Articles tagged with Electricity
A new study by Berkeley Lab and NREL found that optimizing building energy demand can significantly impact the electric grid. By increasing energy efficiency and flexibility in buildings, up to one-third of coal- or gas-fired power generation can be avoided. The regions with the largest grid resource are Texas, Southeast U.S., Great La...
Researchers found that electric toilet water-jet nozzles can harbor multidrug-resistant bacteria, which can be transmitted to patients with weakened immune systems. The study highlights the need for modified hand hygiene practices and toilet disinfection protocols in hospitals to prevent superbug transmission.
A study published in Nature Communications suggests that Southeast Asia can decouple electricity supply and environmental protection by embracing renewable technologies like solar energy. The research reveals that only 82% of planned dams are necessary, and halting construction would have minimal impact on electricity costs.
A new rate plan aims to benefit individuals who use less power or utilize solar power, while those with high peak usage pay more. The system uses electric smart meters and a grid access fee to approximate the impact of end-users' time-varying demand on local distribution networks.
Researchers at the National Research Council of Science & Technology have developed a novel anode material for sodium-ion batteries using low-cost silicone-based oil. This material can store 1.5 times more electricity than commercial lithium-ion batteries and maintains its performance even after 200 cycles.
A new study suggests that cooperative strategies for providing emergency power during long-duration outages can cost up to 40 times less than individual generators. The analysis focused on two hypothetical communities in New Hampshire and found that shared generator costs were significantly lower, making collective options more accessi...
A new study from Aalto University recommends that government subsidies for clean-energy heating be allocated to areas where homeowners can least afford the upfront cost, namely those with lower housing prices. This approach aims to promote energy-efficient heat pumps and reduce carbon emissions in Finland's residential buildings.
The Blavatnik Family Foundation and the New York Academy of Sciences have named 31 finalists for the world's largest unrestricted prize honoring early-career scientists and engineers. The three winners will receive $250,000 each on July 20.
A University of Montana study analyzed nearly 23,000 reservations at Watchman Campground in Zion National Park to identify the key drivers of demand. The researchers found that price and electricity were the largest influencers, followed by proximity to the river and ease of access.
A study on carbon dioxide emissions downstream of the Kariba Dam in Zambia reveals highly variable emissions, influenced by seasonal and hourly changes. Failing to account for these variations could lead to biased estimates of tropical reservoir emissions.
A new study presents a high-efficiency battery system that can be charged using indoor lighting, showcasing an overall energy efficiency of 13.2%. The research team developed a novel electrode material that significantly enhances charging efficiency under dim light conditions.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have created a self-sustaining intelligent microsystem using protein nanowires that can process ultralow electronic signals. The system harnesses electricity from the ambient environment, making it a promising development in green electronics.
The Shadow Figment technology uses AI-powered deception to keep attackers engaged in a pretend world, rewarding them with false signals of success while defenders learn about the attackers' methods. This creates a distraction that allows defenders to take action and protect real systems.
A ban on new fossil-fuel car sales could lead to a significant reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, but the effect will depend on factors like battery manufacturing. By 2045, electric cars can reduce life-cycle emissions by 3-5 million tonnes of CO2.
Scientists at PNNL have demonstrated the potential of low-cost organic compounds for storing massive amounts of energy to be fed into the electric grid. The researchers showed that fluorenone, a common compound found in candles, can operate continuously for 120 days and lose less than 3% of its energy capacity after 1,111 full cycles.
Scientists have developed a new process to integrate special dyes into electric motor insulation, allowing for early detection of degradation. This could lead to reduced motor replacements and improved efficiency in electric vehicles.
The GridScale technology stores electrical energy as heat in basalt crushed to tiny stones, offering a cost-effective solution for long-term electricity storage. The facility will support electricity supply for up to a week, addressing the challenge of storing intermittent wind and solar electricity.
Historical research from Lund University reveals that electrification strengthened professional groups' negotiating power, leading to more strikes over wage increases. The study analyzed 8,000 strikes between 1859 and 1938 and found that technological change was a rare trigger.
A new study found that nearly all fine particulate air pollution sources affect people of color more than whites, with industry and vehicle emissions being major contributors. The disparities persist across income levels and geographic regions, suggesting systemic issues behind the findings.
Researchers found that using gain language, which highlights positive benefits, can increase eco-friendly behavior. Anthropomorphism, such as giving objects human characteristics, also boosts green compliance. The study suggests that businesses can save money by shifting customers' behaviors to be greener.
