Renewable

A new type of structure can considerably simplify water electrolysis for the production of hydrogen as an energy carrier. A simple modification could significantly reduce material costs while speeding up the production process.

At 430 feet (131m), the SY1310A is the latest engineering feat from Sany Renewable Energy that sets the record for the world's longest wind turbine blades on land. The company intends to deploy the blades on its 15 MW turbines, which are set to be the most powerful onshore wind turbines around.

Another way to increase range: A hobbyist has equipped his Tesla with a solar roof, which can be folded up and does not have to be completely removed whilst driving. The increase in range is quite respectable.

Aluminum mining is a dirty business. Toxic red mud remains, containing millions of tons of iron. Researchers are showing how steel, chrome and more can be extracted from it at the same cost and without CO2 emissions.

The rare, expensive and highly controversial mined cobalt can be replaced in batteries by widely available organic materials. The result is a durable, powerful and long-lasting battery. Lithium is also on the researchers' to-do list.

Currently conducting research in the battery field with a team of around 30 people, Varta's Graz site will expand later this year. The new facility will accommodate a team of 50 members in charge of developing post-lithium solutions for IoT applications, the automotive industry, and beyond.

EcoFlow asserts that its DELTA Pro Ultra is its "most powerful whole-house backup solution to date". It can be solar-powered, or act as a residential storage solution with a capacity that can be scaled up to 90 kilowatt-hours (kWh) with an output of up to 21.6kW. Accordingly, the Pro Ultra is backed to power a house in a blackout that could last up to a month, and to serve all of said home's appliances at once with the new EcoFlow Smart Home Panel 2.

A team at MIT has investigated the fundamental chemical reactions involved in hydrogen production and is calling previous models into question. With consequences for fuel cells, batteries and the industrial production of hydrogen.

Anfuote has revealed its Balcony Solar Energy Storage System for the US and the EU. The modular solution offers an up to 21.6kWh LiFePO4 battery with a maximum power of 2,400W. Various kits are included at an introductory price, offering accessories like solar panels and microinverters.

Supernal, Hyundai's electric aircraft division, unveiled its second-generation eVTOL prototype at CES 2024. The S-A2 will cruise at 120 mph while emitting less than 50 decibels, and reach heights of 1500 feet with only 65 dB of noise.

Solar modules using perovskite tandem solar cells are highly efficient, which is why they are of great interest to some of the world's largest solar companies as a renewable energy source for power generation. There have been problems with the instability of perovskites, but research is progressing rapidly and several start-ups are competing to bring them to market.

Instead of improving the electricity yield of existing technology, a research team has been able to convert light into electricity that has not yet been used. Efficiency is expected to increase by two thirds - and all without rare-earth elements.

Producing hydrogen on a large scale using electricity from coal and gas, and precisely when there is a shortage of energy elsewhere, can cause enormous emissions and endanger the power grid. A smart approach is required.

The Jackery Solar Generator for Rooftop Tent, or the Jackery Explorer System, is on show at CES 2024. The new product is in concept form, with the company planning to go into production later this year. The solution comprises a vehicle-mounted tent covered in 1,000W foldable solar panels and a small powerstation to allow you to power devices off-grid.

Jackery has presented a robot on four wheels that promises particularly efficient use of solar energy and functions as a power bank. The model is also designed to operate automatically.

In the end, more electric cars also mean more scrap containing valuable elements and components that are still intact. The development of an electric motor that is easy to repair and dismantle should prevent such mountains of waste from being created in the first place.

Google and Fervo Energy are working to reduce the impact of climate change with the next generation of geothermal energy. Unlike wind and solar power, geothermal energy provides a continuous supply of electricity and, with government support, could become a cost-effective and carbon-free source of energy in the future.

Unlike typical nuclear plants, the eVinci microreactor needs no water for cooling, is easy to install and works like a battery with an eight-year lifespan. The reactor stays at a stable temperature by deploying a Passive Heat Removal System in addition to Westinghouse's heat pipe technology.

Passive houses can reduce heating and cooling requirements by up to 90%. This energy-saving architecture for a sustainable future began in Canada in the 1970s. Although this special type of energy-efficient construction has not yet become a trend, it could become a pioneering solution for future living.

This year, zero-emissions flying came closer: the first flight of ZeroAvia's hydrogen-powered aircraft was voted the breakthrough technology of 2023 in a survey by MIT Technology Review. The company has already raised over $140 million from high-profile investors including Bill Gates, and is working towards commercial launch.

The recycling of batteries is becoming more crucial in the field of electromobility. As the demand for electric cars rises, so does the need for materials to produce lithium-ion batteries. To meet climate targets and maintain affordable prices for electric vehicles, sustainable methods of recycling used batteries are essential.

The MIT Technology Review has compiled a list of the biggest technological failures of 2023. These include the Titan deep-sea submersible, General Motors' wayward cruise robotaxis, and Humane Ai Pin, among others.

A rocket launch consumes a few hundred tons of fuel. Roughly speaking, the equivalent of 1 million liters of petrol. All the better that ESA wants to send its Ariane launch vehicles into space using solar energy in future.

