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.
New renewable energy play launches in Melbourne
The use of solar storage systems is expected to explode in Australia and change the way households use their solar energy as generous tariffs expire. Melbourne businesses, local councils and universities will pool resources to build new renewable energy plants under an innovative push to boost the Read More...
Underground energy storage could solve renewable energy transition
Skeptics of the transition to renewable energies in the U.S. argue that doing so will make for an unstable grid that will cost too much, but Stanford professor Mark Jacobsen and University of California-Berkeley scientist Mark Delucchi think otherwise. The two have proposed a system that combines Read More...
Stanford technology makes metal wires on solar cells nearly invisible to light
A solar cell is basically a semiconductor, which converts sunlight into electricity, sandwiched between metal contacts that carry the electrical current. But this widely used design has a flaw: The shiny metal on top of the cell actually reflects sunlight away from the semiconductor where Read More...
Sunshine state aims to become Australia’s solar state
The state of Queensland appears ready to embark on what could be one of the most radical transformations of its electricity network ever undertaken – even by standards of ambitious mandates in places such as California, Germany and Denmark. The newly elected state Labor government came into Read More...
Allianz to cut investments in companies using coal in favor of renewable energy
Another global banking giant is pulling its funds from coal businesses. Germany’s Allianz SE, one of the world’s largest financial asset managers, announced it will no longer invest in companies if more than 30% of sales come from coal mining or if coal generates more than 30% of electricity. Read More...
Solar power may be cheaper than coal in India by 2020
The price of solar power in India fell at a faster-than-expected rate this year. Now, some experts suggest that by 2020, renewable energy in Asia’s third-largest economy may become up to 10% cheaper than coal power. Currently, in India, solar power prices are within 15% of coal power prices Read More...
Australian Greens unveil 90 per cent renewable energy plan
A $500 million government authority would double Australia's energy efficiency and move the country towards 90 per cent renewable energy by 2030, under a plan to be unveiled by the Greens today. Greens leader Richard Di Natale is set to today announce plans for the new agency, RenewAustralia, which Read More...
Wind from Britain, solar from the Sahara, geothermal from Iceland
The UK’s electricity grid is having to work harder than ever to ensure that there is enough power to go around this winter as old power stations close down or need repairing, with little spare generating capacity to make up any shortfalls. That places a bigger burden on renewables – Read More...
90 EV charging spots coming to Paris for COP21
Supporting clean air, pure water, emissions-free travel, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is installing 90 new charging spots powered by low-carbon electricity. The Renault-Nissan charging spots will refuel 200 Renault-Nissan EVs during the COP21 climate change conference. The Renault-Nissan press Read More...
Moroccan solar plant to bring energy to a million people
A giant plant using energy from the Sun to power a Moroccan city at night will open next month. The solar thermal plant at Ouarzazate will harness the Sun's warmth to melt salt, which will hold its heat to generate energy in the evening. The first phase will generate for three hours after dark; the Read More...