Researchers from Skoltech, University of Arizona, and Los Alamos National Laboratory developed an approach to quickly stabilize power grids after demand response perturbation. The study analyzes relaxation of energy consumption dynamics in thermostatically controlled loads, demonstrating super-relaxation and efficient load management.
Texas A&M researchers have developed a reliability framework to improve the distribution system, reducing interruptions by 50% and customer average interruption duration by 45%. The framework can also test the impact of installing rooftop solar and energy storage on the system.
High-entropy carbides offer improved thermal and energy resistance due to their unique composition of multiple metals and carbon. TPU researchers successfully synthesized this material using a vacuum-free electric arc method.
A study of 126 nations suggests that many lack the economic and institutional quality to deploy nuclear power, despite rising demand for low-carbon electricity. Countries like Malaysia and Qatar demonstrated above-median performance, while others require improved governance structures.
A Stanford University study found that wind turbines produce more electricity during extreme cold weather, which is often accompanied by increased demand for heating. This suggests that wind energy can provide critical power to meet growing seasonal heat demands, even in the coldest of times.
A recent study has unveiled a novel membrane-free CO2 battery that can produce hydrogen and electricity while sequestering carbon dioxide emissions. The new battery exhibits high faradaic efficiency of 92.0% and offers significant benefits for sustainable human life.
Research at ETH Zurich found that defaulting to green electricity increased demand by over 80% in private households, with a significant impact on business customers as well. Despite higher costs, the majority of customers stuck with green options, demonstrating the lasting effect of default settings.
A new study by Colorado State University researchers provides the most detailed accounting of the cannabis industry's greenhouse gas emissions. The study found that US indoor cannabis cultivation results in life-cycle emissions of between 2,283 and 5,184kg CO2 per kg dried flower.
To achieve its goal, Switzerland must double its photovoltaic capacity every decade, with power from wind, hydrogen fuel cells, and imports also contributing. Electric vehicles and heat pumps will become crucial, while energy savings through building renovation are essential for meeting the target.
Rural broadband cooperatives face high operation and maintenance costs, low population density, and prohibitively high service fees. Policymakers should consider eliminating property taxes on broadband infrastructure and payments to rent space on poles to make high-speed internet more affordable.
Daydreaming can be an antidote to boredom, but it's surprisingly demanding. Research suggests that we don't intuitively understand how to think enjoyable thoughts. To master daydreaming, try priming your brain with pleasant topics and timing it when you're minimally occupied.
Retailers can increase customer comfort and attract EV owners by installing solar canopies on parking lots. This can provide a path for green consumerism and incentivize shopping, ultimately increasing store selection and profit.
Researchers found that grid-tied solar photovoltaic (PV) owners are undercompensated in most of the U.S., as the value of solar eclipses net metering and two-tiered rates. This study provides a generalized model to evaluate the economics of grid-tied PV systems, showing substantial future regulatory reform is needed.
Researchers have developed a prototype backpack that reduces load weights by 20% while harvesting energy from human movements to power small electronics. The backpack incorporates elastomers for shock absorption and a triboelectric nanogenerators to convert mechanical energy into electricity, achieving 14% efficiency.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have designed a new type of rechargeable battery that combines the performance merits of solid-oxide fuel cells and metal-air batteries. The salt battery can significantly extend the range of electric vehicles while being fully recyclable, environmentally-friendly, low-cost, and safe.
Researchers at Aarhus University are developing a new type of battery that can be recharged in just six minutes and has a range of 350 kilometres. The goal is for the battery to have a lifespan of at least 20 years and be virtually maintenance-free.
Research shows that sleep cycles in people oscillate during the 29.5-day lunar cycle, with people going to bed later and sleeping less in the days leading up to a full moon. This natural adaptation may have allowed ancestors to take advantage of available evening light.
A new study from MIT researchers reveals that installing charging stations on residential streets and adding high-speed charging stations along highways can greatly increase the adoption of electric cars. The findings suggest that making convenient charging options available to people, especially those with limited access to garages or...
The SolarEV City concept integrates roof-top PVs with electric vehicles to supply affordable CO2-free electricity, reducing emissions by 54-95% in nine Japanese urban areas. Implementations can meet 53-95% of electricity demands by 2030, with potential cost savings of 26-41%.
