Articles tagged with Electricity
A California study reveals that shade trees on west and south sides of homes can reduce electric bills by $25 annually. Trees planted within 40-60 feet of these sides generate similar energy savings due to shadow variations.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method to produce and sort out double-walled carbon nanotubes, overcoming the challenge of sorting valuable tubes from other types. This breakthrough discovery has significant implications for advanced solar panels, sensors, and other renewable energy technologies.
A new study explores ways to target the compensation provided by free emission allowances under a CO2 cap and trade policy. Granting limited allowances can help compensate firms that benefit from the program, but may be costly to administer. The researchers suggest using targeted compensation methods to reduce costs.
The Argonne Leadership Computing Facility's Blue Gene/P computer uses about a third as much electricity as comparable machines, making it the second-most energy-efficient supercomputer worldwide. This efficiency saves taxpayers over $1 million annually and reduces the laboratory's environmental footprint.
Researchers at Newcastle University create a super-efficient system that burns vegetable oil to produce electricity, heating, and cooling. The innovative design optimizes energy recovery, storage, and distribution for a carbon-neutral home power solution.
Researchers found ultrafine particles (UFP) with diameters between 2-10 nanometers emitted by kitchen appliances, outnumbering larger particles detected before. This range affects indoor exposure to respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses.
A study found that households in California reduced their electricity use by 13% when prices rose, but returned to previous levels once prices fell. Public informational campaigns also played a significant role in conserving energy, with households reducing their use by an additional 7%.
A new study from the University of Maryland suggests that investing a greater share of RGGI auction revenues in energy efficiency programs can produce significantly greater benefits for Maryland. This could lead to modest savings for consumers and a positive overall economic impact while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Michigan State University are developing a cost-effective technology to turn animal waste into usable heat, electricity, and other valuable products. The Anaerobic Digestion Research and Education Center aims to provide scalable, modular systems for smaller farms to convert waste into resources.
Researchers at Purdue University propose a flexible approach to producing alternative fuels, hydrogen, and electricity from waste materials. The new process could supply up to 20% of transportation fuels in the US annually, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by over 50%.
Researchers will build bridges between complex systems and engineering fields to design and control large-scale nonlinear networked systems. The project will also develop an agent-based intelligent distributed control scheme for microgrids operated by retail markets.
Researchers at the University of Michigan are developing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) that can return excess energy to the grid, improving sustainability and resilience. This project aims to create a new technology coupling transportation and power grid infrastructures.
The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has received a $250,000 grant from the US Green Building Council to investigate the link between daylight design and student well-being. The project aims to quantify the impact of daylight on students' performance, sleep quality, and stress levels.
Converting livestock manure into biogas can produce enough electricity to meet up to 3% of North America's energy needs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process has the potential to generate 100 billion kilowatt hours of electricity, equivalent to powering millions of homes.
Researchers have made a breakthrough in understanding how copper-oxide materials become superconductors. By using high magnetic fields, they were able to probe the underlying electronic structure and reveal the location of 'pockets' of doped carriers. This discovery sheds light on the interplay between magnetism and superconductivity.
A new survey of Floridians reveals a strong consensus on climate change: most believe it's happening now and will have dangerous impacts. The majority also supports policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, even if it affects their pocketbooks.
Researchers at NIST discovered iron-based superconductors with magnetism similar to copper-oxide materials. These similarities suggest a critical interplay between magnetism and superconductivity in high-temperature superconductors.
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions if powered by low-carbon electricity. According to Carnegie Mellon researchers, life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from plug-in hybrids are about one-third less than traditional gasoline-powered cars.
Researchers at Arizona State University are exploring the potential of electric-acoustic stimulation (EAS) technology to improve hearing in individuals with profound hearing impairment. By combining electric and acoustic stimulation, EAS has been shown to provide significant benefits, including improved performance in noisy environments.
The report highlights that RPS policies apply to nearly 50% of total US electricity load in 25 states and Washington D.C. It also notes that existing policies would require roughly 60 GW of new renewable capacity by 2025, equivalent to 15% of projected electricity demand growth.
