Technology advances could multiply geothermal output five-fold
(techxplore.com)
Far below the Earth's surface is an energy source with huge and perpetual potential: geothermal heat. But the forces in its scorching and inhospitable depths must be tamed. Now scientists know what that will take.
Far below the Earth's surface is an energy source with huge and perpetual potential: geothermal heat. But the forces in its scorching and inhospitable depths must be tamed. Now scientists know what that will take.
Solar Energy Claims Big U.S. Gain in 2024
(nytimes.com)
The U.S. power grid added more capacity from solar energy in 2024 than from any other source in a single year in more than two decades, according to a new industry report released on Tuesday.
The U.S. power grid added more capacity from solar energy in 2024 than from any other source in a single year in more than two decades, according to a new industry report released on Tuesday.
Deregulated energy markets accelerate solar adoption
(seanobannon.substack.com)
Solar power has become the cheapest source of new electricity generation in many parts of the U.S., but adoption depends heavily on market structure. Deregulated markets, where entrepreneurs and independent power producers can directly pursue profitable opportunities, have rapidly embraced solar, while regulated utilities remain slow to change due to legacy investments and bureaucratic oversight. To accelerate the shift to renewables and a cost competitive future, the U.S. should pursue greater deregulation, enabling private capital to build a cleaner, larger-capacity grid.
Solar power has become the cheapest source of new electricity generation in many parts of the U.S., but adoption depends heavily on market structure. Deregulated markets, where entrepreneurs and independent power producers can directly pursue profitable opportunities, have rapidly embraced solar, while regulated utilities remain slow to change due to legacy investments and bureaucratic oversight. To accelerate the shift to renewables and a cost competitive future, the U.S. should pursue greater deregulation, enabling private capital to build a cleaner, larger-capacity grid.
Understanding Solar Energy
(construction-physics.com)
The biggest energy story of the last fifteen years is the rise of solar photovoltaics, also known as solar PV or simply solar panels.
The biggest energy story of the last fifteen years is the rise of solar photovoltaics, also known as solar PV or simply solar panels.
BYD's New 'Megawatt' EV Charging Is So Fast It Makes Gas Irrelevant
(insideevs.com)
BYD's New 'Megawatt' EV Charging Is So Fast It Makes Gas Irrelevant
BYD's New 'Megawatt' EV Charging Is So Fast It Makes Gas Irrelevant
Chemists develop dye stack that mimics plant energy conversion
(phys.org)
With artificial photosynthesis, mankind could utilize solar energy to bind carbon dioxide and produce hydrogen. Chemists from Würzburg and Seoul have taken this one step further: They have synthesized a stack of dyes that comes very close to the photosynthetic apparatus of plants. It absorbs light energy, uses it to separate charge carriers and transfers them quickly and efficiently in the stack.
With artificial photosynthesis, mankind could utilize solar energy to bind carbon dioxide and produce hydrogen. Chemists from Würzburg and Seoul have taken this one step further: They have synthesized a stack of dyes that comes very close to the photosynthetic apparatus of plants. It absorbs light energy, uses it to separate charge carriers and transfers them quickly and efficiently in the stack.
Residential battery storage skyrockets in record-setting 2024
(electrek.co)
The US battery storage market set another record in 2024, installing 12.3 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity across all sectors, according to a new report from the American Clean Power Association (ACP) and Wood Mackenzie.
The US battery storage market set another record in 2024, installing 12.3 gigawatts (GW) of new capacity across all sectors, according to a new report from the American Clean Power Association (ACP) and Wood Mackenzie.
Solar Generation Surge Sends European Power Prices Below Zero
(bloomberg.com)
A patch of clear, sunny weather boosted solar generation across parts of Europe and sent power prices into negative territory for large periods around midday.
A patch of clear, sunny weather boosted solar generation across parts of Europe and sent power prices into negative territory for large periods around midday.
A User Has Been Powering His Home with Laptop Batteries Since 2016
(wecb.fm)
In a world where sustainability and innovation are constantly intertwined, one energy enthusiast has discovered an unexpected way to turn tech waste into an endless power source.
In a world where sustainability and innovation are constantly intertwined, one energy enthusiast has discovered an unexpected way to turn tech waste into an endless power source.
