Articles tagged with Power Industry
Researchers developed a new type of anode material that improves lithium-ion battery capacity and lifespan by addressing structural issues with conventional graphite anodes. The new material, using silicon-nanolayer-embedded graphite/carbon, shows superior battery performances and is mass-producible.
Scientists have discovered that certain large ions can hold tunnels open in electrode materials, allowing charge-carrying ions to move in and out easily and quickly. This breakthrough could lead to improved energy density and power density of lithium ion batteries for larger devices such as electric cars.
A Lehigh University researcher is developing business models to integrate clean energy into the grid, enabling seamless trading of surplus power among consumers and suppliers. This innovation has the potential to drastically reduce reliance on fossil fuels and associated environmental harm.
Researchers at Clemson University created maps showing the suitability of lands in South Carolina for generating solar energy, with a focus on five-megawatt and one-megawatt developments. The study found that about 4.2% of state land area is suitable for five-megawatt developments, enough to install 69.6 gigawatts of capacity.
Researchers from Penn State and industry partners aim to create low-cost, durable anion exchange membranes with novel cations for commercial-scale applications in fuel cells and electrolyzers. They will focus on stable polymers meeting ARPA-E requirements for resistance and cost.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a high-voltage and high-frequency silicon carbide power switch that is cost-effective and efficient. The FREEDM Super-Cascode switch can operate over a wide range of temperatures and frequencies, making it suitable for applications in medium- and high-voltage power devices.
The Hikari supercomputer cluster uses solar panels for up to 208 kilowatts of power during the day, reducing the need for conventional AC power from the grid. This innovative system also employs high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology, predicted to save 15% compared to traditional systems.
The REPARA project aims to make energy and performance benefits of computer systems available without enormous development efforts. Researchers have developed a semiautomatic process to improve source code refactoring, increasing application performance, energy efficiency, and maintainability.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method for uniting light-harvesting photonic nanomaterials with high-efficiency metal catalysts. The 'antenna-reactor' design produces a significant improvement in selectivity, turning a poison into a valuable commodity and offering potential energy savings and improved efficiency.
Research shows that pelleting and extrusion increase digestible and metabolizable energy in diets for pigs, regardless of fiber content. Pelleting alone or combining with extrusion provides greater increases in amino acid digestibility, improving energy utilization.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will lead a regional smart manufacturing center, advancing and implementing smart manufacturing technologies to improve energy management and reduce energy use. The center will focus on industries such as food processing, advanced materials, and metals processing.
Industrial manufacturing businesses can reduce their energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30.45% and 5.63%, respectively, by rescheduling work patterns around critical peak events. The new research from Binghamton University uses critical peak pricing technology.
Research at the University of Illinois found that finer corn particle sizes increase energy derived from corn, allowing producers to reduce added fat without affecting growth performance or carcass characteristics. This enables producers to decrease feed costs.
Researchers at the University of Tennessee Center for Renewable Carbon explore feedstock supply and logistical issues to develop cost-competitive biofuels and bio-based products. The study aims to determine if blending feedstocks can increase performance while lowering costs.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a durable, inexpensive ice-repellent coating that can be applied to various surfaces, including airplanes, power lines, car windshinds, and freezers. The coating works by exploiting interfacial cavitation, a phenomenon where rubbery surfaces break free from solid ones with minimal force.
The Cyclotron Road program has selected its second cohort of innovators, including researchers working on next-generation batteries, advanced materials, and solar technologies. The new cohort will receive funding and mentorship to develop their technology from Berkeley Lab.
The DOE has awarded $220 million for 88 new projects across 14 National Laboratories to deliver new grid concepts, tools, and technologies. Berkeley Lab is leading two projects: the California Distributed Resource Planning and Optimization Platform and Future Utility Regulation.
Increasing US LNG exports will allow domestic natural-gas-intensive industries to remain competitive globally. The study found that LNG exports are associated with a net increase in domestic natural gas production, and their impact on the macroeconomy is marginally positive.
