Energy

The changing face of how we power our cars, homes, and lives—from our reliance on fossil fuels to a renewable-energy future.

Latest in Energy

An artist’s impression of ESA’s ExoMars rover, Rosalind Franklin.

Energy

Europe’s first Mars rover will use nuclear-powered heaters Europe’s first Mars rover will use nuclear-powered heaters

Chicken looking at camera against black background

Environment

Chicken fat supercapacitors could store green energy of the future Chicken fat supercapacitors could store green energy of the future

Project 821 hydrogen fuel superyacht in port

Environment

Welcome aboard the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht Welcome aboard the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht

A tidal stream energy generator called the O2, made by Orbital Marine Power Ltd, extracts energy from the tides off the coast of Scotland and feeds it into the electric grid.

Environment

Testing the waters: Scotland surges ahead on ocean Power Testing the waters: Scotland surges ahead on ocean Power

By Dan Falk / Undark

Environment

Battery prices are plummeting. That’s good news for the planet. Battery prices are plummeting. That’s good news for the planet.

By Mack DeGeurin

Environment

In the rush to decarbonize, the shipping industry is exploring alternative fuels In the rush to decarbonize, the shipping industry is exploring alternative fuels

By Chris Baraniuk / Hakai Magazine

Geothermal power heats up

Environment

Geothermal power heats up Geothermal power heats up

By Katarina Zimmer / Knowable Magazine

MUSE stellarator fusion reactor

Environment

Stellarator fusion reactor gets new life thanks to a creative magnet workaround Stellarator fusion reactor gets new life thanks to a creative magnet workaround

solar-powered car

Technology

Why aren’t there solar-powered cars on our roads? Why aren’t there solar-powered cars on our roads?

By Chen Liu / The Conversation

Debate and innovation define nuclear energy’s present and future

Environment

Debate and innovation define nuclear energy’s present and future Debate and innovation define nuclear energy’s present and future

By Nicola Jones / Knowable Magazine

data center dark hallway green shade fluorescent light

Technology

AI companies eye fossil fuels to meet booming energy demand AI companies eye fossil fuels to meet booming energy demand

By Mack DeGeurin

Aerial view of Fukushima nuclear reactor meltdown

Environment

Drones offer a glimpse inside Fukushima nuclear reactor 13 years after disaster Drones offer a glimpse inside Fukushima nuclear reactor 13 years after disaster

High traffic road with signs and light trails on sunset

Environment

EPA says over half of all new cars must be EVs or hybrids by 2032 EPA says over half of all new cars must be EVs or hybrids by 2032

Pyxis Ocean shipping vessel with two WindWing sails

Technology

A cargo ship’s ‘WindWing’ sails saved it up to 12 tons of fuel per day A cargo ship’s ‘WindWing’ sails saved it up to 12 tons of fuel per day

CorPower C4 buoy turbine in ocean

Technology

Huge 60-foot-tall buoy uses ocean waves to create clean energy Huge 60-foot-tall buoy uses ocean waves to create clean energy

a large telescope sits in a green field next to a white barn in a rural setting

Technology

Can EVs drive in National Radio Quiet Zone? Can EVs drive in National Radio Quiet Zone?

By Cameron Aubernon

row of washing machines

Environment

Washers and dryers are about to get a whole lot more efficient Washers and dryers are about to get a whole lot more efficient

By Tik Root/Grist

MethaneSAT concept art above Earth

Technology

A new AI-powered satellite will create Google Maps for methane pollution A new AI-powered satellite will create Google Maps for methane pollution

Minesto Dragon 4 undersea kite turbine traveling atop water

Environment

Huge underwater ‘kite’ turbine powered 1,000 homes in the Faroe Islands Huge underwater ‘kite’ turbine powered 1,000 homes in the Faroe Islands

Interior of JET fusion reactor with plasma superimposed

Technology

Aging reactor sets new fusion energy record in last hurrah Aging reactor sets new fusion energy record in last hurrah

A colorized view of the DOLCE structure finalizing its uncoiling process, as seen from the boom camera, over Antarctica, on August 22, 2023.

