energy

Convection Can Be Pretty

Convection Can Be Pretty
Ukrainians have long relied on a natural gas supply from Russia.

If Russia tightens Ukraine's natural gas tap, will Europeans shiver?

If Russia tightens Ukraine's natural gas tap, will Europeans shiver?
The government of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is proposing to restore nuclear power to a prominent position in the country's energy mix, nearly three years after a triple meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant.

In a post-Fukushima shift, Japan's government charts a path back to a nuclear future

In a post-Fukushima shift, Japan's government charts a path back to a nuclear future
Chamonix Skywalk

Stepping out in the new year?

Stepping out in the new year?
A solar panel produced at SolarWorld, America's largest manufacturer.

US solar panel manufacturers get a gift from the US military

US solar panel manufacturers get a gift from the US military

A Canadian court is allowing Ecuadorians to pursue their long-running pollution suit against Chevron

A group of Ecuadorians is fighting the American oil company in a Canadian court, trying to collect pollution damages that were awarded to them by a court in Ecuador.

A Canadian court is allowing Ecuadorians to pursue their long-running pollution suit against Chevron
smog cop

China does a "180" on air pollution policy to combat its deadly smog

China has relied on coal for cheap energy to fuel its development. Now. many of its cities have massive air pollution problems. And, finally, the government is doing something about it.

China does a "180" on air pollution policy to combat its deadly smog

America the powerless? This is 'no way to run a country'

Day three of the government shutdown has arrived with some in Europe blaming the Tea Party for pulling the plug on the US of A. Meanwhile, in a place where government is still running, the Germans have turned to an ex-wrestler to decommission its nuclear plants. And the Greeks' neo-Nazi party is under the microscope.

America the powerless? This is 'no way to run a country'

Pennsylvania farmers disappointed with fracking returns

Rural Pennsylvanians welcomed fracking onto their lands assuming the financial benefits would outweigh any negatives. The good times came, but only until gas companies started taking larger cuts of the profits. Now farmers and their families are left to wonder whether it's all worth it.

Pennsylvania farmers disappointed with fracking returns

Brazil trying to reinvigorate sugar ethanol for cars

Brazil has had a thriving ethanol industry because of a confluence of factors that made ethanol dramatically cheaper than gas. But that's changed, which has pressured the ethanol industry and Brazil's government to consider what to do next.

Brazil trying to reinvigorate sugar ethanol for cars

Efforts to Reinvigorate Sugar Ethanol for Cars in Brazil

Ethanol has largely fizzled here in the US. But in Brazil, people have been driving their cars for years powered only by sugarcane ethanol. In recent years though, ethanol in Brazil has hit a speed bump.

Efforts to Reinvigorate Sugar Ethanol for Cars in Brazil

UK Scientists Power Phone with Urine

A team of scientists in the UK are researching a way to harness energy from urine. Scientists at the Bristol Robotics Laboratory who has been researching microbial fuel cell technology.

UK Scientists Power Phone with Urine

Spanish government plan takes wind out of sails of country's renewable energy sector

Spain had a thriving renewable energy sector, until the bottom fell out of the economy. In the Spanish government's efforts to find funds to operate, it decided its subsidies for renewables were too high. Not only did it reduce subsidies, it actually went after subsidies already awarded in previous years.

Spanish government plan takes wind out of sails of country's renewable energy sector

The Deadly Cycling Streets of Sao Paulo

Sao Paulo is a tough place to get around. The city of 11 million, South America's largest, has notorious traffic. There is one quick way to navigate the streets of Sao Paulo though: Ride a bike. Problem is, you put your life at risk when you do.

The Deadly Cycling Streets of Sao Paulo

Electric cars could produce efficiencies for national electric grid

Electric cars have large batteries that go mostly unused for hours at a time. But a team of researchers in Delaware are hoping to use these electric cars to improve how the national electric grid works. So far, the results are promising. And it could provide benefits to electric car owners, too.

Electric cars could produce efficiencies for national electric grid