http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/energy_policy/ Energy Policy. Read the latest research and energy policy recommendations from scientific organizations around the world. en-us Tue, 13 May 2008 07:05:01 EDT Tue, 13 May 2008 07:05:01 EDT 60 http://www.sciencedaily.com/images/logosmall.gif http://www.sciencedaily.com/news/matter_energy/energy_policy/ For more science articles, visit ScienceDaily. 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/2008/05/080508115822.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/2008/05/080508142552.htm Great hopes are being placed on undeveloped technology. Capturing and storing carbon dioxide is predicted to be one of the most important measures to counter the threats to our climate. But the technology still hasn't been tested in full scale, and the complications and risks it entails may have been grossly underestimated. Fri, 09 May 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080508142552.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501093517.htm Most local TV newscasts feature news of car crashes, fires and other injury-causing events, but relatively few contain information on preventing such injuries, a new study finds. However, if a police or fire official is interviewed, prevention is much more likely to become part of the story -- suggesting that more media training to help them deliver prevention messages could improve public awareness. Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/05/080501093517.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080425163711.htm Engineering researchers report that plug-in hybrid electric vehicles could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions that fuel global warming, but the benefits are highly dependent on how the electricity system changes in the coming decades. Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080425163711.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423095236.htm High food prices are creating the biggest challenge that the World Food Programme has faced in its 45-year history, a silent tsunami threatening to plunge more than 100 million people on every continent into hunger. Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080423095236.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/2008/04/080421072206.htm A new analysis by the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies indicates that European nations are investing nearly twice as much as the US in research primarily aimed at addressing the potential risks of nanotechnology. The analysis also highlights a substantial over-inflation of the federal government's nanotechnology risk-research investment figures for the US. Mon, 21 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080421072206.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409204618.htm Scientists studying petroleum microbiology are figuring out how to squeeze more petroleum out of abandoned or soon-to-be-abandoned oil fields. One Mississippi State researcher already has extended the life of one field by 17 years. That may sound far-fetched for those unfamiliar with his ongoing research that involves the forced growth of oil-chasing microbes used to redirect injected water that, in turn, sweeps once-inaccessible oil from old wells into production. Fri, 11 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080409204618.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/2008/04/080402131140.htm Reducing global emissions of carbon dioxide over the coming century will be more challenging than society has been led to believe, according recent research. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080402131140.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401112400.htm Grain-based ethanol production has increased dramatically in recent years and with this expansion comes unintended negative water quality impacts. Scientists evaluated potential impacts of grain- and cellulose-based ethanol on nutrient and animal management as they relate to water quality in US inland and coastal waters. They recommended advanced conservation measures to minimize N and P losses and suggested a viable cellulosic ethanol industry could reduce grain dependence and provide water quality and other environmental benefits. Fri, 04 Apr 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401112400.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401141543.htm A government lab in the UK has taken on its biggest sample for analysis to date -- a 14-ton footbridge. The bridge will be used as a demonstrator to try out different techniques for monitoring structures for a government project to encourage UK industry and UK infrastructure to use monitoring to maximize the lifetime and minimize maintenance costs for civil engineering structures. Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080401141543.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/2008/03/080312134132.htm With a proposed fiscal year 2009 budget of $20 million, the effort by the Department of Energy, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and partners to develop grid-appropriate reactors is gaining steam. Mon, 31 Mar 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080312134132.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080319104308.htm A public-private effort to develop technologies for more fuel-efficient automobiles and to investigate the feasibility of hydrogen-based vehicles has made significant progress in most research areas, says a new report. Fri, 21 Mar 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080319104308.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317113734.htm With oil prices hovering around $100 per barrel, coal is reemerging as a key raw material in the manufacture of the basic chemical materials used to make plastics, fertilizers, and hundreds of other products, according to an article in Chemical & Engineering News. Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080317113734.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080313140108.htm Promoting the green design, construction, renovation and operation of buildings could cut North American carbon dioxide emissions more deeply, quickly and cheaply than any other available measure, according to a new report. Buildings are responsible for over one-third of continent's carbon dioxide emissions. Tue, 18 Mar 2008 05:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080313140108.