Renewable energy
Renewable energy is at the heart current political, economic and environmental deabate. Renewable resources such as sunlight, wind and tides do not depend on finite resources such as coal and oil. The negative environmental impact is of renewable energy is far less than that from harmful fossil fuels. Renewable energy is energy collected from renewable sources, it offers economic benefits and climate change mitigation as well as being a safer alternative to nuclear power. Iceland and Norway generate all their electricity from renewable energy.
Best home wind turbines to reduce your energy bills
With gas and electricity prices soaring, there’s never been a better time to start generating your own energy at home. We’ve all heard of solar panels, but did you know you can also use domestic wind turbines to reduce your monthly bills? Here are the best home wind turbines you can buy.
Dyson spheres: How humans (and aliens) could capture a star’s energy
What is a Dyson sphere? How would a Dyson sphere work? Could they be responsible for strange signals from space?
What’s the difference between wave energy and tidal energy?
Scientists and engineers are developing ways to capture these renewable resources.
How does a ground source heat pump work?
This renewable heating system requires very little maintenance.
Reality Check | Why can't renewables keep UK energy prices down?
Huge increases in gas prices have sent UK energy bills skyrocketing. Renewable energy has been unable to help but there are other solutions.
How many birds are killed by wind turbines?
The use of wind turbines to generate electricity is a popular, sustainable and renewable energy source. But what effect does it have on the bird population?
How does geothermal energy produce electricity?
Geothermal energy is obtained by pumping out hot water or water through hot rocks and back to the surface.
Why the promise of nuclear fusion is no longer a pipe dream
Fusion – combining atomic nuclei to release energy – is a clean and safe way to power our homes and industry. This ‘holy grail’ of energy has eluded physicists for decades, but there are signs that a bright future could be on the horizon.
Why hasn’t tidal power taken off yet?
Tidal power has good potential as a renewable energy source but there are currently a few barriers to its growth.
Dangerous and dirty: 7 myths about hydrogen power debunked
Hydrogen power is a large part of net-zero energy plans – but is it really cleaner than fossil fuels? And will it ever be economically viable?
In pictures: Inside the race for nuclear fusion power
Take a look inside the fusion reactors around the world that are bringing us closer to achieving the dream.
Reality Check | Will the government’s Hydrogen Strategy help us get to net-zero carbon?
What will the hydrogen be used for, where will it come from, and is it really cleaner than natural gas?
How does solar energy actually work?
Bask in our simple explanation to how humans turn the Sun’s rays into power.
UK's first hydrogen train to make its debut
Transport unions have called for the mass manufacture of the eco-friendly trains to be carried out in Britain following tests on mainline tracks.
Feel-good Friday: three positive news from the world of science and tech - 1 May 2020
In this week's good news, hangover cures, coal-free energy and beetles that help with hay fever.
Biggest fall in carbon emissions from energy generation since 1990
Global coal use dropped 3 per cent in 2019, a study has found, but it will need to drop 11 per cent per year to meet global warming targets.
The Orkney Islands | The energy revolution starts here
The remote islands of Orkney have become renewable energy pioneers. What can the rest of the world learn from their success?
Australian researchers develop 'British-weatherproof' solar cells
A team from the University of Queensland claim their technology is cheaper, more energy efficient and more flexible than traditional solar panels.
Transparent solar cells could replace office windows
It’s possible to punch tiny holes in photovoltaic cells to make them see-through.
Marine cultivation technology opening the door to the rich sources of clean energy in our oceans
New technology plans to tackle the future energy crisis by capturing sunlight and turning it to bioenergy.
Renewables overtake fossil fuels for UK energy output
July, August and September were the first quarter in which renewables outpaced fossil fuels since the 19th Century, Carbon Brief said.
UK carbon emissions cuts are slowing down
The UK continues to be a global leader but greenhouse gases fell by just 2.5% last year, down from 3% the previous year, the regulator said.
Europe has enough untapped windfarm capacity to meet global energy needs
The installation of more than 10 million additional wind turbines could help power the planet for the next three decades.
Caffeine can pep up the performance of solar cells
It's not just humans that work better with caffeine - solar cells do, too.