Articles tagged with Solar Wind
A recent study reveals a 97% decline in lithium-ion battery costs over the last three decades, driven by rapid growth of electric vehicles and renewable energy. This rate of improvement is comparable to that of solar photovoltaic panels.
Researchers from UC Santa Barbara recommend India increase its target to 600 GW of renewable capacity by 2030. Meeting high renewable targets would not avert the need to build fossil fuel power plants due to specific weather patterns and peak electricity demand requirements.
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.
Scientists have gained new insight into the solar structures that create the Sun's flow of high-speed solar wind. Using NASA data and cutting-edge image processing, researchers discovered plumelets, smaller strands of material within solar plumes, which shape the solar wind's characteristics.
Researchers at KAUST developed a high-frequency rainfall model using new rain gauges that measure rainfall drop by drop, providing unprecedented insight into minute-to-minute rainfall dynamics. The model captures the 'skewness' of high-frequency precipitation data and generates synthetic precipitation data for water management.
A new study from University of California, Davis and John Hopkins University aims to help decision-makers avoid unintended environmental consequences of renewable energy development. The study identifies key research priorities, including site selection and wildlife interactions, to promote sustainable solar and wind developments.
Researchers from Aarhus University modelled decarbonisation of the European energy system using high-resolution data. Solar energy emerges as a cost-optimised cornerstone for a fully decarbonised energy system by 2050.
A team of researchers, led by Jingtong Hu from the University of Pittsburgh, aims to apply artificial intelligence to remote sensors deployed in hard-to-reach areas. By leveraging energy-harvesting technology, they plan to save power on sensor devices and increase their lifespan.
KAUST researchers developed a statistical model providing the best wind forecast yet for Saudi Arabia, aiming to increase renewable energy in the grid and reach 9 gigawatts of installed wind energy by 2030. The model uses advanced statistical approaches to jointly model wind speed and direction, showing improved prediction performance.
Researchers discovered ultraviolet emissions on Comet Chury due to solar wind electrons striking its coma. The phenomenon, similar to Earth's aurora borealis, provides new insights into comet environments.
Scientists have discovered helium structures in the Sun's atmosphere using a NASA sounding rocket, revealing new insights into the origin and acceleration of the solar wind. The findings suggest that the abundance of helium is strongly connected to the magnetic field and speed of the solar wind in the corona.
Researchers found that current battery technology is too expensive for seasonal storage, but alternative technologies like hydrogen storage can provide cost-effective solutions. The study's findings may help policy makers develop more efficient renewable energy systems.
Researchers found that transitioning to renewable energy technologies has high energy return on investment (EROI) values, making it a worthwhile transition. The study analyzed dozens of studies on wind and solar renewables in regions with high solar and/or wind resources.
Researchers developed a deep learning method that enhances global climate models' ability to predict wind velocity and solar irradiance data, leading to more accurate renewable energy prospects. The approach results in high-resolution modeling under various climate scenarios.
Researchers develop new type of cathode with high specific capacity and large energy density using interface strain engineering in a 2D graphene nanomaterial. The work showcases a promising strategy to utilize strain engineering for advanced energy storage applications.
Researchers at Kyushu University analyzed data from NASA's InSight lander to determine the sources of different types and frequencies of Martian microtremors. The study found that low-frequency P-waves were related to changes in wind and solar irradiation, while higher-frequency ambient noises were dominated by lander vibration.
The study uses IBEX's long record to examine how the Sun's mood swings play out at the edge of the heliosphere. The results show the shifting outer heliosphere in great detail, hinting at processes behind one of its most puzzling features.
A new study found that mule deer migrations are limited when surface disturbance exceeds 3 percent, but can continue through areas with lower disturbance. Researchers hope to expand this work to understand how migratory animals respond to disturbed landscapes.
Scientists at the DOE's Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory have reproduced a process that occurs in space to deepen understanding of what happens when the Earth encounters the solar wind. The research aims to help forecast space weather and protect satellites that enable global communication.