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080311120617.htm While every mode of transportation in the United States will be affected as the climate changes, potentially the greatest impact on transportation systems will be flooding of roads, railways, transit systems and airport runways in coastal areas because of rising sea levels and surges brought on by more intense storms, says a new report from the National Research Council. Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080311120617.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310092356.htm New research suggests that residential oil boilers, commonly used for home heating in the northeastern United States, should receive more attention as sources of air pollutants. The study is the first to identify certain specific air pollutants in home heating oil emissions. Homes in the New England and Central Atlantic States consume about 80 percent of the 25 billion gallons of home heating oil burned in the United States. Scientists have been aware of potential public health effects of those emissions. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310092356.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310155857.htm The growth in China's carbon dioxide emissions is far outpacing the previously expected trajectory for the country, making the goal of stabilizing atmospheric greenhouse gases even more difficult, according to a new analysis. Tue, 11 Mar 2008 02:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310155857.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310094352.htm The Federal Government may need at least 20 years longer than previously planned -- and an additional $50 billion -- to clean up radioactive and hazardous wastes at nuclear weapons sites, according to a new article. Clean-up costs may reach $305 billion at about 25 sites where nuclear weapons materials were manufactured. Mon, 10 Mar 2008 20:00:00 EDT http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080310094352.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080221114244.htm A new green roads program that develops criteria for what makes a roadway green has been established. A lot of the infrastructure in this country needs to be re-built, and it could be done in a more environmentally-friendly way than it has been done in the past. Fri, 07 Mar 2008 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080221114244.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304105829.htm Latin American nations could become important suppliers of ethanol for world markets in coming decades, according to a new study. Brazil's dynamic sugarcane industry could play an important role in future world trade in fuel ethanol. Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and members of the Caribbean Basin Initiative could produce sufficient feedstock for more than 30 billion gallons of ethanol per year by 2017, which would represent a six-fold increase over current production. Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080304105829.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225092314.htm The explosion at a sugar refinery in Georgia earlier this month that killed nine workers underscores the need for tougher industrial safety standards regarding production of combustible dust, according to a new article. Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080225092314.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/2008/02/080226102610.htm The Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies is releasing a first-time legal analysis that finds a key federal toxics reporting statute could be applied to production and commercialization of nanotechnology, providing the public with more information about these revolutionary -- yet still potentially risky -- technologies. Tue, 26 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080226102610.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/2008/02/080215103231.htm Publicly funded science in America is accountable to the people and their government representatives. However, this arrangement raises questions regarding the effect such oversight has on science. It is a problem of particular relevance as the nation prepares for the end of the Bush administration, which has taken divisive stances on a number of issues, including stem cell research and global warming. Striking a balance is an essential question. Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215103231.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215135731.htm With demand for electricity expected to double by 2050 and renewable resources still years away from offsetting increased demand, it is clear -- coal is here to stay. But can "dirty" coal be used cleanly? The answer may be a resounding yes if gasification becomes common place. Mon, 18 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215135731.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215135701.htm The recent boom in production of ethanol from corn grain has tightly linked the agriculture and energy sectors in an unprecedented fashion. Researchers have now developed a model, based on a range of possible oil prices, that predicts impacts of federal economic policies on future consumer and government costs, ethanol production and many other aspects of the two sectors. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080215135701.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/2008/02/080207140809.htm Turning native ecosystems into "farms" for biofuel crops causes major carbon emissions that worsen the global warming that biofuels are meant to mitigate, according to a new study. The carbon lost by converting rainforests, peatlands, savannas, or grasslands outweighs the carbon savings from biofuels. Such conversions for corn or sugarcane (ethanol), or palms or soybeans (biodiesel) release 17 to 420 times more carbon than the annual savings from replacing fossil fuels, the researchers said. The carbon, which is stored in the original plants and soil, is released as carbon dioxide, a process that may take decades. This "carbon debt" must be paid before the biofuels produced on the land can begin to lower greenhouse gas levels and ameliorate global warming. Mon, 11 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207140809.