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Wind-powered freighters
To make ships more eco-efficient, engineers have been working with alternative fuels. A Norwegian engineer is currently pursuing a new approach: With Vindskip, he has designed a cargo ship that is powered by wind and gas.
February 27, 2015 Read more
The biobattery
Sewage sludge, green waste, production residue from the food industry, straw or animal excrement - with the biobattery's modular concept a much larger range of biomass can be utilized for energy recovery than previously. Researchers show that they can convert organic residues into electricity, heat, purified gas, engine oil and high quality biochar using this process.
February 27, 2015 Read more
Economic models provide insights into global sustainability challenges
Using models that blend global economics, geography, ecology and environmental sciences is essential to understanding how changes in trade and natural systems in one part of the world affect those in another, a review concludes.
February 27, 2015 Read more
New technology could make treatment of oil and gas wastewater simpler, cheaper
Engineers have invented a simpler process that can simultaneously remove both salts and organic contaminants from the wastewater, all while producing additional energy.
February 25, 2015 Read more
Electric-car driving range and emissions depend on where you live
Based on a study of a commercially available electric car, scientists report that emissions and driving range can vary greatly depending on regional energy sources and climate.
February 25, 2015 Read more
New flow battery to keep big cities lit, green and safe (w/video)
Ensuring the power grid keeps the lights on in large cities could be easier with a new battery design that packs far more energy than any other battery of its kind and size.
February 25, 2015 Read more
Using 'fuzzy logic' to optimize hybrid solar/battery systems
Sizing techniques play an essential role in the design of renewable energies for hybrid energy systems, and now, a team of researchers is using a 'fuzzy logic' algorithm to determine optimal sizing for hybrid photovoltaic panel/battery systems.
February 25, 2015 Read more
Dendrite eraser: New electrolyte rids batteries of short-circuiting fibers
Solution enables a battery with both high efficiency and current density.
February 24, 2015 Read more
Renewable energy obtained from wastewater
Wastewater contains an elevated amount of chemical energy in the form of organic contaminants. In order to make use of this energy, researchers from around the world study ways to recover it in the form of hydrogen, a process which efficiently eliminates organic matter from wastewater.
February 24, 2015 Read more
Novel electrode boosts green hydrogen research
Scientists from the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have developed a novel reference electrode, and are working with hydrogen energy system manufacturer ITM Power to aid the development of hydrogen production technologies for renewable energy storage.
February 19, 2015 Read more
Turning smartphones into personal, real-time pollution monitors
Scientists have used smartphone and sensing technology to better pinpoint where and when pollution is at its worst.
February 18, 2015 Read more
Overcoming our e-waste problem
Old electronics clutter our landfills, junk drawers and storage closets, but it doesn't have to be that way.
February 18, 2015 Read more
Gear technology helps lower cost of wave energy farming
CorPower Ocean's new wave energy system generates five times more energy per ton of device, at one third of the cost when compared to competing state-of-the art technologies. Energy output is three to four times higher than traditional wave power systems.
February 18, 2015 Read more
Eco-composites, a solution for residual agricultural plastics
Researchers have carried out a study research that enables to recover agricultural plastic waste and turns them into new materials with higher added value, low price and improved recyclability. This would reduce the environmental impact generated by agricultural waste.
February 18, 2015 Read more
Silicon carbide enhances energy efficiency
In a new research project in Germany, scientists study the use of high power silicon carbide semiconductor switches.
February 18, 2015 Read more
Clean thermal energy for clean fresh water
A grant was awarded for research into a sustainable and economical fresh water management system that could be used in coastal areas of India and salt-affected farming land in Australia.
February 18, 2015 Read more
Fuel cell cars: Caution needed say analysts
Fuel cells will not be competitive with conventional engines in up-front cost for at least 15 years. Indeed, they need very expensive new hydrogen fuelling infrastructure in addition.
February 17, 2015 Read more
Energy starts at home
The future of sustainable energy is likely to include widespread production and distribution, or what some are now calling 'open energy systems'.
February 17, 2015 Read more