Category Archives: Energy

Improving Energy Storage

Posted on June 22, 2017 by EarthWise • 0 Comments

The transition to sustainable energy sources faces many challenges. One important one is to make those sources as reliable as conventional energy systems. For technologies like solar and wind power, which can’t operate around the clock, an enabling element is effective energy storage. Energy storage is critical for both the electricity grid and for transportation.

Carbon Dioxide Marches On

Posted on June 21, 2017 by EarthWise • 0 Comments

The end of 2013 marked the first occasional observations of carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere of 400 parts per million. There is nothing magical about that value, but we do tend to focus on round numbers. Continue Reading

Delivery By Fuel Cell

Posted on June 19, 2017 by EarthWise • 0 Comments

UPS recently announced a demonstration project that will put a prototype electric truck powered by a hydrogen fuel cell through the delivery company’s challenging paces. Fuel cells have been used in some commercial vehicles to power auxiliary systems, but this is the first time that they will be used to propel a vehicle. Continue Reading

Surging Wind Power In The U.S.

Posted on June 16, 2017 by EarthWise • 0 Comments

So far, it has been a big year for the U.S. wind industry, which experienced its fastest first-quarter growth since 2009. In total, about 2,000 megawatts of new capacity was installed, enough to power about 500,000 homes. With this addition, wind now produces 5 1/2% of the country’s electricity. Continue Reading

Making Biofuel Cost Effective

Posted on June 14, 2017 by EarthWise • 0 Comments

Biofuels are considered to be a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. However, they are generally more expensive than competing fossil fuels. Government subsidies, such as we have for ethanol in this country, have been necessary to make biofuels competitive in the marketplace. Continue Reading