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.
Energy storage through big batteries may be closer than you think
You might only think about energy storage when your laptop or cellphone is running out of juice, but utilities can plug bigger versions into the electric grid. And thanks to rapidly declining lithium-ion battery prices, using energy storage to stretch electricity generation capacity is becoming Read More...
California becomes one third renewable two years before the deadline
Being America’s most populous state and the world’s fifth largest economy makes it all the more impressive that California sits amongst the forerunners in the global energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables. A new report issued by the California Energy Commission shows that the Golden Read More...
These firefly-inspired LEDs are nearly twice as efficient as conventional ones
Imagery from outer space makes it abundantly clear just how many light bulbs are shining in the world every night. If we want to spare the environment and reduce the amount of power these lighting systems consume (while lowering energy costs), creating more efficient light bulbs is a must. Read More...
Coal is giving way to renewables in India’s energy future
Coal is increasingly falling out of favor as a potential energy source in India. Despite being the world’s second-largest producer and importer, the fossil fuel is becoming less attractive to potential investors because it's too expensive relative to renewable energy alternatives such as wind and Read More...
New innovative solar cells deliver twice as much energy as traditional ones
Conventional solar panels on the market collect sunlight on their entire surface, converting it to electricity at 15 to 19 percent efficiency – meaning about 85 percent of the energy is lost in the process. There are more efficient cells out there, but they generally come at a great cost. Swiss Read More...
These artificial leaves pull carbon dioxide out of thin air to create fuel
Researchers have designed artificial leaves that suck carbon dioxide out of the air and create oxygen. Well isn’t that what leaves already do, you might be asking? Yes, but where these artificial leaves differ is that they can trap carbon dioxide and turn it into carbon monoxide, which can then Read More...
Los Angeles abandons plan to spend billions of dollars to rebuild gas plants
Los Angeles is making steady efforts in its swift energy transition from fossil fuels to more climate-friendly energy sources. With coal almost out of the picture, the city is now ready to part ways with natural gas too. In a move to get the city closer to its goal of 100 percent renewable energy Read More...
Australian court rejects construction of coal mine over climate concerns
Australia has been one of the slowest nations when it comes to ditching coal, but now it seems they're getting with the program. Recently, a landmark ruling rejected the construction of a coal mine because of its potential impact on the environment. The ruling represents the first time a new coal Read More...
How origami inspired designers to create blinds that generate solar energy
If you’ve been following the Optimist Daily for the past couple years, you’ll know that many companies are trying to design windows that can harvest energy from sunlight. The problem is often these solar windows are inefficient and block sunlight from getting through, darkening rooms in the Read More...
More Africans have access to electricity than ever thanks to solar energy
Africa’s great size, along with a number of different factors, has made it an extremely difficult task to create electrical grids that consistently deliver power. This has led more and more people to rely on less-clean energy sources such as kerosene or diesel fuel. The good thing is Africa has Read More...