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Researchers use quantum computing method to optimize molecular photoswitches for solar energy harvesting

Green Car Congress

Molecular photoswitches that can both convert and store energy could be used to make solar energy harvesting more efficient. The procedure was based on a dataset of more than 400,000 molecules, which the researchers screened to find the optimum molecular structure for solar energy storage materials.

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NREL scientists advance solar thermochemical hydrogen (STCH) production

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Hydrogen has emerged as an important carrier to store energy generated by renewable resources, as a substitute for fossil fuels used for transportation, in the production of ammonia, and for other industrial applications. Electrolysis needs electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Illustration by Patrick Davenport, NREL.

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BMW’s eighth-generation 5 Series offers two all-electric i5 variants; PHEVs in 2024

Green Car Congress

BMW introduced the eighth generation of the BMW 5 Series Sedan, including two all-electric i5 variants; BMW will extend the range to include two plug-in hybrid variants (530e and 550e xDrive) from the spring of 2024. BMW i5 M60 xDrive Two highly integrated drive units on the front and rear axles make up an electric all-wheel drive.

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Heating Buildings With Solar Energy Stored in Sand

Cars That Think

In a region known for long, dark winter nights, Polar Night Energy is building a system in the city of Tampere that can heat buildings with stored solar energy — all day, all night, and all winter long. These initiatives have largely focused on renewable electric power generation, distribution, and storage.

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DOE funding demonstration project to replace natural gas with solar energy for production of Oberon’s rDME fuel; Bullet Steam Accumulator

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The US Department of Energy is funding a demonstration of Sunvapor ’s solar steam and thermal battery technology to lower further the Carbon Intensity (CI) of the renewable dimethyl ether (DME) produced by Oberon Fuels at its Maverick Innovation Center in Brawley, California. —Philip Gleckman, PhD, CEO at Sunvapor

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Hydrogen Battery "Sponges" Store Solar for the Grid

Cars That Think

A novel project in Australia aims to harness the sun’s energy in two different ways: by storing it and by using it to produce green hydrogen. Dozens of solar farms in the country’s southeastern region are slated to use “ hydrogen batteries ” in coming years. All together they’ll represent a 300-megawatt solar installation.

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The first Tesla store is finally open in EV-loving Vermont [update]

Baua Electric

New Englanders, rejoice – at last, Vermont’s first Tesla store is now open in South Burlington. January 26: The Vermont Tesla store is so not going to open in the latter half of January, as we initially expected. Both Tesla stores are a few hours’ drive each way from Vermont. IT’S HEEEEEERRRREEEE!

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