Today's Alternative Energy
Promising technologies to wean the world from fossil fuels, including offshore wind, solar, geothermal and hydrogen cars, among others
Offshore Wind May Power the Future
Not only are offshore winds stronger but landlubbers have fewer objections to turbines almost invisible from the coast
How does solar power work?
Chemist Paul Alivisatos explains how to generate electricity from sunlight
Is the Hydrogen Car of the Future Running on Empty?
Scientific American editor Steven Ashley test drives a car that may be the future of automotive transportation--if cost, technology and infrastructure problems can be resolved
Turning the Tide on Harnessing the Ocean's Abundant Energy
Several companies are in the midst of tests to determine whether their technology for harvesting renewable energy will sink or swim
For National Security, Get Off Oil
Former CIA director, R. James Woolsey, says America's oil dependence is a grave threat
Where Do the Presidential Candidates Stand on Environment and Energy?
From drilling for oil to climate change, the answers may surprise you
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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...
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
One Hot Island: Iceland's Renewable Geothermal Power
Iceland goes green by tapping the power of the planet
Solar Refrigeration: A Hot Idea for Cooling
How to build a solar refrigerator: The brighter the sun, the better it works
Is the Sun Setting on Solar Power in Spain?
With waning subsidies and other attractive markets, can Spain maintain its lead in solar tech?
A Solar Grand Plan
By 2050 solar power could end U.S. dependence on foreign oil and slash greenhouse gas emissions