For climate and livelihoods, Africa bets big on solar mini-grids
(knowablemagazine.org)
To the people of Mbiabet Esieyere and Mbiabet Udouba in Nigeria’s deep south, sundown would mean children doing their homework by the glow of kerosene lamps, and the faint thrum of generators emanating from homes that could afford to run them.
To the people of Mbiabet Esieyere and Mbiabet Udouba in Nigeria’s deep south, sundown would mean children doing their homework by the glow of kerosene lamps, and the faint thrum of generators emanating from homes that could afford to run them.
First ammonia-fueled ship hits a snag
(ieee.org)
The Viking Energy, an oil platform supply ship undergoing a pioneering retrofit to run on ammonia fuel, is now scheduled to begin operations in 2026—two years later than initially planned.
The Viking Energy, an oil platform supply ship undergoing a pioneering retrofit to run on ammonia fuel, is now scheduled to begin operations in 2026—two years later than initially planned.
Show HN: We built a Plug-in Home Battery for the 99.7% of us without Powerwalls
(pilaenergy.com)
Goodbye power outages, Hello energy independence.
Goodbye power outages, Hello energy independence.
Rechargeable paper battery is cheaper, safer and as powerful as lithium
(newatlas.com)
A battery that's safer and cheaper than lithium-ion while offering comparable energy density? That sounds like a pipe dream. But such a battery is in fact in the works, using a chemistry of renewables to store over 220 Wh/kg. Singaporean startup Flint believes it has the formula for the most sustainable battery the world has ever seen, capable of replacing lithium for applications like EV power and grid storage. Maybe that is a dream.
A battery that's safer and cheaper than lithium-ion while offering comparable energy density? That sounds like a pipe dream. But such a battery is in fact in the works, using a chemistry of renewables to store over 220 Wh/kg. Singaporean startup Flint believes it has the formula for the most sustainable battery the world has ever seen, capable of replacing lithium for applications like EV power and grid storage. Maybe that is a dream.
UK homes install subsidised heat pumps at record level
(bbc.co.uk)
The number of UK homes installing heat pumps supported by government-funded incentives rose to a record level last year.
The number of UK homes installing heat pumps supported by government-funded incentives rose to a record level last year.
Scotland now home to Europe's biggest battery as windy storage site fires up
(theregister.com)
What's claimed to be Europe’s largest battery has come to Scotland, after a new facility came online in the country’s north.
What's claimed to be Europe’s largest battery has come to Scotland, after a new facility came online in the country’s north.
Small German town starts testing geothermal power utilizing new techniques
(apnews.com)
Residents in the German town of Geretsried have long wanted to run their buildings with clean heat and electricity from geothermal energy instead of fossil fuels.
Residents in the German town of Geretsried have long wanted to run their buildings with clean heat and electricity from geothermal energy instead of fossil fuels.
Geothermal power is a climate moon shot beneath our feet
(newyorker.com)
North Milford Valley, in western Utah, is home to dormant volcanoes, subterranean lava deposits, and smatterings of obsidian—black volcanic glass—that Paiute peoples once collected for arrowheads and jewelry. Scalding groundwater still bubbles to the surface in places. In such a landscape, you remember that the planet’s hard exterior, where we spend our entire lives, is so thin that we call it a crust. Its superheated interior, meanwhile, burns with an estimated forty-four trillion watts of power.
North Milford Valley, in western Utah, is home to dormant volcanoes, subterranean lava deposits, and smatterings of obsidian—black volcanic glass—that Paiute peoples once collected for arrowheads and jewelry. Scalding groundwater still bubbles to the surface in places. In such a landscape, you remember that the planet’s hard exterior, where we spend our entire lives, is so thin that we call it a crust. Its superheated interior, meanwhile, burns with an estimated forty-four trillion watts of power.
Solar power has exploded in popularity as wind lags, report shows
(usatoday.com)
Renewable energy production reached record amounts in 2024, producing 24% of U.S. electricity, an annual update on sustainable energy finds.
Renewable energy production reached record amounts in 2024, producing 24% of U.S. electricity, an annual update on sustainable energy finds.
