The year in clean energy: Wind, solar and batteries grow despite economic challenges

[publiusr]

latest finds

Engineers eliminate surface concavities to produce more efficient and stable perovskite solar cells

A research team from the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has shown the existence of surface concavities on individual crystal grains, which are the fundamental building blocks of perovskite thin films, while revealing their significant effects...

techxplore.com

A strategy to enhance the stability of perovskite solar cells under reverse bias conditions

If an individual solar cell is shaded and other cells in the same module are not, the sunlit cells can try to drive current through the shaded cell, resulting in an increase in temperature and potential damage to the cells. These conditions put the shadowed cell under a condition known as...

techxplore.com

Small steps for electrons—big steps for the future? Ultrafast microscope reveals electron pathways in solar cells

In the search for more efficient and sustainable energy generation methods, a class of materials called metal halide perovskites have shown great promise. In the few years since their discovery, novel solar cells based on these materials have already achieved efficiencies comparable to...

phys.org

Recycled micro-sized silicon anodes from photovoltaic waste improve lithium-ion battery performance

Researchers from the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed low-cost, micro-sized silicon anodes from recycled photovoltaic waste using a novel electrolyte design.

techxplore.com

Unlocking the potential of rust: High-efficiency green hydrogen production from hematite

A research team affiliated with UNIST has made a discovery in developing a novel technology that produces high-efficiency hydrogen using hematite (α-Fe2O3), a form of iron oxide (Fe2O3), which has been exposed to oxygen and water.

techxplore.com

Defect engineering leads to designer catalyst for production of green hydrogen

Efficient technology for splitting the hydrogen–oxygen bond in water could be the key to producing low-cost, green hydrogen for energy storage at an industrial scale. Green hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in achieving the U.S. Department of Energy's target of net zero carbon...

phys.org

Nano-confinement may be key to improving hydrogen production

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) have discovered a new mechanism that can boost the efficiency of hydrogen production through water splitting.

phys.org

Atomically controlled MXenes enable cost-effective green hydrogen production

A total of 137 countries around the world have signed a "net-zero" climate change agreement to end fossil fuel use and achieve zero carbon emissions by 2050. Hydrogen is being touted as the next green energy source because it emits only water and oxygen when utilized as an energy source.

phys.org

Producing hydrogen and fertilizer at the same time

A research team from the University Alliance Ruhr, Germany, has found a catalyst that can be used to convert ammonia into the energy carrier hydrogen and the fertilizer precursor nitrite. The production of hydrogen and the production of fertilizer have so far been separate chemical processes.

phys.org

Machine learning framework maps global rooftop growth for sustainable energy and urban planning

A novel machine learning framework developed by IIASA researchers to estimate global rooftop area growth from 2020 to 2050 can aid in planning sustainable energy systems, urban development, and climate change mitigation, and has potential for significant benefits in emerging economies.

techxplore.com

Smart soil can water and feed itself

A newly engineered type of soil can capture water out of thin air to keep plants hydrated and manage controlled release of fertilizer for a constant supply of nutrients.

phys.org

New fuels

Chemists design novel method for generating sustainable fuel

Chemists have been working to synthesize high-value materials from waste molecules for years. Now, an international collaboration of scientists is exploring ways to use electricity to streamline the process.

phys.org

Unveiling a new class of synthetic fuels

Researchers from RWTH, the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, and ETH Zurich have made considerable advancements in synthetic fuels. Their study, which has the potential to revolutionize clean transportation, has been published in Nature Energy, titled "Towards Carbon-Neutral...

techxplore.com

oops

Blade collapse, New York launch and New Jersey research show uneven progress of offshore wind

Three events Wednesday highlighted the uneven progress of the offshore wind industry in the Northeast, including the start of a major project in New York, research aimed at preventing environmental damage in New Jersey, and a temporary shutdown of a wind farm in Massachusetts after a broken...

techxplore.com

Carbon capture

Material with molecular trapdoor holds promise for highly selective gas adsorption

An international team led by scientists at City University of Hong Kong has found a flexible metal-organic framework (MOF) with one-dimensional channels that acts as a "molecular trapdoor" to selectively adsorb gases, such as carbon dioxide, in response to temperature and pressure changes.

phys.org

New humidity-driven membrane removes carbon dioxide from the air

Direct air capture was identified as one of the "seven chemical separations to change the world." This is because although carbon dioxide is the main contributor to climate change (we release ~40 billion tons into the atmosphere every year), separating carbon dioxide from air is very challenging...

techxplore.com

Scientists replicate enzyme that captures carbon

Scientists from King's College London have recreated the active site of Acetyl-CoA Synthase, an enzyme involved in capturing carbon from the atmosphere. The research, carried out in collaboration with Imperial College London, advances our understanding of this important enzyme, and offers a...

phys.org

Nano-scale materials that mimic enzymes could convert CO₂ into chemical building blocks

Montana State University researcher James Crawford recently published a collaborative paper with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory that marks a step forward in their quest for what he calls a "holy grail" of chemistry: converting the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide into chemical building...

phys.org

Scientists bridge the 'valley of death' in carbon capture technologies

A major obstacle for net zero technologies in combating climate change is bridging the gap between fundamental research and its application in the real world.

techxplore.com

Bridging the 'valley of death' in carbon capture

Mitigating the effects of climate change has become a major focus worldwide, with countries and international organizations developing various strategies to address the problem. Lowering CO2 emissions is at the top, with carbon capture technologies being a promising way forward.

phys.org

Electrified membranes with carbon nanotubes offer faster nitrate removal in drinking water

Nitrate contamination in water has long presented threats to the environment and human health. Now, Yale researchers have developed an efficient and effective way to remove it.

phys.org

Bursting of underwater oil drops: How pollution may remain in water after oil spill cleanups

Oil drops from underwater oil spills can break into tinier droplets at the surface that remain suspended in the water, according to research from the University of Illinois Chicago. That means cleanups after disasters like the Deepwater Horizon spill may be removing less oil from the environment...

phys.org

Studies explore converting wastewater to fertilizer with fungal treatment

Creating fertilizers from organic waste can help reduce the consumption of fossil fuels and promote sustainable production. One way of doing this is through hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), which converts biomass into biocrude oil through a high-temperature, high-pressure process.

phys.org

Scientists unravel transition of survival strategies in grape family

In a study published in Nature Plants, scientists have identified the Eocene, Oligocene, and Miocene boundaries as turning points for the transition of survival strategies in the grape family (Vitaceae).

phys.org

Ginseng's full genome sequenced

Ginseng's role in traditional medicine is underscored by its complex genetic structure due to its allotetraploid nature. A recent study delves into this complexity, revealing key evolutionary insights into its subgenomes that govern saponin biosynthesis—the primary active compounds in ginseng...

phys.org

From roots to leaves: The nitrogen connection to photosynthetic efficiency

Photosynthesis efficiency in plants is influenced by the type of nitrogen absorbed. Ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) are the primary nitrogen sources, each affecting plant physiology differently. Variations in leaf anatomy, such as cell wall thickness and chloroplast number, play a crucial...

phys.org

Discovery of a hybrid lineage offers clues to how trees adapt to climate change

The discovery of a hybrid population of poplar trees in western Wyoming has provided insight into how natural hybridization informs the evolution of many plant species, according to a team led by Penn State researchers. They also said their discovery suggests that genetic exchange between...

phys.org

Logged forests can still have ecological value—if not pushed too far

Researchers have analyzed data from 127 studies to reveal 'thresholds' for when logged rainforests lose the ability to sustain themselves. The results could widen the scope of which forests are considered 'worth' conserving, but also show how much logging degrades forests beyond the point of no...

phys.org

Forests endure as carbon sink despite regional pressures, new research reveals

Despite facing regional threats like deforestation and wildfires, the world's forests continue to be a powerful weapon in the fight against climate change. A new study reveals these vital ecosystems have consistently absorbed carbon dioxide for the past three decades, even as disruptions chip...

phys.org

Diatom surprise could rewrite the global carbon cycle

When it comes to diatoms that live in the ocean, new research suggests that photosynthesis is not the only strategy for accumulating carbon. Instead, these single-celled plankton are also building biomass by feeding directly on organic carbon in wide swaths of the ocean.

phys.org

Plant research could pave the way for growing crops with seawater

Budding new plant biology research is paving the potential to produce food crops that not only survive but thrive in salty conditions. With salt estimated to affect up to 30% of arable land worldwide—jeopardizing the survival of crops—the salinity crisis is a costly burden on agricultural...

phys.org

Intensive farming could raise risk of new pandemics, researchers warn

Industrialized farming is often thought to reduce the risk of zoonotic diseases (those transmitted from animals to humans) because of better control, biosecurity and separation of livestock.

phys.org

 

[GTX]

Physics remains undefeated:

View attachment 733914

But if solar panels are on the roofs of existing buildings/structures, it becomes a moot point because you are dual purposing and not requiring dedicated land.

