Energy news

No widespread impact of wind power projects on surrounding residential property values in the US

Technology / Energy

4 hours ago | not rated yet | 1

A major new Berkeley Lab report finds that proximity to wind energy facilities does not have a pervasive or widespread adverse effect on the property values of nearby homes.

EPA postpones decision on 15 percent blend for ethanol

Technology / Energy

11 hours ago | 1 / 5 (1) | 2

The Environmental Protection Agency said Tuesday that it will make a formal decision next year on whether to allow a 15 percent blend of ethanol in domestic gasoline, after initial tests showed that cars can run on the fuel.

INL develops safer, more efficient nuclear fuel for next-gen reactors

Technology / Energy

Nov 30, 2009 | 4.5 / 5 (15) | 6

As the nation ponders its energy choices, Americans keep asking themselves: how can the country make better use of its resources and emit fewer greenhouse gases without hurting U.S. industries? A research ...

Harnessing the power of salt, Norway tries osmotic power

Technology / Energy

Nov 23, 2009 | 4.2 / 5 (6) | 4

After wind, sun, currents and tides, a company is preparing to make clean electricity by harnessing another natural phenomenon, the energy-unleashing encounter of freshwater and seawater.

KLM flies world's first 'passenger flight on biofuel'

Technology / Energy

Nov 23, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

A Boeing 747, one of four engines powered by a 50-percent biokerosene mix, circled the Netherlands for an hour on Monday for what airline KLM called the world's first passenger flight using biofuel.

China harnesses mountain wind power

Technology / Energy

Nov 22, 2009 | 4.4 / 5 (12) | 3

In the mountains above the southwestern Chinese town of Dali, dozens of new wind turbines dot the landscape -- a symbol of the country's sky-high ambitions for clean, green energy.

Flax and yellow flowers can produce bioethanol

Technology / Energy

Nov 20, 2009 | 1 / 5 (1) | 0

Surplus biomass from the production of flax shives, and generated from Brassica carinata, a yellow-flowered plant related to those which engulf fields in spring, can be used to produce bioethanol. This has be ...

Pulling the plug on hybrid myths

Technology / Energy

Nov 19, 2009 | 3.8 / 5 (16) | 31

(PhysOrg.com) -- Whether you call them myths, urban legends, fables or old wives' tales, there's a lot of misinformation out there about plug-in electric hybrid vehicles. These vehicles, abbreviated PHEVs, ...

Battery Research Aims To Store Renewable Energy

Technology / Energy

Nov 19, 2009 | 4.1 / 5 (13) | 6

The biggest chemical battery in the United States is located near Interstate 90 in the small town of Luverne, Minn. The 80 ton device -- the size of two tractor-trailers stacked on top of each other -- stores ...

Liquid battery big enough for the electric grid?

Technology / Energy

Nov 19, 2009 | 4.4 / 5 (7) | 3

(PhysOrg.com) -- There's one major drawback to most proposed renewable-energy sources: their variability. The sun doesn't shine at night, the wind doesn’t always blow, and tides, waves and currents fluctuate. ...

Just use less: Energy savings to be big part of nation’s energy future

Technology / Energy

Nov 19, 2009 | 5 / 5 (1) | 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- Energy adviser and former Honeywell executive Maxine Savitz says there are enormous energy savings available through increased efficiency, as much as 30 percent by 2030.

Calif. requires TVs to be more energy-efficient (Update)

Technology / Energy

Nov 18, 2009 | 5 / 5 (2) | 1

(AP) -- California regulators adopted the nation's first energy-efficiency standards for televisions Wednesday in hopes of reducing electricity use at a time when millions of American households are switching ...

Boosting the amount of energy obtained from water

Technology / Energy

Nov 18, 2009 | 3.7 / 5 (3) | 1

The energy generated in places where fresh water and salt water meet is known as blue energy. This is a relatively new but highly promising renewable energy source. Piotr Długołęcki of the University ...

Advanced nuclear fuel sets global performance record

Technology / Energy

Nov 17, 2009 | 4.5 / 5 (21) | 1

(PhysOrg.com) -- Idaho National Laboratory scientists have set a new world record with next-generation particle fuel for use in high temperature gas reactors (HTGRs).

Eco-Friendly SUV Gets a Hydrogen Mileage Boost (w/ Video)

Technology / Energy

Nov 17, 2009 | 4.8 / 5 (4) | 2

(PhysOrg.com) -- Driving hydrogen fueled SUVs for 431 miles per fill-up is no longer a California dream. Researchers from NREL and Toyota recently completed a 331 mile round trip drive between Torrance and ...

Alternative fuel 'can power 15% of flights by 2020'

Technology / Energy

Nov 17, 2009 | 2.3 / 5 (3) | 0

Alternative fuels could power 15 percent of global air traffic by 2020 and 30 percent by 2030, European aircraft-maker Airbus said at the Dubai Airshow on Tuesday.

Researchers customizing electric cars for cost-effective urban commuting

Technology / Energy

Nov 16, 2009 | 3.3 / 5 (7) | 1

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute have converted a 2001 Scion xB into an electric commuter vehicle that will serve as a test bed for a new community-based approach to electric vehicle design, ...

Taiwan, China may develop electric cars together

Technology / Energy

Nov 16, 2009 | 5 / 5 (2) | 0

Taiwan and China are looking into developing electric cars together and will hold a conference here next week to seek areas where they can cooperate, a Taipei official said Monday.