A new study from the University of Washington and MIT found that US fuel economy improvements are on par with those achieved in the 1970s, but may not be enough to meet future climate commitments. The research suggests that automakers have been unable to deliver sufficient levels of innovation since the 1990s, highlighting the need for...
Engineers at University of California, Santa Barbara developed a new tunnel field effect transistor that switches at only 0.1 volts and reduces power dissipation by over 90%, overcoming the fundamental limitations of conventional transistors.
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 from Florida State University have created a new type of high-performing LED using organometal halide perovskites, which outshines traditional LEDs by about 25 times. The material is also quick and easy to produce, reducing production costs.
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.
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.
The Algae Foundation has been awarded a three-year grant from the Department of Energy to develop an associate's degree in algal biology, cultivation, and technology. This program will strengthen industry workforce capabilities by focusing on skills needed for commercializing algal products.
A recent study published in Renewable Energy predicts that the Midwest region will experience a 2% increase in wind energy density by 2038-2070 due to climate change. This is expected to provide additional power for residents, with some counties projected to gain enough energy to run multiple appliances continuously.
US fracking operations consume nearly 250 billion gallons of water between 2005 and 2014, which is lower than other energy-related extraction methods. However, in drought-stricken areas, local water shortages could limit future use of hydraulic fracturing.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed an optimization algorithm to minimize robot acceleration, reducing energy consumption by up to 40%. The algorithm coordinates multiple robots to optimize their movements and sequence, resulting in improved efficiency without compromising production time.
A Rice University-led consortium has been chosen to establish a new NSF Engineering Research Center to develop compact, mobile, off-grid water-treatment systems. The NEWT Center aims to provide clean water to millions of people who lack it and make U.S. energy production more sustainable and cost-effective.
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 by the University of California Irvine found that economic downturns, rather than increased natural gas use, were responsible for a 11% decrease in climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions in the US. This shift was driven by changes in consumer demand and industrial output.
A new statistical technique predicts wind speeds more accurately than existing methods, even with limited data. The model uses non-Gaussian distributions and nonlinear correlations to improve accuracy, doubling predictions in some cases.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been selected as one of five national laboratories to lead the Department of Energy's new Small Business Vouchers Pilot. The lab will provide technology assistance to small clean energy firms in three sectors: bioenergy, water power, and buildings.
NREL is awarding up to $6.5 million in federal funds to technical teams across the US to test advanced control systems, smart consumer devices, energy storage, and emerging communications technologies for grid reliability and efficiency. The projects aim to accelerate modernization of the electric grid and enable a clean energy future.
The partnership aims to enhance the operation and development of testing facilities, enabling better understanding of wind turbine drivetrain systems. The collaboration will also promote public-private partnerships and workforce education in the energy industry.
David Wetz's research focuses on optimizing batteries' performance and lifespan when operated at high power. The project aims to develop safer, more efficient batteries for the U.S. Navy, addressing safety, size, and weight constraints.
A new tool uses seismic signals to estimate the energy released by military ordnance, mining events, industrial accidents, plane crashes, and terrorist attacks. The method can calculate yields for explosions hundreds or thousands of kilometers away from a seismic station.
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.
The collaboration aims to provide diverse sources of investment for solar PV asset development in China, reducing future CO2 emissions. NREL will advise CPVFA on documentation standardization, data availability, and consistency in asset deployment.
Researchers at UC Riverside's Bourns College of Engineering will work with three Southern California water districts to deploy customized smart systems and controls. The project aims to cut electricity use by 10% and save millions of dollars.
Scientists develop a novel artificial photosynthetic system that converts light and carbon dioxide into building blocks for plastics, pharmaceuticals and fuels without electricity. The system harnesses solar energy and bacteria to produce chemical precursors for everyday products.
Marriott International partners with UTSA to improve its energy efficiency, leveraging Bing Dong's proprietary tool for real-time occupant behavior analysis and data-driven energy-saving recommendations. The partnership aims to reduce the company's global energy footprint by 20% by 2020.
