When completed, the MeyGen Tidal Power project in Scotland will be the world’s largest producer of energy from the oceans. Covering more than two-thirds of the Earth’s surface, oceans hold immense energy potential in their waves and tides, and we look at some of the promising technologies and projects that aim to deliver power from water to industries and millions of homes.
While vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells and refuelling stations are scarce, hydrogen technology promises a greener and more sustainable alternative than electric vehicle batteries and emits only water and heat from the tailpipe. The challenge lies in producing and transporting the hydrogen fuel, but new methods like electrolysis and natural generation promise increased efficiency and lower cost. Will hydrogen power future transportation?
Plastic waste has nearly doubled in the past two decades and is expected to triple by 2060, with most ending up in landfills and oceans. Efforts to curb global plastic pollution include bans on single-use plastics and advancements in recycling technologies. Innovations like biodegradable plastics and new processes to vaporize plastic offer promising solutions for waste reduction, but significant progress will require continued global action and investment in recycling infrastructure.
The surging number of clean technology patents, and their growing proportion of all inventions, is a sign of a promising and sustainable future. Renewable energy is rapidly replacing fossil fuels, with solar leading the way but other developing technologies like elastocaloric heating and cooling and hydrogen fuel cells showing potential to add more alternatives as costs continue to decrease.
Harnessed from the Earth’s core, geothermal energy is gaining attention for its reliability and potential as a major renewable energy source. The Krafla plant in Iceland and The Geysers in California exemplify its large-scale applications. Innovations like deep drilling and superhot rock techniques are pushing the boundaries of geothermal power, promising to enhance efficiency and reduce costs and position geothermal as a significant factor in the future of clean energy.
University of Oxford researchers are hoping to double the electrical output of solar cells made with the mineral perovskite, and to produce thin layers of the material that can be applied to surfaces like cell phones and backpacks to deliver renewable energy for daily needs. Despite challenges like perovskite’s sensitivity to water and heat, these advancements are set to significantly enhance solar energy conversion and further reduce costs.