Could replacing coal-fired electricity plants with generators fueled by natural gas bring global warming to a halt in this century? What about rapid construction of massive numbers of solar or wind farms, hydroelectric dams, or nuclear reactors — or the invention of new technology for capturing the carbon dioxide produced by fossil-fueled power plants and storing it permanently underground? A research team calculated the expected climate effects of replacing the world’s supply of electricity from coal plants with any of eight cleaner options.

Only the lowest carbon dioxide emitting technologies can avoid a hot end-of-century

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A drastic switch to low carbon-emitting technologies, such as wind and hydroelectric power, may not yield a reduction in global warming until the latter part of this century, new research suggests. Furthermore, it states that technologies that offer only modest reductions in greenhouse gases, such as the use of natural gas and perhaps carbon capture and storage, cannot substantially reduce climate risk in the next 100 years.

Low-carbon technologies ‘no quick-fix’: May not lessen global warming until late this century

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A drastic switch to low carbon-emitting technologies, such as wind and hydroelectric power, may not yield a reduction in global warming until the latter part of this century, new research suggests. Furthermore, it states that technologies that offer only modest reductions in greenhouse gases, such as the use of natural gas and perhaps carbon capture and storage, cannot substantially reduce climate risk in the next 100 years.

Low-carbon technologies ‘no quick-fix’

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Researchers in California report that they have significantly enhanced polymer solar cells’ performance by building a device with a new “tandem” structure that combines multiple cells with different absorption bands. The device had a certified power-conversion efficiency of 8.62 percent and set a world record in July 2011. After the researchers incorporated a new infrared-absorbing polymer material into the device, the device’s architecture proved to be widely applicable and the power-conversion efficiency jumped to 10.6 percent — a new record — as certified by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Engineers create tandem polymer solar cells that set record for energy-conversion

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Scientists have found that a new type of battery has the potential to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of solar power.

New battery could lead to cheaper, more efficient solar energy

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An online tool called “Impurities to Efficiency” (known as I2E) allows companies or researchers exploring alternative manufacturing strategies to plug in descriptions of their planned materials and processing steps. After about one minute of simulation, I2E gives an indication of exactly how efficient the resulting solar cell would be in converting sunlight to electricity.

New tool for analyzing solar-cell materials

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Scientists have developed a system that taps into photosynthetic processes to produce efficient and inexpensive energy.

Biosolar breakthrough promises cheap, easy green electricity

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Consistent appraisals of real estate outfitted with photovoltaic installations are a challenge for the nation’s real estate industry, but a new tool addresses that issue.

New tool determines value of solar photovoltaic power systems

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