Articles tagged with Electricity
New research suggests that microgrids may not always be economically efficient in regulated electricity markets. The study examines scenarios for adding a microgrid to a vertically integrated utility network, finding that it can increase or decrease economic efficiency depending on cost assumptions and network characteristics. In some ...
A new study by Michigan Tech engineers and sociologists reveals that leaving the electrical grid is a viable option for the majority of seasonal households (92%) and single-family owner-occupied households (65%). Solar-hybrid systems, combining solar power with cogeneration and battery storage, can overcome cloudy winter days. The stud...
Researchers at University of East Anglia argue that subsidies should be used to encourage investment in energy storage systems as renewable power increases. The study found that energy storage technologies can provide vital revenue streams through arbitrage and market incentives.
A new study analyzes data from 21 countries and finds a positive correlation between electricity consumption and life satisfaction in some nations, while others show the opposite relationship. The research suggests that narrowing production-consumption gaps can improve human development outcomes.
The University of Würzburg researchers developed Skith, a technology for the world's first wireless satellite, allowing for reduced design effort and costs. The system uses miniaturized high-speed real-time radio modules with short ranges, boosting technical reliability and flexibility.
A large-scale study of Super Storm Sandy's utility damage found that 'small' failures accounted for more than half the outage impact, defeating traditional repair strategies. The research suggests that prioritizing repairs to substations and other major facilities is not effective in restoring service quickly.
A new study finds that small-scale electricity systems bring some clear benefits, but service conditions vary widely, with unreliable and limited hours of service. Solar-powered systems lead to the greatest reduction in kerosene use and health benefits.
Eliminating kerosene subsidies by 2030 could reduce use by 97%, improving health and the economy. The study suggests phasing out subsidies to maintain lighting access while promoting affordable alternatives.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated a strong non-contact heat transfer channel using light, achieving near-field radiative heat transfer between parallel objects at nanoscale distances. The team's approach has the potential to revolutionize energy conversion applications by converting wasted heat from combustion engines back to ...
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed an approach to optimizing neighborhood solar energy production, which can increase annual electricity output by 4.6% and reduce volatility in electrical output by 4.3%. The method allows homeowners to share expenses and benefits among cooperating neighbors.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has developed an intelligent wheelchair system called iWheelchair, integrating various functions such as environment control, safety, and health monitoring. The system allows users to control home devices using a tablet computer, with features like fall monitoring and smart diaper detection.
Researchers have developed a new flexible 'meta-skin' technology that can cloak objects from radar waves using rows of small liquid-metal devices. The meta-skin demonstrates 75% radar suppression in the frequency range of 8 to 10 gigahertz, making it suitable for electromagnetic frequency tuning, shielding and scattering suppression.
A new study published in the Journal of Corporate Finance found that companies with offshore subsidiaries are worth 11% more than purely onshore firms, while those with headquarters in OFCs are valued 14% lower. However, tax benefits are offset by costs such as lax monitoring and loose legal regimes.
Two new species of weakly electric mormyrid fish have been discovered in the rivers of Gabon, belonging to a newly described genus Cryptomyrus. The discovery was made using only three specimens collected over 13 years, highlighting the need for natural history collections to connect the dots.
A new study estimates that state renewable portfolio standard policies yielded significant environmental and economic benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions ($2.2 billion) and air pollution reductions ($5.2 billion). The study also found that RPS policies supported 200,000 renewable energy-related jobs and saved consumers...
Researchers apply shape optimization methods to enhance electric motor performance, achieving a 27% decrease in cost functional. The approach identifies optimal motor geometries that cannot be imagined beforehand, resulting in smoother rotation patterns and improved overall efficiency.
The hydricity concept integrates solar concentrators to produce high temperatures, superheating water to generate electricity and split into hydrogen and oxygen. Researchers have shown the process has an average sun-to-electricity efficiency of 35 percent.
Researchers found that humans are exceptionally short sleepers, getting an average of seven hours of sleep per night, whereas other primates need up to 17 hours. Human sleep is also more efficient, spending less time in light stages and more in deeper stages.
The new center aims to harmonize electric vehicle charging infrastructure, enabling seamless communication between cars and grids. It drafts international standards for interoperability testing and develops physical devices to connect vehicles to the grid.
