The production of cement and quicklime is energy demanding and causes high carbon dioxide emissions. This is because the fuel, which is used for heating, and the limestone, which is converted into quicklime at high temperatures, emits carbon dioxide. By replacing fossil fuels with renewable ones, emissions can be reduced by up to 40%. “A […]
Metals Tech
On California’s Central Coast, Battery Storage Is on the Ballot
By some criteria, 1290 Embarcadero in Morro Bay, Calif. seems like a prime site for a facility to store renewable energy. The swath of coastal land houses a power plant that shuttered a decade ago and its still standing smokestacks. Vistra Corp.’s proposal for a 600-megawatt battery storage project on a portion of the site […]
New 3D polymeric structure combines lightweight properties with high energy density to enhance lithium metal batteries
A research team has developed a three-dimensional polymeric structure, a lightweight structure that facilitates the transport of lithium (Li) ions. Their study was recently published in the journal Advanced Science. Battery technology used in electronic devices such as electric vehicles and smartphones continues to evolve. Notably, lithium metal anodes have an energy capacity of 3,860 […]
New technology keeps food refrigerated with phase change materials, reduces carbon emissions by 30%
A technology developed by Oak Ridge National Laboratory works to keep food refrigerated with phase change materials, or PCMs, while reducing carbon emissions by 30%. More than 100 million household refrigerators in operation across the United States consume up to 2 kilowatts of electricity daily. These refrigerators contribute to energy consumption and carbon emissions by […]
A Better Way to Charge a Quantum Battery
Like any other battery, a quantum battery is a device that stores energy. But unlike its electrochemical counterparts, which are charged by flows of electrons, a quantum battery feeds on photons. Effects such as quantum entanglement and quantum coherence mean that a quantum battery can charge faster as you add more cells (see Viewpoint: Sizing Up […]
Panasonic to ramp up EV battery production in Japan
TOKYO — Panasonic Holdings is looking to more than double its domestic production of EV batteries to supply potential customers like Mazda and Subaru and improve the performance of its Japanese factory. “We are estimating our target for 2030 based on our demand from [potential] customers,” President and CEO Yuki Kusumi said in an interview […]
Floating photovoltaics could limit Africa’s future reliance on hydro-generated energy
Floating photovoltaics (FPV), also known as floating solar farms, are photovoltaic systems that can be deployed on the sea’s surface or on other bodies of water. While their environmental impact is still the topic of debate worldwide, these systems could be highly advantageous for generating renewable energy, particularly in warm regions where available land is […]
New device architecture enables streamlined production of formic acid from CO₂ using renewable electricity
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is both an essential resource for life on Earth and a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. Today, scientists are investigating CO2 as a promising resource that can be utilized to create renewable low-carbon fuels and high-value chemical products. The challenge for researchers has been to identify efficient and cost-effective CO2 conversion pathways […]
Ineos drives towards hydrogen car future
At a sprawling vehicle test center in the English countryside, a hydrogen-powered Grenadier 4×4 made by Ineos Automotive grips steep and rugged tracks, showcasing its off-road capabilities. Making the demonstrator car was “a really obvious thing” to do, the company’s chief executive Lynn Calder told journalists at the unveiling this week. The young, fast-expanding company […]
Microsoft uses AI to improve battery tech
Microsoft is using its artificial intelligence models to help develop the next generation of batteries. Experts consider batteries an important tool for utilities trying to give up fossil fuels. That’s because batteries can be paired with solar or wind to provide reliable power even when there’s no wind or sun. Microsoft VP Jason Zander said […]