Articles tagged with Electricity
Researchers from NREL evaluated CSP systems with thermal energy storage within the CAISO system to estimate operational factors such as fuel cost, emissions, and reliability. The analysis found significant value in dispatchable CSP, particularly when providing reserve power, which can be turned on or off during high or low demand periods.
The need for reliable, high-voltage shipboard power has become a matter of national security following the announcement of laser weapons on U.S. Navy ships. Researchers are developing cutting-edge technologies like silicon carbide-based transistors and transformers to improve power quality and reduce size and weight.
The VOI is a compact, two-wheeler electric scooter designed to transport passengers safely and comfortably through congested city streets. Its modular design allows for various configurations, including cargo boxes and mobile kitchens.
The artificial leaf, a simple catalyst-coated wafer of silicon, can now run on impure water, making it suitable for providing electricity in developing countries. The device uses hydrogen and oxygen produced by sunlight to generate fuel that can power homes and portable generators.
Researchers from North Carolina State University have solved the mystery of how two unlikely materials, bismuth telluride and gallium arsenide, are held together. They found that van der Waals bonds, a weaker force than chemical bonding, hold the materials together.
The Los Alamos National Laboratory team successfully demonstrated securing control data for electric grids using quantum cryptography. The system achieved latencies of at least two orders of magnitude smaller than requirements, making it suitable for real-time applications.
Researchers have created a way to cultivate iron-oxidizing bacteria using electricity, enabling the study of these organisms and potentially leading to biofuel production. The electrochemical cultivation method supplies the bacteria with electrons, allowing them to respire and replicate without iron.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a four-wheel independently actuated (FIWA) electric car with exceptional traction and motion control, keeping its four wheels and four motors on the road. The system enables enhanced maneuverability and control without emissions.
Researchers found carbon dioxide to be an effective tool in repelling fish from an area, with all four species tested showing the same response. This non-physical barrier could complement electric fences and increase the likelihood of stopping invasive Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan.
The Helmholtz Energy Alliance aims to ensure a reliable electric power supply through the development of grid management and storage systems. Key findings include the need for new technologies to manage hybrid transmission grids and innovative methods to ensure grid stability.
A new study reveals that photovoltaics (PV) outperform biofuels in terms of energy efficiency, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions. PV systems are 30-200 times more efficient than biomass-based pathways, requiring significantly less land to produce the same amount of energy.
A new study by the University of Delaware and Delaware Technical Community College suggests that a well-designed combination of wind power, solar power, and storage can fully power a large electric grid 99.9 percent of the time by 2030. The study's findings break conventional wisdom on renewable energy being too unreliable and expensive.
Students Sangkyun Cho, Jay Hyug Choi and Victor Hyun Oh developed a plan to convert farm waste into paper for under-equipped schools in developing nations. Their design uses no electricity and can be built by impoverished villagers, addressing the lack of basic supplies like paper.
Researchers found that bigger turbines harness more wind without increasing mass or fuel needs, leading to cleaner power production. The study solidifies the trend towards larger windmills, expected to approach 10% of global electricity by 2020.
A by-product of biofuel manufacture can power microbial fuel cells to generate electricity cheaply and efficiently. Researchers have successfully used Distillers Dried Grain with Solubles (DDGS) as a feedstock for the bacteria, producing a reliable source of renewable energy.
Research using mice reveals heavy alcohol use rewires brain circuitry, making it harder for alcoholics to recover psychologically following a traumatic experience. The study found that chronic exposure to alcohol impairs the ability to control emotional responses, putting people at greater risk for PTSD.
A team at the University of Vermont discovered that crowdsourcing can effectively predict user behavior, such as body weight and electricity use. The experiment showed that self-directed questions and answers by visitors to websites led to computer models that accurately predicted these outcomes.
Scientists at NC State University have developed elastic conductors made from silver nanoscale wires, enabling the creation of stretchable electronic devices. These conductors can withstand significant stretching without compromising conductivity.
A new solar photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system has been developed by Queen's University researchers, generating both electricity and heat. The system uses amorphous silicon cells, which require less material, cost less to manufacture, and offer a higher return on investment.
The University of Nottingham is part of a €10 million European project to develop cost-effective solar generated electricity. The team aims to fabricate high-efficiency solar cells using advanced thin film technologies, solving issues with current commercialized cells.