A new study maps the potential for 'solar-wind-water' strategies in West Africa, finding that flexibly dispatched hydropower can increase renewable power generation by over 30%. Hydropower plants can support solar and wind energy, reducing CO2 emissions and environmental impact
The MAVEN spacecraft has created a map of electric current systems in Mars' atmosphere, revealing a crucial role in atmospheric loss. The currents, generated by solar wind interaction, transform energy into magnetic and electric fields that accelerate charged particles into space.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have created a global dataset of major renewable energy sites, mapping solar and wind farms worldwide. The study shows that Europe, North America, and East Asia dominate the renewable energy sector, with data correlating well with official statistics.
University of Wisconsin-Madison physicists have provided an explanation for the discrepancy in solar wind temperature. By applying mirror machine theory, they found that the hot electrons stream from the sun to large distances, losing energy slowly and distributing it to trapped particles.
Over 2000 renewable energy facilities are built in biodiverse areas, posing a significant threat to plant and animal species globally. The research team urges governments and industries to reconsider locations and prioritize biodiversity conservation.
A study on US public perceptions of energy mixes found that most participants underestimated oil and gas contributions and overestimated wind and solar energy. Participants showed a strong preference for a steep increase in solar and wind energy and a decrease in fossil fuels by 2050.
Scientists have discovered that Mars' magnetic field is ten times stronger than previously estimated, with fluctuations revealing clues about the planet's upper atmosphere. The findings provide valuable insights into Mars' interior structure and how it formed.
A new study has refined our understanding of the amount of hydrogen, helium, and other elements present in violent outbursts from the Sun. The research found that helium and neon are enriched in coronal mass ejections, providing clues to the underlying physics in the Sun.
A SwRI-led team used data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe to identify low-energy particles near the Sun, likely originating from solar wind interactions beyond Earth orbit. The particles are thought to be created by stream interaction regions and can pose a radiation threat to space travelers and technology.
Researchers discovered evidence of a strong early magnetic field in ancient minerals, dating back to 3.2-4.2 billion years ago. The study suggests that the magnetic field was relatively strong between 4.1 and 4 billion years ago, likely powered by an internal geodynamo.
The Parker Solar Probe has returned significant data on the Sun's atmosphere, revealing insights into the solar wind and its effects on space weather. The probe's findings have shed light on magnetic disturbances in the solar wind and the processes that heat the Sun's outer atmosphere.
The Parker Solar Probe has discovered new evidence on how the solar wind is accelerated away from the Sun's surface, finding that bursty 'spikes' originate in holes near the equator and are generated by magnetic reconnection. The probe also measured a sideways speed of the solar wind, which contradicts previous predictions.
The Parker Solar Probe has mapped the source of the slow solar wind to coronal holes on the sun's surface, which are cooler and less dense than surrounding corona. The probe also detected switchbacks in the magnetic field that may accelerate particles toward Earth, posing potential damage to electrical grids and orbiting satellites.
New data from NASA's Parker Solar Probe reveals that energetic particles hurtling out of the sun are more varied and numerous than previously thought, according to results from the Integrated Science Investigation of the Sun instrument suite. This discovery could provide early warnings for solar storms and improve space weather forecasts.
The Parker Solar Probe has completed three passes through the Sun's atmosphere, revealing new information about the material and particles that speed away from the star. The data shows a complicated, active system with quick reversals in the magnetic field and sudden, faster-moving jets of material.
The Parker Solar Probe mission has unveiled a surprisingly chaotic world within the sun's corona, characterized by rogue plasma waves, flipping magnetic fields, and distant solar winds. The findings have significant implications for space weather forecasting and our understanding of the sun's behavior.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers confirm Voyager 2's entry into interstellar space with a plasma density jump detected by an Iowa-led instrument. The spacecraft crossed into the ISM at a distance of over 11 billion miles from the sun, providing valuable clues to the structure of the heliosphere.
A new Harvard study identifies the Upper Midwest as ideal for wind turbines and the Great Lakes/Mid-Atlantic region for solar power to achieve maximum benefits. The research, funded by Harvard University's Climate Change Solutions Fund, provides a guide for policymakers, businesses, and utilities on where to deploy renewable energy.
