Today's Alternative Energy

Promising technologies to wean the world from fossil fuels, including offshore wind, solar, geothermal and hydrogen cars, among others

 
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Special Editions
For National Security, Get Off Oil
Former CIA director R. James Woolsey says America's oil dependence is a grave threat

Features
Where Do the Presidential Candidates Stand on Environment and Energy?
From drilling for oil to climate change, the answers may surprise you

thin-film-solar-cell-array-in-germany Features
Solar Power Lightens Up with Thin-Film Technology
Cheap, durable, efficient devices are needed to generate a significant amount of electricity from the sun. So-called thin-film photovoltaic cells may be just the ticket

Scientific American Magazine
A Power Grid for the Hydrogen Economy
Cryogenic, superconducting conduits could be connected into a "SuperGrid" that would simultaneously deliver electrical power and hydrogen fuel

solar-hydrogen-house News
Inside the Solar-Hydrogen House: No More Power Bills--Ever
A New Jersey resident generates and stores all the power he needs with solar panels and hydrogen

solar-power-in-front-of-three-gorges-dam Features
China's Big Push for Renewable Energy
China is now the world's workshop for wind and solar power. But can they reach their own ambitious goals for renewable energy?

geothermal-power-plant News
Drilling for Hot Rocks: Google Sinks Cash into Advanced Geothermal Technology
More than 2,000 times the entire annual energy consumption of the U.S. is available deep underground

south-texas-nuclear-power-plant News
Nuclear Power Reborn
New Jersey-based NRG Energy applies to build the first new nuclear power plant in the U.S. in more than 30 years

yangtze-great-bend Features
Back to the Future: Harnessing the Power of the Yangtze River [Slide Show]
A trip down the Yangtze River—home of the world's largest hydroelectric dam—offers a glimpse into China's past and future

ausra-solar-thermal-power-plant News
Sunny Outlook: Can Sunshine Provide All U.S. Electricity?
Large amounts of solar-thermal electric supply may become a reality if steam storage technology works—and new transmission infrastructure is built

wind-turbine-blades News
On a Wing and Low Air: The Surprising Way Wind Turbines Kill Bats
It is the pressure change--not the blades--that wipe out thousands of bats annually at wind farms

cement-kiln News
Combating Climate Change: Industrial-Strength Efforts to Eliminate Excess Emissions
If controlling global warming is a priority, then industries—from banking to cement manufacturing—will have to become efficient energy users, which will require a transformation of their basic operations

Scientific American Magazine
The Rise of Renewable Energy
Solar cells, wind turbines and biofuels are poised to become major energy sources. New policies could dramatically accelerate that evolutio

solyndra-rooftop News
Cylindrical Solar Cells Give a Whole New Meaning to Sunroof
Solyndra hopes to capture the wasted sunlight falling on roofs by making solar cells into cylinders rather than panels

 

 

The Editors Recommend

Features
One Hot Island: Iceland's Renewable Geothermal Power
Iceland goes green by tapping the power of the planet

Features
Solar Refrigeration: A Hot Idea for Cooling
How to build a solar refrigerator: the brighter the sun, the better it works.

Features
Is the Sun Setting on Solar Power in Spain?
With waning subsidies and other attractive markets, can Spain maintain its lead in solar tech?

 

From the Archive

story graphic Scientific American Magazine
January 2008 Issue

A Solar Grand Plan
By 2050 solar power could end U.S. dependence on foreign oil and slash greenhouse gas emissions

 
 

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