Science
From mathematics and AI to medicine and psychology, The Optimist Daily features the latest news on discoveries, technological advances, and breakthroughs in the world of science. Our Science section is here to engage and enlighten you.
French oil firm Total bets on renewable energy with near €1bn bid for battery maker Saft
French oil giant Total is buying high-tech battery maker Saft for €950m (£749m) as it seeks to expand its electricity and renewable energy business. The offer values Saft's shares at €36.50 apiece, a 38pc premium to the company's share price on Read More...
California utility-scale solar energy surpasses wind energy for 1st time
2015 saw a shift in the balance of utility-scale renewable energy power in California. A recent report notes that utility-scale solar energy jumped past wind for the first time within the state. Vaisala notes public records from the California Independent Systems Operations (CAISO) show California Read More...
‘Only solar energy can fight pollution in India’
Adoption of solar power over fossil fuels would be the only solution to India’s increasing pollution, the head of a Supreme Court-appointed panel on environmental protection said on Friday. Bhure Lal, the chairperson of the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA), said that India Read More...
Elon Musk wants carbon tax and “revolt” against the fossil fuel industry
Tesla’s chief executive Elon Musk says that a global “revolt” may be needed to accelerate the transition to more sustainable energy and transport systems. In a speech at the Tesla Factory in California Musk accused politicians of bowing to the “unrelenting and enormous” lobbying power Read More...
New inexpensive generator can sustainably generate hydrogen to power buildings and cars
The hydrogen fuel cell will be an important component of the emerging clean energy economy. The fuel cell can power electric cars as well as provide electricity to homes and offices. Creating hydrogen in a renewable way is one of the challenges that need to be overcome for the breakthrough of the Read More...
GM, Lyft to test self-driving electric taxis
General Motors Co. 0.42 % and Lyft Inc. within a year will begin testing a fleet of self-driving Chevrolet Bolt electric taxis on public roads, a move central to the companies’ joint efforts to challenge Silicon Valley giants in the battle to reshape the auto industry. The plan is being Read More...
Electric cars will induce the inevitable oil collapse much sooner than you think
When it comes to forecasting the future, most models use linear projections based on current data. However, as history shows, change almost never happens according to linear models. The carriages were not gradually replaced by the automobile and computers and mobile phones did not find their places Read More...
Solar power sets new record-low price, undercutting coal
Solar power set another record-low price with developers in the United Arab Emirates bid as little as 2.99 cents a kilowatt-hour to develop 800 megawatts of a Dubai solar park. That’s 15 percent lower than the previous record set in Mexico last month and much lower than coal-fired energy that Read More...
Nissan announces record EV fleet sales in Europe in 2015
Nissan’s EV sales in the European fleet market rose for a fourth consecutive year in 2015, showing a 45% gain from the previous fiscal year. Nissan sold more than 7,500 LEAFs and e-NV200s to fleet operators and municipalities in Europe, commanding a 28% share of the pure electric fleet Read More...
Renewables reach 5.7% of India’s energy mix
The share of renewables, excluding hydropower, in India’s energy mix has reached 5.7% as of February this year, up from 4.97% in 2012/13, according to data released by the Central Electricity Authority. Energy minister Piyush Goyal said amendments to the Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) in Read More...