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 Wed, 21 May 2008 18:05:01 EDT Wed, 21 May 2008 18:05:01 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/2008/05/080521102826.htm A process used to roast coffee beans could give Britain's biomass a power boost, increasing the energy content of some leading energy crops by up to 20 per cent. Wed, 21 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080521102826.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515145345.htm Engineers have improved the power output of one type of fuel cell by more than 50 percent through technology that could help these environmentally friendly energy storage devices find a much broader market, particularly in portable electronics. Mon, 19 May 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080515145345.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514154702.htm Scientists have improved the efficiency of an important type of solar cell from 21.9 to 23.2 percent (a relative improvement of 6 per cent). The efficiency improvement is achieved by the use of an ultra-thin aluminum oxide layer at the front of the cell, and it brings a breakthrough in the use of solar energy a step closer. The costs of applying the thin layer of aluminum oxide are expected to be relatively low. Sat, 17 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080514154702.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508181259.htm A team of students led by a chemical engineering professor are working with a New Jersey inventor to advance a new solar thermal collector. The engineering students pointed out that this is the first truly new solar thermal system in more than three decades, and the company stated that it is unique among renewable energy technologies as it is cost effective without any government subsidies. Mon, 12 May 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508181259.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508132406.htm Australia is uniquely endowed with heat-producing elements under its surface that could provide potentially unlimited amounts of geothermal power for this country, say geoscientists. West of the line between Cairns and the mouth of the Murray River lies a belt of rocks containing the enriched elements uranium, thorium, and potassium that are around 1.5 billion years old. These enriched elements are essentially a heat source located in the upper part of the continental crust. Mon, 12 May 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508132406.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508115822.htm The newest version of the Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions and Energy use in Transportation model will provide researchers with even more tools to evaluate and compare the environmental impacts of new transportation fuels and advanced vehicle technologies. The newest update released May 9 will allow scientists to model combustion of ethanol produced from Brazilian sugarcane and used by U.S. automobiles; production and use of bio-butanol as a potential transportation fuel; and production and use of biodiesel and renewable diesel via hydrogenation, coal/biomass co-feeding for Fischer-Tropsch diesel production and various corn ethanol plant types with different process fuels. Sat, 10 May 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508115822.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423115917.htm A newly created microbe produces cellulose that can be turned into ethanol and other biofuels, report scientists. They say the microbe could provide a significant portion of the nation's transportation fuel if production can be scaled up. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423115917.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422103930.htm The 1930s semi-detached house: three million of them were built in the United Kingdom, they stimulated a boom in employment, and they turned a nation of shop keepers into a nation of home owners. Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080422103930.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417173953.htm It is easy to overlook that most of the energy we consume daily, such as electricity or natural gas, is produced with the help of a dwindling resource -- fresh water. Scientists are researching the water-efficiency of some of the most common energy sources and power generating methods. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080417173953.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421123231.htm Rising energy and environmental costs may prevent nuclear power from being a sustainable alternative energy source in the fight against global warming, according to a new study. Tue, 22 Apr 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421123231.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414145653.htm Renewable electricity is being supported by a growing number of states through the creation of renewables portfolio standards. A new report provides a comprehensive overview of the early experiences with these state-level RPS policies. Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080414145653.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407172717.htm Despite oil prices that hover around $100 a barrel, it may take at least 10 or more years of intensive research to reduce the cost of solar energy to levels competitive with petroleum, according to a leading expert on the topic. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407172717.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410101210.htm People could live in glass houses and look at the world through rose-tinted windows while reducing their carbon emissions by 50 percent, thanks to new Australian research. Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080410101210.