 

[Orionblamblam]

But if solar panels are on the roofs of existing buildings/structures, it becomes a moot point because you are dual purposing and not requiring dedicated land.

PV arrays on roofs, or on covers over parking lots... a decent enough idea. Lots of real estate in existing heat islands. The fact that they are trashing farms and forests for this is evidence that the purpose is *not* "green" energy.

 

[GTX]

The fact that they are trashing farms and forests for this is evidence that the purpose is *not* "green" energy.

Who is? Facts please.

 

[Orionblamblam]

Who is? Facts please.

The fact that they are wiping out thousands of acres when they could have built a single small nuclear reactor. Or as you suggested, putting PV arrays on rooftops.

Covering farms and forests is *STUPID* and malevolent.

 

[GTX]

So who is "they" and where are these "facts"?

 

[Orionblamblam]

FFS.

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/the-year-in-clean-energy-wind-solar-and-batteries-grow-despite-economic-challenges.42770/post-693023

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/the-year-in-clean-energy-wind-solar-and-batteries-grow-despite-economic-challenges.42770/post-693095

Are you under the impression that vast solar farms simply build themselves, with no human involvement?

 

[GTX]

Are you under the impression that vast solar farms simply build themselves, with no human involvement?

Where did I imply anything of the type? I have just asked you to provide evidence to support your ascertains. Something you still seem unable/unwilling to do.

 

[Orionblamblam]

Where did I imply anything of the type?

By repeated childish whining.

I have just asked you to provide evidence to support your ascertains. Something you still seem unable/unwilling to do.

The evidence is visible in the video that was posted. Please review it before responding.

 

[GTX]

By repeated childish whining.

Chill out! Asking for evidence of claims of fact is not whining.

The evidence is visible in the video that was posted. Please review it before responding.

I did watch the video however, one video with no commentary and no evidence of where exactly it is filmed is hardly evidence. And by the way, Taihang mountain is hardly farming land. Yes it is forrest but again, I am failing to see how this constitutes "trashing" given there is still forestry visible in even that image.

 

[Orionblamblam]

I am failing to see how this constitutes "trashing" given there is still forestry visible in even that image.

If you unnecessarily fell and pave half a forest, pointing out the remaining half hardly qualifies as a "win" for forest preservation.

There is NO NEED for PV farms like this. As you yourself noted there are shit-tons of roofs that can be covered in PV arrays. This would be better on virtually every conceivable level... you'd put black PVAs atop black roofs, not bright dirt or plants; you'd reduce the transmission line lengths; you'd put the arrays within easy distance for repair and replacement. And you wouldn't be farking with nature. Additionally, a nuke plant would be vastly better still.

So there are not good reasons for such PV farms. There are only bad ones, such as graft and land-deal-scammery. Explanations get worse from there.

 

[GTX]

There is NO NEED for PV farms like this.

I am not arguing with you there. I return to my earlier comment though: "if solar panels are on the roofs of existing buildings/structures, it becomes a moot point because you are dual purposing and not requiring dedicated land" when it comes to the comparison with nuclear options which certainly do require dedicated land.

 

[Orionblamblam]

: "if solar panels are on the roofs of existing buildings/structures, it becomes a moot point because you are dual purposing and not requiring dedicated land" when it comes to the comparison with nuclear options which certainly do require dedicated land.

Nah. PVAs on roofs are great... but they don't work worth a damn at night, during dust storms, during overcast or after hail storms. You'll always need a powerful and reliable power source and nuclear is uniquely qualified for that. The space required for nuclear is trivial.

Consider the sheer power required to convert sewage, biowaste, the bodies of your defeated enemies into petroleum. And you'll *always* need petroleum, even if you pave the entire surface of the Moon with PVAs and microwave transmitters; petroleum is the basis for plastics and medicines and paint and lubricants and about half our modern infrastructure. Nuclear power plants could run full blast 24/7; at night it powers the places that can't be powered by PV; during the day, when PVs at least partially take over, the excess nuclear capability is fed into the thermal depolymerization facilities that convert slop into petroleum.

 

[publiusr]

What you want is a little of everything.
Windfarms, Solar, nuclear and fossil fuel plants as a back-up at the very least.

Not only did Green Energy get frozen out a couple of years ago—even gas lines had problems.

Ironically space based solar rectennas would have been largely immune being inert metal clotheslines.

Oops

An ‘unusual and rare’ wind turbine failure is littering Nantucket beaches with debris, angering locals - KTVZ

By Ella Nilsen, CNN (CNN) — Debris from a broken offshore wind turbine has for days been washing up on the Nantucket shore, prompting beach closures and frustrating locals at the peak of the summer season. The massive turbine blade – as long as a football field – was part of the Vineyard Wind farm

ktvz.com

 

[edwest4]

The plan is to put solar panels on the Moon and beam the power to Earth. A lot of solar panels.

 

[GTX]

Nah. PVAs on roofs are great... but they don't work worth a damn at night, during dust storms, during overcast or after hail storms.

Mine do. And as for the night question, that's why I also have batteries associated with.

 

[chimeric oncogene]

Rooftop PV doesn't roll itself out quickly and doesn't scale fast; it's easier (and significantly cheaper) to solar panel over a mountain than to convince a few million people to put solar on their tiny roofs. Solar land use is large but tolerable; the USA is ten million square kilometers, Algeria is two million square kilometers. At fifty percent land use, ten percent efficiency, twenty percent capacity factor, you're looking at ten electric terawatts per million square kilometers, which is quite adequate for a lot of things; you can double this with twenty percent efficient panels as per state-of-the-art. Floating solar has also been proposed, and the oceans are gargantuan. Millions and millions of square kilometers of the central pacific could in theory be used for solar power (the traditional 1970s depiction has them sharing with OTEC, fish farms, etc. and the idea also shows up in the Chtorr books); the Pacific alone is 165 million sqkm. The resource base for solar is huge, you can do all sorts of classic sci fi stuff with that kind of energy. One recalls the ideas about integrating solar with self replicating robot factories or suchlike.

Obviously the environmental impacts from putting up a million square kilometers of solar panel in Algeria and the Midwest and suchlike will be large, but this is quite obvious. Nuclear or space solar can be much lower impact in theory; rooftop and urban PV are likewise interesting, but I doubt you're getting ten terawatts from that. DOE tells me that rooftop solar is worth maybe a terawatt, and I don't think they included capacity factor; if capacity factor is twenty percent, that gives you 200GW (you'll want batteries), which isn't very much when you need to run everything on electricity in our glorious electrical future or whatever.

O'Neill noted in his ridiculously hilarious and fun book 2081 (a must-read! Very fun, not very good futurism prediction-wise IMO) that the classical limitation on minimum-impact activities is thermal pollution, which you will still get with nuclear (even if you do the sane thing and recycle the heat for domestic heating).

https://arthive.com/artists/10394~Robert_McCall/works/287709~Solar_farm#show-work://287709

It's taking forever to post this thing for some reason even though I've turned it into a tiny GIF file, I don't know why. Painting's by Robert McCall.

https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-rooftop-potential#:~:text=National%20Rooftop%20Potential,terawatt%20of%20potential%20solar%20capacity.

Solar requires batteries or will be subject to being taken offline (curtailment); too much solar overloads the grid, forcing everyone else to turn off expensive machinery which likes to be run continuously for best performance and economy (e.g. nuclear reactors), so you're better off turning off the solar instead.

Batteries are good for peak shaving, load balancing, etc, allowing solar penetration beyond the fifteen percent total energy possible without batteries; but you run into seasonal energy requirements outside the tropics. Chunks of North America and Europe especially will tend to run into issues with winter energy demands. HVDC and very large grids can offset this to a degree but you always want some longer term storage, probably chemical. There are also all sorts of other storage tricks to pull, like using buildings for thermal energy storage by over-cooling them in the day and letting them warm up slowly in the evenings.

===

On a side note, you can forget about marine current power; that one is meager, you can barely pull a few tens of gigawatts from something like the Gulf Stream. Good enough for IRL applications like supplementing some nighttime stuff I guess but nothing really adequate for robust economic growth or anything fancy.

