Renewable

The Zendure Balcony Solar System AIO 2400 will go on sale later this month, though only a limited number of units will be available. The product includes 2.4 kWh built-in storage, a dual MPPT inverter and self-heating for use outdoors at low temperatures. Plus, you can control the solution via the brand’s app.

Showering and flushing are not wastes but valuable resources. The company Epic Cleantec shows how wastewater can be used in a climate-friendly way to heat buildings, to brew beer and to produce a compost-like soil conditioner.

Tiny generators sway in the wind, others are minimally shaken by raindrops. And then electricity flows. Other applications are easily imaginable.

Dust storms and droughts in the USA led to a government reforestation project of gigantic proportions. Its effects, including a cooling of 7 °F, were traced in a comprehensive study.

Perhaps Tesla owners will no longer be custodians of ‘dead robots’ that are unable to charge in winter. With software update 2024.2.6, Tesla introduces new features that focus on optimizing the charging experience in cold weather.

The Anker Solarbank Dual System balcony power plants are now on sale in the EU, with an introductory discount offering up to €1,110 off. Each kit includes four solar panels, a microinverter and two Solarbanks with a combined 3.2 kWh storage capacity. Plus, the range-topping bundle’s solar panels have a 2,160W maximum power.

Virtual power plants are intelligent systems that network decentralised energy sources such as solar panels, EV chargers and battery storage. The innovative technology optimises energy generation and distribution in real time to avoid grid overload, reduce costs and cut CO2 emissions.

Wild claims about climate change are piling up on social media sites such as YouTube, and the platform is making a fortune out of disinformation campaigns. Now, in a major study, scientists have found that the old views of "climate deniers" have changed drastically, and they see a worrying trend.

The latest experiments at the Joint European Torus (JET) in the UK show just how much energy can be achieved with nuclear fusion. The comparison with coal is particularly impressive.

Improving the efficiency of solar panels is a key factor in meeting the climate change targets. The first perovskite panels are due to be launched this year. However, the new class of materials has proved sensitive to heat, light and moisture. Researchers are working feverishly to improve their durability. They are developing reliable practical tests that simulate the use of solar modules outdoors over long periods of time.

Solar parks with gigantic dimensions are particularly worthwhile in dry, inhospitable areas with many hours of sunshine. A study using weather models shows that the dark areas have an even greater effect on the environment.

Nuclear fusion can be achieved without powerful magnetic fields, without gold sealing, but with a highly efficient laser. An actual energy yield is reachable, with moderate technical effort.

The world's first plant to produce sustainable aviation fuel from ethanol has been commissioned by pioneers in Illinois, USA. With an investment volume of $200 million, the plant is intended to help decarbonise the aviation industry and at the same time reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Additional facilities will follow in the UK by 2025.

Several improvements are on the way to the EcoFlow PowerStream balcony solar system. The company is already rolling out a firmware update with Solar DualCharge technology and plans to increase the AC output limit for the microinverter. Plus, EcoFlow has teased a new weatherproof portable power station.

Around 8 percent of global CO2 emissions are attributable to iron and steel production. As much as the entire transport sector. The potential for savings is therefore huge and even a negative CO2 balance is conceivable, as new research shows.

$2.6 billion is being invested in a Norwegian carbon capture and storage (CCS) project. The aim is to store the carbon dioxide emitted by European industry in a pristine reservoir of saline groundwater beneath the ocean floor. The European Union is backing the controversial experiment.

By 2023, China will not only have installed more solar panels than the US in its entire history, but more than any other country in the world. According to BloombergNEF, the rapid growth of renewable energy has seen China install 58 % of the world's solar systems last year.

Conceived with corporations and municipal governments in mind, Nissan's upcoming Energy Share service focuses on providing the best energy management solution for EV fleets. Set to launch in Japan on March 1st, it will deliver a complete, one-stop service experience, from planning to maintenance.

EVs, wind turbines and high-end appliances often rely on permanent magnets containing 'rare earths'. As the production of these high-performance magnets could become scarce in the future due to increasing demand, scientists are working on new solutions to speed up the energy transition. Tesla has also announced its intention to move away from rare earth metals.

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.