Renewable

As with a solar cell, only a little sunlight is needed, but then hydrogen flows instead of electricity. And unlike photovoltaics, this can be stored for a long time. But there are still a few challenges.

It is not a new idea, and the material already exists. However, one very special property makes it more effective than traditional facade insulation - especially in summer, but not only.

Synthetic fuels could be useful in two ways: as storage for surplus renewable energy and as a climate-neutral fuel with enormous energy density. However, the efficiency of their production is appallingly poor.

A small modification during production was enough to store a considerable amount of CO2 in fresh cement. The researchers were quite surprised by the strength of their product.

BLUETTI touts its latest portable generator as the ideal camping (or blackout) companion due to its compact size, ability to charge quickly using solar panels and up-to-date LiFePO4 (LFP) batteries. The new, up-to-700W addition to the AC series has launched as part of the OEM's Amazon Prime Day Deals event, which yields special offers on the new power station's larger siblings, albeit with some caveats.

Following the example of nature, photosynthesis, a system was developed that captures as much light as possible and converts it as efficiently as possible. It is also wafer-thin.

With a charging time of just 10 minutes, practical energy density and a new type of anode, the battery is primarily intended for use in large, heavy vehicles. It is also reliable in a wide range of conditions.

Geothermal energy not only supplies heat and electricity. Almost pure lithium carbonate could be extracted from the deep water to produce batteries.

Bill Gates' company Molten Industries produces graphite, a key material for lithium-ion batteries, from natural gas in a cost-effective and CO2-free process. The new technology is designed to help decarbonise while supporting the development of EVs and the hydrogen economy.

The DELTA 3 Pro is a new smart portable generator rated to store up to 4,000 watts (W) of back-up power, which can be restored in as little as 50 minutes thanks to EcoFlow's new X-Stream fast-charging technology. It has just become available to order with offers such as $500 off its recommended price or a free solar panel for early-bird buyers.

No laboratory value, no theoretical maximum: In Brandenburg, Germany, the production of high-performance solar modules using the tandem process begins.

Durable or high-yield: until now, that was the choice with perovskite modules. A new method has now combined both - albeit on a not entirely practical scale.

With more wind and solar power, gigantic storage options must also be created. A new principle for producing liquid fuels should help - completely without pure hydrogen.

The manufacturer Longi has presented an outstandingly powerful solar cell with perovskite and silicon. Its efficiency has already been confirmed, giving an idea of the technology's potential.

Anker has brought two new SOLIX solar panels, the PS100 and the PS200, to Europe following their launch in North America earlier this year. The devices are said to have a 23% conversion efficiency and are compatible with a wide range of power stations. Plus, the panels can fold and be set at one of four angles.

Unlike the small nuclear fusion reactors used for research, the plasma in ITER could require constant shutdowns. New calculations suggest that this decades-old assumption is wrong.

Innovative photovoltaic modules can be produced in different colors. This ensures only minimal efficiency losses, but opens up many additional application possibilities.

EcoFlow will soon be launching a new flagship solar generator. Initial information about EcoFlow Delta Pro 3 indicates it will come with 4,000 W of power.

An automated process, a hyperspectral camera and the prospect of further optimizations are driving semiconductor development. And it is not only further improvements in photovoltaics that are to be tackled.

Bill Gates’ TerraPower has started construction on its sodium-cooled Natrium nuclear power plant in Wyoming. Partnering with the US Dept. of Energy, the project reactor will provide 345-megawatts of electricity to help meet surging electricity demand from AI, EV, and cryptocurrency use. This clean energy alternative to solar and wind farms is not affected by changing sunlight and wind conditions.

A new recycling method for solar modules produces neither strong acids nor toxic waste. An important step towards a circular economy in photovoltaics.

Against the trend of rising prices, electricity from wind is costing less and less. Numerous other factors make offshore plants particularly attractive, also in combination with nuclear power.

As a fuel - especially for large machines - hydrogen is likely to be of central importance in the future. However, its production is costly or dirty, something that biowaste could change abruptly.

Instead of replacing coal with hydrogen, the direct route promises to be much more efficient. You would only need enough mirrors to capture sufficient sunlight, which has hardly been practical up to now. A new material is now set to change this.

Ecobee's new Community Energy Savings program will detect energy emergencies and automatically adjust your thermostat to reduce the risk of power outages. Users can also upgrade their participation to their utility's demand response program for $125 in rewards.

The innovative energy storage system uses inexpensive materials, can absorb large amounts of electricity and binds CO2 when releasing energy. Further development of the system is already being planned.

Great technical solutions or innovations are not always necessary to increase the output of solar systems. Instead, more electricity can be generated with minimal effort, which works better in poor conditions.

Xiaomi has listed the new Outdoor Camera Solar Panel (BW Series) on its global website. The product is designed to prolong the runtime of smart home security cameras like the upcoming Outdoor Camera BW500. The solar panel’s connection point is weatherproof, and it comes with a range of accessories.