Ocean Current Energy Resource Assessment for the Gulf Stream System: The Florida Current

Ocean basin scale wind-driven currents provide a possible source of renewable energy using ocean turbine technology to convert kinetic energy of the flow to electricity. The Gulf Stream System in the North Atlantic Ocean is part of one of the largest subtropical...

link.springer.com

OTEC is fun but the resource base for safe extraction is like ten terawatts (assuming you build in the central pacific and HVDC the power over) and the pipes get too long and get easily fouled up and the whole damn thing is inefficient as hell; ideally you'd use the deep cold water directly for air conditioning but those pipes would be even longer. On the plus side, fish farming is easier when you have like cubic hectare after cubic hectare of deep cold water to flush all the fish poop away.

https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2014/Ocean_Thermal_Energy_V4_web.pdf

 

[Grey Havoc]

GE Vernova Finds “Material Deviation” and Orders Wind Blade Inspection

As the investigation continues into the failure of one of the wind turbine blades at Massachusetts’ Vineyard Wind 1, GE Vernova manufacturer of the t...

maritime-executive.com

 

[Desertfox]

China did one stupid installation and that disqualifies an entire energy system? But yeah we don't need anything fancy, stick the PV on roofs and parking lots and you save even more via shade. Win-win. Also solar and nuclear are not competing energy solutions but complimentary solutions. One provides base power one provides peak power.

 

[chimeric oncogene]

China did one stupid installation and that disqualifies an entire energy system? But yeah we don't need anything fancy, stick the PV on roofs and parking lots and you save even more via shade. Win-win. Also solar and nuclear are not competing energy solutions but complimentary solutions. One provides base power one provides peak power.

That installation is a magnificent idea; flat land is needed for agriculture and urban development. Hills and slopes, on the other hand, are difficult to utilize, relatively uninhabited, and are from this perspective totally expendable. Terraced farms and hillside construction is doable but uneconomical, and agrivoltaics are still a work in progress. I'd worry a bit about landslides, but they seem to have kept enough plant cover to hold the slopes in, and some foliage can probably grow under the panels.

In land-scarce regions, hillsides and reservoirs are the way forward for solar installations. That, and/or transcontinental HVDC (state of the art is over 3,000km).

Seriously, one of the great reservations I had about SPS when I was a kid was the sheer size of those rectennnas - where on Earth do you get a piece of flat land ten kilometers across with minimal inhabitants? I know you can still farm under the mesh, but you gotta convince farmer bob that it's okay, and talk to the local town or whatever ya know. If you plopped one of those in Jiangsu province or whatever, you'd need to negotiate with maybe tens of thousands of angry farmers and maybe three or five villages. Offshore rectennas (the SPS report was that those would be good for Japan, and I was like, yeah no shit), higher frequencies/higher power densities with smaller rectennas, and those mixed-use greenhouse rectennas always made far more sense to my Asia-Pacific sensibilities. The old SPS reports were not so clever as to propose hillside rectennas, so kudos to the people who remembered that, yes, you can install solar on unused hills. And by extension, you can install SPS on unused hills too.

 

[publiusr]

Solar In the news

Magnetic fields help understand light particle splitting for boosting solar cell efficiency

Scientists are closer to giving the next generation of solar cells a powerful boost by integrating a process that could make the technology more efficient by breaking particles of light—photons—into small chunks.

techxplore.com

Scientists discuss why we might not spot solar panel technosignatures

One of NASA's key priorities is understanding the potential for life elsewhere in the universe. NASA has not found any credible evidence of extraterrestrial life—but NASA is exploring the solar system and beyond to help us answer fundamental questions, including whether we are alone in the universe.

phys.org

Engineering researchers crack the code to boost solar cell efficiency and durability

Photovoltaic (PV) technologies, which convert light into electricity, are increasingly applied worldwide to generate renewable energy. Researchers at the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have developed a molecular treatment that significantly...

techxplore.com

Scientists' innovation for indoor solar cells maximizes the use of light energy

Chemists at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU), Lithuania have synthesized materials that can improve solar elements for indoor use. Such photovoltaic cells, which can also be integrated into various electronic devices, generate electricity even in low-light conditions.

techxplore.com

Energy

Crystalline solid could function as a hydrogen carrier by adsorbing and releasing ammonia

All around the world, scientists are striving towards next-generation energy technologies that can help us move away from fossil fuels. Using hydrogen as an energy carrier and clean energy source is perhaps one of the most promising solutions on the horizon.

phys.org

Bronze Age technology could aid switch to clean energy

Technology with roots going back to the Bronze Age may offer a fast and inexpensive solution to help achieve the United Nations climate goal of net zero emissions by 2050, according to recent Stanford-led research in PNAS Nexus.

techxplore.com

Engineers develop safe and long-cyclable lithium metal battery for high temperatures

In recent years, batteries have become ubiquitous in consumers' daily lives. However, existing commercial battery technologies, which use liquid electrolytes and carbonaceous anodes, have certain drawbacks such as safety concerns, limited lifespan, and inadequate power density particularly at...

techxplore.com

Nature-inspired novel catalyst paves the way for efficient hydrocarbon decomposition

A research team affiliated with UNIST has developed a novel catalyst that mimics the ability of a natural enzyme to break down harmful hydrocarbons, paving the way for a more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient approach to reducing pollution.

phys.org

Proton-conducting materials could enable new green energy technologies

As the name suggests, most electronic devices today work through the movement of electrons. But materials that can efficiently conduct protons—the nucleus of the hydrogen atom—could be key to a number of important technologies for combating global climate change.

techxplore.com

Green hydrogen: 'Artificial leaf' becomes better under pressure

Hydrogen can be produced via the electrolytic splitting of water. One option here is the use of photoelectrodes that convert sunlight into voltage for electrolysis in so-called photoelectrochemical cells (PEC cells). A research team at HZB has now shown that the efficiency of PEC cells can be...

phys.org

Adding thin layer of tin prevents short-circuiting in lithium-ion batteries

Lithium-ion batteries have a lot of advantages. They charge quickly, have a high energy density, and can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

techxplore.com

Surface modification for more effective textured perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells

A coating of solar cells with special organic molecules could pave the way for a new generation of solar panels. As a research team reports in the journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, this coating can increase the efficiency of monolithic tandem cells made of silicon and perovskite...

phys.org

Researchers pioneer new approach to enhance all-solid-state lithium batteries

Researchers at the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology (QIBEBT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with collaborators from leading international institutions, have introduced an innovative cathode homogenization strategy for all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASLBs).

techxplore.com

Scientists finds faster, cleaner way to extract lithium from battery waste

The "white gold" of clean energy, lithium is a key ingredient in batteries large and small, from those powering phones and laptops to grid-scale energy storage systems.

techxplore.com

Twisted carbon nanotubes could achieve significantly better energy storage than advanced lithium-ion batteries

An international team of scientists, including two researchers who now work in the Center for Advanced Sensor Technology (CAST) at UMBC, has shown that twisted carbon nanotubes can store three times more energy per unit mass than advanced lithium-ion batteries. The finding may advance carbon...

phys.org

Underground CO₂ storage: Researchers measure carbon mineralization at unprecedented small scale

As we look to the sky above and ponder one of the biggest questions of our time—how to combat the carbon emissions that are driving climate change—a potential answer just may lie beneath our feet, in Earth's deep subsurface.

phys.org

Engineers develop a recipe for zero-emissions fuel: Soda cans, seawater and caffeine

A sustainable source for clean energy may lie in old soda cans and seawater. MIT engineers have found that when the aluminum in soda cans is exposed in its pure form and mixed with seawater, the solution bubbles up and naturally produces hydrogen—a gas that can be subsequently used to power an...

techxplore.com

Nondestructive flash cathode recycling method uses magnetic properties for battery recycling

A research team at Rice University led by James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry and professor of materials science and nanoengineering, is tackling the environmental issue of efficiently recycling lithium ion batteries amid their increasing use.

techxplore.com

Electrothermal mineralization process offers more environmentally friendly, cost-effective method for soil remediation

Rice University chemist James Tour has led a research team to develop a rapid electrothermal mineralization (REM) process, which in seconds can remediate the accumulation of synthetic chemicals that can contaminate soil and the environment. The study was published in Nature Communications on...

phys.org

Converting captured carbon to fuel: Study assesses what's practical and what's not

