Category: Energy

A collaboration of researchers from Japan and the US has demonstrated how twisted carbon nanotubes can store up to three times more energy than standard lithium-ion batteries. This groundbreaking research could pave the way for new-age implants and sensors that are lightweight, compact, and, more importantly, safe.

Carbon nanotubes are nanometer-sized structures typically made out of a single layer of carbon atoms. Also referred to as graphene, these carbon sheets are extremely light yet stronger than steel. The material’s superior properties have helped scientists deploy it for several futuristic applications. As a researcher at Japan’s Shinshu University, Sanjeev Kumar Ujjain wanted to know if carbon nanotubes could also be used to store energy. In 2022, he moved from Japan to the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), where he continued his research and found that twisting carbon nanotubes improves their energy storage efficiency.

In a world increasingly hungry for sustainable energy sources, scientists are turning to some unlikely heroes: microscopic algae. Researchers at Concordia University have developed a promising new technology called micro-photosynthetic power cells (μPSCs) that harness the natural processes of these tiny organisms to generate electricity. They’ve now discovered a way to dramatically increase the power output of these miniature green energy factories.

At the heart of this innovation is a deceptively simple idea: connecting multiple μPSCs together, much like linking batteries in a flashlight. By arranging these biological power sources in various configurations, the team has unlocked new levels of performance, bringing us one step closer to practical applications for this eco-friendly technology. What makes this technology particularly exciting is its potential to not only produce clean energy but also remove carbon from the atmosphere in the process.

Chinese wind turbine manufacturer MingYang Smart Energy has officially launched the world’s largest single-capacity floating wind turbine platform, known as Ocean X. This innovative design, featuring a dual-turbine ‘V’ shape, boasts a total capacity of 16.6 MW and was unveiled in the southern Chinese port city of Guangzhou. The Ocean X platform is estimated to produce 54,000 MWh annually, enough to power approximately 30,000 Chinese households.

MingYang Smart Energy’s offshore wind solutions are designed to generate power in deep waters up to 62 miles (100 kilometers) from shore and at depths of 100 meters. These solutions include the MySE 5.5MW, MySE 7.25MW, and the new Ocean X 16.6MW double-rotor floating wind systems. In December 2023, MingYang introduced the world’s first typhoon-proof wind turbine with an 18 MW power rating.

Since 2000, global renewable energy capacity has surged by 415%, achieving a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. Despite this impressive overall increase, many affluent regions, including the United States and Europe, have experienced slower average annual growth in renewable capacity.

In partnership with the National Public Utilities Council, this chart illustrates how each world region has contributed to the growth in renewable energy capacity from 2000 to 2023, based on the latest data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Researchers have discovered a remarkably simple method to significantly enhance the efficiency of cryogenic coolers, achieving near-absolute zero temperatures up to 3.5 times faster and using about 71% less energy than current technologies. This advancement holds immense potential for various applications that require extremely low temperatures.

Cryogenic cooling is essential for preserving biological materials such as tissues, eggs, sperm, and embryos. It enables the functioning of CAT scanners, CERN’s massive particle accelerators, and certain mag-lev systems. Moreover, it has numerous engineering applications, powers the James Webb Space Telescope’s deep-space observations, and could be crucial for future breakthroughs in fusion power and quantum computing.

Emission-free hydrogen has the potential to entirely replace fossil fuels, and a startup in Germany, Enapter, believes it has the key to making this green technology accessible to all.

Vaitea Cowan, co-founder of Enapter, was inspired by her upbringing on a climate-change-affected South Pacific island. “I wanted to replace all the diesel generators in New Caledonia and remote areas that relied on dirty diesel,” she explains. “But realizing the potential for green hydrogen to replace fossil fuels, I wanted to be part of this change.”

Capacitors, the unsung heroes of energy storage, play a crucial role in powering everything from smartphones to electric vehicles. They store energy from batteries in the form of an electrical charge and enable ultra-fast charging and discharging. However, their Achilles’ heel has always been limited energy storage efficiency.

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have unveiled a groundbreaking capacitor design that could overcome these energy storage challenges. In a study published in Science, lead author Sang-Hoon Bae, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, demonstrates a novel heterostructure that curbs energy loss, enabling capacitors to store more energy and charge rapidly without sacrificing durability.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) anticipates a significant shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy in the coming years, primarily propelled by a steep decline in battery costs.

According to the IEA, battery costs have plummeted by over 90 percent in the past decade, with projections indicating a further 40 percent reduction by 2030. While commonly associated with electronic devices, the energy sector dominates current battery demand, witnessing a doubling of deployment last year compared to 2022. The surge in electric vehicle sales has also contributed to the rising demand for batteries.

CATL, the world’s largest EV battery producer, has introduced TENER, touted as the “world’s first mass-producible energy storage system with zero degradation in the first five years of use.” This groundbreaking development addresses a common issue with lithium-based batteries – the gradual loss of energy capacity over time, necessitating more frequent recharging.

The goal of achieving zero degradation is crucial for enhancing the efficiency and longevity of energy storage systems, particularly as renewable energy sources like solar and wind become more prevalent. TENER, similar to Tesla’s Megapack, is a large battery pack encased in a metal container designed to store energy from intermittent renewables.

In a groundbreaking development at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, Kambiz Moez, Director of Electrical Engineering in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, may have unlocked a feature set to transform homes worldwide. Moez has engineered a wireless light switch that defies convention by eliminating the need for batteries, instead drawing power from ambient sources like radio frequency signals.

Unlike traditional wireless light switches, Moez’s invention operates by harnessing energy from radio frequency power transmitters strategically placed on each floor of a home. This innovative approach not only simplifies installation but also significantly reduces labor and material requirements for electrical systems in new constructions. By cutting down on the consumption of raw materials and the energy-intensive manufacturing processes associated with conventional electrical components, Moez’s invention offers a trifecta of benefits: affordability, energy efficiency, and sustainability.

In a remarkable leap forward in the realm of clean energy, South Korea unveils a pioneering method that could revolutionize hydrogen production, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Developed by experts at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (KIER), this groundbreaking innovation taps into a diverse array of elements and compounds to generate hydrogen without relying on traditional fossil fuel sources, potentially reshaping the landscape of transportation and beyond.

At the heart of this breakthrough lies the conversion of ammonia into its elemental constituents: hydrogen and nitrogen. Utilizing temperatures reaching approximately 1,112 degrees Fahrenheit, the process involves decomposing ammonia, a feat achieved through a meticulously orchestrated dance of elements and compounds. Crucially, the team employs ruthenium, a platinum metal, as a catalyst during the pressure swing adsorption process, facilitating the generation of high-temperature environments essential for producing hydrogen fuel.

Tidal energy represents an immense, virtually limitless source of clean power, offering a promising avenue for sustainable energy generation. However, the journey to fully harnessing this resource has been slow, primarily due to the high costs associated with traditional tidal energy systems. Yet, a groundbreaking solution has emerged: integrating tidal energy infrastructure with other essential urban projects, such as pedestrian bridges or flood control systems, to offset costs and maximize benefits.

The Potential of Tidal Energy Utilizing the constant motion of ocean tides, tidal energy has the potential to provide a substantial amount of zero-emission electricity worldwide. Estimates suggest that tidal motion near coastlines alone could yield up to 1,000 gigawatts of power. Despite its vast potential, tidal energy has lagged behind wind and solar energy in terms of deployment. Two main approaches dominate the industry: tethered devices that capture kinetic energy directly from tides and barrage systems that funnel water through turbines in dam-like structures. While both methods have their challenges, barrage systems are considered more efficient, albeit requiring significant infrastructure modifications.