Renewables

The latest on the energy sources that keep on giving, from solar power to wind farms.

Latest in Renewables

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BT Group's green broadband cabinet box

Technology

Outdated broadband equipment could find new life as EV chargers Outdated broadband equipment could find new life as EV chargers

electric vehicle at charger

Technology

7 automakers team up to cover the US and Canada with fast EV chargers 7 automakers team up to cover the US and Canada with fast EV chargers

By Sara Kiley Watson

Wind turbine with red base in the Golan Heights between Syria and Israel

Environment

An Israeli wind project draws scrutiny on turbines and people’s health An Israeli wind project draws scrutiny on turbines and people’s health

Red7Marine kittiwake offshore wind farm habitat

Technology

Artificial nests could give endangered birds a home near new offshore wind farm Artificial nests could give endangered birds a home near new offshore wind farm

Wind turbines on green hills

Environment

US climate efforts look promising, but there’s more to do US climate efforts look promising, but there’s more to do

By Sara Kiley Watson

Arco del Tiempo (Arch of Time) mockup

Technology

This art installation will tell time and produce solar energy This art installation will tell time and produce solar energy

By Sara Kiley Watson

Limousine and private jet on landing strip.

Technology

A cap on ‘luxury’ emissions could make a clean energy transition fairer A cap on ‘luxury’ emissions could make a clean energy transition fairer

Charles Chee Surya holding perovskite/silicon solar cell.

Environment

Solar panels are getting more efficient, thanks to perovskite Solar panels are getting more efficient, thanks to perovskite

By Sara Kiley Watson

Eco-runner 13 model

Technology

This tiny hydrogen-fueled car just broke a world record for going the distance This tiny hydrogen-fueled car just broke a world record for going the distance

By Sara Kiley Watson

How can we decarbonize copper and nickel mining?

Environment

How can we decarbonize copper and nickel mining? How can we decarbonize copper and nickel mining?

By Carla Delgado

Tesla coil experiment to demonstrate how electricity works.

Technology

How does electricity work? Let’s demystify the life-changing physics. How does electricity work? Let’s demystify the life-changing physics.

Where will electric semi-trucks recharge? California has a big solution.

Technology

Where will electric semi-trucks recharge? California has a big solution. Where will electric semi-trucks recharge? California has a big solution.

Community-owned solar will soon power this small mountain town in Puerto Rico

Environment

Community-owned solar will soon power this small mountain town in Puerto Rico Community-owned solar will soon power this small mountain town in Puerto Rico

By Katherine Rapin/Nexus Media

Kraken tests algorithm-based EV charging that won’t sink the grid

Environment

Kraken tests algorithm-based EV charging that won’t sink the grid Kraken tests algorithm-based EV charging that won’t sink the grid

By Cadence Bambenek / Hothouse

Sea Zero Cruise ship Concept, sails fully extended

Technology

This concept cruise ship will have solar-paneled sails, an AI copilot, and zero emissions This concept cruise ship will have solar-paneled sails, an AI copilot, and zero emissions

Factory emitting pollution at sunset

Environment

675 million people still didn’t have access to electricity in 2021 675 million people still didn’t have access to electricity in 2021

Technology

Electric cars are better for the environment, no matter the power source Electric cars are better for the environment, no matter the power source

By Charlotte Hu

How an innovative battery system in the Bronx will help charge up NYC’s grid

Technology

How an innovative battery system in the Bronx will help charge up NYC’s grid How an innovative battery system in the Bronx will help charge up NYC’s grid

Helion Trenta nuclear fusion generator testing in dark lighting

Technology

Microsoft thinks this startup can deliver on nuclear fusion by 2028 Microsoft thinks this startup can deliver on nuclear fusion by 2028

Taylor Wilson, the boy who built a nuclear reactor as a kid, in his kitchen with his family

Science

How a 14-year-old kid became the youngest person to achieve nuclear fusion How a 14-year-old kid became the youngest person to achieve nuclear fusion

How the US is fighting wealth disparities in climate action

Environment

How the US is fighting wealth disparities in climate action How the US is fighting wealth disparities in climate action

By Carla Delgado

Could aquifers store renewable thermal energy?

Environment

Could aquifers store renewable thermal energy? Could aquifers store renewable thermal energy?

By Carla Delgado

Baby cod seem to be drawn to the lullaby of wind turbines

Environment

Baby cod seem to be drawn to the lullaby of wind turbines Baby cod seem to be drawn to the lullaby of wind turbines

By Emily Harwitz / Hakai Magazine

A lineup of the best solar panels on a white background

Gear

The best solar panels The best solar panels

By Timothy Dale

Atomic structure image of Mycobacterium smegmatis Huc enzyme

Technology

This common bacteria is teaching scientists how to turn air into energy This common bacteria is teaching scientists how to turn air into energy

X1 Wind's X30 floating wind turbine prototype off the Canary Islands coast

Technology

This floating wind turbine just generated its first kilowatt hour of power This floating wind turbine just generated its first kilowatt hour of power

hydrogen powered airplane

Technology

This plane powered by hydrogen has made an electrifying first flight This plane powered by hydrogen has made an electrifying first flight

Miniature greenhouse with semitransparent solar cell roof growing crop

Technology

Scientists think this tiny greenhouse could be a game changer for agrivoltaics Scientists think this tiny greenhouse could be a game changer for agrivoltaics

The rise of green hydrogen in Latin America

Environment

The rise of green hydrogen in Latin America The rise of green hydrogen in Latin America

By Pablo Fonseca Q. / Knowable Magazine

4 of the best homes for off-the-grid living

Environment

4 of the best homes for off-the-grid living 4 of the best homes for off-the-grid living

By Helen Bradshaw

Wind farm silhouette at sunset

Technology

A new solution could keep old wind turbine blades out of landfills A new solution could keep old wind turbine blades out of landfills

Black gas stove and two burning flames close-up

Technology

Hydrogen is supplementing natural gas, but critics remain wary Hydrogen is supplementing natural gas, but critics remain wary

When wind turbines kill bats and birds, these scientists want the carcasses

Environment

When wind turbines kill bats and birds, these scientists want the carcasses When wind turbines kill bats and birds, these scientists want the carcasses

By Emma Foehringer Merchant / Undark

NuScale small modular reactor nuclear plant concept art

Technology

The next generation of US nuclear plants could be tiny but powerful The next generation of US nuclear plants could be tiny but powerful

solar panels on a roof

DIY

How the Inflation Reduction Act can help you save cash and energy How the Inflation Reduction Act can help you save cash and energy

Sunlight shining on solar recycling system experiment

Environment

Scientists just got one step closer to solar-powered recycling plants Scientists just got one step closer to solar-powered recycling plants

The EPA wants more ‘renewable’ fuel. But what does that actually mean?

Environment

The EPA wants more ‘renewable’ fuel. But what does that actually mean? The EPA wants more ‘renewable’ fuel. But what does that actually mean?

By John McCracken / Grist

Concept image of solar power farming satellite orbiting above Earth

Technology

A potentially revolutionary solar harvester just left the planet A potentially revolutionary solar harvester just left the planet

Mars Curiosity Rover selfie photo on Martian surface

Technology

The wind on Mars may be a viable power source after all The wind on Mars may be a viable power source after all

Rendering of Redwood Materials' electric vehicle battery recycling campus in South Carolina

Technology

A new battery recycling plant could power 1 million EVs per year A new battery recycling plant could power 1 million EVs per year

Sediment running into a river in Alabama from a solar farm construction site. Aerial view.

Environment

The hard truth of building clean solar farms The hard truth of building clean solar farms