Category: Renewable Energy

Major Increase in Production of Hydropower Expected this Decade

~ Michael D. Turashoff ~ Leave a comment

  A major increase in the construction of hydropower dams is underway, mainly in developing countries and emerging economies. Since this trend is expected to double global electricity production from hydropower, it could reduce the number of our last remaining large free-flowing rivers by about 20 percent and pose a serious threat to freshwater biodiversity. … Continue reading Major Increase in Production of Hydropower Expected this Decade

The Weight of Traffic and Pedestrians can Generate Electricity

~ Michael D. Turashoff ~ Leave a comment

  Mexican entrepreneurs have developed a system capable of using the flow of vehicles to generate electric energy. This development has the potential to produce sufficient electricity to supply power to a household through a device that “catches” the force of the moving cars.   “This is a technology that provides sustained energy and could … Continue reading The Weight of Traffic and Pedestrians can Generate Electricity

Eco-friendly New Battery Made of Pine Resin and Seeds

~ Michael D. Turashoff ~ 1 Comment

  Even though today’s lithium batteries are efficient, they cause a range of resource and environmental problems. Uppsala researchers have now come up with a very interesting alternative using materials from alfalfa (lucerne seed) and pine resin, along with a clever recycling strategy. Their study will be presented soon in the scientific journal ChemSusChem.   … Continue reading Eco-friendly New Battery Made of Pine Resin and Seeds

World’s First Solar Cell that Stores its Own Power

~ Michael D. Turashoff ~ Leave a comment

    Is it a solar cell or a rechargeable battery? Both! The patent-pending device invented at The Ohio State University is the world’s first solar battery.   In the October 3, 2014 issue of the journal Nature Communications, the Ohio State researchers reported that they’ve succeeded in combining a battery and a solar cell … Continue reading World’s First Solar Cell that Stores its Own Power

New Battery Technology in the Form of Recycled Tires

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  Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory claim that recycled tires could see new life in lithium-ion batteries that provide power to plug-in electric vehicles and store energy produced by wind and solar.   By modifying the microstructural characteristics of carbon black, a substance recovered from discarded tires, a team led … Continue reading New Battery Technology in the Form of Recycled Tires