Researchers have developed a novel magnetic memory that can store information in the form of resistance variations. By applying an electric pulse, the metal-organic molecule can be switched between a conductive, magnetic state and a low-conductive, non-magnetic state.
A Yale study found that traditional stoves are preferred in rural Bangladesh over modern, cleaner alternatives due to affordability concerns. The demand for non-traditional cookstoves is low and highly sensitive to price, highlighting the need for affordable, effective solutions.
Researchers at NIST and University of Maryland successfully created graphene quantum dots by manipulating the strain in graphene drumheads. By controlling the tension on the drumhead, they mimicked magnetic fields and created semiconducting regions with a band gap, crucial for computing and other applications.
Bigger wind turbines harness more wind with increased efficiency and reduced material needs. Scientists conclude that larger turbines make greener electricity, a trend expected to grow in the coming years.
A new small-scale solid oxide fuel cell system achieves up to 57 percent efficiency, significantly higher than previous systems of its size. The system uses methane as fuel and incorporates microchannel technology and external steam reforming for increased efficiency and scalability.
A Yale University study found that most Americans are willing to pay a premium for electricity in support of a national clean-energy standard. The average U.S. citizen is willing to pay $162 per year in higher electricity bills to support an 80% clean energy goal by 2035, but support varies among different demographics.
A recent Stanford poll found that support for government action on global warming dropped by an average of 5 percentage points per year between 2010 and 2012, from 72% to 62%. This shift was influenced by political rhetoric and cooler-than-average weather, but not economics.
Researchers at the University of Hull are developing a system to produce constant supplies of sterile water, eliminating the need for chemicals or electricity in remote communities. The device uses porphyrin molecules that react to sunlight to kill bacteria and parasites, making the water safe for healing wounds.
The Visio.M project aims to develop electric cars that are safe, inexpensive, and efficient. Researchers have overcome significant technological hurdles to create a vehicle with a power of 15 kilowatts and a maximum curb weight of 400 kg.
GraphExeter, a graphene-based material, enhances solar panel efficiency by up to 30% due to its wide light spectrum transparency. It has the potential to replace indium tin oxide in wearable devices and smart windows, offering a flexible alternative for electronics industry
Harold H. Kung's analysis finds Investment Tax Credit to be more attractive for consumers and investors due to lower electricity prices and faster returns on investment. The study aimed to mitigate the high capital cost of wind power, benefiting both parties.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed a new type of battery using brown liquor as a raw material, which could provide an inexpensive and sustainable solution for storing renewable energy. The breakthrough uses organic solar cells based on conductive plastic, achieving high performance levels that make them competitive.
Tony McCaffrey's generic parts technique (GPT) helps people think beyond common uses of objects, leading to 67% more problem-solving successes. By breaking down objects into parts and asking two questions, individuals can find alternative uses and innovate.
The need for stable sources of power in rural areas of developing countries is pressing, with four-fifths of those without domestic electricity living in urban margins. Researchers suggest that renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, could be a viable option to address this issue.
In 2009, US greenhouse gas emissions from power generation decreased by 8.76 percent, primarily driven by the lower price of natural gas compared to coal. A new econometric model developed at Harvard University suggests that a carbon tax could further reduce emissions with negligible impact on electricity prices.
The Public University of Navarre and CENER have developed two electricity microgrids to enhance energy efficiency, reduce contaminant emissions, and increase safety in supply. The microgrids feature a combination of renewable energy sources and storage systems, enabling efficient operation in both grid-connected and isolated modes.
Researchers at Newcastle University have engineered a microbial biofilm that significantly increases the electrical output of Microbial Fuel Cells. By selecting specific bacteria species, including Bacillus stratosphericus and Bacillus altitudinis, they doubled the electricity generation to 200 Watts per cubic meter.
Smart grids can help reduce electricity waste and fight theft by using advanced technology. The Intelligent Microgrid project aims to create a more efficient grid that can adapt to changing energy demands and reduce the risk of theft, resulting in cost savings for consumers.
Researchers found that replacing coal-fired electricity plants with lower-emitting technologies like solar, wind, or nuclear power requires a rapid transition and conservation efforts to achieve substantial benefits by the end of the century. However, it takes much longer for the climate system to respond to emissions reductions.
Electric cars in China cause much more overall harmful particulate matter pollution than gasoline cars due to power plant emissions; however, their impact on public health is lower due to distance from population centers. E-bikes yield the lowest environmental health impacts per passenger.
