http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/renewable_energy/ Renewable Energy Sources. Read the latest research on renewable sources of energy such as solar energy, wind power, nuclear energy, hydrogen fuel, ethanol, methane and other alternative energy sources. en-us Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:05:01 EDT Sat, 11 Jul 2009 12:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/earth_climate/renewable_energy/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709170757.htm Researchers have grown dense arrays of single-crystal semiconductors arranged as nanoscale pillars on low-cost, aluminum foil substrates. When the nanopillars are combined with a transparent, positively charged semiconductor that serves as a window, the resulting 3-D photovoltaic promises efficient, cheap, flexible solar cells. Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709170757.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629081849.htm The city of the future is currently being constructed on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. Masdar City shall be supplied exclusively with renewable energy and produce neither carbon dioxide nor waste. An underground transportation system, will leave its streets car-free. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090629081849.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090619125909.htm The objective of the Zero CO2 project is to sail around the Mediterranean using a clean carbon-free auxiliary motor (gasoline powered motors are commonly used in yachts for all port maneuvers). A 12m craft, the yacht will be equipped with an electric motor driven by a hydrogen fuel cell. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090619125909.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709205950.htm Four newly designed highly efficient solar power collection dishes will be used in commercial-scale deployments beginning in 2010. Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090709205950.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090708073944.htm Could the cars and laptops of the future be fueled by old chip fat? A group of engineers believe so, and are developing an energy efficient, environmentally-friendly hydrogen production system. The system enables hydrogen to be extracted from waste materials, such as vegetable oil and the glycerol by-product of bio-diesel. The aim is to create the high purity hydrogen-based fuel necessary not only for large-scale power production, but also for smaller portable fuel cells. Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090708073944.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630163631.htm Individuals prefer to be involved in a collective contribution to green electricity that involve everyone paying more, rather than having individual higher bills. Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090630163631.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625100341.htm Green racing is now part of the American Le Mans series. It's auto racing where the prize goes to the fastest car with the smallest environmental footprint. But being green does not mean being slow; green race cars are still 200 mph+ cars. The hope is that the concept will lead to more energy-efficient cars for consumers. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625100341.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625202010.htm Researchers have found that wind speeds across the U.S. have decreased by an average of .5 percent to 1 percent per year since 1973. Declining wind speeds in parts of the United States could impact more than the wind power industry, say climate researchers. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090625202010.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623120833.htm Scientists in Delaware say they have developed a new hydrogen storage method -- carbonized chicken feather fibers -- that can hold vast amounts of hydrogen, a promising but difficult to corral fuel source, and do it at a far lower cost than other hydrogen storage systems under consideration. Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090623120833.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090619130407.htm Scientists say they are forging ahead in developing replacements for petrochemical fuels that will be cost-competitive and renewable while having a minimal impact on the environment. A consensus is emerging that no one technology will reign supreme and that a range of current and novel methodologies will contribute to meeting biofuel needs. Tue, 23 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090619130407.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616103217.htm How much usable energy do wind turbines produce? It is a question that perplexes engineers and frustrates potential users, especially on windless days. A new study provides a formula for answering this vexing question. Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090616103217.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615102038.htm In the future, will wind power tapped by high-flying kites light up New York? A new study identifies New York as a prime location for exploiting high-altitude winds, which globally contain enough energy to meet world demand 100 times over. Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090615102038.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605091856.htm Not a plant to be seen, the desert ground is too dry. But the air contains water, and research scientists have found a way of obtaining drinking water from air humidity. The system is based completely on renewable energy and is therefore autonomous. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605091856.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605171242.htm A transparent thin film barrier used to protect flat panel TVs from moisture could become the basis for flexible solar panels that would be installed on roofs like shingles. Mon, 08 Jun 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090605171242.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090603101400.htm Some $155 billion was invested in 2008 in clean energy companies and projects worldwide, not including large hydro, a new report says. Of this $13.5 billion of new private investment went into companies developing and scaling-up new technologies alongside $117 billion of investment in renewable energy projects from geothermal and wind to solar and biofuels. Sun, 07 Jun 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090603101400.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529185935.htm A newly built "Cliffs Cottage" has all the latest technological innovations in sustainable living. Geothermal heating and cooling, two solar technologies, bamboo floors, furniture made from reclaimed wood, even cisterns that collect rainwater from the roof. The home has 3,400 square feet, but is so energy efficient that it can be heated and cooled for less than $75 a month. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090529185935.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528142817.htm Cutting down forests for agriculture vents carbon dioxide into the air just as industries and fossil fuel burning does. But policymakers debate whether to include terrestrial carbon in plans to stabilize atmospheric greenhouse gases. A new study suggests that failing to include land use changes could lead to massive deforestation and higher costs for limiting carbon emissions. Also, improvements to agricultural technology could be as important as for energy in a carbon-limited future. Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528142817.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528120653.htm Using data from NASA's THEMIS mission, researchers have pinpointed the impact epicenter of an earthbound space storm as it crashes into the atmosphere, and given an advance warning of its arrival. Fri, 29 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090528120653.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090518103223.htm Cost is one of the main disadvantages of the use of renewable energies. Researchers are aiming to make the development of efficient solar panels easier and cheaper. They propose the use of more economic synthesis methods using sulphur-based compounds (chalcopyrites) as an alternative to the ones used up until now. Thu, 21 May 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090518103223.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090518101906.htm The answer to the looming fuel crisis in the 21st century may be found by thinking small, microscopic in fact. Microscopic organisms from bacteria and cyanobacteria, to fungi and microalgae, are biological factories that are proving to be efficient sources of inexpensive, environmentally friendly biofuels that can serve as alternatives to oil, according to new research. Tue, 19 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090518101906.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511090842.htm Scientists have developed a new polymer that reduces the amount of radioactive waste produced during routine operation of nuclear reactors.  Fri, 15 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511090842.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511090850.htm A recently discovered hydrogen-rich compound may help overcome one of the biggest hurdles to using hydrogen for fuel -- namely, how do you stuff enough hydrogen into a volume small enough to be practical for powering a car? The newly discovered material is a form of ammonia borane. Working at high pressure in an atmosphere artificially enriched with hydrogen, the scientists were able to ratchet up the hydrogen content by roughly 50 percent. Tue, 12 May 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511090850.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511181356.htm A material that is a hundred thousand times heavier than water and more dense than the core of the Sun is being produced at a university. The scientists working with this material are aiming for an energy process that is both more sustainable and less damaging to the environment than the nuclear power used today. Tue, 12 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090511181356.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090505202912.htm A new concentration solar power module that produces heat, cold and electricity can be integrated to façades or building roofs. Tue, 12 May 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090505202912.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090502083917.htm The U.S. National Arboretum is "going green" with the installation of its first solar-powered drip irrigation system that will save electricity and water at the 446-acre facility operated by the Agricultural Research Service in Washington, DC. Mon, 11 May 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090502083917.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430092530.htm In Maine, government scientists have figured out how to measure snowfall in remote areas with a bucket, a small windmill, and the sun -- all the while saving money, energy, and, ultimately helping to save lives. Sat, 09 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430092530.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090501154141.htm Researchers have developed a technique that uses sensors and computational software to constantly monitor forces exerted on wind turbine blades, a step toward improving efficiency by adjusting for rapidly changing wind conditions. Fri, 08 May 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090501154141.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507141349.htm Biofuels such as ethanol offer an alternative to petroleum for powering our cars, but growing energy crops to produce them can compete with food crops for farmland, and clearing forests to expand farmland will aggravate the climate change problem. How can we maximize our "miles per acre" from biomass? Researchers writing in Science say the best bet is to convert the biomass to electricity, rather than ethanol. Fri, 08 May 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090507141349.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430081233.htm Scientists have invented a new method for predicting the wind speed of wind farm aerogenerators. The system is based on combining the use of weather forecasting models and artificial neural networks and enables researchers to calculate the energy that wind farms will produce two days in advance. Wed, 06 May 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090430081233.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090424074208.htm Danish researchers have connected a polymer solar cell plant to an electrical grid in a successful world-first demonstration of how the promising renewable energy technology can be integrated into power systems. Mon, 27 Apr 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090424074208.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423100810.htm Gas power plants could be cheaply retrofitted to generate hydrogen as well as power, chemists say. A catalyst would convert methane into hydrogen gas and combustible coke, allowing the power station to produce hydrogen alongside electricity. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090423100810.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421080405.htm When Sweden's spent nuclear fuel is to be permanently stored, it will be protected by three different barriers. Even if all three barriers are damaged, the nuclear fuel will not dissolve into the groundwater, according to new research. Thu, 23 Apr 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090421080405.