Scientists at University of Copenhagen develop carbon nanotube transistors that can function as magnetic memories. The discovery demonstrates direct electrical control over a single electron spin, opening doors to new data storage possibilities.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered that riboflavin is responsible for much of the energy produced by Shewanella bacteria. This finding increases the power output by 370%, opening up possibilities for innovations in renewable energy and environmental clean-up.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a wearable mechanism that captures energy lost during walking to generate electricity. The device, which works similarly to regenerative braking in hybrid vehicles, has shown promise in powering devices with minimal user effort.
Researchers at Iowa State University's Center for Transportation Research and Education have tested the performance of the country's first hybrid school buses. The buses feature electric drive trains that can move at street speeds, capturing energy from braking to recharge their batteries. Initial results show improved fuel efficiency ...
Researchers at University of Copenhagen have discovered a new material that can convert up to 30% of solar energy into electricity, twice the current conversion rate. The use of nanotechnology reduces production costs and minimizes energy loss in solar cell transportation.
Stanford researchers have developed a new type of lithium-ion battery using silicon nanowires, which can store up to 10 times more electricity than traditional batteries. This breakthrough could make Li-ion batteries more attractive for electric cars and home energy storage.
Scientists at Stanford University found that connecting wind farms can reduce the variability of wind energy, making it suitable for baseload power. On average, 33% of yearly-averaged wind power from interconnected farms can be used as reliable, baseload electric power.
Scientists have quantified and compared the 3D volumes for sensation and movement in electric fish, finding a restricted sensory space due to energetic constraints. This overlap between sensory and movement volumes can provide insight into optimal control strategies for guiding behavior.
Wind power variability poses a challenge for grid systems. Researchers are developing methods to measure wind farm capacity contribution and establish energy storage systems to manage this variability. The goal is to enable more efficient integration of wind power into existing power systems.
The study concludes that improved access to electricity and a shift towards renewable energy will substantially benefit population health. Renewable sources like solar, wind, and wave power appear to create the smallest health burden, while nuclear power remains controversial due to waste storage concerns.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a new technology using nano-fibers that can conduct electricity and repel dirt. These fibers have diverse applications in self-cleaning surfaces, transparent electronics, and biomedical tools, including manipulating DNA strands.
A national renewable portfolio standard (RPS) would create a level playing field for states by requiring utilities to use solar, wind and other renewable resources. The RPS would prevent price gouging and save money for consumers by preventing inconsistencies between state mandates.
A Carnegie Mellon paper outlines incentives for controlling carbon emissions, warning of the consequences of delaying effective electric sector policy. Implementing an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide from power plants is likely to be cost-effective and reduce environmental impact.
A comprehensive MIT-led study assesses the feasibility of enhanced geothermal systems to increase US geothermal resource recovery. The report finds that heat mining can be economical in the short term and has a lower environmental impact compared to fossil fuels.
Morgan argues that legislators should impose regulations to prevent the construction of long-lived conventional coal plants. The US electricity industry plans to build 154 new plants in the next 24 years, with 50 slated for construction within five years.
NASA Goddard's carbon nanotubes are stronger than steel and can conduct electricity like copper, with applications in materials science, electronics, and medicine. The technology has been licensed to Idaho Space Materials, making it more accessible for research and development.
The MIT researcher's design allows for the installation of huge offshore wind turbines in deeper waters, reducing public opposition and increasing electricity production. The floating platforms can be assembled onshore, towed out to sea, and adjusted to stabilize the turbines, resulting in cost savings and improved efficiency.
Scientists at Harvard University have recalculated the fine structure constant, a fundamental force that governs the electromagnetic interaction between charged particles. The new value suggests that atoms are slightly looser than previously thought, with an improved measurement accuracy of six times better.
Researchers at MIT have created a new energy system that converts light into electricity, enabling more fuel-efficient cars. The system uses advanced materials and photonics to create intense light, which is then harnessed by photo diodes to power electrical systems.
Sovacool's research explores the reasons behind the slow adoption of distributed generation technologies, including social and technical factors. He interviewed over 60 influential energy experts to understand the obstacles to widespread use of DG/renewable energy systems.