Technology

The first-ever space solar power tests are finished after a year in orbit The first-ever space solar power tests are finished after a year in orbit

Data visualization of all maritime activity in the North Sea

Technology

AI and satellite data helped uncover the ocean’s ‘dark vessels’ AI and satellite data helped uncover the ocean’s ‘dark vessels’

Environment

The public lands and the energy transition conundrum The public lands and the energy transition conundrum

By Jonathan Thompson / High Country News

Completed JT-60SA experimental nuclear fusion facility in Japan

Technology

The world’s largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor is up and running The world’s largest experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor is up and running

Google and Fervo's geothermal power plant in Nevada at dusk

Technology

Geothermal energy now helps power Google’s desert data centers Geothermal energy now helps power Google’s desert data centers

shipping containers on ship sailing through the sea

Environment

Green shipping picks up speed Green shipping picks up speed

By Elise Hansen / Knowable Magazine

Birds flying past wind turbines at sunrise

Environment

How wind turbines could coexist peacefully with bats and birds How wind turbines could coexist peacefully with bats and birds

By Katarina Zimmer / Knowable Magazine

Gas stoves are dangerous

Environment

How gas stove companies used Big Tobacco’s PR playbook How gas stove companies used Big Tobacco’s PR playbook

By Jonathan Levy / The Conversation

Offshore wind turbine being constructed with nearby supply ship

Technology

A Danish company just scrapped its ambitious plan for a New Jersey offshore wind farm A Danish company just scrapped its ambitious plan for a New Jersey offshore wind farm

Watch a heavy-lifting drone land a perfect delivery on an offshore wind turbine

Technology

Watch a heavy-lifting drone land a perfect delivery on an offshore wind turbine Watch a heavy-lifting drone land a perfect delivery on an offshore wind turbine

Chicken feather fibers could help make less toxic hydrogen fuel cells

Technology

Chicken feather fibers could help make less toxic hydrogen fuel cells Chicken feather fibers could help make less toxic hydrogen fuel cells

Aging US energy grid will get a largest-ever $3.5 billion boost

Environment

Aging US energy grid will get a largest-ever $3.5 billion boost Aging US energy grid will get a largest-ever $3.5 billion boost

By Joseph Winters / Grist

Orsted offshore wind turbines in the UK

Technology

Atlantic City’s massive offshore wind farm project highlights the industry’s growing pains Atlantic City’s massive offshore wind farm project highlights the industry’s growing pains

Small propeller plane flying in a clear sky

Technology

Small planes are still spewing toxic lead across the US, EPA says Small planes are still spewing toxic lead across the US, EPA says

Stella Terra solar powered car action shot on road

Technology

This off-roading, solar-powered vehicle just sped across the Sahara This off-roading, solar-powered vehicle just sped across the Sahara

Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm speaks before US President Joe Biden at Tioga Marine Terminal on October 13, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Biden discussed how his Bidenomics agenda is creating good-paying union jobs, investing in infrastructure, accelerating the transition to a clean energy future, and combating the climate crisis.

Environment

US will build seven regional ‘hydrogen hubs’ to spark clean energy transition US will build seven regional ‘hydrogen hubs’ to spark clean energy transition

By Laura Baisas

Workers at rare earth mineral mine next to equipment in China

Technology

China says it discovered potentially vast amounts of a rare superconducting material China says it discovered potentially vast amounts of a rare superconducting material

Computer server stacks in dark room

Technology

AI could consume as much energy as Argentina annually by 2027 AI could consume as much energy as Argentina annually by 2027

Blue bins of fish and other seafood caught near the Fukushima nuclear plant in Japan

Environment

This nuclear byproduct is fueling debate over Fukushima’s seafood This nuclear byproduct is fueling debate over Fukushima’s seafood

aurora supercomputer at Argonne

Technology

The world’s most powerful computer could soon help the US build better nuclear reactors The world’s most powerful computer could soon help the US build better nuclear reactors

By Charlotte Hu

Green architecture homes

Technology

The EPA wants to tighten up their ‘zero-emission’ building definition The EPA wants to tighten up their ‘zero-emission’ building definition

Microsoft wants small nuclear reactors to power its AI and cloud computing services

Technology

Microsoft wants small nuclear reactors to power its AI and cloud computing services Microsoft wants small nuclear reactors to power its AI and cloud computing services

