Renewables
Expanding the University of Göttingen's modern energy supply
One of the pillars of the Energy Industry Act is the basic supply of electricity and gas to the economy. However, even more elementary is the safe and reliable energy supply in the medical sector. Both electricity and heat can save lives here. In order to ensure this security of supply in the future, the University Medical Foundation (UMG) and the University of Göttingen have initiated an innovative energy supply concept.
An alternative way to store thermal energy
In large parts of the developing world, people have abundant heat from the sun during the day, but most cooking takes place later in the evening when the sun is down, using fuel — such as wood, brush or dung — that is collected with significant time and effort. Now, a new chemical composite developed by researchers at MIT could provide an alternative.
MIT and Lamborghini develop the electric car of the future
Members of the MIT community who passed through the Stata Center courtyard likely found it hard not to notice the Lamborghini parked there as if it were visiting from the future. The car’s name — Terzo Millenio — says it all. Terzo Millenio is an automobile prototype for the third millennium, and its ability to deliver high peak power and regenerate kinetic energy, all while ensuring the ability to release and harvest electric p...
DNA scaffolds could be used to harvest light energy
By organising pigments on a DNA scaffold, an MIT-led team of researchers has designed a light-harvesting material that closely mimics the structure of naturally occurring photosynthetic structures. The researchers showed that their synthetic material can absorb light and efficiently transfer its energy along precisely controlled pathways.
Developing next-gen technologies for EV powertrains
Wireless rotary torque transducers from Sensor Technology are at the heart of a test rig to develop next-gen technologies for electric and hybrid vehicle powertrains. With expertise in the electric motors and electronics used across the key powertrain technologies, AVID Technology relies on the innovative torque transducers as part of an automated approach to motor characterisation.
Biogas plant expands sustainable growth in Uruguay
German plant manufacturer WELTEC BIOPOWER has recently signed a contract for a biogas plant extension of the milk powder producer Estancias del Lago (EDL) in Uruguay. From late 2018, the plant with its eight digesters will generate a rated thermal input of more than 6MW from cattle manure and fodder leftovers. The company will use the biogas for drying and steam generation purposes in the production process.
Speed and precision makes commercial battery production feasible
The electric vehicle trend is self-explanatory, with several countries and manufacturers looking to adopt electric and hybrid drive technologies for future car propulsion. Volvo for example has announced that it is switching from 100% reliance upon the internal combustion engine to electric based propulsion.
Improving the efficiency of the trusted exisiting boilers
Heating has been provided by oil and gas-fired boilers for many industrial and commercial premises for over 100 years. In that time the energy efficiency of these installations has increased steadily, however there is a way to significantly reduce energy consumption that is still not universally applied and yet has a typical payback period of less than 18 months.
UK bill seeks regulation of driverless EVs
There is no shortage of news about self-driving cars coming out of the US. Silicon Valley is considered a global hub of autonomous vehicle development. And each of the Big Three automakers is pouring enormous resources into the industry, with promising results. On the regulatory front, many new bills and and regulations that would create a more welcoming environment for testing autonomous vehicles have been introduced at both the state and l...
Sun's radiation could break up plastics in wastewater
Harnessing the Sun’s radiation to help rid the oceans of microplastics contamination is one of several technical innovations to be developed by a new EU-funded project. Beginning in November 2017, a system developed at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden for breaking down microplastics from personal care products will be tested for implementation in homes and wastewater treatment plants.