Articles tagged with Power Industry
Professor David E. Keyes has been awarded the SIAM Prize for his leadership in high performance computing and computational science engineering, spanning advisory committees and interdisciplinary research university development. The award honors his long-term advocacy and contributions to the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathemat...
Researchers at Boston College have developed a designer metamaterial that can engineer emitted 'blackbody' radiation with an efficiency beyond natural limits, opening doors for innovative energy harvesting applications. The material's ability to control emissivity could further enhance energy conversion efficiency.
A new study by University of Illinois researchers highlights the challenges facing the commercialization of emerging liquid biofuels, which could enhance energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Biobutanol, an emerging biofuel with a higher energy content than ethanol, is seen as a promising alternative to petroleum-based f...
Scientists have developed a technique to capture and convert ambient electromagnetic energy into usable power, which can be used to operate wireless sensors and microprocessors. The technology has the potential to provide a new source of energy for various applications, including airport security and industrial monitoring.
ConocoPhillips is donating $1 million to the University of Houston's Energy Research Park, a comprehensive research facility for the energy industry. The gift will support the university's vision for a world-class petroleum engineering department.
Boston College and MIT researchers created high-performance nanotech materials on a flat panel platform, demonstrating seven to eight times higher efficiency than previous solar thermoelectric generators. The innovation enables the simultaneous generation of hot water and electricity, potentially shortening payback time by one-third.
Wayne State University students will explore advanced vehicle solutions to minimize petroleum usage and reduce emissions through research collaboration with industry. The university was chosen as Michigan's sole participant in EcoCAR 2, a three-year competition that aims to inspire and educate the next generation of automotive engineers.
The Iowa State University team created an interactive simulator, I-BOS, which replicates real-world biorefinery operations and includes features like video clips from actual plants and emergency scenarios. This tool can help train employees to operate a biorefinery more efficiently.
China's solar greenhouses use southern-facing designs to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions. The study found that these greenhouses can produce a wide range of vegetables, even during winter months, providing a sustainable solution to the global energy crisis.
University of Illinois engineers develop ultra-low-power digital memory that uses 100 times less energy than similar available memory, potentially extending battery life for mobile devices. The new technology could enable future portable devices to run longer on lighter batteries.
A comprehensive review of electrochemical energy storage systems reveals promising technologies like vanadium redox flow, sodium-beta alumina membrane, lithium-ion, and lead-carbon batteries. These systems can store electrical energy in chemicals and release it upon demand, but affordability is key to widespread deployment.
Experts warn that doubling energy demand by 2050 poses significant challenges to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in California. Berkeley scientists stress the need for efficient energy use, low-carbon electricity options, and strategic behavioral changes to meet state's ambitious goal.
Physicist Raymond Orbach criticizes the Singapore Statement on Research Integrity for its 'top-down' approach, which could lead to personal rights and responsibilities being misinvaded. He argues that the scientific community can police itself and notes the importance of context in evaluating research.
The study found that torrefying plant matter can transform it into a dry, energy-rich fuel that is cheaper and easier to transport. This process could potentially replace coal in power stations and provide a secure energy supply for the future while being sustainable on all levels.
The Berkeley Lab will work with China to implement energy-efficient practices, such as turning computers around and reducing mechanical cooling. By sharing best practices and case studies, the goal is to reduce carbon emissions and improve the industry's energy performance.
Carnegie Mellon University has launched a new center for climate and energy decision making, developing strategies to protect fragile ecosystems and curb carbon emissions. The center will also educate graduate students on climate change and its impact on the environment.
A special issue of Yale's Journal of Industrial Ecology examines innovative ICT applications for energy efficiency, smart irrigation, and carbon reduction. The research assesses the environmental impacts of ICT and entertainment sectors, estimating their net environmental impact and potential for reducing carbon emissions.
The U.S.-China Clean Energy Research Center will develop low-energy technologies for residential and commercial buildings, with a focus on commercialization and human behavior's impact on energy use. The consortium aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through dramatic energy savings of 40-70% in existing and new buildings.
The CUNY Energy Institute has been awarded two grants totaling $4.6 million to develop low-cost, long-lasting energy storage systems and new capacitors for solid-state lighting. The projects aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce the need for excess generating capacity, enabling grid-scale energy storage.