The struggle to cut emissions is real. Last year, the world emitted more than 37 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, setting a new record high. As a result, sucking CO2 out of the atmosphere has become an increasingly popular idea. Governments worldwide are banking on this technology, called...

techxplore.com

New research proposes better carbon storage with stacked geology

The overarching goal of all carbon capture and storage projects is the same: Keep carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions out of the atmosphere by storing them in the subsurface for good.

phys.org

High density carbon tube nanoarray design miniaturize filter capacitors

A research team has constructed high-density three-dimensional carbon tube nanoarray electrodes for use in line-filtering capacitors, showcasing immense potential as high-performance miniaturized filter devices.

techxplore.com

Charging toward a sustainable lithium future

More than almost any other substance on Earth, lithium (Li) is valued as a 21st century treasure. But Australia's race to unlock its lithium is challenged by political and economic headwinds both global and domestic.

techxplore.com

Chemistry

Scientists discover unexpected behavior in dimers of CO₂ molecules after ionization

An international team of scientists, led by Profs. Daniel Strasser and Roi Baer from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has made an important discovery in molecular physics, revealing unexpected symmetry-breaking dynamics in ionized carbon dioxide dimers. The study uncovers new insights into...

phys.org

https://phys.org/news/2024-07-breakthrough-alkene-synthesis-scientists-efficient.html

https://phys.org/news/2024-07-raman-spectroscopy-insights-ionic-liquid.html

https://phys.org/news/2024-07-decomposing-refrigerants-potent-greenhouse-gas.html

https://phys.org/news/2024-07-carbon-negative-materials-ancient-microbes.html

 

[publiusr]

Solar this week

Solar energy development could reduce need for solar farms

Scientists at Oxford University Physics Department have developed a revolutionary approach which could generate increasing amounts of solar electricity without the need for silicon-based solar panels. Instead, their innovation works by coating a new power-generating material onto the surfaces of...

techxplore.com

Could a plant guide the design of next-generation solar panels?

Solar panels work great in full sunlight conditions, but many regions have little sunlight on any given day, meaning there is less energy generated than needed. Now Tufts researchers have discovered that a particular type of jewel orchid, which thrives in low-light conditions, might offer a key...

techxplore.com

Roofing highways with solar panels could cut carbon emissions and improve road safety

Covering the world's highways with solar panel roofs could dramatically reduce carbon dioxide emissions and road accidents, according to new research. The ambitious estimate, which calculated the costs and benefits of installing solar roofs over highways globally, could reduce the world's carbon...

techxplore.com

Stacking molecules like plates improves organic solar device performance

Harnessing the power of the sun is vital for a clean, green future. To do so, we need optoelectronic devices, like solar cells, that can convert light into electricity efficiently. Now, a team led by Osaka University has discovered how to further improve device efficiency: by controlling how...

phys.org

Engineers enhance perovskite solar cells durability with first-of-its-kind chiral-structured 'springy' interface

A research team led by the School of Engineering of the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) has constructed an unprecedented chiral-structured interface in perovskite solar cells, which enhances the reliability and power conversion efficiency of this fast-advancing solar...

techxplore.com

Japan's Nissan is developing 'cool paint' for cars to keep drivers cooler

Nissan showed Tuesday what it called a "cool paint" to keep people inside vehicles cooler, although the coating is six times thicker, making commercialization still a challenge.

techxplore.com

Newly developed loop heat pipe transports 10 kW of waste heat: No electricity required

A team of researchers from Nagoya University in Japan has developed a loop heat pipe (LHP) that can transport up to 10 kW of heat without the need for electricity. This heat transport capability is the largest in the world.

techxplore.com

Researchers develop next-generation cooling material to increase summer cooling efficiency without electricity

Dr. Jin Gu, Kang and his team at the Nanophotonics Research Center at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have developed a colorful radiation-cooling liquid crystal material that can cool without external power while simultaneously emitting color. The work is published in the...

techxplore.com

Researchers discover new mechanism to cool buildings while saving energy

With temperatures rising globally, the need for more sustainable cooling options is also growing. Researchers at UCLA and their colleagues have now found an affordable and scalable process to cool buildings in the summer and heat them in the winter.

phys.org

New living building material draws carbon out of the atmosphere

A new construction biomaterial that uses living microorganisms to extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere has been developed by a UCL graduate student and colleagues.

techxplore.com

Pioneering plasma-catalytic process for CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol under ambient conditions

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have achieved a significant milestone in the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) into valuable fuels and chemicals, marking an important step towards a sustainable net-zero economy.

phys.org

Powering enzymes with light to make ammonia

The Earth's atmosphere contains large amounts of nitrogen in the form of dinitrogen gas (N2). Converting N2 to ammonia (NH3) is critical for making the fertilizer needed for agriculture.

phys.org

Green hydrogen could power the future of passenger and freight transportation

Green hydrogen is emerging as an important potential solution for decarbonizing transportation, but new energy efficiency findings indicate that it should be used strategically in heavy-duty road, rail, aviation and marine transportation, a University of Michigan study shows.

techxplore.com

Green hydrogen study highlights strategies for offshore production

As the U.S. faces significant challenges in scaling up production of hydrogen in cost-effective and environmentally friendly ways, a new Cornell study outlines strategies to meet up to 75% of the nation's future hydrogen demand by harnessing offshore wind energy.

techxplore.com

New nanomaterials could boost hydrogen production for clean energy

Have you ever considered how nanotechnology could transform our approach to clean energy? In recent research, we've been exploring nanoscale covalent organic frameworks (nano-COFs) that show exceptional potential for enhancing photocatalytic hydrogen production.

phys.org

Satellite study shows cities across the world growing up more than out

A multi-institutional team of Earth scientists, environmental engineers and geomaticists has found via satellite study that modern cities around the world have been growing upward more than outward. In their research, published in the journal Nature Cities, the group studied two types of...

phys.org

Korean team presents universal design principles for solid-state batteries

A Korean research team has presented the first universal design principles for solid-state batteries, signaling a paradigm shift in battery design research that previously lacked standard benchmarks.

techxplore.com

Winds of change—the new tech steering commercial shipping towards a more sustainable future

In August 2023, a five-year old cargo ship, Pyxis Ocean, made history when it set sail from Shanghai, China, heading towards the southern Brazilian port of Paranaguá. A journey of nearly 25 000 km.

techxplore.com

The biggie

New technology for energy device that heals itself from damage incurred while generating electricity

A team led by Professor Lee Joo-hyuk of the Department of Energy Engineering at DGIST has developed an ionic polyurethane-based triboelectric generator with self-healing, biodegradable, and high electro-positive properties. The work is published in the journal Nano Energy.

techxplore.com

 

[publiusr]

Green energy today

Scientists achieve rapid upcycling of microplastics to graphene

James Cook University researchers have achieved a significant breakthrough that allows them to convert microplastics to a highly valuable material. The study is published in the journal Small Science.

phys.org

New reactor system yields green ammonia and purified water

Ammonia plays a critical role in sustaining food production for the world's growing population, but making it accounts for about 2% of global energy consumption and 1.4% of carbon dioxide emissions. Rice University engineers have developed a revolutionary reactor design that could decarbonize...

phys.org

New method paves the way for cost-effective and high-efficiency green hydrogen production

The principle of preventing the deterioration and oxidation of ionomers in hydrogen production through anion-exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) has been discovered for the first time. This breakthrough is expected to enhance both the performance and durability of hydrogen production...

phys.org

Key biofuel-producing microalga believed to be a single species is actually three

When a global pandemic forced previous graduate student Devon Boland, Ph.D., out of the lab and onto the computer, he found a world of difference hidden in the long-studied species of Botryoccocus braunii—and discovered that it isn't one species at all, but three.

phys.org

Findings challenge current understanding of nitrogenases and highlight their potential for sustainable bioproduction

Nitrogenases are among the most geochemically important enzymes on Earth, providing all forms of life with bioavailable nitrogen in the form of ammonia (NH3). Some nitrogenases can also directly convert CO2 into hydrocarbon chains, making them an exciting target for the development of...

phys.org

Small chemical tweak boosts CO₂ capture by 15%

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have demonstrated that small molecular tweaks to surfaces can improve absorption technology for direct air capture, or DAC, of carbon dioxide.

phys.org

Leaf-like solar concentrators promise major boost in solar efficiency

Since its invention in the 1970s, the luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) has aimed to enhance solar energy capture by using luminescent materials to convert and concentrate sunlight onto photovoltaic (PV) cells. Unlike traditional concentrators that rely on mirrors and lenses, LSCs can harvest...

