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Open-source software can help find the right space for offshore wind turbines

A Stanford economist pitches open-source software for evaluating potential offshore wind turbine sites for optimal energy production and minimal disruption of other marine industry.

February 16, 2013 Read more

Avoiding virus dangers in 'domesticating' wild plants for biofuel use

In our ongoing quest for alternative energy sources, researchers are looking more to plants that grow in the wild for use in biofuels, plants such as switchgrass. However, attempts to 'domesticate' wild-growing plants have a downside, as it could make the plants more susceptible to any number of plant viruses.

February 16, 2013 Read more

On-Line Electric Vehicle that can charge during travel begins operation

An On-Line Electric Vehicle (OLEV) that can charge during travel will be put into service for the first time in the world on normal roads.

February 15, 2013 Read more

Post-combustion capture of CO2 with metal-organic frameworks

Scientists have introduced a new metal-organic framework compound that absorbs CO2 and then releases it upon exposure to sunlight.

February 15, 2013 Read more

There is no such thing as climate change denial

In a sense, there is no such thing as climate change denial. No one denies that climate changes (in fact, the most common climate myth is the argument that past climate change is evidence that current global warming is also natural). Then what is being denied? Quite simply, the scientific consensus that humans are disrupting the climate. A more appropriate term would be "consensus denial".

February 15, 2013 Read more

Researchers introduce new, bottom-up model for estimating on-road CO2 emissions

A team of researchers in Boston University's Department of Earth and Environment have developed a new, bottom-up model for measuring on-road vehicle emissions. The model will be used to more accurately assess the effects of vehicle travel and traffic congestion on greenhouse gas emissions.

February 15, 2013 Read more

NREL helps communities assess their readiness for electric vehicles

The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has launched a new tool to help local and regional leaders assess the readiness of their communities for the arrival of plug-in electric vehicles.

February 14, 2013 Read more

A new approach for developing countries - Sustainable management of secondary raw materials

An international process is being launched to develop new quality and sustainability standards for secondary raw materials.

February 14, 2013 Read more

CryoSat reveals major loss of Arctic Sea ice

An international team of scientists using new measurements from ESA's ice mission has discovered that the volume of Arctic sea ice has declined by 36% during autumn and 9% during winter between 2003 and 2012.

February 13, 2013 Read more

A new technology for producing hydrogen

The PhD thesis of Aingeru Remiro-Eguskiza, a chemical engineer of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), deals with the quest for a process to produce hydrogen from bio-oil that has a lower impact on the environment than the process using current routes.

February 13, 2013 Read more

Cities can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent

Cities around the world can significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by implementing aggressive but practical policy changes, says a new study by University of Toronto Civil Engineering Professor Chris Kennedy and World Bank climate change specialist Lorraine Sugar.

February 12, 2013 Read more

A new report probes security risks of extreme weather and climate change

Scientists identify security risks from climate change, and recommend investments in monitoring and forecasting to prepare for growing threats.

February 12, 2013 Read more

New world record efficiency for thin film silicon solar cells

A 10.7 percent conversion rate has been achieved using less than 2 micrometers of raw material.

February 12, 2013 Read more

Global hydropower and geothermal growth slow

New Worldwatch Institute report examines global consumption and installed capacity of hydropower and geothermal energy sources.

February 12, 2013 Read more

'Solar sponge' soaks up carbon dioxide emissions

Scientists have created a 'solar sponge' which captures and then releases carbon dioxide using the power of natural sunlight.

February 12, 2013 Read more

Climate double whammy: UV light melts Arctic ice and turns frozen organics to CO2

Ancient carbon trapped in Arctic permafrost is extremely sensitive to sunlight and, if exposed to the surface when long-frozen soils melt and collapse, can release climate-warming carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere much faster than previously thought.

February 12, 2013 Read more

Producing hydrogen from wet biomass

Hydrogen can be produced sustainably using other sources than just wind power: the European research project SusFuelCat aims to improve the process of extracting hydrogen from wet biomass.

February 12, 2013 Read more

Spotting the invisible cracks in wind turbines

A new approach is available for real-time monitoring of the structural health of wind turbine components during exposure to turbulences.

February 12, 2013 Read more