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'.
Posted: Feb 17th, 2015
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Is Apple making an electric car to battle Tesla, Google or Climate Change?
If you thought it has been a while since you heard any more rumours about the long-awaited Apple TV, they are about to be replaced by even more exciting possibility that Apple may be about to build an electric car.
Posted: Feb 15th, 2015
Read moreResearchers propose a novel solar CPV/CSP hybrid system
In this new system, the dissipated heat is used to produce superheated vapor of refrigerant which is effective to generate power through an organic Rankine cycle (ORC), and thus the solar-to-electricity efficiency of the system can be significantly improved.
Posted: Feb 11th, 2015
Read moreAdvent of geoengineering may help lower temperature of debate over climate change
Geoengineering, an emerging technology aimed at counteracting the effects of human-caused climate change, also has the potential to counteract political polarization over global warming, according to a new study.
Posted: Feb 11th, 2015
Read moreA closer look at the flawed studies behind policies used to promote 'low-carbon' biofuels
Nearly all of the studies used to promote biofuels as climate-friendly alternatives to petroleum fuels are flawed and need to be redone, according to a researcher who reviewed more than 100 papers published over more than two decades.
Posted: Feb 10th, 2015
Read moreGeoengineering report: Scientists urge more research on climate intervention
Deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions, while necessary, may not happen soon enough to stave off climate catastrophe. So, in addition, the world may need to resort to so-called geoengineering approaches that aim to deliberately control the planet's climate. That's according to a National Research Council committee that today released a pair of sweeping reports on climate intervention techniques.
Posted: Feb 10th, 2015
Read moreU.S. trend toward sustainable energy continued in 2014
The United States saw continued growth in renewable energy, natural gas and energy efficiency in 2014, according to the third annual Sustainable Energy in America Factbook. The Factbook shows that U.S. deployment of sustainable energy increased as prices continued to fall and that investment in U.S. clean energy grew at a higher rate.
Posted: Feb 9th, 2015
Read moreA ray of sunshine for bioenergy
New study shows value of combining solar thermal energy with biomass gasification to produce natural gas substitute.
Posted: Feb 9th, 2015
Read more'Bionic leaf' uses bacteria to convert solar energy into liquid fuel
Scientists have created a system that could speed adoption of solar-generated fuels as a power source.
Posted: Feb 9th, 2015
Read moreMicrocapsules used to capture carbon safely
Using the same baking soda found in most grocery stores, scientist have created a significant advance in carbon dioxide capture.
Posted: Feb 6th, 2015
Read morePreventing greenhouse gas from entering the atmosphere
A novel class of materials that enable a safer, cheaper, and more energy-efficient process for removing greenhouse gas from power plant emissions has been developed by a multi-institution team of researchers. The approach could be an important advance in carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).
Posted: Feb 5th, 2015
Read moreCheap and abundant salt outperforms precious metals as a catalyst
Chemical - potassium tert-butoxide - can be used in the production of chemicals important for drug discovery, agricultural science, medical imaging, and the creation of new materials.
Posted: Feb 4th, 2015
Read moreNew catalyst uses light to convert nitrogen to ammonia
Method could lead to more environmentally friendly fertilizer production.
Posted: Feb 4th, 2015
Read moreClean technology can partially make up for weak CO2 pricing
Clean technology support can to some extent make up for weak CO2 pricing and hence help keep the two degrees target within reach, a new study shows. Even if the world climate summit in Paris later this year is successful in striking a climate deal, it might not bring about sharp greenhouse-gas cuts in the near-term. However, emission targets could be strengthened by complementary policies.
Posted: Feb 2nd, 2015
Read moreA smart grid - self-organised simply
Electricity supply and demand can be coordinated in an entirely decentralised way with the help of a new type of smart grid control.
Posted: Jan 30th, 2015
Read moreA long-lasting obstacle of solid oxide fuel cells has been overcome
One of the major drawbacks of carbon-fueled battery cells is the intrinsic presence of CO2, which impedes CO oxidation and, therefore, lowers the energy density of the cell. Researchers describe a novel dual-phase ion-conducting ceramic membrane that is absolutely gas-tight but highly permeable for CO2.
Posted: Jan 30th, 2015
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