techxplore.com

Method paves the way for improved fuel cell vehicles

Hydrogen is a fuel alternative that is becoming increasingly interesting for heavy-duty vehicles. Hydrogen-powered vehicles only emit water vapor as exhaust, and if the hydrogen is produced using renewable energy, it is completely free of carbon dioxide emissions.

techxplore.com

Lewis-base ligand optimized electrolyte composition enhances CO₂ electrolysis performance

The electrode-electrolyte interface where electrocatalytic reactions occur, buried between solid-catalysts and electrolytes, involves complicated processes of electron transfer and mass diffusion under an applied electric field. Understanding the interfacial organization and possible interfacial...

phys.org

Up-cycling petroleum waste into a high-performance yet sustainable triboelectric nanogenerator

A striking landmark in Vancouver, Canada, "The Big Yellow Sulfur Pile" is a testament to the massive amounts of elemental sulfur produced from the hydrodesulfurization process of petroleum refining.

phys.org

Study reveals new method for controlling CO₂ reduction catalysts

A recent study in Nature Communications by researchers from the Interface Science Department at the Fritz Haber Institute introduces a new advancement in the fight against climate change. Their study, "Reversible metal cluster formation on Nitrogen-doped carbon controlling electrocatalyst...

phys.org

Turning wastewater into valuable proteins with genetically modified yeast

The growing world population means that the environment is under great strain. Agriculture takes up large land areas and discharges nutrients to the surrounding environment. At the same time, there is tremendous pressure on the aquatic environment from all forms of industrial production that...

phys.org

An Irwin Allen production? Vertical farming please.

https://www.cnn.com/style/skyscraper-batteries-som-energy-vault-spc/index.html

The grid

Researchers complete electrical mapping project critical to protecting the US power grid

A nearly 20-year effort to map the electrical properties of Earth's crust and mantle across the contiguous United States, viewed as critical to protecting the electrical grid during extreme solar storms and against damage from electromagnetic pulses used as weapons, is now complete.

techxplore.com

A Field Guide To The North American Substation

Drive along nearly any major road in the United States and it won’t be long before you see evidence of the electrical grid. Whether it’s wooden poles strung along the right of way or a …

hackaday.com

The lineman's trade

Retrotechtacular: Powerline Sagging And Stringing In The 1950s

While high-voltage transmission lines are probably the most visible components of the electrical grid, they’re certainly among the least appreciated. They go largely unnoticed by the general …

hackaday.com

Does Solar Energy Make Us Vulnerable?

Here’s a hypothetical situation. You decide to build your own steam generator plant and connect it to the electric grid. No matter where you live, you’d probably have to meet a ton of r…

hackaday.com

Pulling Hydrogen Out Of The Water

In theory, water and electric current will cause electrolysis and produce oxygen and hydrogen as the water breaks apart. In practice, doing it well can be tricky. [Relic] shows an efficient way to …

hackaday.com

 

[publiusr]

green energy research

Scientists propose guidelines for solar geoengineering research

Scientists for several years have studied the theoretical effectiveness of injecting sulfur dioxide into the stratosphere to reflect heat from the sun and offset Earth's warming temperatures. But they also want to ensure that the solar geoengineering approaches being studied are evaluated for...

phys.org

Scientists propose gliding arc discharge plasma seawater sterilization technology for mariculture

Atmospheric pressure plasma technology has demonstrated vast potential in microbial inactivation due to its unique advantages, including no chemical residue, environmental friendliness, high treatment efficiency, low energy consumption and ease of use.

phys.org

Flexible nanogenerator with enhanced power density could one day rival the power of solar panels

Your early morning run could soon help harvest enough electricity to power your wearable devices, thanks to a new nanotechnology developed at the University of Surrey.

techxplore.com

Highly selective catalyst enables 'one-step' conversion of methane to methanol

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and collaborating institutions have engineered a highly selective catalyst that can convert methane, a major component of natural gas, into methanol, an easily transportable liquid fuel, in a single, one-step...

phys.org

Better arrangements of molecules in organic solar cells can improve light absorption

In a paper published in Nature Chemistry, researchers from the University of Cambridge, Imperial College London and Queen Mary University of London have shown for the first time how different arrangements of molecules in organic solar cells can improve light absorption, leading the way to better...

techxplore.com

New theory could improve the design and operation of wind farms

The blades of propellers and wind turbines are designed based on aerodynamics principles that were first described mathematically more than a century ago. But engineers have long realized that these formulas don't work in every situation. To compensate, they have added ad hoc "correction...

techxplore.com

Pilot study uses recycled glass to grow plants for salsa ingredients

Tortilla chips and fresh salsa are tasty in themselves, but they could be even more appealing if you grow the ingredients in a sustainable way. Researchers report that cilantro, bell pepper and jalapeño can be cultivated in recycled glass from discarded, pulverized bottles like those from beer...

phys.org

Validated simulations optimize solar power generation with row-crop agriculture

A Purdue University research team has demonstrated how to optimize yield in corn fields equipped with solar power arrays that throughout the day cast dynamic shadows across growing crops.

techxplore.com

A new electric reactor could cut industrial emissions

Currently, industrial processes in the U.S. account for approximately a third of the country's carbon dioxide emissions—even more than the annual emissions from passenger vehicles, trucks, and airplanes combined. Decarbonizing this sector is a challenging but vital step in mitigating impacts on...

techxplore.com

Support for carbon capture positive overall, but varies by group and aspect of technology

A range of technical and policy approaches are being considered to mitigate global climate change. Whether and how these approaches are prioritized or abandoned often depends directly on public approval.

techxplore.com

Not smart:

From coal plant to data center: Old power stations are being repurposed

Industrial sites have the large tracts of land and resources needed.

arstechnica.com

You need to keep old plants as backups
Use dead malls as data storage

 

[shin_getter]

World's 'largest solar precinct' approved by Australian government

An ambitious plan to build a massive solar farm in remote northern Australia to transmit energy by a submarine cable to Singapore is a step closer after the Australian government granted environmental approvals for the $19 billion project on Wednesday.

apnews.com

Global power-net one day, I guess.

 

[publiusr]

I hope this helps

Physicists find superconductor behavior at temperatures once thought 'impossible'

Scientists have observed an unexpected new behavior in a superconducting material. If physicists can figure out the cause, it could help them to find room-temperature superconductors.

www.space.com

Solar power

New research shines a light on how solar power and farming can coexist

Scientists from Swansea University have developed a new tool to help identify optimal photovoltaic (PV) materials capable of maximizing crop growth while generating solar power.

techxplore.com

Engineering approach can improve stability of perovskite solar cells under reverse bias conditions

Solar cells based on perovskites, a versatile class of materials with promising optoelectronic properties, are gradually making their way toward commercialization. While these solar cells can have notable advantages over existing solar cell designs, including higher power conversion efficiencies...

techxplore.com

Researchers create all-perovskite tandem solar cell with record efficiency

A team of engineers at Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China has designed, built and independently tested an all-perovskite tandem solar cell with record efficiency. Their paper is published in the journal Nature Communications.

techxplore.com

A way to recover silver from dead solar panels with 98% efficiency

A multi-institutional team of chemists, metallurgists and engineers has developed a highly efficient way to retrieve silver from dead solar panels. Their paper is published in Environmental Technology & Innovation.

phys.org

Breaking open the AI black box, team finds key chemistry for solar energy and beyond

Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool for researchers, but with a significant limitation: the inability to explain how it came to its decisions, a problem known as the "AI black box."

phys.org

other news

Environmentally friendly method uses selective synthesized sponges to purify rare-earth elements

Rare-earth elements are everywhere in modern life, found in everything from the smart device you're reading this on to the LED lightbulbs overhead and neodymium magnets in electric vehicles and wind turbines.

phys.org

Public trust in drinking water safety is low globally: Study finds association with perceptions of public corruption

A new study finds more than half of adults surveyed worldwide expect to be seriously harmed by their water within the next two years. Led by global health experts at Northwestern University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the study sought to understand public perceptions of...

phys.org

Boosting glycerol's value: A new process makes biodiesel more profitable

Biodiesel, a green alternative to conventional diesel, has been shown to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 74%. Biodiesel is produced through transesterification, converting triglycerides into biodiesel and producing glycerol as a low-value byproduct.

phys.org

Researchers explore key interaction sites and pathways in ammonia capture

The design and development of high-performance materials are crucial for efficient ammonia capture. Generally, these materials are characterized by abundant ammonia adsorption sites and rapid ammonia transport channels, enabling the effective capture and release of ammonia molecules.

