Energy

Dr Gonzalo Murillo says that piezoelectric materials, like nano flakes, could lead to self-powering microchips. Image credit: Dr Gonzalo Murillo

09 January 2017

Energy all around us could power under-skin implants and sensors in aircrafts – Dr Gonzalo Murillo

There is unlimited kinetic energy all around us and harnessing it could change the way we interact with the world forever, according to Dr Gonzalo Murillo from the National Microelectronics Center of Spain, whose research into piezoelectric materials has earned him an award for the most novel innovator under 35 in Europe 2016 from the MIT Technology Review, US.

energy

13 December 2016

Power games encourage competitive energy-saving

Competitive energy-saving between neighbours could encourage people to adopt environmentally friendly behaviour such as turning off lights or turning down the thermostat, thanks to a new game which turns people’s real-life actions into a virtual scoreboard.

An underwater kite could harness tidal energy to use on land. Image courtesy of Minesto

energy | open innovation

07 December 2016

Tidal energy poised to turn commercial

Billions of tonnes of water are swept up and down Europe’s estuaries and coastlines each and every day. Engineers have been working hard to develop the technologies to tap into this vast store of tidal energy and are now predicting a ramp-up in production from 2020 onwards.

Commissioner Moedas set out four priority areas where research and innovation can contribute to shaking up the EU’s energy market. Image courtesy of the European Union

energy | environment | policy

02 December 2016

‘Disruptive innovation’ will set direction for Europe’s new energy market – Commissioner Moedas

The European Union has launched new plans to revolutionise how it trades and supplies energy, but to ensure its success EU funds need to support the frontiers of science and knowledge, according to Carlos Moedas, EU Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation.

Horizon held a debate with representatives from industry and a climate non-profit organisation to discuss whether steel could be sustainable in the future. Image credit: Octavian Carare

energy | environment

30 November 2016

Horizon steel debate: can the industry go green?

The steel industry plays a big role in Europe’s energy consumption, but many say green technologies have been sidelined to stay competitive with cheaper, dirtier steel from China. To explore the best way forward, Horizon organised a debate between Dr Klaus Peters, the secretary general of the European Steel Technology Platform (ESTEP), and Wendel Trio, the director of Climate Action Network Europe.

European Commission Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič is charge of ensuring that Europe has secure, affordable and climate-friendly energy. Image courtesy of the European Union, 2015

interview | energy | policy | open innovation

08 November 2016

We could turn energy transition into a revolution – Vice-President Šefčovič

The energy sector could see a revolution along the same lines as the digital sector, but we first need to scale up breakthrough technologies and train more experts in areas such as smart grids, storage and renewables, according to Maroš Šefčovič, Vice-President of the European Commission, in charge of Energy Union.

Future biofuels could be produced by microbe farms using bioreactors. Credit: a4f

energy | open innovation

07 November 2016

Milking microbes for energy could help replace fossil fuels

Scientists have found a way of producing electricity and fuel for cars from bacteria and green algae, and scaling up these techniques could create a reliable source of renewable energy that could be used as an alternative to fossil fuels.

A demonstration at the Venice Architecture Biennale showed that creatures in modified building blocks could generate electricity. Image courtesy of LIAR

environment | energy

01 November 2016

‘Living buildings’ could use bacteria for heat, electricity and repairs

Inserting bacteria into bricks and concrete could help generate heat, circulate air and repair cracks, according to researchers who are designing innovative construction materials to transform bricks and mortar into living buildings with a reduced environmental footprint.

Nanomaterials could store energy on an unprecedented scale. Image credit: ‘150309-charging-cellphone-smartphone-blue.jpg’ by r. nial bradshaw is licensed under CC-BY 2.0

energy | frontier research

12 September 2016

Atom-thick solution to energy storage conundrum

Sheets of carbon an atom thick could soon double the amount of electricity stored in smartphone batteries, researchers believe, as 2D materials present a picture of the future of energy storage.

Renewable lithium battery packs in solar-powered street lights could last longer than standard lead-acid batteries. Image credit: Pixabay/ Skitterphoto

energy | public–private partnerships | open innovation

29 August 2016

Charged up – the batteries lighting the way to a more sustainable future

Street lights may seem just part of the mundane backdrop of life, but many firms have been devising exciting ideas for powering them more cheaply and making them do far more than illuminate a dark road.