A study by Osaka University reveals that household income, actual energy consumption, and perception of savings are closely linked. The research found growing gaps between consumption behavior and perceptions of conservation, particularly among high and moderate energy consumers.
New study from CU Denver finds that even low levels of natural gas leakage can make it as damaging as coal for climate change. The research shows a leakage rate of 3.9% over 20 years and 9.1% over 100 years makes natural gas equivalent to coal in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
The UN report concludes that green energy technologies can significantly reduce global pollution if chosen wisely. Renewable electricity generates much lower greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels, with wind and solar power producing only 5-6% of the emissions created by coal-fired plants.
The use of different methods to measure energy sources is a significant issue, affecting global efforts to combat climate change. The disparity in measuring energy statistics can lead to inaccurate targets and progress tracking.
A new study by Stanford researcher Mark Z. Jacobson suggests storing solar energy underground to meet electricity demand on cloudy days. The proposed system uses heat, cold, and electricity storage to provide a stable grid, with potential benefits including reduced air pollution and lower costs.
The Precourt Institute for Energy at Stanford University has awarded $2.1 million in seed grants to support promising clean energy research. The projects focus on developing new technologies for solar energy, nuclear waste management, and biofuels, with the goal of reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
Two new reports by Berkeley Lab examine future electric industry regulation, utility business models, reliability, affordability and cleaner resources. The first report discusses electric industry structure and regulatory responses in a high distributed energy resources future.
Researchers at EMPA have developed tandem solar cells that convert a larger portion of light energy into electricity, using polycrystalline thin films and semi-transparent perovskite film. The new process enables large area low-cost processing and flexible plastic or metal foils as substrates.
A new study finds that US wood pellet exports to the EU have a significant environmental advantage over coal, with carbon emissions savings ranging from 74-85%. The research suggests that using agricultural biomass in wood pellet production can further increase these savings.
Researchers found that electric mobility could be a crucial factor in reducing CO2 emissions from transportation, which currently accounts for 23% of global emissions. Improved urban infrastructure policies, such as investing in public transport and bike paths, can also lead to significant reductions in emissions.
Researchers have developed a new battery that uses low-cost materials to store renewable energy, potentially making it more affordable for homes. The battery's energy density is close to that of lithium-ion batteries, but with the potential for an additional two- to three-fold boost.
Engineers at Oregon State University have developed a new approach for storing concentrated solar thermal energy, enabling more efficient and cost-effective use of this technology. The innovation uses thermochemical storage to hold heat, drive turbines, and reheat for continuous cycles.
The new system, developed by EPFL's Distributed Electrical Systems Laboratory, is based on high-performance lithium-ion titanate cells and can store up to 500 kWh of energy. Researchers will use it to study and optimize the functioning of renewable energy systems and feed them into the power distribution grid.
Researchers identified key factors leading to nanoparticles' instability and aggregation in industrial applications. The conditions include the electric force imbalance between particles and attractive or repulsive forces.
A new center at Lehigh University is working on developing new technologies to protect the US power grid from cyber attacks. Researchers will identify and develop solutions for vulnerabilities across the grid, including protecting core power grid controls and communications infrastructure.
Estimated electricity production from African urban waste could reach 122.2 TWh in 2025, alleviating energy poverty for millions. However, poor waste management limits actual potential to 83.8 TWh, affecting 27 million families.
The Global Sustainable Electricity Partnership report outlines innovative means to help realize national CO2 pledges and reduce electricity use. The group urges policymakers to adopt secure, stable, clear, consistent, and long-term policies to foster industry innovation and investment.
A new study found that laparoscopic hysterectomy without morcellation was the most effective procedure, while laparoscopic hysterectomy with power morcellation was associated with more intraoperative complications but fewer perioperative risks. The risk of cancer dissemination and mortality varied by age, with higher risks for older wo...
Researchers at ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science have created wearable structures that detect human movement using knitted and braided fibres. The fabrics can also store energy required to power such functions, enabling new applications in sports training and rehabilitation.
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a method for chemically separating rare earth elements, such as neodymium, dysprosium, and praseodymium, from the drive units of discarded electric and hybrid vehicles. This technology has the potential to reduce the United States' dependence on China for these vital materials.
Researchers at UT Arlington are developing a hybrid software/hardware approach to create highly accurate models of electric motors. The new method aims to reduce the time and expense of modeling prototypes by speeding up model simulations by as much as 1 million times, making it easier to create more efficient motors.