A UVA-led team has developed a new approach to power grid planning that incorporates the impacts of hurricanes, reducing costs and emissions. The model simulates the likelihood and intensity of storms, allowing for more efficient infrastructure investments and projected average electricity costs.
Researchers developed a framework to evaluate climate change adaptations for water and energy systems, finding that conserving water can alleviate electricity grid stress. The study applied this framework to California, highlighting two possible adaptation pathways: one energy-intensive and another that saves both water and energy.
Researchers propose a framework to evaluate climate change impacts on California's water-energy nexus. The framework identifies key stressors and adaptations, revealing potential synergies in mitigating climate change.
A study finds that thermal power plants are already struggling to keep up with growing electricity demand on hot days, leading to reduced capacity and increased greenhouse gas emissions. The research warns that as global warming intensifies, power plant outages on hot days could nearly double, straining the electricity grid.
Researchers have invented a hinge that allows large Army quadrotors to climb higher in seconds, improving agility and control authority. The innovation reduces thrust response time by 30%, enabling quadtors to reach the rooftop of a two-story building in as little as two seconds.
Researchers developed a non-toxic hydrothermal treatment that enhances conductivity of PEDOT:PSS films by 250 times, making them suitable for biomedical applications.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research use electric rays and sting rays to create maps of the seabed, collecting data on ocean wildlife and resources. The method is cost-effective and has been shown to be accurate, with positioning errors within 10cm of existing seabed maps.
According to a Georgia Institute of Technology researcher, shutting down fossil fuel power plants by 2035 may not require as many early closures as previously thought. By allowing existing plants to reach their typical lifespans, the cost of closure can be reduced and financial liabilities minimized.
African and German partners are developing intelligent 'microgrids' based on renewable energy to provide uninterrupted power supply for rural communities. The project aims to equip local specialists with practical knowledge, enabling autonomous use of socio-technological infrastructure.
The water-energy nanogrid is a standalone system that uses solar energy to decontaminate water and generate electricity. Researchers found that the nanofiltration system can successfully desalinate and remove chemicals from local groundwater, making it suitable for remote regions.
Scientists have created soft pyroelectric materials that can convert heat into electricity, solving the mystery of how snakes sense their surroundings in the dark. The development is based on a mathematical model inspired by the physiology of snake pit organs.
A new UNIGE study models 100 feasible scenarios to achieve Central European electricity sector targets by 2035. The research highlights trade-offs between cost-efficiency, renewable electricity, and regional equality, suggesting a compromise is possible to share costs and benefits evenly across regions.
Experimental study reveals electric clothes dryers as a significant source of microfiber pollution. The devices emit fibers from laundry through their vents, contaminating the air and potentially harming ecosystems.
A new study suggests that coordinated international action on energy-efficient, climate-friendly cooling could avoid as much as 600 billion tonnes CO2 equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions in this century. The Kigali Amendment aims to phase down HFCs, and improving energy efficiency in cooling technologies can lead to significant elec...
A recent study by Cardiff University researchers found that high levels of air pollution force people indoors, leading to higher electricity consumption in both residential and commercial buildings. The effects are particularly pronounced in lower-income families and those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
A novel measurement framework has been developed to track energy poverty more accurately, focusing on the services people lack rather than just physical connections. This alternative framework can aid in better tracking of Sustainable Development Goal 7 by virtue of its simplicity and sensitivity to diverse service conditions among the...
According to a study by University of Colorado Denver researcher Serena Kim, 20% of US airports have adopted solar photovoltaic systems over the last decade. Airports operated by general-purpose governments have deployed solar panels more than special-purpose governments.
A team of researchers suggests using two thin films of different materials to create affordable and efficient solar cells. The proposed configuration achieves a 34% efficiency rate, surpassing the efficiency of individual components.
Researchers at KIST have developed high-efficiency large-area organic photovoltaics by controlling solvent evaporation rates, achieving 30% higher power conversion efficiency than existing photovoltaics. This breakthrough enables the creation of practical solar cell technology for future energy self-sufficiency and eco-friendly energy ...
A NUS study found that households respond to air pollution by increasing electricity consumption, leading to higher carbon emissions. Cleaner urban air can reduce energy demand and mitigate carbon emissions. The study highlights the need for policymakers to consider the impact of air quality on energy demand in developing countries.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to convert red bricks into energy storage units that can store electricity, which could be charged and used to power devices. The 'smart bricks' can store a substantial amount of energy and can be recharged hundreds of thousands of times within an hour.