phys.org

Polymer foam aims to transform oil spill cleanup

University of Waterloo researchers have developed a new material that can absorb more than eight times its weight in oil, offering a new solution in preventing groundwater contamination from spills or accidents. The study, "Fabrication of Triblock Elastomer Foams and Gelation Studies for Oil...

phys.org

Researchers discover surprising spin offs of slowing down wind turbines

The cost effectiveness of wind farms could be significantly improved by reducing the speed of wind turbines that are clustered together, which could improve their longevity and also reduce noise pollution.

techxplore.com

EV cars

Wireless charging track system facilitates EV charging while in transit

Advancements in electric vehicle (EV) technology are paving the way for solutions that reduce the need to search for charging stations. A research team, affiliated with UNIST has developed technology that enables wireless power supply to moving vehicles. Led by Professor Franklin Bien in the...

techxplore.com

CO2 recovery

A potential new route to super-efficient carbon dioxide reduction: Catalyst offers 800-fold boost

One of the most promising strategies being investigated to mitigate emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2)—a byproduct of electricity and heat production, transportation, and other industries—is the process of electrochemical reduction.

phys.org

Scientists develop new material for more efficient carbon capture

In a significant advance for climate change mitigation efforts, we have developed a new material that could revolutionize carbon dioxide capture. Our study, published in Advanced Materials, introduces porous polymeric electrodes (PPEs) that dramatically enhance the efficiency of removing CO2...

techxplore.com

Study finds limits to storing CO₂ underground to combat climate change

Imperial College London research has found limits to how quickly we can scale up technology to store gigatonnes of carbon dioxide under Earth's surface.

phys.org

Biomass-based polymer can capture and release CO₂ without high pressure or extreme temperatures

A new, biomass-based material developed by FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers can be used to repeatedly capture and release carbon dioxide.

phys.org

Water safety

New filter removes chemical contaminants from water even at very low concentrations

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products pose a major environmental threat. These chemicals, found in everyday items like medicines and cosmetics, can pollute waterways, harming the plants and animals living in the waterways and the humans who use the water.

phys.org

Nature-based filtration material could remove long-lasting chemicals from water

Water contamination by the chemicals used in today's technology is a rapidly growing problem globally. A recent study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control found that 98% of people tested had detectable levels of PFAS, a family of particularly long-lasting compounds, also known as forever...

phys.org

Study reveals new catalytic pathway for efficient water pollution control

Researchers have made a discovery in the field of water pollution control. They have developed a new technique using single-atom catalysts (SACs) within a Fenton-like catalytic system that significantly improves the efficiency of breaking down pollutants in water. Their findings have been...

phys.org

Manganese nanoparticles can more than double availability of world's potable water, say scientists

Manganese ferrite nanoparticles could lead to a substantial surge in the availability of drinking water globally when used to modify the filtering sheets currently used in water treatment plants, according to scientists.

phys.org

How 'collecting fog' could help solve global drinking water problems

UNSW experts say creating water from the air around us could be a significant tool in meeting the needs of millions of people around the world.

phys.org

Hydrogen storage

Supramolecular material able to store compressed hydrogen in a way that is not too heavy

A team of chemists with members from the University of Hong Kong, Northwestern University and Duke University has developed a supramolecular material that can be used to compress hydrogen for storage that is not too heavy. In their study, published in the journal Nature Chemistry, the group used...

phys.org

Pilot plant demonstrates iron-based hydrogen storage feasibility

Photovoltaics are set to meet over 40% of Switzerland's electricity needs by 2050. But solar power isn't always available when it's needed: there's too much of it in summer and too little in winter, when the sun shines less often and heat pumps are running at full tilt. According to the Swiss...

techxplore.com

Team using AI finds a cheaper way to make green hydrogen

Researchers at the University of Toronto are using artificial intelligence to accelerate scientific breakthroughs in the search for sustainable energy. They have used the Canadian Light Source (CLS) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) to confirm that an AI-generated "recipe" for a new...

phys.org

https://phys.org/news/2024-08-formatebicarbonate-energy-hydrogen-storage.html

 

[publiusr]

Solar news

Transparent solar cells can directly supply energy from glass surfaces

A technology that can directly charge a battery from a smartphone screen has emerged. A research team affiliated with UNIST has unveiled a method of supplying energy directly from glass of buildings, cars, and mobile devices through transparent solar cells. The study is published in PNAS.

techxplore.com

Molecular level changes translate to big efficiency gains for organic solar cells

Organic solar cells (OSCs)—promising alternatives to traditional inorganic solar cells—have many features that make them key players in a greener future. One of these features is tunable chemistry, which allows scientists to precisely adjust or modify the properties of chemical systems to...

techxplore.com

Sustainable energy: Researchers unveil new ways to control light absorption with iron compounds

Scientists from the Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz IPHT) and the Universities of Jena and Ulm have shown that the properties of special iron compounds that absorb light can be influenced by small changes in their chemical structure. These changes affect the so-called second...

phys.org

Defect passivation strategy improves perovskite solar cell efficiency

Solar energy is a promising way of reducing our dependence on fossil-fuel-based energy resources to opt for cleaner energy forms. Over the years, solar cells that can harness this renewable energy have undergone significant progress.

techxplore.com

 

[Justo Miranda]

The problem of beaming energy from orbit to ground is still not solved satisfactory( That's why I consider space-based mirror arrays, illuminating land-based PV fields, to be optimal immediate solution. You could increase luminosity over solar panels several times, using only simple light beams.

The idea is good but they can also be used as weapons or to burn crops.

 

[Justo Miranda]

Ugly too.
In the Sahara it’s be nice shade

The Sahara is in the same region of the world as oil and is susceptible to energy blackmail such as that of 1973. In addition, the cable connection to Europe is susceptible to terrorism.

In southern Spain and in Sicily there are thousands of square kilometers available for solar panels... paying a pizzo.

 

[Justo Miranda]

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0094576579900031

I was generally hyper skeptical about space mirrors, but Kraftt Ehricke can make anything sound cool. The whole paper is pay walled unfortunately but you might be able to find it on... Other sources, preprint sites, etc.

Space Light by Kraftt Ehricke (the man himself!!!) is always a fun read. The traditional approach to space mirror constellations is just to proliferate like mad - both your mirrors, and ground receivers. If you have ten thousand mirrors, each ten hectares, a hundred flashing by every ten minutes ain't as bad, with even, diffuse lighting even.

And if you have a bunch of sites on the ground, at all latitudes, that need light for say one or two hours after sundown to correspond to peak energy needs, then a sun synchronous terminator hugging orbit for your constellation ain't bad. Obviously it ain't going to do it all, absentee ratio blah blah blah, and is nowhere as good as traditional SPS but not uninteresting.

One or two mirrors are pretty sucky, you want at least a few square kilometers worth in GEO if you want to do basic things like nighttime illumination (unless you just want to enhance night vision devices over the Ho Chi Minh Trail as was proposed for Vietnam).

Solving the difficult control problems and all the other problems with the idea of course are in usual Kraft Ehricke style left as exercises for the reader, but boy that guy thinks big!

Paper should be right up your alley, Scott. They have diagrams of an STS deployed beam machine based reflector.

The idea of the large parabolic mirror is outdated, the same result can be obtained with hundreds of small independent mirrors (one meter in diameter and equipped with thrusters) capable of adopting any formation in space thanks to laser rangefinders and AI. They are cheap, easy to launch and replace, and their adaptability is limitless. Imagine what telescope could be built in orbit with this technology.