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090409151444.htm In the race to renewable energy, organic solar cells are now really starting to take off. They can be manufactured easily and cheaply, they have low environmental impact, and since they are compatible with flexible substrates, they could be used in many applications such as packaging, clothing, flexible screens, or for recharging cell phones and laptops. Fri, 10 Apr 2009 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090409151444.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090330123225.htm Nearly undetectable from the ground, unmanned aerial vehicles are widely used by the military to scan terrain for possible threats and intelligence. Now, fuel cell powered UAVs are taking flight to help tactical decision-makers gather critical information more efficiently... and more quietly. This latest technology merges two separate efforts -- UAV technology and fuel cell systems. Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090330123225.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401102235.htm Tapping industrial waste heat could reduce fossil fuel demands in the short term and improve efficiency of countless manufacturing processes, according to scientists. Sat, 04 Apr 2009 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090401102235.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090331101105.htm Scientists have put a bio-gas plant into operation in order to investigate novel systems of sustainable energy production based on the use of waste and sub-products from the food industry. Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090331101105.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090330111257.htm A tiny microbe can take electricity and directly convert carbon dioxide and water to methane, producing a portable energy source with a potentially neutral carbon footprint, according to engineers. The process does not sequester carbon, but it does turn carbon dioxide into fuel, according to researchers. Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090330111257.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325092203.htm Engineers claim that building estuary barrages in the North West could provide more than 5% of the UK's electricity. Researchers examined ways to generate electricity from tidal sources of renewable energy in the Eastern Irish Sea. The study showed that four estuary barrages, across the Solway Firth, Morecambe Bay and the Mersey and Dee estuaries, could be capable of meeting approximately half of the North West region's electricity needs. Fri, 27 Mar 2009 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090325092203.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090323143858.htm In the future, natural gas derived from chunks of ice that workers collect from beneath the ocean floor and beneath the arctic permafrost may fuel cars, heat homes, and power factories. Government researchers are reporting that these so-called "gas hydrates," a frozen form of natural gas, show increasing promise as an abundant, untapped source of clean, sustainable energy. Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090323143858.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090320173135.htm Researchers find great promise in a process that could use solar energy to use hydrogen, the third most abundant element on earth's surface, as the ultimate alternative to fossil fuels. This process increase dramatically the efficiency of titania photoanodes used to convert solar energy into hydrogen in fuel cells. Sun, 22 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090320173135.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316075849.htm The Black Sea harbors vast quantities of hydrogen sulfide, the toxic gas associated with the smell of rotten eggs. This noxious gas could be used as a renewable source of hydrogen gas to fuel a future carbon-free economy, according to researchers. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090316075849.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311124022.htm The concept of delaying global warming by adding particles into the upper atmosphere to cool the climate could unintentionally reduce peak electricity generated by large solar power plants by as much as one-fifth, according to a new study. Mon, 16 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311124022.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090309105021.htm An analysis of the engineering and economics for a solar water-heating system shows it to have a payback period of just two years. Researchers report on the success of the 1000-liter system operating at a university hostel. Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090309105021.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090303082819.htm Chemists have grown a titanium nanostructure that delivers a 33 percent gain in power-collecting efficiency. Part catalyst and part conductor, the novel material could serve clean power applications like water-splitting, where a titanium catalyst has been shown to separate and store hydrogen and oxygen gases. Thu, 12 Mar 2009 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090303082819.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311103609.htm With adequate financial and political support, renewable energy technologies like wind and photovoltaics could supply 40 percent of the world's electricity by 2050, according to new findings. However, if such technologies are marginalized, its share is likely to hover below 15 percent. Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090311103609.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090305102719.htm Dual catalysts may be the key to efficiently turning carbon dioxide and water vapor into methane and other hydrocarbons using titania nanotubes and solar power, according to researchers. Burning fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal release large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Rather than contribute to global climate change, producers could convert carbon dioxide to a wide variety of hydrocarbons, but this makes sense to do only when using solar energy. Sun, 08 Mar 2009 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090305102719.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090304114250.htm Engineers have developed a technique to "denature" plutonium created in large nuclear reactors, making it unsuitable for use in nuclear arms. By adding Americium (Am 241), a form of the basic synthetic element found in commercial smoke detectors and industrial gauges, plutonium can only be used for peaceful purposes. Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090304114250.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090219152130.htm Researchers report that records from a decade's worth of solar power installations indicate that overall costs have declined significantly because of decreases in associated expenses such as labor and overhead -- most likely because of federal, state, and local support for solar photovoltaic systems. Tue, 03 Mar 2009 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/02/090219152130.htm