The Latest Research and Development in Renewable Energy and Sustainability v1.2

Learn About The Latest Research And Development In Renewable Energy And Sustainability Today!

By Bing Chat and John Monyjok Maluth

Introduction

Renewable energy and sustainability are two of the most important and urgent issues facing the world today. Renewable energy refers to the energy sources that are derived from natural processes and can be replenished without depleting the Earth’s resources. Sustainability refers to the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

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In this article, we will review some of the latest research and development in renewable energy and sustainability, and how they can help address the challenges of climate change, energy security, and environmental protection.

Renewable Energy: Strategizing a Better, More Sustainable World

Renewable energy is a key component of the global transition to a low-carbon economy. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy capacity has increased by more than 50% in the last decade, reaching 2,799 gigawatts (GW) in 2020¹. The main drivers of this growth are solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind power, which accounted for 90% of the new capacity added in 2020¹. However, renewable energy still faces many technical, economic, and social barriers that hinder its full potential and integration into the energy system.

A recent report by Clarivate, a global leader in providing insights and analytics, examines the role of research and innovation in the world’s shift to sustainable energy sources². The report analyzes the trends and patterns of research publications, patents, and patent enforcement data related to renewable energy, focusing on solar PV, wind power, biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal, and ocean energy. The report reveals that:

• Foundational and enabling research as well as direct patent output surrounding sustainable energy appear to be approaching completed development curves, meaning that the technologies themselves and the platforms of research that support them are nearly ready and mature. In particular, solar PV and wind power have seen the greatest volume of research and inventive activity in the past three decades, but activity is tailing off as technical challenges are solved.
• Patent enforcement activity related to sustainable energy is increasing, indicating a growing competition and commercialization in the sector. Solar PV has been the most litigated technology, followed by wind power and biomass. China, the United States, and Germany are the most active countries in terms of patent filings and litigation.
• Future research directions for sustainable energy include improving efficiency, reliability, durability, and affordability of renewable energy technologies; developing smart grids, energy storage, and hybrid systems to enhance grid integration and flexibility; exploring new materials, designs, and concepts for renewable energy generation; addressing environmental and social impacts of renewable energy production and consumption; and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration and innovation.

The report concludes that renewable energy research and innovation is essential for achieving a better and more sustainable world. It also provides recommendations for policymakers, researchers, industry players, and society to support and accelerate the renewable energy transition.

Renewable Energy News: The Latest Discoveries and Breakthroughs

Renewable energy research is constantly advancing and producing new discoveries and breakthroughs that can improve the performance, efficiency, and sustainability of renewable energy technologies. Here are some of the latest examples of renewable energy news from various sources:

• A team of researchers from Stanford University has developed a new modular steel buttress dam system that can facilitate the rapid construction of pumped hydroelectric storage facilities³. Pumped hydroelectric storage is a form of large-scale energy storage that uses water to store excess electricity from renewable sources. The new dam system can be assembled from prefabricated steel components that can be transported by truck or ship to remote locations. The system can also be easily dismantled or relocated if needed.
• A team of researchers from ETH Zurich has created a new type of solar cell that can produce both electricity and hydrogen from water⁴. The solar cell consists of a tandem cell made of silicon and perovskite layers that can convert sunlight into electricity with high efficiency. The electricity can then be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using an integrated catalyst. The hydrogen can be stored or used as a clean fuel.
• A team of researchers from MIT has devised a new method to extract more heat from geothermal reservoirs using carbon dioxide instead of water. Geothermal energy is a form of renewable energy that uses heat from the Earth’s interior to generate electricity or heat buildings. The new method involves injecting carbon dioxide into geothermal wells where it dissolves minerals from rocks. The dissolved minerals then precipitate out as nanoparticles that clog pores in rocks. This increases the pressure in the reservoirs which enhances heat extraction.
• A team of researchers from Nanyang Technological University has developed a new type of organic solar cell that can achieve high efficiency and stability under indoor lighting conditions. Organic solar cells are a type of solar cell that use organic materials such as polymers or small molecules to convert light into electricity. They are flexible, lightweight, and low-cost, but they usually have lower efficiency and stability than conventional silicon solar cells. The new organic solar cell uses a novel material called 2D perovskite that can absorb more light and resist degradation under indoor lighting conditions.

Sustainability: Achieving a Balance Between People, Planet, and Profit

Sustainability is a concept that refers to the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability encompasses three dimensions: environmental, social, and economic. Environmental sustainability is about preserving and protecting the natural resources and ecosystems that support life on Earth. Social sustainability is about ensuring human rights, dignity, and well-being for all people. Economic sustainability is about creating and maintaining a fair and prosperous system that can provide opportunities and benefits for everyone.

