The US needs a macrogrid to move electricity from areas that make it to areas that need it

The US electricity grid is actually five regional grids, and it's hard to share power between them. A macrogrid could bridge the gaps, making electricity cheaper and more reliable.

James D. McCalley, Professor of Electrical Engineering, Iowa State University • conversation
April 5, 2021 • ~9 min

Move over, corn and soybeans: The next biofuel source could be giant sea kelp

Making biofuels from crops grown on land poses trade-offs between food and fuel. A new study looks offshore.

Jessica Dutton, Associate Director for Research, USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies / Adjunct Assistant Professor (Research), USC Environmental Studies Program, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences • conversation
April 1, 2021 • ~6 min

The US just set ambitious offshore wind power targets – what will it take to meet them?

To increase renewable energy use, the Biden administration wants the US to go from seven offshore wind turbines today to enough to power 10 million homes within a decade.

Matthew Lackner, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst • conversation
March 31, 2021 • ~8 min

Energy storage technology is accelerating – but grids aren't ready for the transition

Britain's electricity sector continues to decarbonise, but its capacity to store energy lags far behind.

Jonathan Radcliffe, Senior Research Fellow, Energy Storage, University of Birmingham • conversation
March 18, 2021 • ~7 min

The science behind frozen wind turbines – and how to keep them spinning through the winter

Wind turbines in cold areas typically include methods for removing and repelling ice, but those methods can waste energy. There's a better way.

Hui Hu, Professor of Aerospace Engineering, Iowa State University • conversation
March 4, 2021 • ~9 min

Power outages across the Plains: 4 questions answered about weather-driven blackouts

Heat waves, droughts and deep freezes can all strain the electric grid, leading utilities to impose rolling blackouts. Climate change is likely to make these events more common.

Michael E. Webber, Josey Centennial Professor of Energy Resources, University of Texas at Austin • conversation
Feb. 16, 2021 • ~9 min

Solar panels in Sahara could boost renewable energy but damage the global climate – here's why

In a bid to ditch fossil fuels, some countries are considering carpeting deserts with solar panels.

Benjamin Smith, Director of Research, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, Western Sydney University • conversation
Feb. 11, 2021 • ~7 min

Britain's electricity use is at its lowest for decades – but will never be this low again

Per capita electricity use was higher in the 1970s than today.

Noah Godfrey, Energy Data Analyst - PhD in Modelling Flexibility in Future UK Energy Systems, University of Birmingham • conversation
Jan. 22, 2021 • ~7 min

Why a green electricity grid depends on weather forecasts improving

Ramping up fossil power sources is no longer a good option in an energy-supply crisis. Bring in the weather forecasters.

Hannah Bloomfield, Postdoctoral Research Assistant, University of Reading • conversation
Jan. 14, 2021 • ~5 min

Biden's ambitious energy plan faces headwinds, but can move the US forward

Joe Biden has sweeping plans for a clean energy revolution. Congress will be a big speed bump, but it can't block everything.

Scott L. Montgomery, Lecturer, Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington • conversation
Nov. 23, 2020 • ~9 min

/

23