Wind energy costs approach nonrenewable levels
Wind energy and other renewables can now supply electricity at highly cost effective levels - and it has happened so rapidly that public perception is yet to catch up.
Posted: Jan 22nd, 2016
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Assessment aims to maximize greenhouse gas reductions from bioenergy
A study used a new method, never before applied to the energy sector, to assess the 'sustainability index' of various sources of energy, both conventional and renewable.
Posted: Jan 21st, 2016
Read moreResearchers prove surprising chemistry inside a potential breakthrough battery
Lithium-air batteries hold the promise of storing electricity at up to five times the energy density of today's familiar lithium-ion batteries, but they have inherent shortcomings. Researchers have proved that a new prototype is powered by a surprising chemical reaction that may solve the new battery's biggest drawback.
Posted: Jan 20th, 2016
Read moreOne-stop shop for biofuels
Researchers develop first high-gravity one-pot process for producing cellulosic ethanol.
Posted: Jan 19th, 2016
Read moreEven greener solar power on the way
Europe wants to reduce its needs for raw materials and raise the level of recycling of resources in the solar power industry. If this project is successful, greenhouse gas emissions from solar panel manufacture will fall by 25 to 30 per cent.
Posted: Jan 15th, 2016
Read moreGlobal learning is needed to save carbon capture and storage from being abandoned
Governments should not be abandoning carbon capture and storage, argues a researcher, as it is the only realistic way of dramatically reducing carbon emissions. Instead, they should be investing in global approaches to learn what works - and what doesn't.
Posted: Jan 11th, 2016
Read moreSecond-generation biofuels can reduce emissions
Second-generation biofuel crops like the perennial grasses Miscanthus and switchgrass can efficiently meet emission reduction goals without significantly displacing cropland used for food production, according to a new study.
Posted: Jan 11th, 2016
Read moreBiofilter made from peanut shell degrades air pollutants
In order to clean the air of pollutants such as methanol and solvents used in the industry, biotechnology experts designed a biofilter that uses microorganisms living in the shell of the peanut.
Posted: Jan 8th, 2016
Read moreToward liquid fuels from carbon dioxide
In the quest for sustainable alternative energy and fuel sources, one viable solution may be the conversion of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into liquid fuels.
Posted: Dec 22nd, 2015
Read moreNew flow battery offers lower-cost energy storage (w/video)
Energy storage system owners could see significant savings from a new flow battery technology that is projected to cost 60 percent less than today's standard flow batteries.
Posted: Dec 22nd, 2015
Read moreNew process provides renewable fuel
Pyrolysis bio-oil is produced by rapidly heating the forest residues in an oxygen-free environment and then rapidly cooling the products formed. By co-gasification with black liquor, a renewable fuel is produced.
Posted: Dec 17th, 2015
Read more'Hydricity' concept uses solar energy to produce power round-the-clock
Researchers are proposing a new 'hydricity' concept aimed at creating a sustainable economy by not only generating electricity with solar energy but also producing and storing hydrogen from superheated water for round-the-clock power production.
Posted: Dec 15th, 2015
Read moreCould metal particles be the clean fuel of the future?
Metal powders, produced using clean primary energy sources, could provide a more viable long-term replacement for fossil fuels than other widely discussed alternatives, such as hydrogen, biofuels or batteries, according to a new study.
Posted: Dec 9th, 2015
Read moreEconomical, efficient, sustainable - thermochemical storage 'reloaded'
Energy researchers have put into service an innovative thermal storage system that uses lime as the storage medium. The lime storage system is a further development of an initial prototype and can store energy more economically and efficiently. Thermochemical storage systems have the potential to save a considerable amount of energy, especially in industrial processes and households.
Posted: Dec 8th, 2015
Read moreNew plastic solar cell minimizes loss of photon energy
A Japanese research team demonstrates an unconventional means to achieve more efficient and robust conversion of solar energy into electricity.
Posted: Dec 2nd, 2015
Read moreNew low-cost battery could help store renewable energy
Researchers are developing a new battery that could bring the price of storage to more affordable levels. The new battery uses low-cost materials - sodium and magnesium.
Posted: Dec 2nd, 2015
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