Energy

Two days after Hurricane Irma, an elderly resident stand in a dark hallway at Cypress Run, an assisted living facility without power, food, or water, in Immokalee, Florida, U.S., September 12, 2017.

How to avoid blackouts in hurricanes? Model power grids after the internet, says one expert.

Florida utility representatives say parts of the state will require a "wholesale rebuild of our electrical grid" after Hurricane Irma left millions without power. How can Florida and other states build electrical grids that are resilient to natural and other disasters?

How to avoid blackouts in hurricanes? Model power grids after the internet, says one expert.
Rooftop solar panels in Queens.

A new way to go local: Buy solar energy from your neighbors

A new way to go local: Buy solar energy from your neighbors
Jogger.

Tired of jogging? There’s an exosuit for that.

Tired of jogging? There’s an exosuit for that.
China says it will invest another $361 dollars in renewable energy over the next four years and create 13 million new jobs in the sector, building on previous massive investments. The country already has the largest capacity of solar p

Donald Trump sees the future in coal. China sees the future in renewables. Who’s making the safer bet?

Donald Trump sees the future in coal. China sees the future in renewables. Who’s making the safer bet?
Mark Sylvia with BlueWave Capital. The Boston-based company is building a 1 mw solar farm in Fairhaven, Mass., enough power for roughly 100 customers.

Want to install solar panels but can't? No problem.

Want to install solar panels but can't? No problem.
Pilgrim plant aerial

Even plans to close nuclear power plants stir controversy

When the Nuclear Regulatory Commission found Entergy Corporation’s Pilgrim Generating Station to be one of the three most dangerous nuclear power plants in the US, it was no surprise to some local residents. It has been the focus of protests for much of its 43-year history. Now Entergy plans to close the facility within a few years — but that hasn’t ended the controversy.

Even plans to close nuclear power plants stir controversy
Exxon tanker

Exxon helped pioneer climate science — then disavowed its own research. Was it a crime?

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Exxon was at the cutting edge of climate change research. Its scientists and its senior management understood that burning fossil fuels would warm the planet in destructive ways. But in the 1990s, Exxon began funding climate-denying organizations and speaking out publicly against climate science.

Exxon helped pioneer climate science — then disavowed its own research. Was it a crime?
Don Blankenship

West Virginia's former 'King of Coal' goes on trial

It's a rough time for coal company CEOs: Coal in the US it’s now in a precipitous decline, undercut by cheaper natural gas from fracking and concerns about its dangers to climate and health. But it's an even rougher time for Don Blankenship, the former CEO of Massey Energy, who could spend years in prison for his role in the 2010 Upper Big Branch mine disaster.

West Virginia's former 'King of Coal' goes on trial
India solar power

Solar power is booming in India. But will it reach those who need it most?

Many initiatives intend to make India’s urban poor benefit from the solar power boom.

Solar power is booming in India. But will it reach those who need it most?
Dean Wilson in a swamp

These people are practically the last line of defense for Louisiana's endangered cypress swamps

Louisiana's swamps are shelters for the cities during floods, and home to incredible biodiversity. But they're also targets for the energy industry, farmers and ranchers and all manner of businesses that would put them to new uses.

These people are practically the last line of defense for Louisiana's endangered cypress swamps
Air conditioning in China.

These non-air conditioned ways of keeping cool could make a huge difference with climate change

Researchers are looking into new and innovative ways to design naturally temperature-regulated buildings, and to develop systems for cooling the body, rather than the air, to reduce energy usage.

These non-air conditioned ways of keeping cool could make a huge difference with climate change
Uranium

Commodities are crashing, with one exception

Uranium is up 28 percent in the last year. But it's not the demand for carbon-free nuclear energy in Asia and the US that's driving the surge.

Commodities are crashing, with one exception
Solar panels Cornwall, UK

The 'Great Energy Transition' is already underway, according to a new book

In many places around the world, renewable energy technologies are already cheaper than fossil fuels. In his new book, "The Great Transition," Lester Brown, renowned environmental thinker and writer, says the great energy transition may be complete much sooner than you think.

The 'Great Energy Transition' is already underway, according to a new book
Opponents of the Keystone XL oil pipeline rally in front of the White House on February 24, 2015, the day President Barack Obama vetoed a bill circumventing administration review of the project and mandating its construction.

President Obama's veto isn't the end of the Keystone XL story

President Obama vetoed a bill that would approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, but that still doesn't mean the project is officially dead. But with collapsed oil prices and a world moving away from fossil fuels, would Keystone's builders eventually regret it if they do win approval?

President Obama's veto isn't the end of the Keystone XL story
Henry Project Exergy

Someday we may be heating homes and businesses with computers

A new technology is on the horizon that could make the burning of gas, oil and wood to heat homes obsolete: A new company called Project Exergy is developing a way to capture the waste heat from computing to keep our houses warm.

Someday we may be heating homes and businesses with computers