Energy
Nuclear power, fusion, batteries, grids, geothermal systems and the technologies reshaping reliable low-carbon energy.
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A Tiny Turbine Under Pressure Could Help Wind Farms Produce More Power
Researchers used dense, pressurised air to make a small wind turbine behave more like a much larger machine. The experiments suggest better control settings could unlock additional energy.
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Victoria Wants New Data Centres to Fund Their Power Boom
Victoria wants new data centres to invest in renewable generation and storage to match the electricity they use. The plan could reshape how AI infrastructure is built, but its verification rules are still being worked out.
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America’s Next Big Power Upgrade Could Use the Lines Already Overhead
A US$5.25 billion grid upgrade plan aims to move more electricity through existing routes. Better wires and smarter controls could ease bottlenecks—but the gains still have to be delivered.
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Australia’s Next Solar Cost Cut Could Come From Panels Built for Their Location
Australian researchers are asking whether panels designed for particular sites can improve solar-farm economics and long-term performance.
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Australia’s Smart Paint Sends Rust Protection to the Damage
Tiny containers inside a coating release rust-inhibiting molecules when local conditions change. The laboratory result is striking; the outdoor test still lies ahead.
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America’s New Geothermal Bet Puts Hot Rock to the Test
A US$99 million geothermal push will test hotter wells and unexplored resources. The prize is dependable electricity—but first, the underground engineering has to work.
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A 1960s Nuclear Experiment Is Supplying America’s Next Reactor Test
More than two tonnes of specialised salt have a new job after decades in storage. The delivery connects a pioneering reactor experiment with a modern demonstration project.
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CATL’s New Truck Battery Takes Aim at Diesel’s Stronghold
CATL’s latest battery platform and a new DHL agreement target long-distance electric freight. The real test is making the whole delivery route work.
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Google’s AI Is Turning Satellite Data Into a Methane Leak Hunt
Google and NASA JPL researchers are using AI to find methane plumes in satellite observations. The strongest results are promising; the confidence labels are essential.
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The Power Grid Is Giving Retiring Coal Plants Another Lifeline
Three Indiana coal units have been told to remain available through December. The decision exposes a difficult energy transition trade-off: keeping power dependable without locking customers into costly old equipment.
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Waste Plastic Is Becoming the Structure Beneath Our Feet
An MIT spinout has supplied recycled composite trusses for a real bridge. The development takes printed plastic beyond novelty objects and into structural construction.
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ProLogium’s New Battery Moves the Solid-State Race Onto the Factory Floor
ProLogium says a large-format cell delivering 381 Wh/kg is in production. The significant next test is how that performance translates into useful, affordable battery systems.