Science
From mathematics and AI to medicine and psychology, The Optimist Daily features the latest news on discoveries, technological advances, and breakthroughs in the world of science. Our Science section is here to engage and enlighten you.
China may lead the electric car revolution
The car industry is in a delirious moment of change. Industry experts say more changes will happen in the next five years than have happened in the last fifty. As self-driving technology and ride-hailing companies circle, change is not only part of the pursuit of profit, but a matter of survival. Read More...
Could wireless orbital solar panels power future generations?
The only issue with solar power is that it's not available all day long. So what if we sent orbital solar panels up to space to collect the limitless sunlight? The idea sounds wildly futuristic but space agencies around the world are searching for ways to do it. See here how scientists are trying Read More...
Carbon tax proposal gains steam in Vermont
Could Vermont spark a carbon tax trend? State legislators say a recent flurry of carbon tax proposals are more “conversation starters” than a drive to change policy, but policy shifts have to start somewhere. This year’s legislative session included a motion to launch a study to assess the Read More...
Energy companies across Europe are waving goodbye to coal
Good news: The future of coal looks grim. From Austria to the UK, huge companies like Drax Group Plc and Uniper SE are closing or converting coal-burning generators at a record pace. Even the biggest coal-fired plant in Europe was switched off within the last few weeks after belching steam and Read More...
Utility offers British solar panels with battery storage to cut energy bills
German utility company E.ON has launched a combined solar panel and battery storage product for British customers which could cut their electricity bills in half. E.ON said customers with south facing gardens, using solar panels on a shade free roof combined with the battery storage units could Read More...
Renewable energy in Germany sets records in March
Renewable energy made up just over 41% of Germany’s power supply last month, the most ever at around 19.5 TWh. It’s a good thing, too, because nuclear power production may have fallen to its lowest monthly level since the 1970s – even though no nuclear plant has been switched off since 2015. Read More...
Apple's been given the green light to start testing self-driving cars in California
Apple has secured a permit to test autonomous vehicles in California, fuelling speculation that it is working on self-driving car technology in a crowded arena of companies hoping to offer those cars to the masses. The permit allows it to conduct test drives in three vehicles with six drivers, the Read More...
World's first battery-gas hybrid power plants launch in Southern California
Ordinary gas-turbine energy plants that run only when needed can take up to 12 hours to ramp up while spewing emissions that cause lung-damaging smog and greenhouse gases that exacerbate global climate change. Teaming up with General Electric, utilities company Southern California Edison has found Read More...
Microgrids: Energy independence (and money saved) for companies
At the end of a heavily wooded, sparse industrial park here sits the North American headquarters and R&D center for Schneider Electric, which earlier this month unveiled its own campus power microgrid. The microgrid for the global energy management conglomerate is expected to produce 520,000 Read More...
Offshore wind energy is now competitive without government subsidies
The Danish wind energy giant Dong has won the rights to build two new wind farms in the German North Sea without any government subsidies. The move represents a major milestone for the offshore wind industry, which has relied on support from European governments. The zero subsidy bid is a Read More...