Scientists implanted a miniature biofuel cell into False Death's Head Cockroaches, converting trehalose and oxygen into electricity. The device operates intermittently due to low energy output, but could power microdevices in the future.
Dionysios Aliprantis is working on a project to develop computer modeling technology that will show engineers how to design and shape electric motors to increase power generation. By optimizing performance in one direction of rotation, the goal is to get more power out of the same size motor or achieve the same power with a smaller motor.
A new Queensland University of Technology (QUT) research project will develop storage and demand management systems to ensure renewable electricity can be better stored during low usage times for use in peak periods. This will help cut down the amount of fossil generation needed as a back-up, benefiting all electricity users.
A new study found that individuals with a present-focused personality are more aggressive when intoxicated, while those who consider future consequences show minimal increase in aggression. The study involved 495 adults and used a computer-based speed reaction test to measure aggression.
Researchers at NIST tracked and analyzed ultrafine particles emitted by household appliances, revealing that coagulation, deposition, and ventilation play a significant role in their fate. The study provides valuable insights into the dynamics of these tiny air contaminants and their impact on indoor environments.
A new study by Duke University and Georgia Tech researchers found that energy efficiency and renewable energy can work together to meet projected growth in the South. The study debunks six common myths about clean energy, including those that claim it cannot meet demand or will increase electricity rates.
A study by Berkeley Lab scientists reveals the technological steps needed to achieve California's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. The findings emphasize the importance of energy efficiency, decarbonization of electricity generation, and electrification of transportation.
Demographer Emilio Zagheni's profile shows that societies with a growing elderly population tend to produce lower CO2 emissions. As people age, their carbon dioxide emissions decrease due to reduced consumption of energy-intensive goods and increased healthcare spending.
The University of Maryland Center for Integrative Environmental Research finds that Maryland's Climate Action Plan improves electric reliability while having a negligible impact on manufacturers. The plan is expected to generate new business opportunities and jobs in the green sector, with potential growth in employment opportunities.
Researchers confirmed that converting cow manure to electricity on farms is technically possible. However, the economic viability of such projects heavily depends on factors like government grants, subsidies, and premium paid for converted energy.
The Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP) is awarding $3.5 million to researchers at five universities to develop new technologies for advanced grid energy storage. The initiatives focus on high-efficiency electrochemical storage systems, solid oxide flow batteries, and low-cost flywheels.
A recent study by Carlos J. Torelli and Rohini Ahluwalia found that consumers react positively to brand extensions when products match cultural expectations, but unfavorably when they don't. The authors suggest that understanding a brand's cultural symbolism is crucial for harnessing its potential profitably.
The system produces enough electricity to power 35 homes for a year and prevents the release of greenhouse gases equivalent to nearly 5,000 metric tons of CO2 per year. The pilot project demonstrates how hog farms can manage waste, reduce emissions, and generate on-farm renewable power.
Scientists have developed a new type of solar cell that converts sunlight into electricity with an efficiency of 10%, outperforming conventional solar cells made from silicon. The device retained at least 95% of its sun-converting ability for 1,000 hours of testing.
A new nuclear power plant design could provide a compact and reliable source of electricity for manned or unmanned bases on the Moon and Mars. The system is designed to operate in various locations such as craters, canyons, or caves, and can generate large amounts of power, approximately the same as powering eight houses on Earth.
The photonics center will develop novel sensing technologies for remote oil storage measurement, gasifier refractory wall monitoring, and on-line dissolved gas detection in transformers. This will improve the efficient operation of advanced power systems and reduce costs associated with transformer failures.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been awarded a five-year, $18 million grant to lead the development of ultra-wide-area resilient electric energy transmission networks. The center aims to create a smart grid system that operates efficiently and reliably over long distances.
Researchers develop multiferroic alloy that converts heat into electricity with no carbon dioxide emissions. The material can capture waste heat from various sources, including cars and industrial plants, to produce electricity.
A team of students has developed a system that harnesses heat from the sun and attic to operate a clothes dryer, reducing electricity bills by up to 16 percent. The system is expected to save homeowners nearly $6,500 in 20 years, with additional energy savings through space heating applications.
Researchers have created a self-powered nano-device that can transmit data wirelessly over long distances using energy harvested from the environment. The device operates battery-free and has potential applications in medical sensors, surveillance cameras, wearable electronics and more.