Alternative energy

Where the wind blowsHow far can wind power go toward reducing global carbon emissions from electricity production?

What can make a dent?Given the enormous scale of worldwide energy use, there are limited options for achieving significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

Everybody’s a winnerAutomatic window-shading invention tops a strong field of entries in materials competition.

Report: Natural gas can play major role in greenhouse gas reductionThe cleanest of fossil fuels, it is far more abundant than previously thought and can have significant impact at little cost, MIT study finds.

New battery design could give electric vehicles a joltSignificant advance in battery architecture could be breakthrough for electric vehicles and grid storage.

Teaching algae to make fuelNew process could lead to production of hydrogen using bioengineered microorganisms.

Institute teams dominate Clean Energy PrizeInstitute ideas win $200K top prize and all five finalist prizes, with variety of energy solutions.

MIT team wins Berkeley-Stanford Green Entrepreneurship CompetitionTwo MIT Leaders for Global Operations students and their MIT colleagues take home prize after pitching U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu.

Solar power, with a side of hot running waterNew system for flat-panel solar power could be combined with hot water systems for greater performance.

In the World: Turning old oil into new mileageBrazilian waste pickers gain an inexpensive way to fuel their vehicles using leftover cooking oil.

Zipcar plugs in at MITHybrid plug-in now available as part of car-sharing service at MIT's Albany Street garage.

Thin films show surprising reactivityMIT findings of high oxygen activity in thin-film materials might someday lead to greatly increased power production from future fuel cells

Enhancing the power of batteriesMIT team finds that using carbon nanotubes in a lithium battery can dramatically improve its energy capacity.

Energy answer: Blowing in the wind?MIT researchers say wind power can make sense for utility companies, starting now

3 Questions: Stephen Connors on offshore wind farmsWhat the federal approval of the Cape Wind project will mean for Massachusetts and the nation

Viruses harnessed to split waterMIT team’s biologically based system taps the power of sunlight directly, with the aim of turning water into hydrogen fuel.