A new energy model created by Cornell University engineers helps remove carbon-generated power from the US electric grid. The model prioritizes a cleaner, more efficient system while maintaining reliability and low costs.
A new study by Georgia Institute of Technology researchers warns that rollbacks of US energy regulations could lead to increased CO2 emissions, slowed progress in reducing pollutants, and worsening air quality. This could result in higher costs for healthcare and finances due to increased cases of respiratory illness.
A new study by researchers at the Institute for Transformative Sustainability Research (IASS) in Potsdam shows that many regions and municipalities in Europe can meet their electricity demand using renewable energy systems. However, achieving complete self-sufficiency would require large shares of land to be assigned to electricity gen...
The Magnetospheric Multiscale mission has made the first high-resolution measurements of an interplanetary shock. The shock was triggered by a fast stream of solar wind overtaking a slower stream, creating a wave that spread across the solar system. By analyzing the data from this event, scientists gained evidence to support a theory o...
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.
Scientists at University of Wisconsin-Madison successfully recreated the sun's solar wind and 'plasma burps' in a laboratory setting, confirming their development and providing an Earth-bound model for future study. The experiment used a three-meter-wide hollow sphere to mimic the sun's plasma and electromagnetic fields.
Researchers have developed a novel method to detect defaulting participants in contract-based demand response programs by leveraging sparse reconstruction. By analyzing limited data from smart meters and applying an iterative improvement technique, the proposed method enables accurate detection of failure sources with minimal inspections.
Researchers believe a zone of preferential heating surrounds the sun's surface, with temperatures rising and individual elements heated to different levels. The Parker Solar Probe will test this theory by entering the zone in 2021, providing direct measurements of processes behind solar wind acceleration.
A cross-disciplinary study by UH Manoa scientists reveals chemical and physical evidence of water formation on the Moon. The research proposes a mechanism where solar wind protons, lunar minerals, and micrometeorite impacts interact to produce water vapor.
Researchers found evidence of coronal rain in smaller, previously overlooked magnetic loops on the Sun. The discovery links two solar mysteries: the anomalous heating of the corona and the source of the slow solar wind.
Researchers discovered massive blobs of solar wind in archival data from NASA's Helios spacecraft, which could shed light on the solar wind's beginnings. The study used advanced modeling and analysis to connect the blob patterns to specific regions on the Sun.
Researchers found a slowdown of the Walker cell during solar-cycle maxima, shifting trade winds and precipitation patterns in the tropical Pacific. The study suggests that global hydrology and ocean-atmosphere coupling amplify the solar signal.
Scientists have observed water molecules moving around the dayside of the Moon, contradicting previous assumptions that it was arid. The amount and locations of surface water vary based on the time of day, with more common at higher latitudes.
The spacecraft studied the solar wind to better understand turbulence, which is a chaotic motion of a fluid. The mini-campaign provides scientists with an up-close view to push the frontiers of the field.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London, University of Arizona, and University of Iowa made the first direct measurement of how energy is transferred from electromagnetic fields to particles in the solar wind. This process, known as Landau damping, causes electrons to be energized and heats interplanetary space.
The Earth's magnetic shield exhibits drum-like vibrations in response to strong impulses, as observed through NASA THEMIS satellite data. These findings have implications for understanding space weather and its potential effects on technology like power grids and GPS.
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.
Scientists plan to fly a coronagraph aboard a high-altitude balloon to measure density, temperature, and speed of electrons in the corona. This will help understand how solar wind forms and accelerates, impacting space-weather forecasts and potentially disrupting power grids.
Scientists propose a new model, magnetic pumping, to explain the solar wind's heat persistence as it streams out of the sun and towards Earth. The research shows that particles in the solar wind are affected by magnetic pumping, including high-energy particles.
Researchers from MAGPIE laboratories simulate stellar winds interacting with planetary magnetic fields, reproducing magnetopause formation and low-pressure regions. Laboratory experiments utilize intense electric pulses to create high-speed plasma plumes that interact with targets having magnetic fields.