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2024 Year in Review: Clean Energy Progress Steeped in Solar and Storage

Union of Concerned Scientists

Wind While the amount of new wind turbine capacity installed looked to be the lowest in at least six years, wind power continued to set records for generation in different regions of the country. Offshore wind also made important progress, even with some strong headwinds. One of 2024s new crop.

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Renewable Energy: A Timeline

Legal Planet

The first efforts to use of wind to generate electricity was 134 years ago, and the photoelectric effect was discovered six decades earlier. Scientists discover the selenium produces electricity when exposed to light. La Cour builds windmill in Denmark to generate electricity. Wind reaches 10% of U.S. generation.

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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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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. Batteries help store surplus energy. Source: UniEnergy Technologies / Wikimedia Commons.

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Three Reasons Why Spring is a Great Time for Renewable Energy

Union of Concerned Scientists

And I love hearing about new renewable electricity records as spring unfolds. A few recent examples for that last love: California scored a new record for total generation from renewable energy in mid-April and a new record for solar production in mid-May. Spring tends to be a time when there is lower electricity demand.

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7 Things to Know About Burning Hydrogen in Gas Plants: An H2 FAQ 

Union of Concerned Scientists

And how would that approach compare to using renewable energy? Like the fact thatspoiler alertusing solar panels or wind turbines directly is three times more efficient than an approach involving hydrogen production and gas plants. Electrolysis involves using electricity to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen.

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Building a Better Power Grid for Minnesota

Union of Concerned Scientists

Minnesotans are facing concurrent crises of climate change, high energy prices and inflation, and the inequitable public health impacts of fossil fuel air pollution. Renewable energy will help with all of that—but we need a grid that is designed for wind and solar instead of having to rely on expensive coal and gas plants.