megawatts. Improved efficiency and cost reductions are expected, but maintaining these turbines will require more economical methods.
MIT researchers quantify cost targets for energy storage to enable solar and wind power with storage to reach competitiveness with other on-demand energy sources. The study finds that energy storage costs need to fall below $20/kWh to achieve cost-competitive baseload power over a twenty-year period.
Airships could increase the feasibility of a 100% sustainable world by reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. The study proposes using airships to transport cargo and hydrogen, leveraging the jet stream for energy and reducing the need for liquefaction.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a low-cost, high-performance battery chemistry that achieves exceptional voltage and high efficiencies. The new innovation uses chromium and organic binding agents to stabilize a potent electrolyte, offering promise for cost-effective manufacturing.
The Supergen ORE Hub has awarded £1 million to UK universities to support ambitious research projects in offshore renewable energy. The funding aims to tackle key engineering challenges and explore the transfer of research findings between sectors.
A new study finds that fossil fuels' ratios of extracted energy to produced energy are lower than previously thought, especially at the finished fuel stage. The study warns that declining EROI may lead to a 'net energy cliff', where available energy declines rapidly.
A study by Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) suggests that Switzerland can transition to a low-CO2 energy system by reducing building heating requirements by 42%, electrifying 3/4 of remaining heating needs, and increasing electrification of private car journeys to 20%.
A new Stanford study shows that wake-steering can improve the quantity and quality of power from wind farms, increasing overall power output by up to 47% in low wind speeds. Wake steering also reduces the variability of power production, making it easier for grid operators to manage supply and demand.
Researchers developed a wake steering technique that increases total power production while reducing variability in wind speeds, leading to improved efficiency for near-average wind conditions. The study used field experiments on an array of 6 turbines over 10 days at a wind farm in Alberta, Canada.
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.
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.
Artificial floating islands harness solar energy to extract CO2 from seawater and produce hydrogen, which is then converted into methanol fuel. The study suggests a potential method for producing synthetic fuels with reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
A new Stanford study finds that companies claiming 100% renewable energy don't necessarily reduce carbon emissions by 100%. Hourly accounting methods show wind power produces more emissions reductions than solar power in California. The study highlights the need for hourly data to measure environmental benefits accurately.
Using light to optimize osmosis for electricity generation at estuaries has shown promise. The system produces twice as much power in the dark as it does with light, offering a potential solution to weather-dependent renewable energy sources.
Researchers tested natural and synthetic acoustic stimuli to determine their effectiveness in deterring bald eagles from flying into wind turbines. The study found that eagles were more responsive to natural calls than synthetic sounds, particularly a 'crow mobbing' signal.
Researchers from Texas A&M University have developed a biomimetic whistle that uses bat's natural echolocation to deter bats from flying into wind turbine blades. The device, mounted on turbine blades, produces an ultrasonic sound detectable by bats at distances of up to 100 meters.
Researchers found a significant increase in tourism on Block Island after construction of the offshore wind farm, with occupancy rates rising by 19% and monthly revenue increasing by $3490. The study suggests that curiosity about renewable energy drove the interest, but may not persist long-term.
Researchers have identified areas with persistent seismic signals caused by industrial processes using a dense sensor network spanning the US. The map, developed by Los Alamos National Laboratory, pinpoints prominent sources of industrial activity, including wind farms and large water pumping stations.
New research from Lancaster University and international partners suggests that investing in solar panels, wind turbines, and energy storage is a better strategy for tackling climate change than developing carbon capture technologies. The study finds that renewable energy systems with storage offer comparable or even superior net energ...
A new study challenges the US Department of Energy's plan to expand offshore wind power, citing supply chain issues with rare earth metals like neodymium. The researchers found that creating a domestic program could raise questions about natural resource consumption and recyclability.
Developed by Zhang et al., the CS-WD-WNN model outperforms other models in wind speed prediction with high accuracy, providing essential data for wind farm operations.
Scientists found that Europe's renewable-based electricity system will perform similarly in future climates due to its ability to withstand extreme weather events. The grid may require tweaks for efficient operation, but its overall functionality is expected to remain intact.