Researchers have identified mechanisms allowing a common soil bacterium to recover precious metals from industrial waste. The discovery of 'BioPd' has great potential for generating clean energy and cleaning pollutants.
The OU Biocorrosion Center aims to address the growing threat of biocorrosion in the oil and gas industry, which can lead to hazardous material discharges. Researchers will explore new technologies to mitigate biocorrosion problems, fuel biodeterioration, and anaerobic microorganisms.
The Steinbrenner Institute is helping Heritage Community Initiatives train local workers to create a pool of green collar employees. The program has spawned over 800,000 green collar workers nationwide and provides skills in industries like construction, deconstruction, and home energy retrofits.
NJIT is leading a research and deployment partnership to improve energy efficiency in American homes. The team will focus on innovative market delivery strategies to reduce carbon pollution and save money on energy bills.
A study by the Basque Center for Climate Change finds that CO2 reduction policies in Spain strengthen the services sector, while reducing industrial and energy sectors' impact. The policies encourage minor changes in consumption patterns and may lead to emissions reductions through tax creation.
The US Department of Energy has awarded nearly $1.3 million in funding to two research projects at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, focusing on improving the nuclear fuel cycle and developing next-generation nuclear reactors.
The new partnership aims to address the need for smart alternative energy sources and prepare students for the emerging industry. The Smart Grid Research Center will focus on developing reliable, affordable, secure, clean, and efficient energy systems.
The University of Delaware Institute of Energy Conversion is part of a $3.8 million DARPA-funded project to develop flexible high-performance solar cells that can withstand battle conditions and environmental extremes. The goal is to demonstrate low-cost, lightweight photovoltaics with a power conversion efficiency of 20% or greater.
A new Power Distribution Network Automation System (DINAS) has been developed to automatically locate and diagnose faults in distribution networks, restoring power supply instantly. The system uses advanced technology and algorithms to detect and isolate faults, reducing costs and response times for power companies.
The UH Energy program has received a $2.5 million Department of Energy (DOE) award to develop a smart grid workforce training program. The grant will support training programs for electric power sector employees, focusing on activities such as electricians, line workers, and system operators.
The U.S. Department of Energy's INCITE program has allocated over 1.6 billion processor hours to researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Projects focus on breakthroughs in areas like climate change, alternative energy, life sciences, and materials science.
Research reveals two to three times higher rates of registered sex offenders in energy 'boomtowns' compared to other industries. The study found that the growth of sex offenders increased by 300% over a nine-year period in areas dependent on oil extraction.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a millimeter-scale, energy-harvesting sensor system that can run for nearly perpetual periods using solar power. The system's low-power processor and innovative voltage conversion method enable it to consume less than 1 nanowatt of power on average.
A team of scientists from the University of Sheffield has created an air-lift loop bioreactor that consumes less than 18% more energy, making it a significant breakthrough in the production of alternative renewable fuels. The device is now being tested with various organizations to reduce energy consumption and costs.
A new method developed at Purdue University has shown that 70 of the rearranged distillation sequences can improve energy efficiency by 6-48 percent. This could save millions of dollars in energy costs annually for oil refineries, with potential savings reaching $12 million per year.
A consortium of five universities, including Carnegie Mellon and the University of Pittsburgh, has been awarded a collective $465 million contract to provide research services to the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The team will work on a range of projects, including fossil energy research and energy sector planning.
The facility will contain testbeds for building systems integration, allowing researchers to develop and validate technologies for N-ZEB. Berkeley Lab will work with industry partners to address key technical challenges and achieve aggressive energy savings.
Oyster, developed by Queen's University Belfast and Aquamarine Power, is the world's only hydro-electric wave energy device producing power. It has the potential to meet up to 20% of the UK's energy demands and provide enough energy to power 9,000 homes.
Researchers aim to develop low-cost devices that can monitor building energy consumption and provide suggestions for optimization. The project will use data from various residential buildings, including those operated by non-profits, to inform energy-saving decisions.
A Stanford University research team has been awarded $6.27 million to develop an interactive software system that encourages people to be more energy efficient at home. The system will provide consumers with information about household energy consumption, aiming to reduce energy consumption by 10-30 percent.
Rohit Negi will lead a team of experts to analyze the robustness of cyber-physical systems, including electric and water grids. The goal is to develop methods to monitor and ensure the robustness of these networks, which play a critical role in daily life.