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409170347.htm Sugar-powered cars may be in your future. Chemists report development of a "revolutionary" process for converting plant sugars into hydrogen, which could be used to cheaply and efficiently power vehicles equipped with hydrogen fuel cells without producing any pollutants. Thu, 10 Apr 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409170347.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407102812.htm Researchers have made a breakthrough in the development of "green gasoline," a liquid identical to standard gasoline yet created from sustainable biomass sources like switchgrass and poplar trees. Tue, 08 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080407102812.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408144812.htm Escalating oil and gas prices along with the global challenge of climate change has in the past few years spurred a generation of scientists to pursue alternative energy sources while redirecting the focus away from fossil fuels. What is the current status, limitations and future challenges of alternative energy sources? Tue, 08 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080408144812.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401141539.htm As gas prices continue to soar to record highs, motorists are crying out for an alternative that won't cramp their pocketbooks. Scientists are answering that call by working to chemically manipulate algae for production of the next generation of renewable fuels -- hydrogen gas. Wed, 02 Apr 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401141539.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328070103.htm Independent tests conducted by engineers at the US Department of Energy on a BMW Hydrogen 7 Mono-Fuel demonstration vehicle have found that the car's hydrogen-powered engine surpasses the super-ultra low-emission vehicle level, the most stringent emissions performance standard to date. Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080328070103.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325104519.htm Scientists have made an important step on the long road to artificially mimicking photosynthesis. They were able to synthesise a stable inorganic metal oxide cluster, which enables the fast and effective oxidation of water to oxygen. Artificial photosynthesis may decisively contribute to solving energy and climate problems, if researchers find a way to efficiently produce hydrogen with the aid of solar energy. Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080325104519.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080320095008.htm A cheap alternative to silicon solar cells can be found in dye-sensitized solar cells. This type of cell imitates the natural conversion of sunlight into energy by, for instance, plants and light-sensitive bacteria. Researchers have now succeeded in substantially improving a process in this type of solar cell, which is similar to Graetzel cells. Mon, 24 Mar 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080320095008.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317114050.htm Researchers report an advance toward the next generation of plastic solar cells, which are widely heralded as a low cost, environmentally-friendly alternative to inorganic solar cells for meeting rising energy demands. Plastic solar cells, fabricated from bulk heterojunction materials comprising semiconducting polymers and fullerenes, have already demonstrated promising performance. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317114050.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310143531.htm The research to improve the performance of coated-particle nuclear fuel met an important milestone by reaching a burnup of 9 percent without any fuel failure. The research is key in supporting reactor licensing and operation for high-temperature reactors such as the Next Generation Nuclear Plant and similar reactors envisioned for subsequent commercial energy production. Thu, 13 Mar 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310143531.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080307191300.htm Los Alamos National Laboratory has developed a low-risk, transformational concept, called Green Freedom, for large-scale production of carbon-neutral, sulfur-free fuels and organic chemicals from air and water. At the heart of the technology is a new process for extracting carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and making it available for fuel production using a new form of electrochemical separation. Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080307191300.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306221723.htm Wind energy is currently regarded as the most important source of renewable energy. The optimal operation of the newest generation of large wind turbines is possible through the reliable measurement of the wind inflow characteristics. Experience has shown that the accurate power generation estimation based on wind speed is a challenging task. For large new turbine models, conventional met mast wind speed measurements are not feasible based on cost and technical considerations. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306221723.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306161746.htm What are the signs of spring? They are as familiar as a blooming daffodil, a songbird at dawn, a surprising shaft of warmth from the afternoon sun. And, oh yes, don't forget the aurora borealis. Spring is aurora season. For reasons not fully understood by scientists, the weeks around the vernal equinox are prone to Northern Lights. Canadians walking their dogs after dinner, Scandinavians popping out to the sauna, Alaskan Huskies on the Iditarod trail -- all they have to do is look up and behold, green curtains of light dancing across the night sky. Spring has arrived! This is a bit of a puzzle. Auroras are caused by solar activity, but the sun doesn't know what season it is on Earth. So how could one season yield more auroras than another? Mon, 10 Mar 2008 23:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306161746.