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#Sustainable Energy

Global News

Riding the Tides of Change: How Japan is Turning Tides into Power!

As kids, we grew up sketching windmills and solar panels in our school notebooks, dreaming of a greener world powered by nature. Back then, the idea of harnessing the ocean’s relentless currents for energy seemed like a distant fantasy. But today, standing at the confluence of technology and sustainability, Japan has turned that dream into reality. The AR1100 tidal turbine, the nation’s first megawatt-scale grid-connected tidal energy system is not just a machine; it’s a symbol of hope riding the Naru Strait’s powerful currents.A Current of Innovation: The AR1100’s ArrivalNestled between the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, the AR1100 tidal turbine is developed by Proteus Marine Renewables. This marvel of engineering generates 1.1 MW of clean electricity, a significant stride towards decarbonizing the Goto Islands’ power grid.The journey began in 2021 with the successful deployment of a 500-kW pilot turbine, boasting an impressive 97% operational availability. Buoyed by this success, Proteus partnered with Kyuden Mirai Energy (KME) in 2022, embarking on a mission to elevate the turbine’s capacity. The result? A modular masterpiece, seamlessly upgraded to its current 1.1 MW rating, equipped with advanced pitch and yaw systems to optimize energy capture and ensure minimal wear.Harnessing the Ocean’s Pulse: How the AR1100 WorksWhat makes the AR1100 truly remarkable isn’t just its power output, it’s the intelligent design that mirrors nature’s rhythm. At its core lies a horizontal-axis rotor with three composite blades, their angles finely tuned in real-time using electromechanical pitch systems. Like a dancer gracefully adjusting to every beat, these blades respond to the ocean’s changing flow, capturing maximum energy while reducing stress on the structure.Mounted on a gravity-based platform, the turbine rotates with the tides, thanks to an innovative electrically actuated yaw mechanism ensuring it always faces the oncoming current. The captured mechanical energy flows through a drivetrain, transforming into electricity via a permanent magnet generator. From there, a subsea cable carries the power to an onshore substation, where it seamlessly integrates into the Goto Islands’ grid.Shaping Japan’s Renewable FutureBeyond the technical brilliance, the AR1100 represents something deeper, a big change in Japan’s renewable energy landscape. As the nation moves away from fossil fuels, predictable tidal energy offers a stable, sustainable alternative. Proteus Marine Renewables has solidified its global leadership, becoming the first to operate megawatt-scale tidal turbines in both Japan and the UK.But this is just the beginning. Proteus is already expanding its tidal innovations to Scotland, France, and the US, contributing to the global shift toward clean energy. The AR1100's deployment in Japan isn’t merely a win for technology but it's a win for every community dreaming of a cleaner tomorrow.In the silent yet powerful embrace of the ocean's currents, the AR1100 whispers a promise, a promise of a sustainable future, of innovation anchored in nature’s rhythm, and of a world where renewable energy flows as freely as the tides.

5 Mar 2025
Global News

The Future Is Weightless: The Battery That Could Cut Laptop or Car Weight in Half!

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden claim to have created the strongest battery in the world, one that might be used to build automobiles.  The world's most advanced development in massless energy storage, or structural batteries, is described in a new study. These batteries have the potential to reduce laptop weight by half, make smartphones as thin as credit cards, and extend the driving range of electric cars by up to 70% on a single charge.The team claims that weight and energy usage are drastically decreased when vehicles, such as computers, ships, airplanes, and cars, are constructed from a material that serves as both a battery and a load-bearing structure.  "We have succeeded in producing a carbon fiber composite battery that is both energy-dense and as rigid as aluminum, allowing it to be employed in commercial applications. The battery serves multiple purposes simultaneously, much like a human skeleton," explains Richa Chaudhary, a researcher from Chalmers University and the lead author of a recent study that was published in ‘Advanced Materials’.  (Source: Google Images) There are strict requirements for vehicle designs to be sturdy enough to meet safety standards. There, the structural battery cell of the study team has greatly enhanced its stiffness, or more precisely, its gigapascal (GPa) elastic modulus, from 25 to 70. This indicates that despite weighing less, the material can support loads just as well as aluminum.Building Powerhouse At It's Best ~ (Source: Google Images)  Professor Leif Asp, the head of research at Chalmers' Department of Industrial and Materials Science, states: " The new battery is actually the best ever built in the world, with twice as good multifunctional qualities as its predecessor. Purchasing lightweight, energy-efficient cars is a given if we want to reduce our energy use and consider the needs of future generations. Based on our calculations, electric automobiles with competitive structural batteries might have a 70 percent longer driving range than they have now.''According to the team, the objective has always been to attain a level of performance that enables the technology to be commercialized. Simultaneously with the ongoing research, the connection to the market has been reinforced by the establishment of the Chalmers Venture firm Sinonus AB, situated in Borås, Sweden.Sustainability At It's Best ~ (Source: Google Images) Nevertheless, a great deal of engineering work needs to be done before the battery cells be manufactured on a wide scale for our technological devices or cars, instead of just in a lab.  "One can imagine that the closest in time are credit card-thin mobile phones or laptops that weigh half as much as they do today," explains Leif Asp. It's also possible that structural batteries power electronics found in automobiles and aircraft.  “It will require large investments to meet the transport industry's challenging energy needs, but this is also where the technology could make the most difference.” 

