In order to decarbonize the transport sector, heavy commercial vehicles and non-road mobile work machines are increasingly coming to the fore. Vehicle and engine manufacturers, suppliers and science have therefore joined forces in the "PoWer" project to comprehensively investigate the cross-application use of hydrogen engine drive train concepts for construction and agricultural applications. The automotive supplier MAHLE is leading the project, in which the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is involved with three institutes. The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection is funding PoWer for three years with around 5 million euros, and the project is supported by TÜV Rheinland.Due to their properties such as high efficiency, robustness and low raw emissions, hydrogen engines offer many advantages that make them particularly suitable for applications in construction and agricultural machinery. It is also possible to convert conventional combustion engines of, for example, excavators, combine harvesters or conveyor vehicles to hydrogen engines. In order to be able to implement the technology in the future, three KIT institutes are investigating hydrogen combustion in engines, suitable exhaust gas catalysts and the behavior of materials under hydrogen in the PoWer project.<h2>Efficient use of hydrogen in complex engines</h2>"Due to the low ignition limit and the wide flammability limits of hydrogen, unwanted self-ignition can occur. This must be avoided at all costs in order not to risk engine damage," says Dr. Uwe Wagner from the Institute for Piston Machines (IFKM) at KIT about the challenges. The researchers at the IFKM are therefore investigating how hydrogen-based fuel can be used most efficiently and safely in engines of construction and agricultural machinery - whether with intake manifold or direct injection. "In addition, the geometry of the engine and lubricating oil inputs into the combustion chamber play a decisive role in ensuring smooth combustion," says Wagner. In order to test and optimize various injection strategies and engine parameters, the researchers use a single-cylinder research unit and a multi-cylinder engine.<h2>Environmentally friendly energy source for off-road applications</h2>"In order to comply with current and future exhaust gas limits, it is necessary to provide efficient exhaust gas catalysts in addition to low-emission engine operation," explains Dr. Patrick Lott from the Institute of Technical Chemistry and Polymer Chemistry (ITCP) at KIT. "The specific operating conditions of hydrogen engines are sometimes challenging for the catalysts," says Lott. The ITCP team is therefore investigating how existing catalyst systems behave in interaction with hydrogen engines. One of the aims is to improve their durability and efficiency in order to adapt them to the new operating conditions. At the same time, the researchers are developing innovative concepts for exhaust gas aftertreatment so that hydrogen can be used as an environmentally friendly energy source in off-road applications.<h2>Impact of Hydrogen on Materials</h2>"Contact with hydrogen can significantly reduce the strength and deformability of metallic materials," explains Dr. Stefan Guth from the Institute of Applied Materials - Materials Science (IAM-WK) at KIT. In the project, the scientists at the IAM-WK are therefore investigating how hydrogen affects typical materials used in combustion engine components. To do this, they are conducting mechanical material tests under the influence of hydrogen, in particular under the cyclical loads typical of engines. A central goal of the research group is to develop and establish methods for evaluating the influence of hydrogen on material strength. "Ultimately, we want to give our industrial partners recommendations for the safe and efficient use of the materials," says Guth.<h2>About the PoWer project</h2>Under the leadership of MAHLE, in addition to KIT, DEUTZ AG, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Purem GmbH, Claas KGaA mbH, the Technical University of Braunschweig, Liebherr GmbH, Nagel Maschinen- und Werkzeugfabrik GmbH, Umicore SA, NGK Europe GmbH and Castrol Limited are also involved. (ase)

Hydrogen engines for the future: In the PoWer project, researchers are developing new drive concepts for construction and agricultural applications (Photo: Magali Hauser KIT)

Vehicle and engine manufacturers, suppliers and science have joined forces in the "PoWer" project to comprehensively investigate the cross-application use of hydrogen engine drive train concepts for construction and agricultural applications.

