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How Are Lithium-ion Batteries that Store Solar and Wind Power Made?

Union of Concerned Scientists

The renewable energy transition involves harnessing epic forces of nature. Sleek solar panels forged from silver and silica from the depths of the Earth translate the sun’s blindingly fiery light energy into electricity. Once the battery looks up to code, it is off to the grid to power our renewable energy future!

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5 Powerful Facts for Global Wind Day

Union of Concerned Scientists

We at the Union of Concerned Scientists think a lot about wind power. In honor of Global Wind Day , here’s a roundup of what we’re seeing and what we’ve been thinking—five facts about wind energy to keep in mind as you celebrate, or at least make note, on June 15. Wind power is big, and getting bigger.

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Ask a Scientist: Two Dozen States Can Meet 100 Percent of Electricity Demand with Renewables by 2035

Union of Concerned Scientists

Nearly all of the alliance members have a renewable electricity standard (RES), which requires utilities in their jurisdiction to increase their use of renewable energy to a particular percentage by a specific year. We found that states have technically feasible and highly beneficial ways to achieve 100-percent renewable energy.

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The EIA Just Released a 30 Year Energy Outlook. It’s… Not Great

Union of Concerned Scientists

Source: US Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2022 (AEO2022). According to the forecast, while economy-wide CO 2 emissions decrease from 2022 to 2037 due primarily to the growth in renewable energy replacing retiring coal plants, emissions do increase after 2037 from increased usage of natural gas.

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Just and Sustainable Solutions for the Mining and Recycling of Rare Earth Elements in Wind Turbines

Union of Concerned Scientists

The wind is in our sails on the voyage towards a clean energy future. Wind energy is currently the largest renewable energy source in the US, and the industry is growing fast. Global demand for neodymium for wind turbines is estimated to increase 48% by 2050. That place rocks! Promethium.

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A Handy New Chart Shows Clean Energy’s Remarkable Progress

Union of Concerned Scientists

Spring is a glorious time for renewable energy. Whatever the weather in March and beyond—in-like-a-lion blustery or out-like-a-lamb sunny—spring tends to be a season of strong electricity production from solar and wind in particular. And, this spring, that clean energy production is looking more impressive than ever.

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What Happens to Wind Turbine Blades at the End of Their Life Cycle?

Union of Concerned Scientists

The high demand for balsa wood in blades for lightweight structural support has linked the wind industry’s demand to increased Amazon rainforest logging and balsa plantation farming. By 2020, demand for balsa wood outstripped supply. Click the links below for answers: How Are Wind Turbines Made.

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