Thermoelectric Solar Panel
(simplifier.neocities.org)
Of all available sources of energy on earth, the light of the sun is the most ubiquitous; however, as a source of heat it is somewhat difficult to utilize due to its diffuse nature.
Of all available sources of energy on earth, the light of the sun is the most ubiquitous; however, as a source of heat it is somewhat difficult to utilize due to its diffuse nature.
Student refines 100-year-old math problem, expanding wind energy possibilities
(psu.edu)
A Penn State engineering student refined a century-old math problem into a simpler, more elegant form, making it easier to use and explore.
A Penn State engineering student refined a century-old math problem into a simpler, more elegant form, making it easier to use and explore.
Texas Lawmakers Scramble to Stop Solar Energy but It Just Keeps Coming
(cleantechnica.com)
Last year was another banner year for solar energy in Texas, and 2025 is heading for more of the same despite the persistent threat of anti-renewable legislation.
Last year was another banner year for solar energy in Texas, and 2025 is heading for more of the same despite the persistent threat of anti-renewable legislation.
Trump Paralyzes the U.S. Wind Power Industry
(wsj.com)
President Trump has America’s wind-energy industry at a standstill.
President Trump has America’s wind-energy industry at a standstill.
California off to a strong clean electricity start with solar up 33.8%
(pv-magazine-usa.com)
California has kicked off 2025 with impressive clean electricity generation, marked by a decline in gas use, increased wind and battery output, and—last Sunday—solar meeting nearly 100% of grid demand in the middle of winter.
California has kicked off 2025 with impressive clean electricity generation, marked by a decline in gas use, increased wind and battery output, and—last Sunday—solar meeting nearly 100% of grid demand in the middle of winter.
Waste-based perovskite solar cell achieves 21.39% energy efficiency
(techxplore.com)
A team of materials scientists and solar engineers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, working with a colleague from Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, has developed a perovskite solar cell using a biomass-based polymer.
A team of materials scientists and solar engineers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, working with a colleague from Polytechnique Hauts-de-France, has developed a perovskite solar cell using a biomass-based polymer.
How Europe is funding its solar boom
(dw.com)
The EU has doubled its solar capacity in the last three years. How have subsidies made this possible, what support is still available, and what still needs to happen?
The EU has doubled its solar capacity in the last three years. How have subsidies made this possible, what support is still available, and what still needs to happen?
More Solar and Battery Storage Added to TX Grid Than Other Power Src Last Year
(insideclimatenews.org)
As the market for renewables in Texas continues to strengthen and innovate, the power makeup of the state’s electric grid is slated to keep shifting toward adding more renewables. Last year, solar and battery storage installation led capacity growth within Texas’ electric grid, according to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas published in January.
As the market for renewables in Texas continues to strengthen and innovate, the power makeup of the state’s electric grid is slated to keep shifting toward adding more renewables. Last year, solar and battery storage installation led capacity growth within Texas’ electric grid, according to research from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas published in January.
Carbon capture more costly than switching to renewables, researchers find
(techxplore.com)
For most countries around the world, sourcing energy entirely from wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower by 2050 would reduce their energy needs and costs, improve air quality, and help slow climate change, according to a study in Environmental Science & Technology.
For most countries around the world, sourcing energy entirely from wind, solar, geothermal, and hydropower by 2050 would reduce their energy needs and costs, improve air quality, and help slow climate change, according to a study in Environmental Science & Technology.
Cheap solar power is sending electrical grids into a death spiral
(economist.com)
Cheap solar power is sending electrical grids into a death spiral
Cheap solar power is sending electrical grids into a death spiral
Global Cost of Renewables to Continue Falling in 2025 as China Extends Lead
(bnef.com)
New York/ London, February 6, 2025 – The cost of clean power technologies such as wind, solar and battery technologies are expected to fall further by 2-11% in 2025, breaking last year’s record. According to a latest report by research provider BloombergNEF (BNEF), new wind and solar farms are already undercutting new coal and gas plants on production cost in almost every market globally.
New York/ London, February 6, 2025 – The cost of clean power technologies such as wind, solar and battery technologies are expected to fall further by 2-11% in 2025, breaking last year’s record. According to a latest report by research provider BloombergNEF (BNEF), new wind and solar farms are already undercutting new coal and gas plants on production cost in almost every market globally.