The silicon-based computer chips that power our modern devices require vast amounts of energy to operate. Despite ever-improving computing efficiency, information technology is projected to consume around 25% of all primary energy produced by 2030. Researchers in the microelectronics and materials sciences communities are seeking ways to sustainably manage the global … [continued]
When Google unveiled its first autonomous cars in 2010, the spinning cylinder mounted on the roofs really stood out. It was the vehicle’s light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system, which worked like light-based radar. Together with cameras and radar, LiDAR mapped the environment to help these cars avoid obstacles and … [continued]
Originally published by UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy To meet the development needs of a growing population, Africa’s electricity sector requires a major transformation. Despite important changes over the past decade, efforts to expand and modernize the sector need to be redoubled. Indeed, current electrification rates, generation-capacity levels, … [continued]
Originally published by UC Berkeley, Berkeley News. By Edward Lempinen More than 700 imaging satellites are orbiting the earth, and every day they beam vast oceans of information — including data that reflects climate change, health and poverty — to databases on the ground. There’s just one problem: While the geospatial … [continued]
A report by UC Berkeley claims a transition to all electric vehicles by 2035 would save Americans $2.7 trillion while adding 2 million new jobs to the economy.
For those deeply interested in our future energy system and how it will evolve, I highly recommend two in-depth papers published in the last year. Here I will show a similar vision step-by-step using some of the same assumptions and publicly available data using “back of the envelope calculations” (spreadsheets).
Experts disagree about how fast the United States can replace coal and gas-fired power plants with zero-carbon electricity. Some say we can shift to 100 percent clean power by 2050 with little friction and minimal cost. Others …
The 2035 Report from UC Berkeley and GridLab suggests the US could transition to 90% renewable energy in as little as 15 years.
Many people in India heat and cook with wood, cow dung, kerosene, or coal. Eliminating those fuels could improve the country’s outdoor air quality significantly.
Researchers have found a way to create disordered cathodes that use metals other than cobalt — such as manganese — in their cathodes. Not only are other metals far less expensive than cobalt, the new cathodes have 50% more capacity.