Mobility: Hydrogen engine for off-road applications

Europe is preparing for climate-neutral flight powered by sustainably produced hydrogen. Last year, the EU launched a project to support industry and universities in the development of a hydrogen-powered medium-haul aircraft. Among other things, jet engines will have to be adapted to run on the new fuel. Today's engines are optimised for burning kerosene.“Hydrogen burns much faster than kerosene, resulting in more compact flames,” explains Nicolas Noiray, Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering at ETH Zurich. This has to be taken into account when designing hydrogen engines. Experiments by Noiray’s team now provide an important basis for this. The team has just published its results in the journal <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2024.113776">external pageCombustion and Flame</a>.One problem is vibrations, which engineers try to minimise. In typical jet engines, about twenty fuel injection nozzles are arranged around the annular combustion chamber of the engine. The turbulent combustion of the fuel there generates sound waves. These waves are reflected back from the walls of the chamber and have a feedback action on the flames. This coupling between the sound wave and the flames could give rise to vibrations that would induce a heavy load on the engine combustion chamber. “These vibrations can fatigue the material, which in the worst case could lead to cracks and damage,” says Abel Faure-Beaulieu, a former postdoctoral researcher in Noiray’s group. “This is why, when new engines are being developed, care is taken to ensure that these vibrations do not occur under operating conditions.”<h2>Simulating conditions at cruising altitude</h2>When engineers developed today’s kerosene engines, they had to get these vibrations under control. They achieved this by optimising the shape of the flames as well as the combustion chamber’s geometry and acoustics. However, the type of fuel has a major impact on the interactions between sound and flame. This means engineers and researchers must now make sure that they will not arise in a new hydrogen engine. An elaborate test and measurement facility at ETH Zurich allows Noiray to measure the acoustics of hydrogen flames and predict potential vibrations. As part of the EU project HYDEA, in which he is involved together with GE Aerospace, he tests hydrogen injection nozzles produced by the company.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1732837757359-image.imageformat.lightbox.1465617994.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Injection nozzles for hydrogen engines are tested in this chamber at ETH Zurich. The researchers can replicate real conditions at cruising altitude. (Image: Nicolas Noiray / ETH Zurich)“Our facility allows us to replicate the temperature and pressure conditions of an engine at cruising altitude,” Noiray explains. The ETH researchers can also recreate the acoustics of various combustion chambers, enabling a wide range of measurements. “Our study is the first of its kind to measure the acoustic behaviour of hydrogen flames under real flight conditions.”<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1732837777460-image.imageformat.1286.1505314878.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Flame from a hydrogen injection nozzle. (Image: Nicolas Noiray / ETH Zurich)In their experiments, the researchers used a single nozzle and then modelled the acoustic behaviour of the collection of nozzles as it would be arranged in a future hydrogen engine. The study is helping engineers at GE Aerospace to optimise the injection nozzles and to pave the way for a high performance hydrogen engine. In a few years, the engine should be ready for initial tests on the ground, and in the future, it could propel the first hydrogen fuelled aircrafts.ETH Professor Noiray does not consider the development of the engines or the development of hydrogen tanks for aircraft to be the greatest challenge in transitioning aviation to the hydrogen age. “Humanity has flown to the moon; engineers will undoubtely be able to develop hydrogen planes,” he says. But planes alone aren’t enough. Another major challenge, Noiray says, is to put in place the entire infrastructure for hydrogen aviation, including producing climate-neutral hydrogen in sufficient quantities and transporting it to airports. Achieving this within a reasonable timeframe requires a concerted effort now.<hr><h2 id="isPasted">Why hydrogen for aviation?</h2>Most ground vehicles can be electrified with batteries; however, batteries are too heavy for high-performance aircraft. Storing the energy needed to fly 200 passengers over thousands of kilometers with hydrogen in cryogenic tanks weighs at least thirty times less than storing it in batteries. “In the coming decades, only small aircrafts with very low payload capacity will be battery-powered,” ETH Professor Noiray says. “For passenger and cargo aircraft, synthetic fuels are the only alternative to today’s kerosene, and hydrogen is the most economical to produce sustainably.”Depending on the aircraft’s size and range, there are two potential hydrogen solutions. For smaller regional aircraft with low cruising speeds and short ranges, hydrogen can be converted into electricity in a fuel cell on board. This drives propellers via an electric motor. However, for long-haul commercial aircrafts, fuel cells are unsuitable due to their size and weight. In the future, these aircrafts will be propelled by jet engines fuelled with hydrogen. Several industrial consortia are currently working to develop such engines.<hr><h2 id="isPasted">Reference</h2>Faure Beaulieu A, Dharmaputra B, Schuermans B, Wang G, Caruso S, Zahn M, Noiray N: Measuring acoustic transfer matrices of high-pressure hydrogen/air flames for aircraft propulsion. Combustion and Flame, 22. Oktober 2024, doi:&nbsp;<a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2024.113776">external page10.1016/j.combustflame.2024.113776</a>

The jet engines of commercial aircraft shall be powered by hydrogen (symbol image). (Image created with AI: Dzmitry / Adobe Stock)

Hydrogen-powered planes are set to take wing around the world in the future. To make this possible, engineers have to develop the jet engines that will power them. Experiments by researchers at ETH Zurich are now providing the necessary basis for making these engines powerful and durable.

