Energy and Climate Change

It is now possible to envision an energy future where the grid will be balanced moment to moment by a combination of energy storage, responsive load and fast-ramping technologies like fuel cells.

"We expect them to be in place, I’m hoping, by the end of this year, maybe before snow flies,"

Microgrids are often pitched as a solution to power outages in very specific places. But in rural Alaska, they have an entirely different purpose. And the federal government is now funding research into improving those microgrids.

"In all three countries, there is a significant move toward a clean energy economy."

A team of U.S. and Australian researchers recently unveiled a new nanowire material that gathers both heat and light — doubling the efficiency of standard solar cells — and also glows in the dark.

Because–let’s face it–all those smart appliances (to say nothing of your dumb ones) might be turning your power bill ugly. And, oh, yeah, the planet. Won’t someone think of the planet?

To optimize the money and energy they spend lighting their streets, cities need a lot more data. These MIT researchers have figured out how to get it.

As described by the US Department of Energy (DOE), microgrids are localized grids that can disconnect from the traditional grid to operate autonomously, help mitigate grid disturbances for faster system response and recovery, and strengthen grid resilience.

"Noise logger" devices are able to spot underground leaks to an accuracy of 99.5 percent.

Our population, standard of living and numberless amenities have jumped off the charts. Why? In large part because we ignored the naysayers and embraced a new, diverse and more sustainable economy.