Energy

Stanford researchers have discovered that the cycle life of a lithium metal battery can be improved simply by letting it rest for several hours in the discharged state.

The stakes in California’s clean energy experiment are almost unimaginable, as are the costs, but the state has successfully led the country and the world on energy before.

The four new projects aim for decarbonized cement, large-scale hydrogen storage, a reliable electric grid, and more natural ventilation in buildings.

An international team, led by Rice University, seeks to improve the synthesis of carbon nanotubes for much wider use.

“The goal of the Understand Energy Learning Hub is to demystify energy a little or a lot for, hopefully, millions of people over time,” said Jane Woodward, one of the instructors of the Understand Energy course.

In historic agreement, leading solar developers, environmental organizations, and groups supporting local interests align on solar development strategies that prioritize climate, conservation, and community. 

The state has made an ambitious plan: 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2045. Four experts weigh in on how—and whether it’s possible—to get there.

New research shows adding real-world driving data to battery management software and computer models of battery pack performance can lead to longer-lasting, more reliable batteries.

Stanford research finds low-income communities in California face a “wildfire safety deficit” as a result of longstanding policies about who should pay to move power lines underground.

Switching from hydropower to fossil fuels during droughts has led to higher carbon emissions and cost 11 Western states tens of billions of dollars over the past two decades, Stanford research finds.

About 47 million homes use natural gas or propane-burning cooktops and ovens. Stanford researchers found that cooking with gas stoves can raise indoor levels of the carcinogen benzene above those found in secondhand smoke. (Source: Stanford News)

New research reveals wastewater injected underground by fossil fuel operators caused a magnitude 5.6 earthquake in November 2022 in the Peace River area of Alberta’s oil sands region. This is the first study to link seismicity in the area to human activity. (Source: Stanford News)

Anna-Katharina von Krauland’s research on potential wind farm development in the US and India could help ease the transition to renewable energy. (Source: Stanford King Center on Global Development)

A new tool that pairs satellite imagery with AI has uncovered some of the strongest evidence yet of the extent to which electrification fuels economic growth. (Source: Stanford News)

Tax rebates for installing residential solar power have done little to spur adoption in low-income communities in the United States, while a less common incentive seems to succeed, according to new research using AI and satellite images. (Source: Stanford News)

The secret to long life for rechargeable batteries may lie in an embrace of difference. New modeling of how lithium-ion cells in a pack degrade show a way to tailor charging to each cell’s capacity so EV batteries can handle more charge cycles and stave off failure. (Source: Stanford News)

A scholar looks at how wind affects the sustainability and resiliency of buildings and cities, and how we can improve ventilation in homes and other structures. (Source: Stanford Engineering)

The move to electric vehicles will result in large costs for generating, transmitting, and storing more power. Shifting current EV charging from home to work and night to day could cut costs and help the grid, according to a new Stanford study. (Source: Stanford News)

The model could help policymakers redesign cities for a lower-carbon world. (Source: Stanford HAI)