Energy
How Big Batteries at Data Centers Could Replace Power Plants
Battery systems intended as backups may help companies like Microsoft increasingly employ renewable energy
Energy3159 articles archived since 1845
Energy
As Electricity Returns to Puerto Rico, Its People Want More Power
The island has long-term plans to make its main public electrical grid smarter as residents turn to solar power and microgrids for faster relief
Climate Change
Cities Look to “Virtual Power” to Reach Climate Goals
The approach to buying renewable energy to offset electricity use was pioneered by major corporations
Engineering
North Korea Missile Test: Best Response May Be Surprisingly Low Tech
Security expert offers a scientific perspective on realistic options for the U.S.
"Plugged In" Says Farewell
Plugged In will unplug on Friday. It’s been a great seven years and we look forward to continuing the conversations that we started here
Making Electricity Consumes a Lot of Water--What's the Best Way to Fix That?
Reducing water consumption from power plants is a worthy conservation strategy, but the cost may outweigh the benefits compared with alternatives like desalinating saltwater
Energy
Does Renewable Energy Increase Electricity Prices? See for Yourself
How much does electricity cost in your state? Where does it come from? Here's a chart
Environment
Rev Up Photosynthesis to Boost Crop Yields
Photosynthesis actually is an inefficient process, but a biological chemist is trying to crank it up.
New Report: Renewables Are Booming, but Fossils Are Still King
Renewables are booming worldwide. But, 70 percent of energy demand growth was met by fossil fuels in 2017, leading to a rise in greenhouse gas emissions
U.S. Electricity: Natural Gas and Coal Fall as Renewables Continue to Rise
Electricity generation from both natural gas and coal fell in 2017. At the same time, renewables—especially hydropower, wind and solar—continued to rise
China's Power Move
Reading between the (transmission) lines on Beijing’s global infrastructure projects
Energy
Blockchain beyond Bitcoin: The Energy Sector
Freelance science journalist Kevin Begos reports from the U.S. Power and Renewable Summit in Austin, Texas, on the use of blockchain technology to make more efficient energy markets and distribution. ...
A New Way to Recycle Batteries Uses Half the Energy
A new recycling process could provide a way to restore lithium ion battery cathodes to “mint condition.” What’s better, this new process only uses half the energy of conventional recycling methods...
Federal Commission Issues Order to Integrate Energy Storage with U.S. Power Markets
Under new regulations, power markets must recognize the unique characteristics of energy storage to reduce barriers to its direct competition with power plants
Energy
Former Utility CEO Brings Solar Power to Africa
Duke Energy's Jim Rogers is trying to light up rural countries one village at a time
Energy
Trump Wants Offshore Drilling, but States Are Choosing Wind Energy
States bordering the outer continental shelf are looking for carbon-free electricity as the Trump administration rolls back rules requiring it
Texas Got 18 Percent of Its Energy from Wind and Solar Last Year
For years critics have claimed grid costs and stability will spiral out of control before we hit 20 percent renewable energy. Texas is proving them wrong
Wind Is Expected to Blow Past Water to Become the Renewable Resource Leader
Hydroelectric power plants (aka water and dams) have long been the leading source of renewable electricity in the U.S. Wind power, however, is expected to surpass hydroelectricity by 2019, according to a new forecast...
Energy
Trump's Tax Bill Seen as a "Poke in the Eye" to America's Solar Future
Are tariffs on solar panels and cuts to energy research preparing the U.S. for the inevitable growth in renewables?