Researchers led by Thorp and Phadke will advance synchrophasor technologies to improve the US power grid's security and reliability. They aim to reduce false trips and cascading blackouts using high-speed, real-time synchronized measurement devices.
A new study suggests that transitioning to renewable energy sources like wind and solar could eliminate 130 worker deaths annually. The researchers found that these industries pose significantly less risk of workplace injury and death compared to traditional fossil fuel industries.
Gellman is leading a research team to create solid surfaces that can select between 'left-handed' and 'right-handed' versions of complex molecules, improving efficiency in chemical processes. The goal is to control chemical reactions to yield only the desired product, reducing waste and environmental impact.
A global Framework Convention on Alcohol Control is seen as crucial to addressing the alcohol-related health crisis. Non-governmental organisations and governments must work together to overcome industry resistance and generate political priority for alcohol control efforts.
Dr. Bruce Logan has developed energy-sustainable water infrastructure that can be used in both industrialized and developing nations. His microbial fuel cells produce clean water and energy, making it a game-changer for powering water infrastructure in developing countries.
The report assesses challenges in simulating the national power grid due to changing energy needs, intermittent renewable sources, and smart grid technologies. The study aims to devise ways to solve grid congestion issues and improve efficiency, with potential benefits for consumers and the environment.
The AsAP chip, designed by the University of California - Davis team, offers breakthrough speeds with low power consumption. It can perform half a trillion operations per second at slower speeds than common digital signal processing chips.
A recent analysis of government data confirms that consumers of all ages are increasing their consumption of lower-calorie beverages. The study found that full-calorie soft drinks, milk, and juice have decreased in consumption, while diet beverages have increased, especially among young boys and women in their 20s and 30s.
Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new cooling system that can improve the energy efficiency of diesel engines by using waste heat. The system has shown improved efficiencies of 20-30 percent in situations where cooling is needed, and may be used to provide air conditioning or electricity.
Researchers at Iowa State University are developing a new, low-emissions burner and catalyst to produce clean, renewable energy for the ethanol industry. The technologies use biomass-based gasification to efficiently and cleanly burn biomass and convert it into ethanol.
Researchers at University of Michigan propose a plan to save up to 75 percent of data center energy by implementing PowerNap, which puts idle servers to sleep, and RAILS, a more efficient power supplying technique. The approach addresses the significant energy waste in data centers, where computers spend most of their time doing nothing.
Human ancestors' large brains required high-energy diets, while modern humans consume more calories and nutrients. The imbalance between energy intake and expenditure contributes to obesity worldwide.
A team of Clemson researchers, led by Taufiquar Khan and Irina Viktorova, is developing mathematical models to optimize metering and communications in complex power-distribution networks. This effort aims to improve distribution efficiency, save energy, and reduce operating costs.
The partnership will test sequestration methods and develop infrastructure to tackle carbon management, with a focus on the region's vast energy resources. The project aims to validate carbon sequestration as a technology to reduce greenhouse gases and promote energy independence.
Researchers at Ames Laboratory are developing nanocoatings to reduce friction and extend tool life, leading to a 31 trillion BTU annual energy savings by 2030. The coatings have shown exceptional hardness and can be applied to various industrial applications, including pumps and cutting tools.
A Yale University study finds that compact fluorescent lighting can increase mercury emissions in certain countries and US states, offsetting energy conservation gains. The switch to CFLs may reduce emissions in some areas, such as Estonia and China, but increase them in others, like South America and parts of Europe.
A study reveals that cities are responsible for only 40% of greenhouse gas emissions, contrary to common claims. Well-planned cities can provide high living standards with low consumption levels and emissions.
Federation of American Scientists honors Mark D. Levine with the 2008 Public Service Award for his contributions to energy efficiency research, particularly in China. The award recognizes his work in building a strong energy program and promoting clean technology policies.
Two Fortune 500 oil companies, Devon Energy Corp. and Marathon Oil Corp., have pledged major funding to the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering. The funds will support a new undergraduate petroleum engineering program with scholarships, textbooks, and state-of-the-art equipment.
The University of Oklahoma's K20 Scholars program receives a $135,000 contribution from BP to support high school graduates pursuing energy-related degrees. The program offers four-year scholarships, service-learning projects, and research experiences, aiming to increase the number of students in science and engineering fields.