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.
Morocco launches world's largest solar plant to supply renewable energy to more than 1 million people
Morocco is building on the edge of the Sahara Desert what would be the world’s largest solar power plant by 2018. Last Thursday, its King Mohammed VI switched on the first phase of the concentrated solar energy plant, which will be the size of the capital city by the time of its completion Read More...
We’re one step closer to producing hydrogen gas in a one-step-process
The biggest question facing the solar power industry today is how do you get solar panels to supply a reliable, steady supply of electricity—even after nightfall or during cloudy days. Batteries are one proposed way, but a team of chemical engineers from the University of California, Berkeley may Read More...
New York proposes plan to reach 50% renewables
In December, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo directed the state’s regulators to come up with a plan to reach 50 percent renewables by 2030. Early last week, the New York Department of Public Service (NYDPS) released its proposed plan to do just that. The “50 by 30” Clean Energy Read More...
Renewables top fossil fuels as biggest source of new power in the U.S.
Renewable energy was the biggest source of new power added to U.S. electrical grids last year as falling prices and government incentives made wind and solar increasingly viable alternatives to fossil fuels. Developers installed 16 gigawatts of clean energy in 2015, or 68 percent of all new Read More...
China’s wind energy hit new record in 2015
China’s new wind capacity reached a record high in 2015, with a jump of more than 60% compared to the previous year, according to official data released yesterday. The Chinese National Energy Administration (NEA) stated that the country added 32.97 gigawatts of in 2015, according to state Read More...
How 11 countries are shifting to renewable energy
This December, almost 200 countries from every corner of the world signed the Paris Agreement, committing to decrease greenhouse gas emissions and – dare we say – save the world! The question on everyone's mind: How? The truth is, we don't have to wait on scientists to invent some Read More...
Ugandan engineers have built a solar-powered bus for Africa’s roads
Engineers in Uganda have built a bus that runs on Africa’s most abundant resource: sunlight. Named the Kayoola, the 35-seater bus can run up to 80 kilometers on two power banks that can be recharged by solar panels installed on the roof of the bus and has no emissions. Since they can generate Read More...
EasyJet to cut carbon emissions with hydrogen fuel-cell trial
EasyJet has announced it will trial the use of hydrogen fuel cells on their planes to save a potential 50,000 tons of fuel and corresponding CO2 emissions each year. The hydrogen fuel cells aren’t the alternative to jet fuel, but will rather capture energy from when the plane brakes. That energy Read More...
Rwanda: How use of renewable energy could boost household income
The government is progressing in increasing access to electricity countrywide, especially in rural areas where the majority of Rwandans do not have power for lighting or to run income-generating activities. To increase access to energy, the government started initiatives, like model green villages Read More...
A small, self-governing island may hand over its roads to self-driving cars
Phil Gawne, the transportation minister on the Isle of Man, is working 16-hour days on two projects rooted in radically different eras. First, he’s trying to salvage the island’s horse-drawn carriages that date to 1876. At the same time, Gawne is leading a project to potentially lure Read More...