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Renewable revolution
Renewable technology news on the transformative technologies changing the world’s energy supplies. We cover the projects making power generation green, from solar innovations to future energy solutions, as well as some of the wider environmental initiatives using tech to improve our impact on the planet. Technology and the environment don’t have to be in competition.
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13 Feb
Scientists have developed artificial leaves 10x better at absorbing CO2 than the real thing
As deforestation continues to diminish the number of trees, vital for absorbing carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil fuels, scientists are looking for ways to replicate natural processes to reduce pollution levels.
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24 Jan
50 million tonnes of e-waste could triple by 2050
$62.5bn is lost in 50 million tonnes of electrical and electronic waste annually, but new and available technology could lead to the process of dematerialisation, changing physical assets to electronic.
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24 Jan
Super Bowl LIII goes green… thanks to beer
Super Bowl LIII is going green, with Budweiser pledging to offset 100% of Atlanta’s electricity use throughout Super Bowl week with renewable energy.
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23 Jan
Jack Ma: “Don’t be evil is not enough — technology companies must help the world”
Developing the technologies that are expected to — and in many cases are already beginning to — shape the future, technology companies must do more to protect the earth and humanity from the problems they create, Jack Ma, founder and chairman of Alibaba, has warned.
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14 Jan
Air cleaning technology: Are these emerging technologies the answer to poor air quality?
The government of the United Kingdom has unveiled a new Clear Air Strategy, setting a “bold new goal” to reduce pollution and grow clean energy use over the next decade.
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11 Jan
Plastics from plants in building foam insulation could help prevent another Grenfell
A bio-plastics partnership has developed the chemistry behind a plant-based fire-suppressant building material that could have helped prevent the Grenfell disaster in London in June 2017.
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3 Dec
NASA InSight Lander sets new solar power record on first day on Mars
The NASA Insight Lander has set a new solar power record – generating more than 4,500Wh of power in its first day on Mars – more than any lander or rover ever deployed by the US space agency.
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28 Nov
Hungary’s new renewables target offers solar investors an attractive opportunity
Hungary has responded to the tightening of the European Union’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), designed to reduce emissions and fight climate change, by setting itself the target of ending all coal use within the next decade.
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28 Nov
Newest nuclear plants: five of the biggest coming online
After more than a decade of delays, the Olkiluoto 3 Nuclear Power Plant is in the final stages of being connected to the grid after completing hot functional tests earlier this year.
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22 Nov
Spain applauded for calming job-loss fears amidst move to 100% renewable electricity
Spain has recently announced that it is seeking a switch to 100% renewable electricity by 2050.
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20 Nov
Catastrophe modelling could be used to predict the impact of climate change
The integration of climate science and catastrophe modelling could benefit society, according to a new report by The Geneva Association.
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19 Nov
Scotland wind farms must be ‘repowered’ to prepare for the future
Scotland currently generates a significant amount of electricity from renewable sources – around 60% of the country’s gross annual consumption in 2015, up from just 12% in 2000.
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5 Nov
Environmental impact of Microsoft underwater data centres must be monitored, experts warn
Off the coast of Orkney, a white cylinder containing 27.6 petabytes of computing storage rests on the seabed.
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5 Nov
Watch: Hyundai Nexo, the hydrogen fuel cell car that cleans the air as it drives
Put the H with the O and you get the hydrogen fuel cell-powered Hyundai Nexo, a car that cleans the air while it is being driven.
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2 Nov
Researchers combat plastic waste by turning it into “supermaterial”
Researchers from the University of Singapore are tacking the global issue of plastic waste by converting plastic bottles into the world’s first PET aerogels.
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31 Oct
Life after peak oil: Middle East producers prepare
Not long ago, peak oil referred to maximum oil production – the point at which the world’s oil fields could no longer keep pace with rising demand.
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29 Oct
Water-based fuel to power electric vehicles launched by Electriq~Global
The idea of a car that a run entirely on water is, although appealing, the stuff of pseudoscience.
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24 Oct
Power Ledger: Renewable energy blockchain wins Richard Branson’s Extreme Tech Challenge
Streamed live from Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island, Extreme Tech Challenge (XTC) has announced the 2018 winner of its fourth annual competition.
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22 Oct
Electric bike startup Cowboy sets sights on Europe following €10m funding round
Cowboy, a Belgian electric bike startup, has closed a €10m Series A funding round, providing the financing to bring its innovative product to new European markets.
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22 Oct
World Energy Day: Thermal energy storage partnership announced by Enel, EnergyNest
This World Energy Day, multinational energy provider Enel has announced that it is partnering with Norwegian cleantech company EnergyNest to explore thermal energy storage solutions.
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15 Oct
Global beer shortage a likely impact of climate change, researchers warn
On-going climate change is likely to result in a global beer shortage, according to an extensive international research project.
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11 Oct
Falling lithium ion prices will help EU to reach renewable energy target, expert predicts
The Greek Island of Tilos is set to become the first Mediterranean island in the European Union to be autonomously powered by renewable energy, after the European Commission announced €12.5m in funding in a bid to increase the use of renewables across the continent.
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9 Oct
Driverless and electric cars dominate at Paris Motor Show 2018
The automotive industry’s growing commitment to the environment and investing in new technology is taking centre stage at the Paris Motor Show 2018, where a large host of manufacturers are showcasing their latest innovations in electric vehicles and autonomous cars.
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2 Oct
World’s biggest solar power project on track despite shelving reports
Saudi Arabia has been forced to refute claims that the world’s biggest solar power project, which is being developed by Japanese technology giant SoftBank with backing from the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is being shelved.
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2 Oct
Biodegradable plastic industry sees boom as pollution concerns grow
The biodegradable plastic industry is set to surge in the coming years, fuelled by rising concerns over ocean pollution and the consumer rejection of single-use plastics.
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27 Sep
Here are five anti-plastic start-ups looking to transform the way we shop
With plastic pollution becoming a pressing environmental catastrophe, the John Lewis Partnership called on entrepreneurs and anti-plastic start-ups to pitch ideas to reduce plastic waste.
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20 Sep
Smart cities key for electric vehicle revolution
Plans to electrify the United Kingdom’s transport network are well underway, a transformation that will be the backbone of smart city infrastructure.
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18 Sep
Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW investigated for emissions tech collusion – has VW still not cleaned up its act?
Car manufacturers Volkswagen, Daimler and BMW are under investigation by the European Commission for possible collusion on the development and roll-out of car emissions control systems.
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6 Sep
Dutch company aims to combat problem of tire pollution
Producing large amounts of carbon dioxide and toxic fumes when burnt, tires are a little-known source of pollution.
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4 Sep
Sunlight into fuel: Researchers harness algae to generate novel energy source
Researchers at St John’s College, University of Cambridge have developed a way of generating energy by harnessing the power of semi-artificial photosynthesis.