 

[publiusr]

Energy news this week

Researchers create tiny nuclear-powered battery thousands of times more efficient than predecessors

A team of physicists and engineers affiliated with several institutions in China has developed an extremely small nuclear battery that they claim is up to 8,000 times more efficient than its predecessors. Their paper is published in the journal Nature.

techxplore.com

Organic thermoelectric device can harvest energy at room temperature

Researchers have developed a new organic thermoelectric device that can harvest energy from ambient temperature. While thermoelectric devices have several uses today, hurdles still exist to their full utilization. By combining the unique abilities of organic materials, the team succeeded in...

techxplore.com

Advances in hydrogen research: More efficient isotope separation in sight

The lightest of all elements, hydrogen, is in great demand due to its promising role as a sustainable resource in the energy transition. A team from Leipzig University and TU Dresden, as part of the Hydrogen Isotopes 1,2,3H Research Training Group, has made an important breakthrough in the...

phys.org

Low-carbon ammonia offers green alternative for agriculture and hydrogen transport

A new way of making ammonia, by harnessing the unique power of liquid metal, could lead to significant cuts in carbon emissions caused by production of the widely-used chemical.

techxplore.com

In a step toward solar fuels, durable artificial photosynthesis setup chains two carbons together

A key step toward reusing CO2 to make sustainable fuels is chaining carbon atoms together, and an artificial photosynthesis system developed at the University of Michigan can bind two of them into hydrocarbons with field-leading performance.

techxplore.com

Scientists reveal new electrochemical cell design for turning carbon dioxide into a green fuel

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University have made strides forward in realizing industrial conversion of bicarbonate solution made from captured carbon to a formate solution, a green fuel. The research is published in the journal EES Catalysis.

techxplore.com

Newly developed electrolyte could boost renewable energy storage

Renewable energy sources like wind and solar are critical to sustaining our planet, but they come with a big challenge: They don't always generate power when it's needed. To make the most of them, we need efficient and affordable ways to store the energy they produce, so we have power even when...

techxplore.com

Using sunlight to turn greenhouse gases into valuable chemicals

McGill University researchers have harnessed the power of sunlight to transform two of the most harmful greenhouse gases into valuable chemicals. The discovery could help combat climate change and provide a more sustainable way to produce certain industrial products.

phys.org

Ethanol: A viable alternative to sugar-based carbon sources for biomanufacturing

In a recent review published in Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts, a research team led by Associated Professor Wang Peng from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, in collaboration with Dr. Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro from Imperial College London...

phys.org

Greener pastures: Better ammonia production for a more sustainable future

Energy demands are at an all-time high, as is the need to be environmentally conscious. That's why chemical engineering professors Drs. Joseph Kwon and Mark Barteau have developed a strategy to predict the performance of new catalysts for greener ammonia production.

phys.org

Investigating heat transfer for PEM fuel cell cooling channels

A research group at the Department of Energy Engineering of the University of Seville and collaborators at AICIA and Harbin Institute of Technology in China have achieved a better understanding of the cooling of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks and the relationship with the...

techxplore.com

Supply chain report tackles hydropower's missing links

Solar panels and wind turbines get a lot of attention in the current conversation about renewable energy. Meanwhile, hydropower is quietly, consistently producing large amounts of clean energy—and has been for more than a century. In fact, nearly 27% of all current renewable energy generation in...

techxplore.com

Solar fuel

Production of solar fuels: Storing the sun's heat at 1,200°C

Closing the CO₂ cycle by converting climate-damaging carbon dioxide back into kerosene, gasoline and diesel: That is the idea behind Synhelion. The ETH spin-off uses the heat of the sun to produce synthetic fuels (Synfuels) from CO₂ and water.

techxplore.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

New challenges to offshore wind

Economic and supply-chain warning signs are flashing again in the international wind energy sector. Turbine manufacturer GE Vernova said Sept 20 it will downsize its offshore efforts, after a reported

www.workboat.com

 

[publiusr]

Hydrogen storage

Researchers propose hydrogen storage using existing infrastructure in lakes and reservoirs

In a new Nature Communications study, researchers propose a new method for hydrogen storage using existing pipes located at the bottom of lakes and reservoirs.

techxplore.com

Organic supramolecular crystals with high hydrogen storage performance could enhance fuel-cell vehicle efficiency

Hydrogen is often seen as the fuel of the future on account of its zero-emission and high gravimetric energy density, meaning it stores more energy per unit of mass compared to gasoline. Its low volumetric density, however, means it takes up a large amount of space, posing challenges for...

techxplore.com

Study highlights complex ocean conditions facing world's most powerful tidal turbine

The number of tidal power and other offshore renewable energy installations is set to grow significantly around the UK coastline over the coming decades.

techxplore.com

Untapped potential: Study shows how water systems can help accelerate renewable energy adoption

Stanford-led research reveals how water systems, from desalination plants to wastewater treatment facilities, could help make renewable energy more affordable and dependable. The study, published Sept. 27 in Nature Water, presents a framework to measure how water systems can adjust their energy...

techxplore.com

Low-temperature ammonia-to-hydrogen conversion achieved by applying an electric field

Hydrogen gas, owing to its high energy density and carbon-free nature, is gaining much attention as the energy source for a green and sustainable future. Despite being the most abundant element in the universe, hydrogen is mostly found in a bound state as chemical compounds such as ammonia...

phys.org

Solar breakthroughs

New tandem solar cells break efficiency record—they could eventually supercharge how we get energy from the sun

The sight of solar panels installed on rooftops and large energy farms has become commonplace in many regions around the world. Even in gray and rainy UK, solar power is becoming a major player in electricity generation.

techxplore.com

New insights into hot carrier solar cells: Study explores hot electron tunneling and collection to enhance efficiency

Hot carrier solar cells, a concept introduced several decades ago, have long been seen as a potential breakthrough in solar energy technology. These cells could surpass the Shockley–Queisser efficiency limit, which is a theoretical maximum efficiency for single-junction solar cells. Despite...

phys.org

Waste heat to green energy: New approach boosts thermoelectric generator efficiency

Thermoelectric generators that can convert waste heat to clean energy could soon be as efficient as other renewable energy sources, like solar, according to a team led by Penn State scientists.

techxplore.com

How US utility companies could double electric transmission capacity by 2035

Utility companies in the United States could double electric transmission capacity by 2035 by replacing existing transmission lines with those made from advanced materials, according to a new study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

techxplore.com

Chemical engineers provide new insights in CO₂ conversion with electricity

Researchers from the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Twente, led by Georgios Katsoukis, have discovered how the chemical environment around copper electrodes can dramatically influence the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into formate. This discovery can help improve...

phys.org

Researchers develop model to project energy storage needs for renewable energy

Researchers have developed a model that can be used to project what a nation's energy storage needs would be if it were to shift entirely to renewable energy sources, moving away from fossil fuels for electric power generation. The model offers policymakers critical information for use when...

techxplore.com

Building better solar cells: Assembly of 2D molecular structures with triptycene scaffold

Research in the field of material science and electronics relies on the innovative arrangement of molecules or atoms to develop materials with unique properties not found in conventional materials. Two-dimensional (2D) assemblies of π-electronic systems, arranged in thin layers, are becoming...

phys.org

Engineers develop solar-powered lithium extraction from brine

A team of engineers at Nanjing University, working with a pair of colleagues from the University of California, Berkeley, has developed a new way to extract lithium from briny water.

techxplore.com

Sustainably produced covalent organic frameworks can be used for efficient CO₂ capture

An international research team headed by Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU) and the University of Siegen has synthesized a new compound, which forms a so-called covalent organic framework. The compound, which is based on condensed phosphonic acids, is stable and can, for example, be used...

phys.org

New research unlocks potential of electrochemical separation for water treatment and resource extraction

A team of Vanderbilt researchers has developed novel technology called electrochemical ion pumping (EIP) that could revolutionize the treatment of water and resource extraction.

techxplore.com

New research could extend the lifetime of key carbon-capture materials

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), in collaboration with the Georgia Institute of Technology, have made a significant breakthrough in understanding the impact of carbon dioxide (CO2) on the stability of amine-functionalized porous solid materials, a crucial component...

phys.org

Scientists restore performance of quantum dot solar cells using short ligands to reduce surface defects

Researchers have developed a new method to improve both the performance and the stability of solar cells using "perovskite quantum dots." They developed longer-lasting solar cells by addressing the issue of distortions on the surface of quantum dots, which deteriorate the performance of solar cells.

techxplore.com

Electricity-driven catalyst offers climate-neutral methane production

Researchers at the University of Bonn and University of Montreal have developed a new type of catalyst and used it in their study to produce methane out of carbon dioxide and water in a highly efficient way using electricity. Methane can be used, for example, to heat apartments or as a starting...

phys.org

Scientists discover electrolyte composition-dependent CO₂ reduction selectivity with an MOF catalyst

Electrochemical reduction of CO2 has long been viewed as a promising approach to utilize CO2. Selective generation is an important topic, but most efforts on controlling product selectivity have been devoted to catalyst design and modification. The impact of electrolyte composition is less studied.

phys.org

Sustainable catalysts efficiently break down pharmaceuticals in polluted waters

Carnegie Mellon University scientists have found that an environmentally friendly process involving a TAML catalyst and hydrogen peroxide effectively degrades several antibiotics and other drugs found in municipal secondary wastewater and contaminated river and lake water.

phys.org

Scientists explore how indoor vertical farming could help future-proof food demand

