renewable energy Archives - Science Connected Magazine

Are Hydropower Dams the Future of Energy?

February 5, 2020January 28, 2020 Science Connectedclimate change, dam technology, energy generation, fossil fuels, hydroelectric energy, renewable energy

By Emily Folk @EmilySFolk Growing concerns about fossil fuels—especially their potential contributions to pollution and global warming—have individuals and governments around the globe looking for alternative sources of power. Hydropower is one of the oldest sources of electricity, already responsible for generating around 52 percent of the United States’ renewable electricity generation according to the National Hydropower Association. Hydroelectric dams are seen as some of the best options available. However, there are challenges that hydropower will need to overcome—otherwise, they may prevent the energy source’s widespread adoption. Current state of…

Engineering Technology

Emerging Battery Tech for Energy Industry

November 18, 2019November 19, 2019 Science Connectedbattery technology, energy industry, lithium batteries, renewable energy

By Emily Folk, @EmilySFolk Advances in battery technology are transforming one of the most promising movements in the modern energy industry: the push toward renewable energy power solutions. Solar, wind, geothermal, and even hydro energy sources have a lot to offer besides near-limitless energy generation. They are clean in the sense that they have little to no impact on the surrounding environment, and they are generally inexpensive to produce under the right conditions. The problem with most renewable energy sources is that they tend to come with a glaring limitation.…

Environment

Renewable Energy and the Power of Diverse Sources

December 28, 2017December 28, 2017 Science Connectedclimate change, energy, renewable energy, solar, wind power

By Susannah Bruck As we continue to explore new forms of renewable energy, in order to decrease our dependence on oil and coal, researchers are beginning to see which energy sources are the cleanest and most efficient. We also need to consider which forms of renewable energy are viable options to power our homes, businesses, cars, and devices on a large scale. The use of renewable energy in the United States has steadily increased in recent years as the public’s awareness and interest has grown. However, in 2015, only 10…

The UT Arlington team developed a new solar cell that is more efficient and can store solar energy even at night. (UT Arlington)

Engineering Technology

New Solar Energy Storage Works at Night

July 7, 2015September 2, 2015 Science Connectedalternative energy, alternative fuel, renewable energy, solar cells, solar power

By Kate S. Most solar energy systems rely on using sunlight as an immediate power source, but can’t function at night or in cloudy weather. So, what if a solar cell could store solar energy and release it for use after the sun goes down? That’s the technology a materials science and engineering team from the University of Texas at Arlington has developed. They have successfully built a new energy cell that can store large-scale solar energy, even when it’s dark. The prototype is an “all-vanadium photo-electrochemical flow cell” that…

Eva, the first evaporation-powered vehicle, has a turbine engine that rotates as water evaporates from the walls of the engine (Photo by Xi Chen, Columbia University)

Engineering Environment Physics Science Videos Technology

Turning Evaporation into Electricity

June 18, 2015September 2, 2015 Science Connectedalternative energy, energy, green energy, green living, renewable energy

By Kate S. The power of water has long been harnessed by humanity, but one part of the water cycle — evaporation — has been overlooked until now. Many scientists are experimenting with improved solar cells and biofuels, but Columbia University scientists have a new, noteworthy idea. They have announced the development of a novel device that turns evaporation into electricity. In fact, the small prototype generates enough electricity to power a lightbulb and the rotary engine that drives a miniature car. Energy from Evaporation When evaporation energy is scaled…