The main argument against building high-speed rail in America is that it’s too expensive. Fortunately, that is simply not true. The net benefits far exceed the cost, as is explained in a new report just released at a Congressional briefing by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). The report, … [continued]
You can now use the screen of your smartphone to simulate the active surface area of a solar panel, and receive an estimate of the solar resources in that position. In addition to that, the free app, available for iPhones or Android phones, also gives you information such as … [continued]
Driving during a rain or snowstorm can be can be a struggle at night, but a newly developed ‘smart’ headlight system will make it much easier. The system greatly improves visibility by continually redirecting light to shine between particles of precipitation. The system was created by researchers from Carnegie … [continued]
Certain types of bacteria may be able help address two of the biggest environmental challenges of today. How do we effectively deal with the vast amounts of organic waste produced? And how can we switch to a less-polluting, renewable energy infrastructure in enough time to halt climate change? Researchers César … [continued]
A significant breakthrough in solar technology has been made. Researchers have created a new solar photovoltaic thermal (PVT) system that more efficiently generates both electricity and heat. Solar PVTs are generally made from crystal silicon cells, generating electricity but not much heat. But there’s a lot of focus on … [continued]
A recent study by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland estimates that extreme weather conditions cost EU transport system at least €15 billion a year. The greatest costs are from road accidents, currently, and also the associated material damage and psychological suffering. The costs that arise from accidents … [continued]
Santerno has won a supply contract for 155 MW of Santerno skid inverter stations to be installed in a solar plant located in Imperial Valley, California. “This contract is a milestone for Santerno, as it signals our entrance into the USA Solar Farm Market,” says Guido Tonin, Executive Vice … [continued]
GE is introducing what it is calling a major energy efficiency breakthrough for desalination plants. Its new IPER system promises to reduce the energy demands of desalination pumping by at least 10 percent. Its new Integrated Pump and Energy Recovery (IPER) system is “a major engineering breakthrough that overcomes a … [continued]
The energy generated from wave capture technology can be doubled by implementing new methods developed to predict wave power. Significant advancements in marine renewable energy are possible because of new research from the University of Exeter. The research could pave the way to making wave energy a more viable … [continued]
Graphene, a greatly promising new nanomaterial, may be able to substantially boost the efficiency of the next generation of solar panels, according to new research from Michigan Technological University. Graphene is a two-dimensional, one-atom-thick honeycomb of carbon atoms. It’s a much-hyped material because of its unique and radical properties, … [continued]