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306223745.htm Researchers are developing a new, eco-friendly technology that could generate as much electricity as 50 wind farms. They are investigating ways of painting solar cells onto the flexible steel surfaces commonly used for cladding buildings. Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080306223745.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229102053.htm A traditional windmill which drives a pump: that is the simple concept behind the combination of windmill/reverse osmosis process for seawater desalination. In this case, it involves a high-pressure pump which pushes water through a membrane using approximately 60 bar. This reverse osmosis membrane produces fresh water from seawater directly. The windmill is suited for use by, for instance, small villages in isolated, dry coastal areas. Wed, 05 Mar 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080229102053.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303190649.htm Nuclear power has advantages, but, if this method of making power is to be viable long term, discovering new solutions to radioactive waste disposal and other problems are critical. Chemists are now focusing on metal sulfide materials as a possible source for nuclear waste remediation methods. The new material is extremely successful in removing strontium from a sodium-heavy solution, which has concentrations similar to those in real liquid nuclear waste. Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303190649.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303190535.htm Researchers studying bacteria capable of generating electricity have discovered that riboflavin (commonly known as vitamin B-2) is responsible for much of the energy produced by these organisms. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303190535.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303163341.htm Steel forged railroads, skyscrapers and the automobile industry. Now it may help solar energy become cheaper and more widely available. Scientists now report an advance in replacing the single most expensive component of a cutting-edge family of solar cells with less costly material. These so-called "nanostructured dye solar cells (DSCs)" are a relatively new family of photovoltaic devices. Their simple manufacturing methods are hoped to lead to lower production costs compared to conventional solar cells. Traditionally, DSCs are deposited on conductively coated glass sheets which accounts for more than 30 percent of the material costs. Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080303163341.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080222125628.htm Current-generation solar cell technologies are too expensive and inefficient for wide-scale commercial applications. Now researchers have developed a new anode coating strategy that significantly enhances the efficiency of solar energy power conversion. Their work focuses on "engineering" organic material-electrode interfaces in bulk-hetero-junction organic solar cells. The breakthrough promises to bring researchers and developers worldwide closer to the goal of producing cheaper, more manufacturable and more easily implemented solar cells. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080222125628.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225090826.htm In a finding that could help ease concerns about the potential environmental impact of manufacturing solar cells, scientists report that the manufacture of solar cells produces far fewer air pollutants than conventional fossil fuel technologies. Solar energy has been touted for years as a safer, cleaner alternative to burning fossil fuels to meet rising energy demands. However, environmentalists and others are increasingly concerned about the potential negative impact of solar cell (photovoltaic) technology. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225090826.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225101126.htm To even begin to combat climate change effectively, carbon dioxide emissions have to fall sharply: to 1 ton per capita per year. An energy strategy based on the three Es: increased efficiency, renewable energy and electrification may be what is needed to meet this goal. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225101126.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220094652.htm Researchers are exploring how waste heat from car exhausts could provide a new greener power supply for vehicles. Similar conversion technology is used in everyday applications such as controlling the central heating system or refrigerator temperature. Now researchers aim to use this technology to generate electricity from the waste heat in vehicles. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220094652.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080221082950.htm The electrons in nanoparticles of noble metal oscillate together apace with the frequency of the light. This phenomenon can be exploited to produce better and cheaper solar cells, scientists have shown. Electricity-generating solar cells are one of the most attractive alternatives for creating a long-term sustainable energy system, but thus far solar cells have not been able to compete economically with fossil fuels. Researchers are now looking at how nanotechnology can contribute in bringing down the cost. Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080221082950.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220224901.htm Despite increasing popular support for solar photovoltaic panels in the United States, their costs far outweigh the benefits, according to a new analysis. "Solar photovoltaic (PV) is a very exciting technology, but the current technology is not economic," said one researcher. "We are throwing money away by installing the current solar PV technology, which is a loser." Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080220224901.