Researchers at UMass Amherst are developing smart energy services that use data from Holyoke Gas & Electric Co.'s smart meters to reduce peak demand, promote local renewable energy and save customers money. The services will also provide real-time notifications for unusual energy usage and suggested conservation tips.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has invested $20 million in new fundamental research to transform critical infrastructure and improve resilience. This initiative aims to develop a better understanding of interdependencies and their impacts on infrastructure systems, enabling them to perform sustainably and securely.
A comprehensive analysis of electricity reliability trends found that increasingly severe weather is linked to longer-lasting power outages. The study analyzed reports for nearly 70% of U.S. electricity customers spanning 13 years and found a 5-10% increase in the total number of minutes customers are without power each year.
Researchers at PNNL developed a new forecasting tool that can accurately predict electricity needs, reducing errors and costs. The Power Model Integrator uses an ensemble of models to adaptively combine strengths and address various scenarios, improving accuracy by up to 50%.
A study found that 26.3% of dialysis patients missed sessions and 66.1% received treatment at non-regular units after Hurricane Sandy. Patients with emergency packets had their medical records stored at home, highlighting the need for preparedness.
The US Navy is developing narrow strips of graphene called nanoribbons to improve power control systems in ships, smartphones and electronic devices. Graphene nanoribbons can conduct electricity with reduced heat loss and added strength compared to traditional materials.
A new learning method for energy optimization of plug-in hybrid electric buses uses stochastic Markov models to minimize fuel and electric consumption costs. The approach avoids the curse of dimensionality problem by approximating the cost function without discretization, reducing computational complexity.
Researchers from Université de Genève found that activated neurons swell due to massive entry of water, providing a new insight into brain functioning. This discovery enables the detection of cellular mechanisms behind brain activity, allowing for more accurate localization and pathologies diagnosis.
Research comparing traditional hunter-gatherer communities with and without access to electricity reveals that those with electricity sleep an average of one hour less per night than those without. The study suggests that artificial light disrupts humans' natural circadian clock and sleep-wake cycle, leading to shorter nights.
Research shows that public access defibrillation on people suffering cardiac arrest is associated with a large increase in chances of survival. However, despite the great potential, publicly accessible Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) are not being used enough.
A Binghamton University doctoral candidate is working on improving data center efficiency by analyzing air flow, turbulence, and cooling capacity. The research aims to reduce energy consumption by up to 30% in data centers.
Researchers measured cell phone activity at towers to gain insight into population dynamics and predict infrastructure needs. This new metric can help plan electrification options like power lines or microgrids for rural communities in need.
A study by Duke University found that residential and commercial customers using automatic bill payments consumed 4-6% and 8% more power, respectively. This increase in demand may offset savings from energy demand-reduction programs. To combat this issue, utilities are exploring strategies to boost price salience.
A comprehensive survey of resources used and removed in the world's largest metropolitan areas reveals that megacities consume significantly more energy and produce more solid waste than other regions. Despite having a relatively small percentage of the global population, megacities generate a substantial proportion of global GDP.
Researchers analyzed data from 20 states to determine the average cost of saving electricity through utility customer-funded energy efficiency programs. The study found that efficiency programs and participants split the cost almost equally, with home lighting programs driving costs down.
A Dartmouth-led team is studying the environmental and financial benefits of converting methane gas from cow manure into electricity and heat on Vermont and New York dairy farms. The project aims to quantify how integrating food and energy production affects farm viability and environmental impacts.
A new paper by Zhi Da at the University of Notre Dame finds that residential electricity usage can track household production in real time, helping to price assets. The research shows that consumer product related industries are risky as they have high exposure to household production risk.
A study published in Scientific Reports identified a rural community in Brazil that still adheres to traditional sleep patterns, unlike many urban areas where artificial lighting has disrupted the natural day-night cycle. The researchers found that town residents and those living in the countryside have different preferred wake-up and ...
Scientists have developed a new, 'green' way to improve lithium-ion battery performance using a carbon-based nanosheet derived from silk. The material stores five times more lithium than graphite, critical for improving battery life.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have created a new technique to make coatings that can conduct electricity or convert it into hydrogen fuels, using a consumer-grade heat lamp.