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Water sustainability flows through human-nature interactions
Water's fate in China mirrors problems across the world: fouled, pushed far from its natural origins, squandered and exploited.
August 15, 2012 Read more
New process doubles production of alternative fuel while slashing costs
A new discovery should make the alternative fuel butanol more attractive to the biofuel industry. University of Illinois scientist Hao Feng has found a way around the bottleneck that has frustrated producers in the past and could significantly reduce the cost of the energy involved in making it as well.
August 14, 2012 Read more
New study finds the US wind power market riding a wave that is likely to crest in 2012
The expiration of key federal incentives could bring that wave crashing down in 2013, despite a significant decline in the cost of wind energy.
August 14, 2012 Read more
Major advance made in generating electricity from wastewater
Engineers at Oregon State University have made a breakthrough in the performance of microbial fuel cells that can produce electricity directly from wastewater, opening the door to a future in which waste treatment plants not only will power themselves, but will sell excess electricity.
August 13, 2012 Read more
Solar power day and night
Controlling the fluctuation of renewable energies by using modern storage systems
August 9, 2012 Read more
Supercapacitors to provide peak power from fuel cells
European researchers initiated the 'Flexible ecological multipurpose advanced generator' (FEMAG) project to develop a novel energy generator. The design integrated a fuel cell with supercapacitors to handle power peaks and thus enable a durable and flexible power supply for small, portable non-automotive devices.
August 7, 2012 Read more
California's hydroelectricity production is vulnerable to climate change
Kaveh Madani, former researcher at UC Riverside, says hydropower stations would generate less electricity in summer under climate warming.
August 7, 2012 Read more
The economic cost of increased temperatures
Even temporary rises in local temperatures significantly damage long-term economic growth in the world?s developing nations, according to a new study co-authored by an MIT economist.
August 7, 2012 Read more
Bringing power to the people - and heat as well (w/video)
Sun-powered system developed by MIT students could provide electricity, heat and cooling to rural schools and clinics.
August 6, 2012 Read more
Biofuels: Anywhere, anytime (w/video)
The Endurance Bioenergy Reactor (EBR) is a simple, easy-to-use portable system that uses bacteria to produce fuel that can go directly into engines and generators. By eliminating the need for refining, users can produce fuel onsite without complicated logistics.
August 2, 2012 Read more
Sierra Club releases new report highlighting attack on clean energy
Over the past decade, the fossil fuel industry has mounted a coordinated campaign to discredit renewable energy and hinder its growth, according to a new report released today by the Sierra Club.
August 2, 2012 Read more
Wind farms: A danger to ultra-light aircraft?
Airfields for ultra-light aircraft are typically constructed on level ground ? and so are wind farms. However, do wind power plantsgenerate turbulence that could endanger lightweight planes? A simulation can compute how these power plants influence aircraft at various wind speeds and wind directions.
August 1, 2012 Read more
Smart wireless power outlets
Many homeowners dream of being able to wash a load of laundry when the photovoltaic panels on the roof are delivering a maximum of electricity, even when they are not at home. A new Internet-enabled power outlet will soon allow users to control household appliances via their smartphone, and reduce their energy costs into the bargain.
August 1, 2012 Read more
WakaWaka solar lamp makes its debut
The WakaWaka Solar Lamp makes its debut after a very successful Kickstarter promotion completed in February.
August 1, 2012 Read more
Toward super-size wind turbines: Bigger wind turbines do make greener electricity
In a study that could solidify the trend toward construction of gigantic windmills, scientists have concluded that the larger the wind turbine, the greener the electricity it produces.
August 1, 2012 Read more
Worldwide increase of air pollution
Atmospheric model calculates changes in air quality over the coming decades.
July 31, 2012 Read more
Wind turbine with record-breaking rotors
Siemens has produced the world's longest rotor blades for wind turbines. Measuring 75 meters in length, the blades are almost as big as the wingspan of an Airbus A380.
July 31, 2012 Read more
How carbon is stored in the Southern Ocean (w/video)
A team of British and Australian scientists has discovered how carbon is drawn down from the surface of the Southern Ocean to the deep waters beneath.
July 30, 2012 Read more