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207094314.htm Hybrid electric vehicles are no more than a stop-gap until more sustainable technology is developed according to researchers. Analysts suggest that the adoption of hybrids might even slow development of more sustainable fuel-cell powered electric vehicles. Most manufacturers are rapidly integrating hybrid electric vehicles into their technology portfolio, despite the absence of significant profitability. Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/02/080207094314.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/2008/01/080130200934.htm Arctic marine conditions contribute to an oil spill "response gap" that effectively limits the ability to clean up after an oil spill. A new report concludes that the only way to avoid the potentially devastating environmental risks is to ensure that no more of the Arctic is opened up to oil development until the response gap is closed. Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080130200934.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080128165715.htm Could lessons learned from Mother Nature help airport security screening checkpoints better protect us from terror threats? The authors of a new book, Natural Security: A Darwinian Approach to a Dangerous World, believe they can -- if governments are willing to think outside the box and pay heed to some of nature's most successful evolutionary strategies for species adaptation and survival. Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080128165715.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080114162501.htm Privatizing toll roads in the US may result in significant diversions of truck traffic from privatized toll roads to "free" roads, and may result in more crashes and increased costs associated with use of other roads, according to a new study. Tue, 15 Jan 2008 11:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080114162501.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103144404.htm Biofuels reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in comparison to fossil fuels. In the journal Science, researchers consider environmental costs of biofuel production. Corn, soy and sugarcane come up short. The authors urge governments to be far more selective about which biofuels they support, as not all are more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels. Mon, 07 Jan 2008 23:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103144404.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103144445.htm What are the United States presidential candidates' positions on scientific topics ranging from evolution to global warming? A report in Science, addresses these questions and profiles the nine leading candidates on where they stand on important scientific issues. Mon, 07 Jan 2008 05:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080103144445.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071212201431.htm Crude oil in deposits around the world are naturally broken down by bacteria, resulting in methane production. The discovery could yield dramatic improvements in how fossil fuels are recovered and processed. Tue, 18 Dec 2007 02:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071212201431.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071211094937.htm A RAND Corporation study issued recently gives rail security planners and policymakers a framework to develop cost-effective plans to secure their rail systems from terrorist attacks. Wed, 12 Dec 2007 17:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071211094937.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071206093006.htm Damming the Red Sea could solve the growing energy demands of millions of people in the Middle East and alleviate some of the region's tensions pertaining to oil supplies through hydroelectric power. Equally, such a massive engineering project may cause untold ecological harm and displace countless people from their homes. Mon, 10 Dec 2007 20:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071206093006.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071208150135.htm Using concentrated solar energy to reverse combustion, scientists are building a prototype device intended to chemically "reenergize" carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide using concentrated solar power. The carbon monoxide could then be used to make hydrogen or serve as a building block to synthesize a liquid combustible fuel, such as methanol or even gasoline, diesel and jet fuel. Mon, 10 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071208150135.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203133532.htm The price of oil nearly reached $100 a barrel recently, but a new prototype vehicle demonstrates how the cost of the black stuff could become a concern of the past. The system enables vehicles to not only run on electricity alone, but also to generate revenue by storing and providing electricity for utilities. The technology -- known as V2G, for vehicle-to-grid--lets electricity flow from the car's battery to power lines and back. Sun, 09 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071203133532.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071207001203.htm A joint research project has proved that development of waste management is a cost-efficient means to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. Considerable reductions can be achieved by combustion of waste and by collecting methane from landfills. The collected methane can either be used directly in energy production or flared off, i.e. eliminated through combustion without energy production. Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071207001203.htm http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071207000819.htm Wind power need not be backed up by an equal amount of reserve power, according to new research. The production of wind power varies and is harder to forecast than the fluctuations in electricity demand. Adding large quantities of wind power to power systems is therefore challenging. The power system impacts of wind power were studied in depth. The results indicate that the frequently stated claim of wind power requiring an equal amount of reserve power for back-up is not correct. Sat, 08 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/12/071207000819.htm