The future of nuclear: power stations could make hydrogen, heat homes and decarbonise industry

Don't count nuclear energy out – it may be our best hope of reaching net-zero emissions within the time we have left.

Michael Rushton, Senior Lecturer in Nuclear Energy, Bangor University • conversation
Nov. 4, 2020 ~7 min

'Decarbonisation' may be the wrong goal for energy – here's why

Low-carbon energy sources aren't all equally well-suited to getting us to net-zero emissions.

Andrew Crossland, Associate Fellow, Durham Energy Institute, Durham University • conversation
Oct. 28, 2020 ~6 min


Designing batteries for easier recycling could avert a looming e-waste crisis

Batteries power much of modern life, from electric and hybrid cars to computers, medical devices and cellphones. But unless they're made easier and cheaper to recycle, a battery waste crisis looms.

Darren H. S. Tan, PhD Candidate in Chemical Engineering, University of California San Diego • conversation
Oct. 22, 2020 ~10 min

Onshore wind farm restrictions continue to stifle Britain's renewable energy potential

Despite Boris Johnson's newfound enthusiasm for offshore wind farms, the UK risks going backwards on wind power capacity.

Rebecca Windemer, Postdoctoral Fellow in Planning and Energy, Cardiff University • conversation
Oct. 12, 2020 ~6 min

We want green energy jobs, say North Sea oil and gas workers – what they need to make the leap

A recent report found widespread support among North Sea oil and gas workers for a career in renewable energy.

Owen Douglas, Occasional Lecturer in Planning and Environmental Policy, University College Dublin • conversation
Oct. 8, 2020 ~6 min

Boris Johnson promises a UK offshore wind revolution – but China holds the monopoly on vital 'rare earth' metals

China has a monopoly on rare earth metals, so where will the materials for the UK's wind revolution come from?

Allan Walton, Professor of Critical and Magnetic Materials, University of Birmingham • conversation
Oct. 7, 2020 ~5 min

How 10 billion people could live well by 2050 – using as much energy as we did 60 years ago

Flattening inequality between and within countries could allow everyone a good standard of living within a liveable climate.

Joel Millward-Hopkins, Postdoctoral Researcher in Sustainability, University of Leeds • conversation
Oct. 5, 2020 ~7 min

Painting wind turbines black could help protect birds – as long as it doesn't disrupt their migration

Black turbine blades seem to reduce bird collisions, but it's important to know why.

Jethro George Gauld, PhD Candidate in Conservation Science, University of East Anglia • conversation
Sept. 3, 2020 ~6 min


Painting wind turbines black could help protect birds – so long as it doesn't disrupt their migration

Black turbine blades seem to reduce bird collisions, but it's important to know why.

Jethro George Gauld, PhD Candidate in Conservation Science, University of East Anglia • conversation
Sept. 3, 2020 ~6 min

Wind farms built on carbon-rich peat bogs lose their ability to fight climate change

We discovered wind farms in Spain that had carved up peat bogs, causing them to release carbon to the atmosphere.

Nicholas Midgley, Lecturer in Physical Geography, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
Aug. 5, 2020 ~7 min

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