The Anker SOLIX BP1000 Expansion Battery - 1056Wh LFP | For SOLIX C1000 is now available to pre-order in the US. The lithium iron phosphate battery doubles the C1000 portable power station's capacity, generating an output of up to 2,400W. As with other Anker devices, you can control the BP1000 via the brand's app.

Google DeepMind's new AI is developing numerous materials, including for EV batteries, solar cells, computer chips and much more. In addition, the new A-Lab laboratory is taking material development to a next level by combining robotics and machine learning.

Not only meat consumption itself has a few disadvantages. The excrement of farm animals also becomes a problem in large quantities. A novel system of electrodes and surplus electricity can be used to recover valuable raw materials.

COP28: To support new climate funds, the USA has announced a $3 billion offer. A recent report shows that emissions have increased globally, and current technologies like capturing carbon dioxide from the air cannot help reduce them significantly.

After months of relying on the limited energy tracking experience offered by Matter, Android users now have access to all the features of the Eve Energy smart plug, courtesy of its SmartThings integration.

The Fairphone 5 is not only fair but also sustainable, offering an appealing overall concept on the data sheet, which includes many modern technologies. However, the test shows that all that glitters is not gold. Here's a summary for you once again.

The EcoFlow PowerInsight smart home panel has been unveiled. The multifunctional gadget integrates with your home solar generation and energy storage solution, providing data and intelligently optimizing usage to reduce energy bills. Plus, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Matter compatibility allow you to connect and control smart home gadgets.

With a history of over 31 years, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has failed in its attempts to limit the negative influence of human activity on the climate system. However, the partnership with Microsoft might reshape mankind's future with the help of artificial intelligence.

Everyone would like cheap energy. For the electric car, radiant heater, heat pump, air conditioning or coffee machine. A new tandem solar cell promises exactly that, and on a large scale.

Combining green hydrogen and CO₂, experts at the VTT Technical Research Center have successfully produced a sustainable electro-fuel to power heavy transport engines.

Two counter-rotating blades on a turbine are better than one. This innovative technology from World Wide Wind (WWW) has the best chance to maximize offshore wind energy, especially in deep-sea locations.

Signify has announced the Philips Radii Wall and Pedestal lights. The products are designed for outdoor use and have integrated motion detection sensors to increase the light's brightness when you arrive home in the dark. Plus, the solar-powered lights have Ultra Efficient technology that makes them more reliable.

The affordable eco laptop Acer Aspire Vero 15 impresses in almost every way — bar one major flaw. At first glance, the eco-friendly laptop fulfils every wish: long runtimes, high performance, quiet use, a robust and attractive design, good input devices, a bright display with 100 % sRGB coverage as well as a QHD webcam.

Zendure is now accepting pre-orders for its Flexible Solar Panels, which have a rated maximum power of 210W. These lightweight panels, which can be bent to fit a curved surface, are designed for use in a balcony power plant and can be purchased in packs of two, four, six or eight.

In a bid to improve the accuracy of current genome editing methods, ORNL scientists have generated excitement over the potential of their AI model to create sustainable fuels.

Scientist Young Suk Jo has created a new technology that aims to use ammonia as a cheaper and lower-emission fuel in the transportation industry. Ammonia offers a higher energy density compared to hydrogen, making it a significant alternative for creating a climate-friendly transportation network.

With the AC200L, Bluetti has announced a new powerful power station. It has a capacity of 2,048 Wh, is modularly expandable and has a peak output of up to 3,600 W. In addition, it features app control, UPS function and fast charging.

Zendure is now accepting pre-orders for its new SolarFlow Battery AB2000 and more extensive Balcony Power Plant Set. The power pack has double the capacity of its predecessor, the AB1000, and an intelligent self-heating system to ensure it still charges in colder weather. Other features include app controls and safety locks.

The Anker SOLIX F2600 Portable Power Station is now available at Amazon US, with early customers offered a discount of US$300. The device follows the F2000, with increased battery capacity and more powerful AC outlets. Plus, the power bank has an integrated handle, built-in light and app-based controls.

Anker has launched its SOLIX F1500 Portable Power Station at Amazon in the US. The new model follows the SOLIX F1200, with a greater battery capacity, higher output power and improved solar charging. Other features include app-based controls, a power-saving mode and integrated light.

Anker has launched the Solix C1000 Portable Power Station - 1056Wh | 1800W in Europe. Customers in the UK and the EU can now purchase the gadget with a discount code, reducing the price by £250/€300. The power bank features four AC outputs alongside 100W and 30W USB-C ports.

Avnos, a Californian company, is developing a device that separates both CO₂ and water from thin air. This pioneering technology aims to tackle climate change and alleviate drought in some parts of the world. Avnos has secured $92 million in funding to date.

AIR Company creates the first-ever vodka produced from CO₂ which comes with a negative carbon footprint. The company is devoted to extracting CO₂ from the atmosphere and converting it into a product to combat global warming. Moreover, the company makes use of sustainable energy to concoct a CO₂-based perfume that carries a genderless scent.

Anthro Energy's flexible energy storage systems will be used in next-generation electronic devices and are currently being sold to the first wearable manufacturers. The development team has identified promising applications for the fireproof batteries, particularly in electric vehicles and laptops. By integrating them into belts, straps and other "dead spaces", Anthro batteries are expected to extend the service life of devices by 2 to 5 times.