Avery Dennison thermal energy factory in Belgium

Technology

This Belgian factory’s massive mirror array turns sunlight into thermal energy This Belgian factory’s massive mirror array turns sunlight into thermal energy

A remote Air Force base in Alaska is getting its own nuclear reactor

Technology

A remote Air Force base in Alaska is getting its own nuclear reactor A remote Air Force base in Alaska is getting its own nuclear reactor

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Heat pump outside building

Environment

Heat pumps still get the job done in extreme cold Heat pumps still get the job done in extreme cold

Closeup of solar panel installation

Technology

This alternative to lithium-based batteries could help store renewable energy This alternative to lithium-based batteries could help store renewable energy

Lagos Blue Line Rail train next to traffic jam

Technology

Traveling through the world’s most traffic-heavy city just got a lot quicker—and greener Traveling through the world’s most traffic-heavy city just got a lot quicker—and greener

Concept art of Artemis lunar base with astronauts

Technology

Poppyseed-sized nuclear fuel cells might power a NASA moon base Poppyseed-sized nuclear fuel cells might power a NASA moon base

Scientists are using AI to track coal train dust

Environment

Scientists are using AI to track coal train dust Scientists are using AI to track coal train dust

By Emma Foehringer Merchant / Undark

Lithium samples from the proposed Thacker Pass mining site in the McDermitt Caldera lithium deposit

Environment

What’s the most sustainable way to mine the largest known lithium deposit in the world? What’s the most sustainable way to mine the largest known lithium deposit in the world?

California high speed railcar concept art

Technology

A high-speed rail line in California is chugging along towards 2030 debut A high-speed rail line in California is chugging along towards 2030 debut

Seafarers are unknowingly working with oil smugglers

Environment

Seafarers are unknowingly working with oil smugglers Seafarers are unknowingly working with oil smugglers

By Nathaniel Peutherer/Hakai Magazine

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima waste water into the Pacific Ocean

Technology

Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima waste water into the Pacific Ocean Japan begins releasing treated Fukushima waste water into the Pacific Ocean

Offshore wind turbines

Environment

We can’t ignore that offshore wind farms are part of marine ecosystems We can’t ignore that offshore wind farms are part of marine ecosystems

By Becki Robins / Undark

Shipping container used as passive cooling test chamber

Technology

Ancient Egyptian ‘air conditioning’ could help cool modern buildings Ancient Egyptian ‘air conditioning’ could help cool modern buildings

Pyxis Ocean retrofitted with WindWings setting sail for its maiden voyage, August 2023

Technology

A cargo ship with 123-foot ‘WindWing’ sails has just departed on its maiden voyage A cargo ship with 123-foot ‘WindWing’ sails has just departed on its maiden voyage

Pipeline connection at an oil refinery

Environment

The US is investing more than $1 billion in carbon capture, but big oil is still involved The US is investing more than $1 billion in carbon capture, but big oil is still involved

Lead claimant Rikki Held, 22, confers with members of Our Children's Trust legal team before the start of the nation's first youth climate change trial at Montana's First Judicial District Court on June 12, 2023 in Helena, Montana.

Environment

Judge sides with youth activists in groundbreaking climate change lawsuit Judge sides with youth activists in groundbreaking climate change lawsuit

By Laura Baisas

Machinery at the center of the National Ignition Facility.

Science

How a US lab created energy with fusion—again How a US lab created energy with fusion—again

Japanese bullet train leaving station at dawn

Technology

Texas could get a 205-mph bullet train zipping between Houston and Dallas Texas could get a 205-mph bullet train zipping between Houston and Dallas

Green high density laser array

Technology

Colorado is getting a state-of-the-art laser fusion facility Colorado is getting a state-of-the-art laser fusion facility

Aerial view of solar panel farm

Technology

Solar power helps keep Europe’s grid reliable in historic heat Solar power helps keep Europe’s grid reliable in historic heat

Hannover train station

Technology

The world’s first hydrogen-powered train has made its final stop The world’s first hydrogen-powered train has made its final stop

Person using lime electric scooter.

Environment

Shared e-scooters can be sustainable—but there’s a catch Shared e-scooters can be sustainable—but there’s a catch

By Carla Delgado