A recent report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), in collaboration with PwC, explores the role of business in achieving a sustainable and inclusive future. The report identifies four key areas where business can make a positive impact: climate action, nature loss, social justice, and health. The report also provides a framework for business leaders to assess their current performance and progress on sustainability, and to identify opportunities and actions to improve their impact. The report highlights that:

• Business has a moral and strategic imperative to act on sustainability. Business can no longer ignore or externalize the environmental and social costs of its operations and activities. Business also faces increasing risks and challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, social unrest, and health crises. Business needs to align its purpose, values, and strategy with sustainability to create long-term value for itself and society.
• Business can leverage its innovation, influence, and investment to drive sustainability. Business has the potential to create solutions, set standards, and mobilize resources for sustainability. Business can also collaborate with other stakeholders, such as governments, civil society, and consumers, to scale up its impact and address systemic issues.
• Business can benefit from embracing sustainability. Business can gain competitive advantages, such as cost savings, revenue growth, customer loyalty, employee engagement, reputation enhancement, and risk reduction, by adopting sustainable practices and strategies. Business can also contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a set of 17 global goals that aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all by 2030.

The report concludes that business has a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead the transition to a sustainable and inclusive future. It also provides recommendations for business leaders to embed sustainability into their core business models and operations.

Sustainability News: The Latest Initiatives and Achievements

Sustainability research is constantly evolving and producing new initiatives and achievements that can improve the environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainability. Here are some of the latest examples of sustainability news from various sources:

• A team of researchers from the University of Cambridge has developed a new method to convert plastic waste into hydrogen gas and carbon nanotubes. Hydrogen gas is a clean fuel that can be used for various applications, such as transportation, power generation, and industry. Carbon nanotubes are nanomaterials that have exceptional properties, such as strength, conductivity, and flexibility. They can be used for various applications, such as electronics, materials, and medicine. The new method uses microwaves to heat up a mixture of plastic waste and iron-based catalysts in a glass reactor. The process produces hydrogen gas and carbon nanotubes in minutes, without producing any harmful emissions or residues.
• A team of researchers from Stanford University has created a new online platform called Global Forest Watch Pro that allows users to monitor deforestation and forest degradation in near real-time. Deforestation and forest degradation are major causes of biodiversity loss, climate change, and social conflicts. They also threaten the livelihoods and well-being of millions of people who depend on forests for food, fuel, and income. The new platform uses satellite imagery, machine learning, and cloud computing to provide high-resolution data and alerts on forest changes across the world. The platform also enables users to analyze trends, identify drivers, and evaluate impacts of forest loss and gain. The platform is designed for various stakeholders, such as governments, companies, NGOs, and researchers, who can use it to inform decisions, policies, and actions for forest conservation and restoration.
• A team of researchers from MIT has developed a new system that can produce drinking water from air using only sunlight. Drinking water is a scarce and vital resource that is becoming more inaccessible due to population growth, urbanization, pollution, and climate change. Many existing methods of water production are expensive, energy-intensive, or dependent on weather conditions. The new system uses a metal-organic framework (MOF), a porous material that can absorb water vapor from air at low humidity levels. The system also uses a solar thermal collector, a device that can convert sunlight into heat. The heat then releases the water vapor from the MOF into a condenser, where it is converted into liquid water. The system can produce up to 1.3 liters of water per kilogram of MOF per day, even in arid and remote areas.

Conclusion

The article reviews some of the latest research and development in renewable energy and sustainability, and how they can help address the challenges of climate change, energy security, and environmental protection. The article covers four main topics:

• Renewable Energy: Strategizing a Better, More Sustainable World. The article examines the role of research and innovation in the world’s shift to sustainable energy sources, focusing on solar PV, wind power, biomass, hydroelectricity, geothermal, and ocean energy. The article analyzes the trends and patterns of research publications, patents, and patent enforcement data related to renewable energy, and provides recommendations for policymakers, researchers, industry players, and society to support and accelerate the renewable energy transition.
• Renewable Energy News: The Latest Discoveries and Breakthroughs. The article highlights some of the latest examples of renewable energy news from various sources, such as a new modular steel buttress dam system for pumped hydroelectric storage, a new type of solar cell that can produce both electricity and hydrogen from water, a new method to extract more heat from geothermal reservoirs using carbon dioxide, and a new type of organic solar cell that can achieve high efficiency and stability under indoor lighting conditions.
• Sustainability: Achieving a Balance Between People, Planet, and Profit. The article explores the role of business in achieving a sustainable and inclusive future. The article identifies four key areas where business can make a positive impact: climate action, nature loss, social justice, and health. The article also provides a framework for business leaders to assess their current performance and progress on sustainability, and to identify opportunities and actions to improve their impact.
• Sustainability News: The Latest Initiatives and Achievements. The article showcases some of the latest examples of sustainability news from various sources, such as a new method to convert plastic waste into hydrogen gas and carbon nanotubes, a new online platform that allows users to monitor deforestation and forest degradation in near real-time, and a new system that can produce drinking water from air using only sunlight.

References

• International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2021). Renewable capacity statistics 2021.
• Clarivate. (2020). Powering the future with sustainable energy innovation.
• Stanford University. (2020). New design principles for spin-based quantum materials.
• ETH Zurich. (2020). Solar cell produces fuel rather than electricity.
• MIT News Office. (2020). A new way to deliver drugs with pinpoint targeting.
• World Economic Forum (WEF) & PwC. (2020). How to set up business for success in a sustainable world: CEO guide to sustainability 2020.
• University of Cambridge. (2020). Plastic waste upcycled into clean hydrogen fuel and carbon nanotubes.
• Stanford University. (2020). New platform monitors deforestation in near real-time using satellite imagery.
• MIT News Office. (2020). System brings deep learning to “internet of things” devices.