Energy
Transitioning to a world powered by renewable energy is key to tackling climate change. Here you can find the latest good news related to our clean energy transition, covering wind, solar, green hydrogen, hydropower, and more.
Scientists closer to ultimate carbon solution: artificial photosynthesis
We publish these stories about technological innovation with some regularity in The Optimist Daily. The breakthrough potential is not always easy to grasp. But we continue to present these stories because they show that ongoing innovation will change our future for the better—as it always has. Read More...
This advance brings us a lot closer to a "hydrogen economy"
Hydrogen is currently used to upgrade crude oil and synthesize ammonia, a critical building block of the fertilizers applied in modern agriculture. It also could be valuable as a feedstock for generating green electricity and as an ingredient in environmentally friendly fuel cells to power cars and Read More...
Today’s energy jobs are in solar, not coal
President Trump has promised to revive the coal industry and double down on fossil fuels, creating “so many energy jobs,” but he has so far ignored the increasingly important role of renewable power in America’s energy economy. Last year, the solar industry employed many more Read More...
Mercedes-Benz wants to build the home energy system of the future
Tesla isn’t the only company keen on getting their batteries into family homes. Mercedes-Benz Energy has also developed advanced energy storage systems that will soon be finding their way into homes in the U.K. Using lithium-ion cells, the batteries can be used to store energy generated by home Read More...
In-flight, on-demand hydrogen production could mean 'greener' aircraft
Science News from research organizations Source: American Technion Society Summary: Technion researchers have developed a safe and efficient way to produce hydrogen on board a plane in flight. Using aluminum particles and water (fresh or waste), the technology could one day help meet in-flight Read More...
Cow poop is producing tons of power for American farms
We know that you’ve heard of wind and solar power, but have you heard of poop power? At some farms in the US, cow manure is being mixed with food waste to form a smelly smoothie that gets dumped in something called a digester. Inside the digester, microorganisms break down the mixture of dung and Read More...
For the first time since the 1880’s the UK just goes one day without coal power
Coal was the driving force behind the industrial revolution that would change Great Britain forever. More than a century later, the country has gone an entire day without using coal-produced power for the first time since it was introduced. An entire day without coal marks the great progress that Read More...
Could wireless orbital solar panels power future generations?
The only issue with solar power is that it's not available all day long. So what if we sent orbital solar panels up to space to collect the limitless sunlight? The idea sounds wildly futuristic but space agencies around the world are searching for ways to do it. See here how scientists are trying Read More...
Carbon tax proposal gains steam in Vermont
Could Vermont spark a carbon tax trend? State legislators say a recent flurry of carbon tax proposals are more “conversation starters” than a drive to change policy, but policy shifts have to start somewhere. This year’s legislative session included a motion to launch a study to assess the Read More...
Energy companies across Europe are waving goodbye to coal
Good news: The future of coal looks grim. From Austria to the UK, huge companies like Drax Group Plc and Uniper SE are closing or converting coal-burning generators at a record pace. Even the biggest coal-fired plant in Europe was switched off within the last few weeks after belching steam and Read More...