19 Sep 2024
Global News

Hydrogen Air Taxi Flies 523 Miles, Marking a Major Advancement in Eco-Friendly Travel

A hydrogen-electric air taxi built by Joby Aviation has flown a record 523 miles (about 842km) across California. This flight sets a new milestone as the first long-distance journey of a hydrogen-powered aircraft that can take off and land (VTOL). Record-setting flight ~ Joby Aviation's flight on June 24 flew three times farther than their previous electric vehicles (EVs). The aircraft touched down with 10% of its hydrogen fuel left, hinting at the possibility of longer trips down the road. Joby Aviation pointed to this feat as proof that "hydrogen can make emissions-free regional journeys possible." Water was the only thing the flight produced showing how eco-friendly it was. Shift from battery-electric to hydrogen-electric ~ At first, Joby Aviation created an air taxi powered by batteries. This vehicle has six rotors that work well in cities. The company tested it a lot at their place in Marina California, and above New York City. Then, the engineers changed it to a hydrogen-electric aircraft. To do this, they added a tank that can hold 40kg of liquid hydrogen and a system that uses hydrogen fuel cells. (Source: Google Images)  Aircraft functionality ~  The fuel cells in the aircraft turn hydrogen into heat, electricity, and water when oxygen is present. The electricity gives power to the aircraft's rotors, and the water gets released as waste. To make sure there's extra power for takeoff and landing, the aircraft also has a small number of batteries. Joby Aviation aims to start selling its first battery-electric design in 2025, with plans to bring out the hydrogen-electric air taxi later. Progress in FAA certification process ~ Joby Aviation just hit a big milestone. They're the first company making electric VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft to finish the third of five steps in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification process. This step involved the FAA looking over and giving the thumbs up to Joby's plans for certifying the aircraft's mechanical, structural, and electrical systems. The next step will take a close look at the whole aircraft and all its systems. This flight success and progress in getting FAA certification is a big deal. It shows that Joby Aviation has an impact on pushing forward the development and commercialization of aviation technology that's better for the environment.

30 Jul 2024
Global News

The Whys and Hows

Sand Batteries: The Next Big Wave of Renewable Energy ?

Researchers and engineers are always looking for new and creative ways to store energy to find sustainable energy solutions. One such exciting invention is the sand battery, a system that effectively stores and distributes energy by utilizing the power of plentiful materials. We'll dive into the intriguing realm of sand batteries in this post, looking at their possible uses, workings, and implications for a more environmentally friendly future. The Science Behind Sand Batteries Sand-derived silicon is a crucial component of sand batteries, commonly referred to as silicon-based batteries. Among its many benefits for energy storage applications are silicon's outstanding electrochemical characteristics, low cost, and high abundance. The anode material in a sand battery is silicon, which takes the place of graphite, which is often utilized in lithium-ion batteries. Lithium ions go from the cathode to the anode during charging, where they are retained in the silicon structure. Sand batteries may be more effective and potent than graphite since silicon has a higher energy density due to its capacity to absorb a large number of lithium ions. Finnish researchers have installed the world's first fully working "sand battery" which can store green power for months at a time. The developers say this could solve the problem of year-round supply, a major issue for green energy. Using low-grade sand, the device is charged up with heat made from cheap electricity from solar or wind. 'Sand' and concrete 'silos' with refractory insulation are very inexpensive materials that can lead to low-cost energy storage. (Source: Google Images)   Obstacles and Novelties ~ Although silicon brings unique obstacles, it also holds considerable promise for energy storage. The propensity of silicon to expand and contract during the charging and discharging cycles is a major obstacle that shortens battery lifespan and causes material degradation. Engineers and researchers have been putting a lot of effort into coming up with creative solutions to these problems. Several strategies are being investigated to improve the efficiency and longevity of sand batteries, including nanostructuring silicon particles, adding silicon to composite materials, and investigating sophisticated electrode designs. Applications of Sand Batteries ~  Sand batteries offer a wide range of potential applications across different sectors ~  Could They Be A Real Game Changer?  (Source: Google Images)  Storage of Renewable Energy: Storing energy produced by renewable energy sources like solar and wind power is one of the most exciting uses for sand batteries. By holding excess energy during times of low demand and releasing it when needed, sand batteries could assist overcome the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources. This would increase grid stability and reliability. Sand batteries have the potential to significantly alter the automobile sector, particularly with regard to electric vehicles (EVs). Sand batteries have the potential to boost the adoption of electric vehicles and lessen reliance on fossil fuels by providing a higher energy density and faster charging periods than traditional lithium-ion batteries. Portable Electronics: By enabling more durable and effective gadgets, sand batteries have the potential to completely transform the consumer electronics industry. The increased energy density of sand batteries has the potential to boost performance and prolong battery life in a variety of devices, including laptops and smartphones, thus improving consumer convenience. Off-Grid Power Systems: In isolated or off-the-grid locations with limited access to conventional power sources, sand batteries have the potential to be a dependable energy storage option. Sand batteries provide a viable and affordable substitute for diesel generators and other fossil fuel-based technologies, whether they are being used to power small-scale solar projects or as backup power systems for telecommunications infrastructure. Trusting The Process For a Better Future ~  (Source: Google Images)   The Path to a Sustainable Future ~  A viable path forward for the development of sustainable energy storage technologies is through sand batteries. Through the utilization of plentiful resources such as silicon and sand, these batteries present a sustainable and eco-friendly substitute for traditional energy storage methods. Scalability, cost-effectiveness, and manufacturing scalability are some of the remaining issues with sand batteries that must be resolved as research and development activities move forward. We can hasten the development and implementation of sand batteries by working together with scientists, engineers, politicians, and industry partners, opening the door to a more sustainable, greener, and cleaner future. The feasibility of sand as an energy storage solution is being demonstrated by the testing and application of sand battery technology in several projects throughout the world. It also highlights the technology's potential for scalability and integration with present energy infrastructures. Even with the promise, difficulties still exist. Considerable research and development work is needed before sand battery technology can be developed and implemented on a wide basis. Therefore, to remove obstacles and promote the innovation required for the broad adoption of this potentially revolutionary battery technology, both public and private investments are essential.

7 Jun 2024
The Whys and Hows

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