Tag: Clean Technology

November 2022
In November 2022, several breakthroughs in green energy were reported. New solar panel technologies, such as perovskite solar cells, were introduced, which perform better in low light conditions. This innovation is particularly useful in cloudy climates like those in Northern Europe. You can read more about these developments here:
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/australian-building-solar-facade.

Additionally, a home battery was launched to help store energy generated from solar panels, making homes less dependent on the grid. More on this battery innovation can be found here:
https://solarmagazine.nl/nieuws-zonne-energie/i27816/nederlands-charged-start-met-productie-van-nieuwe-thuisbatterij-voor-zonnepanelen.

December 2022
In December, a breakthrough in hydrogen production allowed the creation of hydrogen at room temperature, which is a significant step toward more affordable and sustainable hydrogen solutions. Learn more about this discovery here:
https://www.sciencealert.com/clean-fuel-breakthrough-turns-water-into-hydrogen-at-room-temperature.

Additionally, new wind turbine designs that are quieter and more efficient were introduced, making wind energy more acceptable in residential areas. For details, visit:
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/offshore-wind-turbine-prototype-breaks-record.

January 2023
In January 2023, Germany introduced a rebate program for residential heat pumps, aimed at encouraging households to adopt this green energy technology. This program is part of Germany’s broader efforts to decarbonize heating systems in residential buildings. Learn more about this initiative here:
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/01/05/germany-launches-rebate-program-for-residential-heat-pumps/.

Also, new advances in electric vehicles, such as SUV battery systems designed for safety and climate benefits, were highlighted this month. Read about these developments at:
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/01/electric-vehicles-suv-battery-climate-safety/672576/.

February 2023
In February 2023, researchers reported significant progress in solid-state lithium-air batteries, which promise high energy density and could revolutionize electric vehicle technology. More about this breakthrough can be found here:
https://cleantechnica.com/2023/02/06/researchers-report-progress-on-a-solid-state-lithium-air-battery-with-high-energy-density/.

Additionally, a new perovskite solar cell reached an efficiency rate of 24.1%, pushing the boundaries of solar technology. Read more here:
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/02/02/inverted-perovskite-solar-cell-with-24-1-efficiency/.

March 2023
March saw the introduction of new initiatives to restore seagrass fields in the Wadden Sea by Rijkswaterstaat. This effort plays a crucial role in preserving marine biodiversity while contributing to carbon capture. You can explore more about this project here:
https://nieuws.nl/algemeen/20230321/rijkswaterstaat-legt-vier-nieuwe-zeegrasvelden-aan-in-waddenzee/.

In the same month, Tesla provided updates on its 4680 battery cell technology, which promises to enhance electric vehicle performance. Details are available at:
https://electrek.co/2023/04/21/tesla-update-4680-battery-cell/.

April 2023
In April 2023, a company built a facility that uses the lifting and lowering of bricks to store energy, an innovative solution for large-scale energy storage. More details can be found here:
https://futurism.com/the-byte/company-builds-facility-lifts-lowers-bricks-store-energy.

Additionally, researchers developed a new fuel cell membrane with unmatched conductivity, advancing the technology’s potential for wider adoption. Read about this discovery at:
https://scitechdaily.com/scientists-develop-next-gen-fuel-cell-membrane-with-unmatched-conductivity/.

May 2023
May brought innovations in solar technology, with a five-junction III-V solar cell achieving an efficiency of 35.1%. This marks a significant milestone in improving solar energy conversion. You can read about it here:
https://www.pv-magazine.com/2023/05/24/five-junction-iii-v-solar-cell-with-35-1-efficiency/.

Moreover, Sila’s next-generation lithium-ion batteries were introduced, offering enhanced performance for electric vehicles. Learn more at:
https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/sila-lithium-ion-battery-evs-sila/.

June 2023
In June 2023, Siemens Energy faced issues with its wind turbines, shedding light on some of the challenges faced by renewable energy manufacturers. More on this can be found here:
https://businessam.be/problemen-windturbines-siemens-energy/.

In the same month, an article on how to keep using solar panels during power outages gained attention. Read the details at:
https://www.change.inc/energie/zo-kun-je-je-zonnepanelen-blijven-gebruiken-bij-stroomuitval-40095.

July 2023
Researchers answered a long-debated question in July 2023: Does a battery’s mass change when charged or discharged? The findings on this intriguing topic can be explored here:
https://physics.stackexchange.com/questions/34421/does-the-mass-of-a-battery-change-when-charged-discharged.

Additionally, floating solar technology made strides, with new projects developed near the equator. Check out more about this at:
https://electrek.co/2023/08/10/floating-solar-equator/.

August 2023
August 2023 featured a groundbreaking discovery in bat conservation, where researchers discovered how solar panels can affect bat populations. This important ecological finding is documented here:
https://scientias.nl/wetenschappers-luisteren-boven-veld-vol-zonnepanelen-naar-het-geluid-van-vleermuizen-en-dat-levert-een-verontrustende-ontdekking-op/.

September 2023
September 2023 saw further advancements in energy storage, with MIT researchers developing a supermaterial capable of storing vast amounts of energy in cement. This innovation could revolutionize the construction and energy industries. More information can be found here:
https://wibnet.nl/techniek/nieuw-supermateriaal-mit-onderzoekers-willen-bergen-energie-opslaan-in-cement.

October 2023
In October 2023, researchers made a significant breakthrough in eco-friendly hydrogen production, achieving a remarkable 4,000% efficiency boost. This could transform hydrogen into a key component in the global renewable energy mix. For more details, check:
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/4000-boost-eco-friendly-hydrogen-on-the-horizon.

