Today’s Solutions: May 17, 2024

Energy

Transitioning to a world powered by renewable energy is key to tackling climate change. Here you can find the latest good news related to our clean energy transition, covering wind, solar, green hydrogen, hydropower, and more.

Black 3d car on road, highway. Daylight. Very fast driving. 3d rendering.

Detroit’s two new EV-charging roads will let drivers power up on the go

Last year, The Optimist Daily wrote an article about how the state government in Indiana was testing roads that could charge EV vehicles while they were being driven. Now, it seems this technology is leaping forward in Detroit. Inductive charging technology is being connected to two short Read More...

Solar panels on the parking lot near a supermarket on a sunny day in Avignon, Provence, France. Electricity and shade for cars at the same time.

France mandates that all large parking lots be outfitted with solar panels

Last week, the French Senate passed legislation mandating the installation of solar panels on all new and current parking lots with room for at least 80 vehicles— an enormous boost for solar power. Doubling solar and wind energy The new provisions are part of French President Emmanuel Macron's Read More...

Wind Turbines Windmill Energy Farm

Could wind turbines capture CO2 while generating clean energy?

Wind turbines have long been one of the primary sources of clean energy. While they have not been without controversy over the years, they are widely acknowledged as a planet- and people-friendly answer to climate change when compared to other green energy sources. Soon, they may be able to Read More...

Solar panels installed on the roof in South Australia

Australian study reveals a low-cost strategy for recycling solar panels

A new study has proposed a low-cost method of recycling solar panels to help handle the growing volume of retired photovoltaic (PV) cells expected by the end of the decade. A team from the University of New South Wales published a paper last week outlining a process for collecting and extracting Read More...

Wind farm, Wind turbines and curvy road on the hill, Green ecological power energy generation.

For the first time ever, Greece meets energy demands with 100% renewables

The other week, Greece celebrated an exciting milestone! All of the country’s electricity needs were met by renewable energy for the first time, as stated by the country's independent power transmission operator IPTO. Greece’s transition to renewable energy Renewables accounted for 100 Read More...

cheery positive carefree guys ladies having fun dancing in club

Update: Legendary Glasgow club activates its revolutionary BODYHEAT system

Last year, we wrote about the legendary Glasgow club SWG3’s innovative plan to generate energy using dancers’ body heat to heat and cool the club. Well, we have an exciting update for you! According to Energy Live News, the renowned venue SWG3 officially activated the revolutionary system, Read More...

Aerial photo above solar panels

This crop actually benefits from being shaded by solar panels

Solar panels often take up a lot of real estate that is also optimal for growing crops (flat land with access to lots of sunlight). Instead of having panels compete with plants, there is a growing field called agrivoltaics that studies how solar power and agriculture can exist together and even Read More...

Abstract Battery Charging Icon form lines and triangles, point connecting network on blue background.

MIT researchers develop cost-effective battery made of common materials

The environmental benefits of using electricity rather than fossil fuels to power our world goes without saying— however, the process of electrifying everything has its obstacles. One of the greatest obstacles is the limited resources of lithium, nickel, and cobalt which are all used to create Read More...

Man holds a fuel dispenser with hydrogen logo on gas station. h2 combustion engine for emission free eco friendly transport.

Are hydrogen fuel cell cars a better choice than plug-in EVs?

There is no doubt that The Optimist Daily is excited about the increasing number of electric vehicles on the roads. In the US, infrastructure for plug-in EVs has been fleshed out in many regions, easing drivers’ range anxiety.  With new tax credits in the Inflation Reduction Act, we can expect Read More...

Chicago Skyscrapers Skyline View from Lincoln Park with Sunlight

Chicago pledges to run all city operations with clean energy

As countries large and small struggle with the undeniable impacts of climate change, more and more cities are taking a lead in mapping out strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One particularly fruitful avenue to follow involves stamping out the excessive burning of fossil fuels. Well, the Read More...