Tag

Electricity Generation

All articles tagged with #electricity generation

science24 days ago

Scientists develop device harnessing Earth's rotation for electricity

Scientists in the US have developed a device that can generate tiny amounts of electricity by harnessing Earth's rotation and magnetic field, suggesting a potential, though currently impractical, new energy source if scaled up. The experiment involved a specially shaped ferrite shell that avoids the usual cancellation of voltage caused by electromagnetic forces, producing measurable microvolts as Earth spins. While promising, the technology is in early stages, and further independent testing is needed to verify and explore its scalability.

science6 months ago

Scientists Confirm Earth's Rotation Can Generate Electricity

American scientists at Princeton have experimentally confirmed a 200-year-old hypothesis that Earth's rotation and magnetic field can generate a tiny electric current, reviving a concept first proposed by Faraday, though practical applications remain distant due to the minuscule voltage produced and significant technical challenges.

energy-and-environment1 year ago

"Real-Time Grid Impacts of Total Solar Eclipse Revealed by NREL"

The U.S. Department of Energy, NREL, and NERC are evaluating the grid impacts of the upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, which will affect solar power plants across all 50 U.S. states. A livestream will show the real-time impact on the power grid, as solar generation is expected to decrease significantly during the eclipse. With solar energy playing a larger role in electricity generation, it's crucial for system operators to understand how to manage energy needs during celestial or weather-induced reductions in solar irradiance. The study will provide valuable insights for grid operators across the country as they prepare for extreme weather events, and post-event analysis will be conducted to assess the performance of power systems during the eclipse.

science-and-technology1 year ago

"Reviving the 'Drinking Bird' for Clean Energy-Powered Gadgets"

Scientists in Hong Kong and China have developed a clean-energy generator inspired by the classic "drinking bird" toy, using the power of water evaporation to generate electricity. By converting the toy's back-and-forth movement into electrical power, the team has achieved an output of 100 volts using just 100 milliliters of water, enough to power small electronic devices. This method presents a substantial renewable energy opportunity by harnessing the natural process of evaporation, and the team's next goal is to design a more efficient version of the drinking bird to further harness the power of evaporation.

energy2 years ago

ERCOT Scraps Winter Power Reserve Program Amid Uncertain Conditions

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has canceled a program to boost power reserves for the upcoming winter after no energy companies volunteered to reactivate their shuttered plants. ERCOT had sought additional electricity generation to power about 600,000 homes, but only received offers for enough power to cover 2,200 homes. The cancellation comes as ERCOT forecasted a near 20% chance of emergency conditions this winter.

energy2 years ago

ERCOT Scraps Winter Capacity Program, Raises Concerns for Texas Power Grid

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has canceled its winter capacity program after no energy companies volunteered to activate their shuttered power plants. ERCOT had sought additional electricity generation to bolster power reserves for the upcoming winter, but only received offers for enough power to supply 2,200 homes. The program faced criticism from some generation companies and regulators, who saw it as government interference and expressed concerns about the lack of a firm cost cap. Despite canceling the program, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas believes the risk of power cuts is low due to improved weatherization standards and increased communication between industry stakeholders. The focus now is on designing a demand response program to attract utilities and private power providers, potentially involving residential and small business participation.

energy-transition2 years ago

Michigan's Clean Energy Bill: A Game-Changer for Renewable Energy

Michigan is set to become the third state in the Midwest and twelfth in the country to require a shift to clean electricity. Michigan's target year for reaching 100 percent clean electricity is 2040, making it one of the most ambitious states in terms of clean energy goals. The state currently relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity generation, but aims to transition to renewables and nuclear power. While Michigan faces a significant challenge due to its starting point, it has the potential to make a substantial shift towards clean energy.