The development of a new generation of catalysts is crucial to meet the world's demand for clean energy. Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have made a breakthrough in finding better, cheaper catalysts using high-entropy alloys, which can aid the conversion of chemical substances in chemical reactions.
A study published in the Journal of Chemical Thermodynamics found that organic acids produced by bacteria can extract six rare earth elements from synthetic phosphogypsum. This method could provide an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional methods, benefiting the US clean energy and electronics industries.
Hydrogen production based on wind power can already be commercially viable today. Economists at TUM, University of Mannheim and Stanford University have described an economically viable path to renewables-based hydrogen production. The study shows that flexible production facilities can make this technology a key component in the trans...
A new software tool has been developed to analyze Airborne Wind Energy Systems (AWES) that utilize lightweight kites or large drones. This innovation offers a cost-effective way to harness wind energy at high altitudes, where traditional wind turbines are not feasible.
Scientists at the University of Manchester have created flags that can harness both wind and solar energy to generate electricity. The innovative flags use piezoelectric strips and flexible photovoltaic cells to produce power, making them suitable for powering remote sensors and small electronics.
Fish and birds are able to move in groups without separating or colliding due to the interaction of followers with their leader's wake. This phenomenon allows slower followers to keep up with faster-flapping leaders by surfing on their wake, enabling efficient energy harvesting from natural resources.
Researchers propose using compressed air storage in porous rock formations to meet UK's electricity needs during winter months, providing a viable option for steady and reliable renewable energy supplies. The approach aims to store enough compressed air to cover the UK's typical electricity demand for January and February.
Researchers at FAU developed a simple yet accurate method to find interface defects in silicon carbide transistors. This allows for improved and shorter innovation cycles in developing more energy-saving power electronics.
A study published in the Journal of Great Lakes Research found that water-based outdoor recreationists on Lake Erie overwhelmingly support offshore wind energy development. The researchers discovered a strong correlation between OWD support and positive perceptions of tourism opportunities and enhanced recreation experiences.
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.
A collaborative research team examined predictive models used to forecast wind farm effects, revealing the importance of model resolution in simulating weather patterns. Higher vertical and horizontal resolutions improved simulations, but more study is needed to optimize wind energy deployment.
A new study found that warming waters in the Indian Ocean are causing a decline in wind power potential in India, with western regions experiencing the steepest decrease. The research suggests that investing in wind turbines in areas with stronger monsoon winds can help minimize the impact of climate change.
A new study reveals a significant decline in wind energy resources over the Northern Hemisphere, with 30-80% of stations losing wind power potential since 1979. Climate models are found to be inadequate in simulating long-term wind energy changes, underscoring the need for careful consideration when using GCM-based projections.
A new study highlights the previously underexplored consequence of wake effects from upwind wind farms on downwind neighbors' energy production. The research demonstrates that these effects are measurable and predictable yet remain largely unaccounted for in current U.S. property law.
Researchers have developed a new approach to design more efficient wind farms by incorporating factors such as wind speed, turbine spacing, and land size. The algorithm uses biogeographical-based optimization to minimize computational cost while maximizing efficiency.
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters found that large-scale offshore wind farms can decrease hurricane precipitation onshore locations, while increasing it in offshore areas. The research used Hurricane Harvey as an example, showing a 30% reduction in precipitation inland due to the presence of wind farms.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh have discovered a novel form of air bubble that enhances the drag on dandelion seeds, allowing them to travel great distances without power consumption. This breakthrough could inspire the development of small-scale drones for remote sensing or air pollution monitoring.
Scientists develop visual pattern that triggers long-term avoidance of high-risk areas by raptors, improving collision detection and reducing plane and wind turbine collisions. The 'looming' effect created by concentric black circles on a white background is effective in repelling birds from specific areas.
Researchers at UCSB and Cambridge developed models to optimize wind farm productivity by improving airflow mixing and using vertical-axis turbines, potentially leading to orders-of-magnitude improvements in energy production. This could enable more efficient use of land and reduce costs.