"The university has a history with nuclear power: It operated a reactor on the campus for research purposes, for almost four decades until 1998. Now it is exploring a smaller and safer microreactor concept that could be built quickly and relatively cheaply in a factory, rather than a traditional reactor which takes years to construct and costs billions of dollars."
Green Horizons: Three Climate Solutions Set to Flourish in 2024
As we step into 2024, these three climate solutions are ready to create pathways to lower emissions and promote economic development.
AI is Streamlining Permitting for Solar Projects Across the U.S.
Artificial intelligence is well poised to play a crucial role in optimizing and expediting the deployment of innovative, trailblazing solutions.
SMR Developer X-Energy Completes Canadian Pre-Licensing Milestone, Projects Look Promising
"The reactor system employs a seamless process wherein more than 200,000 fuel pebbles are gravity-fed and continuously rotated through the core. The innovative fuel cycle enables uninterrupted operation for up to 60 years, according to X-energy. Helium circulates within the core, absorbing immense quantities of heat without becoming radioactive. This superheated helium is then employed to convert water into steam, subsequently propelling a turbine to generate a constant supply of carbon-free electricity."
Octopus Energy Has Texas-Size Ambitions
"Octopus more than doubled its retail customer base over the last two years, acquired failed rivals including Bulb and Avro, and bought oil-and-gas giant Shell’s U.K and German retail utility businesses. The group’s businesses now include EV leasing, installation of smart meters and EV chargers, a heat pump manufacturer and a renewable-generation business with a $7.6 billion portfolio. It also has a fan club that offers local customers cheaper power when Octopus wind turbines in their area are turning."
Startup AiDash raises $50 million for tech using AI, satellites to spot wildfire risk
National Grid, an AiDash customer and investor which owns networks in the UK and United States, said it had seen measurable improvements in cutting the number and duration of outages since using the system to identify maintenance priorities on its Massachusetts grid.
These startups are teaming up to decarbonize cement and concrete
"Producing cement and concrete contributes around 8 percent of human-caused carbon dioxide emissions every year. About 40 percent of those emissions comes from fiery cement kilns that can get hotter than molten lava. The other 60 percent is the result of a chemical process. When limestone is heated to make cement, it breaks down into its constituent parts of calcium oxide and CO2, releasing planet-warming gases into the atmosphere."
Cement Has a Major Carbon Problem. AI Can Help.
Artificial intelligence startups are offering viable solutions to lower the industry's carbon footprint.
Benin entrepreneur harnesses biowaste to power homes, farms
"In a world grappling with climate change and the search for sustainable energy solutions, Enock Gnaga hopes his company Benin Biogas's complete waste-to-energy cycle will usher in a renewed dedication to environmental stewardship for his country."
Lyten’s 3D Graphene Could Build a Low-Carbon Future
Lyten isn’t just absorbing carbon and creating hydrogen fuel while they build a new supermaterial—they are changing the future of environmental innovation.