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080216142159.htm High oil prices, energy security considerations and fears about global warming have helped revive interest in renewable energy sources like biofuels. But there are a few catches. For example, the more corn is used in ethanol production, the less is available for food. Can these limitations be overcome to make biofuels a significant part of the US energy supply? Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080216142159.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080217170412.htm Plants, trees and algae do it. Even some bacteria and moss do it, but scientists have had a difficult time developing methods to turn sunlight into useful fuel. Now, researchers have a proof-of-concept device that can split water and produce recoverable hydrogen. Tue, 19 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080217170412.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080213172955.htm Scientists have set a new solar-to-grid system conversion efficiency record by achieving a 31.25 percent net efficiency rate. The old 1984 record of 29.4 percent was toppled Jan. 31 on SES's "Serial #3" solar dish Stirling system at Sandia's National Solar Thermal Test Facility. The solar dish generates electricity by focusing the sun’s rays onto a receiver, which transmits the heat energy to a Stirling engine. The engine is a sealed system filled with hydrogen. As the gas heats and cools, its pressure rises and falls. The change in pressure drives the pistons inside the engine, producing mechanical power, which in turn drives a generator and makes electricity. Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080213172955.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080211134444.htm Researchers have developed a strategy to capture, store and eventually recycle carbon from vehicles. They envision a zero emission car, and a transportation system completely free of fossil fuels. Little research has been done to explore carbon capture from vehicles, but now a team of scientists outline an economically feasible strategy for processing fossil or synthetic, carbon-containing liquid fuels that allows for the capture and recycling of carbon at the point of emission. Thu, 14 Feb 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080211134444.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080206154631.htm Teams of researchers all over the world are working on the development of organic solar cells. Organic solar cells have good prospects for the future: They can be laid onto thin films, which makes them cheap to produce. Sun, 10 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080206154631.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080205111714.htm A new environmentally friendly technology may revolutionize the production of the world's most commonly produced organic compound, ethylene. Ethylene has a vast number of uses in all aspects of industry. Farmers and horticulturalists use it as a plant hormone to promote flowering and ripening, especially in bananas. Doctors and surgeons have also long used ethylene as an anesthetic, while ethylene-based polymers can be found in everything from freezer bags to fiberglass. Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080205111714.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204094459.htm Scientists have developed a chemical process that turns green waste into a stable bio-crude oil. The bio-crude oil can be used to produce high value chemicals and biofuels, including both petrol and diesel replacement fuels. Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080204094459.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080201104338.htm Led by the world's three major producers of biofuels, an international effort seeks to harmonize standards for bioethanol and biodiesel, two key renewable energy sources and important commodities in the global marketplace. A report identifying standards differences is the first step. Next is for the US and Brazilian national measurement labs to address those differences and work toward worldwide compatibility of biofuels standards. Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080201104338.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080124104453.htm An increasing number of people use wind or solar energy as a power source, and at times, they have extra power available that could be sold to the electricity grid. A new system allows this externally generated energy to be better stored and transferred. Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080124104453.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080118093341.htm The odometer of a low emission hybrid electric test vehicle recently reached 100,000 miles as the car circled a track in the UK using the power of an advanced CSIRO battery system. The UltraBattery combines a supercapacitor and a lead acid battery in a single unit, creating a hybrid car battery that lasts longer, costs less and is more powerful than current technologies used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080118093341.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080114101837.htm A new large-scale research project aimed at improving technology for photovoltaic solar energy is underway. The £6.3million PV-21 program will focus on making thin-film light absorbing cells for solar panels from sustainable and affordable materials. Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080114101837.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109111927.htm Want to begin to be more environmentally friendly in 2008 but can't afford a hybrid car? Don't worry -- there are plenty of ways to lessen your impact on the environment that don't come with such a daunting price tag, says Matt Malten, assistant vice chancellor for campus sustainability at Washington University in St. Louis. And they likely will even save you some money without cramping your carbon-creating lifestyle -- much. Mon, 14 Jan 2008 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080109111927.htm