energy2 years ago

Germany Set to Surpass 50% Renewable Power Milestone in 2023

Renewable energy sources are projected to generate over 50% of Germany's electricity in 2023, according to Economy Minister Robert Habeck. However, Habeck warned that Germany needs to accelerate the deployment of green energy to meet its climate targets for 2030 and beyond. In the first half of 2023, renewables accounted for around 52% of Germany's gross electricity consumption, a 3% increase compared to the same period last year. Germany aims to have renewables account for 80% of its electricity generation by 2030, but the current pace of installations is insufficient to achieve this goal. The country recently phased out nuclear energy, leading to a rise in coal-powered generation.

energy2 years ago

TVA Approves 4.5% Rate Increase and $15B Investment for Bellefonte Development

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has approved a 4.5 percent rate increase, its first in four years, which will go into effect on October 1. The rate increase will impact the electricity bills of TVA customers, who purchase power through local distributors. Additionally, TVA has moved the Bellefonte nuclear plant site off its surplus property list, indicating potential future consideration for generation or storage purposes. The utility plans to invest $15 billion in building additional electricity-generating capacity and upgrading its system to meet rising electricity demand. TVA CEO Jeff Lyash acknowledged the impact of the rate increase on customers and emphasized the funds would be used to improve system reliability and support economic growth in the region.

energy2 years ago

Historic Milestone: First U.S. Nuclear Reactor in Decades Begins Commercial Operation

The first new American nuclear reactor built from scratch in decades, Unit 3 at Plant Vogtle in Georgia, has entered commercial operation, providing electricity to utilities in Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. With a capacity to power 500,000 homes and businesses, the reactor marks a significant step towards achieving a clean energy future. A fourth reactor at the site is nearing completion, with radioactive fuel expected to be loaded before the end of September. The project, originally estimated to cost $14 billion, is now on track to cost $31 billion, excluding the $3.7 billion paid by Westinghouse to walk away from the project.

energy2 years ago

China Sets Record with Massive Offshore Wind Turbine in Taiwan Strait

China has installed the world's largest and most powerful offshore wind turbine in the Taiwan Strait. Standing at 499 feet tall with 404-foot blades, the 16-megawatt turbine is expected to generate enough electricity to power 36,000 households annually. This surpasses the capacity of American and European wind turbines currently in use. While China may be using these turbines to assert its territorial claims, the area's strong winds make it an ideal location for wind power generation. However, GE is developing an 18-megawatt turbine that could potentially surpass China's record-breaking turbine.

energy2 years ago

"Revolutionizing the US Grid: A Game-Changing Leap in Efficiency"

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has passed a new rule aimed at streamlining the grid interconnection process in the country. Currently, there is a backlog of over 2,000 gigawatts of new power generation and storage waiting to be connected to the grid. Projects have faced long wait times of up to five years, but the new rule is expected to shorten this wait and provide greater timing and cost certainty to interconnection customers. The rule includes measures such as first-ready-first-served cluster studies, firm deadlines, penalties for delays, and updates to modeling and performance requirements. The move is seen as a significant step towards improving the efficiency and reliability of the US transmission grid.

energy2 years ago

Wildfires and Smoke Lead to Major Drop in Solar Power Generation in North America

Smoke from Canada’s wildfires has caused solar power generation in the northeast United States to drop by more than 50%, according to ISO New England. Solar power accounts for around 3% of electricity generation in New England, with natural gas and nuclear the biggest sources. The smoke has also lowered actual temperatures in New England, leading to lower demand on the regional grid. The plunge in solar power generation combined with the lower temperatures as a result of the smoke makes forecasting demand for the grid challenging, according to ISO New England.

science-and-technology2 years ago

Revolutionary Device Generates Electricity from Humidity and Waste Heat

Scientists at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst have developed a tiny device that generates electricity from the air's humidity. The device involves two electrodes and a thin layer of material with tiny holes less than 100 nanometers in diameter. As water molecules pass through the device, they create an electric charge imbalance between the layered chambers, making the device run like a battery. The device can be made from nearly any substance, such as wood or silicon, as long as it can be punctured with the ultra-small holes. While the device currently only generates a fraction of a volt, the researchers hope it can become a practical, sustainable source of power.