Alternative and sustainable energy
Surging temperatures are good for solar panels, right? The answer is: It’s complicated
This image, from May 2022, shows solar panels in Worcestershire, England. The recent hot weather in the U.K. has led to a discussion about the optimum conditions for solar power. Mike Kemp | In Pictures | Getty Images Last week saw temperatures in the U.K. surge, with highs of over 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees […]
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Volkswagen-backed Northvolt to develop wood-based batteries for EVs
This image from 2007 shows logs and wood chips outside a Stora Enso paper mill in Finland. The firm says it’s “one of the largest private forest owners in the world.” Suzanne Plunkett | Bloomberg | Getty Images Northvolt will partner with Stora Enso to develop batteries that incorporate components produced using wood sourced from […]
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A pilot project in the North Sea will develop floating solar panels that glide over waves ‘like a carpet’
Floating solar panels in the Netherlands. A number of major energy firms are looking into the potential of combining floating solar with other energy sources. Mischa Keijser | Image Source | Getty Images German energy firm RWE is to invest in a pilot project centered around the deployment of floating solar technology in the North […]
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Toyota plans to roll out hydrogen fuel-cell trucks for the Japanese market next year
A Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicle photographed in Berlin, Germany, in August 2021. The Japanese automotive giant started working on the development of fuel-cell vehicles back in 1992. Krisztian Bocsi | Bloomberg | Getty Images Automotive giant Toyota, along with three other partners, will work on the development of light-duty fuel cell electric trucks […]
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Rolls-Royce and easyJet to test hydrogen combustion engine tech for airplanes
easyJet aircraft photographed at Southend Airport in July 2020. There is excitement in some quarters about hydrogen planes and their potential. John Keeble | Getty Images News | Getty Images Aerospace giant Rolls-Royce said Tuesday it was pairing up with airline easyJet to develop and test hydrogen combustion engine technology for aircraft. In a statement, […]
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Nuclear power plant lowers output to protect fish as Europe grapples with heatwave
Switzerland’s Beznau nuclear power plant photographed in July 2019. The facility uses the river Aare for cooling. Fabrice Coffrini | AFP | Getty Images A nuclear power plant in Switzerland is lowering its output in order to prevent the river that cools it from hitting temperature levels dangerous to marine life, in the latest example […]
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UK plans $95 million hydrogen gigafactory to produce components for vehicles
A sign for a hydrogen fuel pump at a train refueling station in Germany. Hydrogen has a diverse range of applications and can be used in a number of industries. Krisztian Bocsi | Bloomberg | Getty Images A U.K.-headquartered firm said Monday it was building an £80 million ($95.9 million) “gigafactory” specializing in the manufacture […]
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Solar stocks sink as Senator Manchin says he won’t support climate bill
Sunrun installer putting up solar electric panels on a residential rooftop in California. Source: Sunrun Solar stocks tumbled Friday after Sen. Joe Manchin said he will not support increased spending to address climate change, according to NBC News, citing a Democrat briefed on the conversations. The Invesco Solar ETF, which tracks the industry, was down […]
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UK issues ‘Red Extreme’ heat warning as parts of country brace for temperature surge
An office worker carries a large fan in central London on July 12, 2022. On Friday, the Met Office issued a Red Extreme heat warning for parts of the country. Yui Mok | PA Images | Getty Images The U.K. on Friday issued a “Red Extreme” heat warning, with authorities saying temperatures could potentially hit […]
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How two college friends launched a company that has helped save 32 terawatt hours of energy and more than $3 billion in energy bills
The founders of Opower, Daniel Yates and Alex Laskey. Brooks Kraft | Corbis News | Getty Images In this weekly series, CNBC takes a look at companies that made the inaugural Disruptor 50 list, 10 years later. Before Alex Laskey launched an energy efficiency company in 2007, he was primarily working on political campaigns, “almost […]
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