Energy

Safer Clean Energy In The Future Due To New Nuclear Fuel-Rod Cladding

In the aftermath of Japan's earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant was initially driven into shutdown by the magnitude 9.0 quake; its emergency generators then failed because they were inundated by the tsunami. ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 27 2013 - 1:10am

Solar Hydrogen Energy, Artificial Photosynthesis, Production Breakthrough

A new solar cell and a photo anode made of a metal oxide has resulted in storing nearly five percent of solar energy chemically, in the form of hydrogen. The solar cell is simpler than that of traditional high-efficiency triple-junction cells based on amo ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 29 2013 - 10:39am

Cleaning Solar Panels Not Worth The Money

If you live in an area where solar power is close to viable, you probably also do not get a lot of rain. Over time, dust and dirt build up on solar panels, leading to a loss of efficiency. But not enough to warrant washing them, according to an analysis b ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 31 2013 - 12:04pm

How Will True Wireless Power Transfer Work?

True efficient wireless power transfer, not just giant machines in a lab or tiny mats under a cell phone, are what we all dream about. Getting rid of cords that force airport travelers to huddle around power outlets like cavemen around an Arctic fire has ...

Article - News Staff - Jul 31 2013 - 12:49pm

Sometimes Doping Is Good

Thanks to athletes like Ryan Braun and Lance Armstrong, doping has gotten a bad rap, but if solar power is ever going to be viable, doping will be essential. Flexible thin film solar cells require fewer materials and can be manufactured in large quantitie ...

Article - News Staff - Aug 13 2013 - 12:33pm

Cost Gap For Solar And Wind Power Could Narrow By 2025, But...

A new study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that it might be possible for solar and wind generation to be cost-competitive with conventional energy, without federal subsidies, by 2025- if new renewable energy development ...

Article - News Staff - Aug 27 2013 - 4:44pm

Artificial Photosynthesis Catalysts: Hydrogen Fuel From Sunlight

The search for clean, green sustainable energy sources marches on. While some studies note that solar and wind energy could be viable by 2025, if they could bypass environmental lawsuits, hydrogen and nuclear are rushing to fill the gaps. ...

Article - News Staff - Aug 30 2013 - 9:03am

Stacked Solar Cells Can Handle Energy Of 70,000 Suns Without Losing Voltage

A new technique for improving the connections between stacked solar cells could one day improve the overall efficiency of solar energy devices and reduce the cost of solar energy production. Stacked solar cells consist of several solar cells that are stac ...

Article - News Staff - Sep 6 2013 - 2:19pm

Grid-Scale Batteries Work Well For Storing Solar Power, But Not Wind

While solar energy is clearly the future, it isn't ready yet. Two large obstacles are cost versus efficiency and storage. Wind power is advocated by a much smaller group, because its obstacles are far greater. A new paper adds evidence to that, notin ...

Article - News Staff - Sep 9 2013 - 1:52pm

China's Synthetic Gas Plants Will Produce 7X More Emissions Than Natural Gas

While America has drastically reduced its greenhouse gas emissions- CO2 from energy is back at early 1990s levels and emissions from coal are back at early 1980s levels- that isn't good enough for many environmentalists. Meanwhile, China is setting t ...

Article - Hank Campbell - Sep 25 2013 - 10:37am