The Global Conference on Inland Fisheries emphasizes the significant role of freshwater fish in global development, food security, and ecosystem health. Experts urge policymakers to prioritize inland fisheries, which provide vital protein, micronutrients, and economic benefits for millions worldwide.
The University of Houston has been selected to lead a national research center for subsea engineering and offshore energy development, with funding from the RESTORE Act. The Subsea Systems Institute will focus on reducing the risk of accidents and spills in the Gulf of Mexico.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is providing critical support to two new microgrid projects, receiving over $8 million in funding. These projects aim to develop commercially-viable standardized microgrid controllers that can provide a reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity supply.
Researchers have developed a new type of smart window that can respond to heat cues, blocking unwanted heat from entering buildings while still allowing natural light to pass. The new design uses microscopic soft beads suspended in a liquid and has shown promise in reducing energy consumption on hot days.
Scientists have created an innovative way to utilize atmospheric carbon dioxide to produce high-value materials for energy storage products. This breakthrough in nanotechnology enables the creation of nanoporous graphene, which has exceptional electrical conductivity and surface area.
As energy becomes scarce, daily life in Western industrial nations will downshift into simpler forms due to reduced consumption. Behavioral scientists aim to help people cope with the transition by pre-familiarizing them with the changes and encouraging small, voluntary social experiments.
The new Lab-Corps program aims to accelerate the commercialization of clean energy technologies from national laboratories to the marketplace. The program will partner with five national labs and provide funding, equipment, and expertise to help innovators bring their ideas to market.
Researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have demonstrated a novel method for converting mechanical vibrations into electrical energy. This technique utilizes the charging phenomenon between bodies with different work functions, generating power that can be harnessed using external circuits or semiconductors. The technol...
The hybrid micro-grid will test and demonstrate the integration of multiple large-scale renewable energy sources, ensuring a stable and consistent power supply. The initiative is expected to attract $20 million worth of projects over the next five years, supporting the development of practical renewable solutions.
Researchers at TUM developed a new process combining membrane separation processes to reduce energy consumption in powdered milk and whey production. By achieving higher dry matter concentrations, they can cut the energy consumed in subsequent evaporation and drying steps.
A research team led by UT Austin is studying frozen methane under the Gulf of Mexico, a substance with huge potential to increase the world's energy supply. The four-year project will acquire intact samples to better understand how to produce these deposits and unlock their enormous energy resources.
The Visio.M consortium presents a small electric car with an efficient range of around 160 km and advanced safety features. The vehicle's lightweight design reduces costs and improves driving dynamics.
A team of University of Pittsburgh professors is working on a project to transition the US power grid to direct current (DC) using a $800,000 grant from the Henry L. Hillman Foundation. DC technology has the potential to improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy, especially in low-income areas. The researchers aim to devel...
NREL's commercialization strategy and partnering approach enable technology transfer to the market. The lab has more CRADAs than any other national laboratory, including a partnership with GeoSolarHeat to license its transpired solar collector technology for poultry farms.
A laboratory study has found that taking into consideration both the current and previous orders in flexible joints can significantly reduce energy consumption. The researchers used polynomial or fractional order reconstructions, which may be of interest for robot elbows and wrists, with potential savings up to 40%.
The ESIF's Peregrine supercomputer can perform a quadrillion calculations per second, facilitating the development of modern energy systems integration. The facility enables on-site and remote viewing of experimental data, allowing researchers to ask 'what if' questions and optimize system design.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed office and laboratory spaces that demonstrate high-performance, sustainable building designs and constructions. The campus features facilities with best-in-class energy efficiency and sustainability practices.
Finland is developing a new energy system for storing solar and wind energy, targeting greenhouse gas reduction and energy self-sufficiency. The NEO-CARBON ENERGY project aims to create Finnish companies' international RÝ competitiveness and explore business opportunities in the global market.