A team of scientists found that electric fish can store memories through the activation of ion channels called TRP channels, which remain active for a long time. This discovery could help researchers better understand memory formation and neural disorders like epilepsy in humans.
A new energy-saving method has been developed to reduce the cooling-related demand for electricity in small office buildings. The approach involves running air conditioning at cooler-than-normal settings in the morning and then raising the thermostat to warmer settings in the afternoon, resulting in a 25-30% reduction in peak electrica...
The GridWise Demonstration project tests new electric grid technologies that enable consumers to make informed decisions about their energy use. Researchers will analyze how customers react to real-time pricing information and smart appliances, aiming to reduce power demand during peak hours and prevent widespread outages.
Scientists used transcranial magnetic stimulation to study brain activity during deep sleep, finding that regions of the cerebral cortex become functionally disconnected. This suggests that consciousness depends on the integration of information across different brain areas.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have discovered that hybrid grass Miscanthus can produce more biomass than switchgrass, with greater rates of photosynthesis and no net effect on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The crop is also remarkably efficient and easy to grow, making it a promising renewable energy source.
The project will address the physical structure of the grid and its computer communications network. Researchers will determine which parts are sensitive to failure and analyze marketing and technical aspects to improve security.
Researchers have invented a backpack that converts mechanical energy from walking into electricity, generating up to 7.4 Watts of power. The Suspended-load Backpack can power various devices simultaneously, reducing the need for heavy replacement batteries.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a new structure that can trap and redirect light, outperforming ordinary crystals in photonic circuits. This breakthrough could lead to the development of faster and more energy-efficient communication devices.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $36 million to support two new research centers focused on securing the nation's cyberspace and critical infrastructure. The Cyber Trust initiative aims to develop trustworthy computing systems, improve electronic voting systems, and create a secure cyberinfrastructure for the power grid.
Engineers at the University of Florida have developed a water-shedding compound that reduces water retention in fabrics by up to 20%, resulting in faster drying times for clothes. This innovation has the potential to save consumers $266 million annually and reduce residential electricity consumption by 5%.
Researchers have discovered a bacterium that can generate electricity from fuel sources, providing a potential solution for sustainable energy. This unique capability makes the bacterium useful for reclamation of wastewaters and removal of waste, with potential applications in future microbial fuel cell designs.
The Center for Power Electronics, a leading research center in power electronics technology, has received a $12.5 million funding renewal from the NSF. This investment aims to develop more efficient and integrated power electronics devices, resulting in significant energy savings and increased U.S. competitiveness.
Researchers at U of T found that municipal wastewater contains enough organic material to generate significant amounts of electricity. By using anaerobic digestion instead of aerobic treatment, wastewater treatment plants could produce enough electricity for their own operations and potentially export excess energy to the grid.
The Eastern Interconnection Phasor Project provides real-time system-wide data to utilities and transmission operators, potentially preventing cascading loss of power. The project uses satellite-based time clocks and sophisticated signal processing to enable more accurate monitoring and analysis.
The US will need to invest $450 billion in conventional electric infrastructure to meet growing demand by 20 years, but a smart energy approach can reduce this cost. By leveraging info tech, PNNL engineers aim to minimize new infrastructure, lower rates, and enhance grid security.
Research shows that wind turbines can be integrated into electricity grids without major issues, but the type of turbine affects measures needed. Simulation models helped investigate how wind turbines impact grid stability, revealing two fundamental differences from conventional power stations.
Researchers at NIST have developed advanced superconducting wires that can withstand strain without cracking, enabling the use of compact underground cables to expand grid capacity. The strain tolerance of these future high-temperature superconductor (HTS) wires is high enough for demanding electric utility applications.
A joint project between UDOT, GE Driver Development, and the University of Utah aims to enhance snowplow driver skills using state-of-the-art simulation technology. The training will focus on controlling speed, maintaining tandem position, and communication with other operators in a simulated winter environment.
University of Alberta engineers have created a new source of clean, non-polluting electric power using tap water and microchannels. The technology has vast potential for powering small devices and could rival wind and solar power in the future.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new method for forming organic photovoltaic films, increasing efficiency by 50 percent. The new material is ultra-thin, flexible, and can be manufactured through printing or spraying, making it suitable for large surfaces.