How do renewable energy sources hold up in a warming world?
Pretty well overall. A new study shows that the impact climate change will have on the supply of wind, hydro, solar, and other renewable energy sources is modest.
Jan 2021 14
Prachi Patel
Prachi Patel is a Pittsburgh-based freelance journalist who writes about energy, materials science, nanotechnology, biotechnology, and computing. Writes for Scientific American, IEEE Spectrum, Chemical & Engineering News, and MRS Bulletin. Find her at www.lekh.org.
Jan 2021 7
EV emissions depend on the time of day that you charge them
The varying mix of renewables by the hour on power grids across the US significantly impacts how much EVs reduce emissions
Dec 2020 17
A new carbon capture method that actually makes energy sense
Simple, high-efficiency electrolysis process produces commercially valuable products—and could run on renewable energy
Dec 2020 10
This material can store the sun’s energy for months, maybe even years
Thin coatings of the material could soak up sun in summer months and provide heat to buildings in winter, all without using fuel or electricity
Dec 2020 3
Ultrafast spray method boosts next-generation solar cell production
Easy one-step technique could speed up commercialization of perovskite solar cells, which promise to be cheaper and more efficient than silicon.
Nov 2020 26
Solar-powered device could cut energy use of sterilizing medical equipment
The system, designed for use in remote, underprivileged areas could also generate hot, high-pressure steam needed in other industries.
Nov 2020 19
Camel fur inspires an electricity-free cooling material
The system, which can be replenished by adding water, could help preserve food and pharmaceuticals especially in underdeveloped places.
Nov 2020 12
Microwave magic can help provide clean hydrogen fuel
Zapping catalysts with microwaves help them extract hydrogen from plastic waste and from water
Nov 2020 5
Windows just keep getting smarter. These darken in the sun and generate electricity
Dynamic windows could do double duty in sustainable building design, cooling and powering at the same time.
Oct 2020 29
Using seawater for cooling could be a sustainable option
Researchers found that just one cubic meter of seawater has the same cooling energy as a solar farm the size of 68 football fields—or 21 wind turbines.