Additionally, new high-energy density capacitors were developed, which could revolutionize energy storage and help reduce the dependency on large batteries. Read more here:
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/researchers-team-develops-new-revolutionary-high-energy-density-capacitors.

November 2023
In November, further advancements were made in wind turbine technology. Innovations in the structural design helped reduce the environmental impact of underground vibrations caused by large turbines, enhancing the sustainability of wind energy projects. Learn more at:
https://www.sallandcentraal.nl/2024/05/ondergrondse-trillingen-windturbines-tot-5-kilometer-afstand-te-voelen.

December 2023
December brought new developments in energy efficiency for solar panels. A simple yet innovative modification increased solar panel output significantly, providing a promising solution to boost clean energy generation. Read more here:
https://www.bright.nl/nieuws/1198591/met-deze-simpele-aanpassing-krijgen-zonnepanelen-een-boost.html.

January 2024
In January 2024, the Netherlands subsidized seven major projects for hydrogen electrolysis, adding 101 MW to its energy capacity. This move represents a bold step toward increasing green hydrogen production in Europe. For details, visit:
https://tweakers.net/nieuws/221374/nederland-subsidieert-zeven-projecten-voor-waterstofelektrolyse-goed-voor-101mw.html.

February 2024
In February 2024, a Dutch startup secured €15 million to develop the first solid-state battery factory, which could significantly improve the energy density and safety of electric vehicle batteries. For more information, check:
https://thenextweb.com/news/dutch-startup-wins-e15m-to-develop-first-solid-state-battery-factory.

March 2024
March 2024 saw the rise of new advancements in solid-state batteries, with researchers developing materials that make batteries more stable and efficient, withstanding extreme temperatures. More about these breakthroughs can be found here:
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/solid-state-battery-goliath-p1.

Additionally, Tesla announced updates to its supercharging network, allowing for faster and more reliable charging of electric vehicles. Check out the details here:
https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/tesla-supercharging-updates.

April 2024
In April 2024, NASA unveiled new electric propulsion technology that could transform future space missions. This propulsion system is designed to be highly energy-efficient, and it could be a game-changer for long-distance space travel. Read more about this development here:
https://scitechdaily.com/nasa-unveils-game-changing-electric-propulsion-technology.

Also, Dutch farmers began adopting solar panels that can withstand adverse weather conditions, offering a boost to green energy in agriculture. Explore this further here:
https://www.bright.nl/nieuws/solar-panels-in-agriculture-april-2024.

May 2024
May brought exciting news in energy storage, with a new sodium-ion battery that could charge electric vehicles in mere seconds. This innovation promises to revolutionize the electric vehicle industry. Learn more about it here:
https://cleantechnica.com/2024/05/03/new-sodium-ion-battery.

Moreover, there were breakthroughs in hydrogen production, as scientists developed more cost-effective methods for large-scale production. Read the full story here:
https://www.sciencealert.com/new-hydrogen-production-techniques.

June 2024
In June 2024, organic solar panels reached an efficiency comparable to traditional solar panels, offering an environmentally-friendly alternative with lower production costs. This could have significant implications for the global solar market. More information can be found here:
https://www.bright.nl/nieuws/organic-solar-panel-efficiency.

A new wind energy solution also emerged, with the introduction of wind fences that generate free electricity. This innovative design can be integrated into residential areas, further promoting clean energy. Details here:
https://www.ecoticias.com/en/wind-fence-energy.

July 2024
In July 2024, Chinese researchers announced the development of an affordable solid-state battery that could outperform traditional batteries in electric vehicles, providing a longer range at a lower cost. Check out the details here:
https://www.bright.nl/nieuws/solid-state-battery-affordable.

Additionally, photovoltaic flowers that generate up to 6200 kWh of energy annually were introduced as a garden-friendly alternative to traditional solar panels. Learn more about this innovation here:
https://www.ecoticias.com/en/photovoltaic-flower-energy.

August 2024
In August 2024, a solar-powered system was introduced that can extract clean drinking water from air. This innovative technology could be a game-changer for areas with limited access to water. Learn more about this breakthrough here:
https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/solar-powered-system-makes-drinking-water-from-air.

China also announced a breakthrough in green photovoltaic cell technology, significantly increasing efficiency. This could revolutionize solar energy production globally. Read more at:
https://www.ecoticias.com/en/china-solar-panels-green-photovoltaic-cell.

September 2024
In September 2024, researchers introduced graphene foils for electric vehicle batteries. These foils can bend up to 100,000 times without losing efficiency, offering safer and more durable battery options for electric vehicles. Learn more here:
https://interestingengineering.com/energy/ev-battery-safety-boosted-with-game-changing-graphene-foils-that-bend-100000x.

Additionally, scientists discovered naturally occurring “white hydrogen” in rock formations, which could be an important, untapped source of clean energy. Read more here:
https://www.ecoticias.com/en/america-white-hydrogen-from-rocks.

October 2024
In October, a significant breakthrough in carbon capture technology was made, reducing the costs of capturing carbon emissions. This innovation could help industries meet their sustainability goals more efficiently. Learn more here:
https://cleantechnica.com/2024/10/05/new-carbon-capture-technology-promises-affordable-solution.

There were also advancements in water-based battery technologies, which promise to make energy storage systems safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly. Read about it here:
https://www.bright.nl/nieuws/1223121/water-based-batteries-a-game-changer.