Jackery has announced its latest portable power station as a second generation of its existing Explorer 1000: the 1000 v2. It is is more compact compared to its predecessor, yet has increased maximum output thanks to updated battery technology. The Explorer 1000 v2 also has ChargeShield 2.0 technology for a faster input, even when solar panels are involved.

Construction of a factory for energy storage systems for power grids is starting in Shanghai. Production, which will amount to 40 gigawatt hours per year, is due to start in less than a year.

Anker has launched the SOLIX Solarbank 2 E1600 Plus and the SOLIX Solarbank 2 E1600 Pro, now available for pre-order in Germany. Early customers can get 22% off the RRP and a free accessory. The solar energy storage solutions are also available as part of a bundle with solar panels and extra batteries.

The dispute over the expansion of the controversial Tesla Gigafactory Berlin is coming to a head. After an attempt by around 800 climate activists to storm the building, nature conservation organisation Nabu is now taking legal action against the expansion of the Tesla factory.

Otterbox hints that the latest additions to its Symmetry series for Apple devices might be the most "ethical" accessories ever made. They are described as "leather", albeit a version of the material apparently sustainably sourced from a common form of cactus. It has been crafted into "beautiful" and "durable" iPhone 15-series cases and Apple Watch straps in a range of colors.

Inexpensive raw materials and a long service life are ingredients that every battery could do with. The new type of battery should be particularly interesting as an energy storage device and is partly made from paper production waste.

President Biden has raised US import tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, batteries, solar cells, medical supplies, semiconductors, port cranes, minerals, steel, and aluminum. The tariffs are in response to unfair Chinese trade practices as well as technology transfers that threaten US supply chains. Americans depending on syringes, face masks, and medical gloves will be hit by 25-50% tariff increases.

The Jackery SolarSaga 40W Mini Solar Panel is now on sale in countries worldwide. The folding device has four monocrystalline solar cells and can be used on its own, with ports to charge three devices simultaneously. Plus, customers in some countries can get a 15% discount on the new product.

Since 2000, the share of these two energy sources has increased by well over 6,000 percent. This makes global climate protection targets more tangible and slows things down elsewhere.

Climate activists stormed the site of Tesla's Gigafactory in Berlin yesterday morning, forcing a halt to production. Tesla CEO Elon Musk commented on the protest on X, calling for tougher police action against the demonstrators.

Manufactured exclusively from synthetic molecules and polymers, the production costs of organic solar panels in particular could be very low. Problems with efficiency and durability should soon be a thing of the past.

Powered by CNG (compressed natural gas), Bajaj Auto's new motorcycle is designed to offer a more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to petrol and diesel motorcycles, countering the rising price of fuel.

Natron Energy presented its battery cell back in 2021. Now the market launch is set to begin on a large scale. The performance data of the new type of battery is very remarkable.

Nuclear fusion is to be made more controllable with an elaborate measuring instrument. However, the expense and the rather simple measurement parameter involved also show that there is still a long way to go to achieve economic viability.

Electronic waste has become a growing problem, and researchers at the University of Washington may just have found a solution. The team has showcased new circuit boards that are almost 100% recyclable. These new PCBs (printed circuit boards) are made of vitrimers that turn into a jelly-like substance during recycling.

The Anker SOLIX Solarbank 2 E1600 series has been unveiled in Europe. Three models will go on sale, each with 1,600Wh storage and upgraded features like an integrated inverter. Plus, the company is offering email subscribers a discount and free gifts to celebrate the products’ launch.

EcoFlow is promoting its new 800W Alternator Charger via an up-to-35% sale off its bundles with the DELTA Pro or 2-series portable generators with which it is intended to be used. The Alternator is rated to increase the amount of power they can draw from a vehicle by up to 8x, thereby posing a potentially improved solution for storing energy for off-grid appliances while driving.

The world's largest 3D-printed housing community has been completed - and the company behind it has now developed an AI architect who designs customized homes that are then built by a robot in record time. As well as reducing costs and making housing more affordable, the smart technology, combined with low-CO2 concrete, is also helping to protect the environment.

EZVIZ' latest video doorbell is its first to come with its own solar power for potentially always-on operation. The EP3x Pro is also rated to 'expand' its field of vision with dual cameras, and to keep the user alerted as to the arrival of people or other things such as packages subscription-free.

The Anker SOLIX X1 Home Energy Storage System is now on sale in the US, Canada, and Mexico. It is designed for indoor or outdoor use and can be combined with solar panels to reduce your reliance on the grid. Features include a Storm Guard mode, NEM 3.0 mode and heating technology for lower temperatures.

Tiny devices such as contact and temperature sensors or for weather measurement and automation are spreading rapidly. The power supply requires cables or batteries, which a new type of energy cell could change.