To make sure everyone eats well in our crowded world, we need to innovate. Vertical farming systems, which grow plants intensively in an indoor setting, could be part of the answer—but to use them on a large scale we need to overcome key problems, especially the management of the...

phys.org

From pollution to power: Merging wastewater treatment and energy generation with capacitive MFC innovations

Imagine standing on the edge of a new frontier, where waste—something we often view as a problem—becomes the solution. We live in a world that needs innovation, where environmental challenges demand a sustainable approach, and where we need technologies that not only clean but also power our future.

phys.org

Transforming agriculture from carbon source to sink: Study shows potential of carbon sequestration options

The food system is one of the most significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions on the planet, making the reduction of emissions in this sector a priority for policymakers around the world. IIASA researchers explored the potential of carbon sequestration on farmland to combat climate change...

phys.org

 

[publiusr]

New this week

Scientists realize bulk high-temperature superconductivity in material under high pressure

Recent findings of signatures of high-temperature superconductivity (HTSC) with Tc ≈ 80K at pressures above 14GPa in the crystals of La3Ni2O7 have attracted tremendous research interest as a new family of HTSC.

phys.org

Electrified reactor cuts emissions by 60% in key industries

Industries such as chemical manufacturing, fertilizer production and hydrogen generation could significantly cut emissions, improve efficiency and lower costs using a newly developed electrified reactor as an alternative to high-temperature industrial processes.

techxplore.com

Scientists develop a new model of electric double layer

A new model accounts for a wide range of ion-electrode interactions and predicts a device's ability to store electric charge. The model's theoretical predictions align with the experimental results. Data on the behavior of the electric double layer (EDL) can aid in the development of more...

phys.org

Solid electrolyte composed of nanoparticles shows promise for all-solid-state batteries

Often overlooked, rechargeable batteries play an important part in contemporary life, powering small devices like smartphones to larger ones like electric vehicles. The keys to creating sustainable rechargeable batteries include having them hold their charge longer, giving them a longer life...

phys.org

Engineers develop a way to streamline solar cell testing, accelerating a process that can be slow and costly

The process of testing new solar cell technologies has traditionally been slow and costly, requiring multiple steps. Led by a fifth-year Ph.D. student, a Johns Hopkins team has developed a machine learning method that promises to dramatically speed up this process, paving the way for more...

techxplore.com

Streamlining solar cell structure and fabrication for more affordable energy

A new fabrication technique for substantially enhancing the prospects of commercializing perovskite solar cells through improved stability, reliability, efficiency and affordability is underway at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK).

techxplore.com

New technology converts wastewater to sustainable aviation fuel with potential 70% reduction in emissions

Made from renewable materials like biomass and agricultural waste, sustainable aviation fuel has enormous potential to decarbonize the aviation industry. But widespread adoption has yet to take off.

techxplore.com

Scientists improve catalytic converter efficiency to cut harmful pollution from hydrogen engines

Hydrogen-burning internal combustion engines offer great promise in the fight against climate change because they are powerful without emitting any earth-warming carbon. They can power heavy-duty trucks and buses and are suited for off-road and agricultural equipment and backup power generators...

techxplore.com

Could natural, underground hydrogen be a gusher of clean energy in Alaska?

Alaska geologist Mark Myers hopes that underground reserves of hydrogen could fuel a new state energy industry.

techxplore.com

Scientists develop a new electrolyte synthesis method for next-generation fuel cells

A research team has developed a new synthesis method that can significantly reduce the sintering temperature required for the densification process of electrolytes in next-generation high-efficiency protonic ceramic cells. Their work is published in the journal Advanced Energy Materials.

techxplore.com

Hypersaline brine produced by fracking has left us in a pickle, but new process could help dry it up

Seemingly miraculous innovations have made it possible to slake the ever-growing thirsts of our industrial society. Need more energy? Frack it from deep-bedded rocks. Fresh water? Desalinate ocean flows. Precious metals? Leach them from low-grade ores that were previously unminable.

techxplore.com

Theoretical study demonstrates existence of giant photocaloric effects in ferroelectric perovskites

Solid-state cooling is a promising alternative cooling technique that does not rely on the use of gases or liquids, like conventional refrigeration systems, but instead utilizes the properties of solid materials to refrigerate. This alternative cooling approach could be highly energy-efficient...

phys.org

Physics team uncovers a quantum Mpemba effect with a host of 'cool' implications

Initially investigating out of pure curiosity, researchers have made a discovery that bridges the gap between Aristotle's observations two millennia ago and modern-day understanding, while opening the door to a whole host of "cool"—and "cooling"—implications.

phys.org

Organic compound boosts solar cell stretchability without sacrificing power

A solar cell developed by RIKEN physicists can be stretched without greatly affecting its ability to convert light into electricity. It is thus promising for powering the next generation of wearable electronics.

techxplore.com

A quick and easy way to produce anode materials for sodium-ion batteries using microwaves

A research team has developed a process technology that enables ultrafast, 30-second preparation of hard carbon anodes for sodium-ion batteries using microwave induction heating.

techxplore.com

Small turbines can capture wasted energy and generate electricity from man-made wind sources

A pair of electrical engineers at Distance University of Madrid, working with a colleague from Mision Critica-Data Center, ZFB Technology Services, in Columbia, has developed a methodology for generating electricity from man-made wind sources using small turbines.

techxplore.com

Solar-powered desalination system requires no extra batteries, could provide drinking water at low cost

MIT engineers have built a new desalination system that runs with the rhythms of the sun. The researchers report details of the new system in a paper appearing in Nature Water.

techxplore.com

Novel anti-corrosion anodes facilitate stable seawater electrolysis

Prof. Lu Zhiyi, Prof. Chen Liang and coworkers at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering (NIMTE) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, have developed a novel anti-corrosion anode via chemical fixation of sulfate, achieving stable seawater electrolysis for more than 10,000...

phys.org

Novel cocatalyst method enhances water splitting efficiency

Scientists are urgently searching for clean fuel sources—such as hydrogen—to aid in the move toward carbon neutrality. A breakthrough for improving the efficiency of the photocatalytic reaction that splits water into hydrogen has been made by a team of researchers from Tohoku University, Tokyo...

phys.org

Scientists explore geothermal energy potential in supercritical reservoirs

A team of EPFL scientists has provided insight into the mechanisms at work in geothermal reservoirs located deep underground, known as supercritical reservoirs. Through a combination of computer simulations and lab experiments, they showed that rocks located between 5 and 8 kilometers deep in...

phys.org

Generator system set to transform offshore renewables

A new type of generator developed by Edinburgh engineers could reduce the cost of electricity produced by offshore renewable technologies.

techxplore.com

New modeling tool aids marine hydrokinetic energy projects

Researchers have created a new modeling tool that can be used to help develop ocean-based hydrokinetic energy projects. The tool can be used both to help design more robust marine hydrokinetic technologies and to inform risk assessments that are essential for securing financing and permitting of...

techxplore.com

 

[publiusr]

solar power news

https://phys.org/news/2024-10-solar-cells-exploring-anomalous-phenomenon.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-heterojunction-contact-solar-cell-efficiency.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-3d-smart-energy-device-cooling.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-generation-solar-cells-powerful-silver.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-thermophotovoltaics-potential-effective-energy-generation.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-ai-power-grids-reliable-renewable.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-heterojunction-contact-solar-cell-efficiency.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-skin-faade-microalgae-machine-generate.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-rooftop-solar-panels-impact-temperatures.html

https://phys.org/news/2024-10-scientists-approach-3d-lab-photosynthetic.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-11-highly-passivated-topcon-bottom-cells.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-generation-perovskite-solar-cell-absorb.html

https://phys.org/news/2024-10-imaging-advance-clearer-picture-solar.html

https://phys.org/news/2024-10-mesoporous-mos-strategy-boosts-efficiency.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-linking-energy-loss-interfaces-solar.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-photoswitch-approach-paves-harvesting-solar.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-reliably-capacity-household-excess-electricity.html

CO2 harvest

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-covalent-framework-quickly-captures-ambient.html

https://phys.org/news/2024-10-scientists-explore-seaweed-potential-energy.html

Gold

https://phys.org/news/2024-10-graphene-oxide-chitosan-sponge-ten.html

https://phys.org/news/2024-10-metallic-luster-material-silver-gold.html

More

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-electrifying-ships-effective.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-11-rwandan-scientists-trees-high-power.html

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-10-temperature-approach-adiabatic-compressed-air.html