Researchers are making jet engines fit for the hydrogen age

Able to store carbon to offset emissions and prevent soil degradation and pollution, charcoal-like <a href="https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov/hubs/northwest/topic/biochar">biochar</a> could offer a sustainable solution to a lot of environmental challenges — if its production can be made greener. Supported by a three-year, $799,883 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture, an international team led by researchers at Penn State will address the so-called “dark side” of biochar, assessing the threat of organic contaminant residues in biorefinery char products.Biochar comprises organic waste material and is made by&nbsp;pyrolysis, a process that involves heating the organic material in a limited oxygen environment. While biochar has significant potential for use as a soil amendment and for carbon sequestration, its manufacturing process can produce harmful compounds if it is not designed and executed properly.“While the title of our research project — ‘The Dark Side of Biochar: Addressing the Threat of Organic Contaminant Residues in Biorefinery Char Products’&nbsp;— may sound ominous, our main goal is to help make sure that problems don’t crop up in the making of biochar,” said team leader <a href="https://abe.psu.edu/directory/dec109">Daniel Ciolkosz</a>, associate research professor of agricultural and biological engineering in the <a href="https://agsci.psu.edu/">Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences</a>. “That way, we can help ensure that biochar lives up to its potential as a positive and beneficial bio-based product.”&nbsp;The goal of the research is to identify and test design and optimization strategies for biorefineries to produce biochar without the presence of dangerous organic compounds such as such as benzene, hexane and toluene, Ciolkosz explained. As part of their work, the researchers are assessing how these contaminants are created and disposited in biochar, as well as evaluating treatment processes to remove them.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1732755846164-biochar-in-hand-low-rez.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The goal of the project is to help ensure that biochar lives up to its potential as a positive and beneficial bio-based product, the researchers said. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons“If process conditions aren’t right and these toxic compounds are produced, workers could be exposed to harmful conditions and the biochar could end up being a source of contamination, reducing its applicability and acceptability for widespread use,” he said. “This project will characterize the emission of harmful organic compounds from biomass during conversion to biochar in a biorefinery, and its redeposition on the biochar.”In the study, researchers will use biomass feedstocks, such as crop and forestry residues, algae and municipal organic waste, from various sources in experiments designed to assess emissions and contaminant levels resulting from biochar manufacture. They also will evaluate engineered treatment processes for contaminant removal and utilization. Based on their findings, they’ll analyze the overall performance of biorefineries and develop strategies for design and optimization of biorefineries that include biochar in their product mix.Other members of the research team include Juliana Vasco-Correa, Penn State assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering; Andrzej Białowiec, Wrocław University of Environmental and Live Sciences, Poland; David DeVallance, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania; and Thomas Causer, Advanced Torrefaction Systems.

An international team led by Penn State researchers aims to mitigate toxic organic compounds produced in manufacturing of the biomaterial known as biochar

Researchers to study how to make carbon-storing product safer, more sustainable

Astronauts can stay in space for extended periods fulfilling their scientific mission, but those extended periods lead to numerous issues for the astronauts — including what to do with human waste.A nationwide consortium of researchers, led by the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, plans to develop an anaerobic digestion process that converts human waste into organic acids and carbon dioxide for use as carbon feedstock. The consortium, Anaerobic Digestion for Advanced Space Technology and Resource Acquisition, or AD ASTRA, is funded by a three-year, $2.5 million grant from NASA.The AD ASTRA team plans to engineer the cyanobacterium&nbsp;Synechococcus 2973, which is capable of photosynthesis and producing oxygen, to create food, nutraceuticals such as beta-carotene, and biopolymers from human waste. They will test this process in simulated micro- and low-gravity conditions, like that on the moon, and integrate the biological systems from anaerobic digestion to their newly developed photo-biorefineries, for example, engineering cyanobacteria and synthetic lichens. Their goal is to produce protein-rich biomass as a food source and other chemicals and to recycle human waste, which ultimately helps to sustain astronauts in space.“This research addresses a critical and neglected area of space life support systems, focusing on an innovative process to convert waste that is essential for extended human spaceflights,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://engineering.washu.edu/faculty/Joshua-Yuan.html">Joshua Yuan</a>, the Lucy and Stanley Lopata Professor and chair of the Department of Energy, Environmental &amp; Chemical Engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering.&nbsp;Collaborators in the AD ASTRA research include Himadri Pakrasi, the George William and Irene Koechig Freiberg Professor in the Department of Biology in Arts &amp; Sciences; the University of Florida; Saint Louis University; Lincoln University in Missouri, a historically Black university; University of Delaware; and the NASA Lab at Kennedy Space Center. As part of the project, the Kennedy Space Center will host several students and postdoctoral researchers during the summer intern sessions in the 2025 and 2026 fiscal years for a visiting technologist and education experience.In addition, researchers in the McKelvey School of Engineering received a two-year grant from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) to develop algae-E.coli co-culture as a novel photo-biorefinery. The researchers seek to determine how environmental factors in space affect the algae photosynthesis, metabolic interactions between algae and&nbsp;E.coli, and bio-production of high functional protein materials.“These projects will determine if microgravity can influence the production phenotype of microbial hosts as well as how the environmental variables, such as extreme temperature change or low pressure, impact biomanufacturing,” Yuan said. “Understanding how cells or phototrophic consortia survive and metabolize under space environments will be crucial to engineering resilient and productive microbial cell factories under space conditions.”&nbsp;Both studies aim to explore carbon dioxide-based biomanufacturing via algae, microbial coculture and synthetic lichens, a cyanobacterium-fungus system.In related work,&nbsp;<a href="https://engineering.washu.edu/faculty/Feng-Jiao.html">Feng Jiao</a>, professor of energy, environmental &amp; chemical engineering, was part of a team that was a runner-up for the NASA Deep Space Food Challenge. The team, Nolux, constructed an artificial photosynthetic system that can create plant and fungal-based foods without biological photosynthesis.Collectively, the three projects broaden the impact of the decarbonization research underway in the&nbsp;<a href="https://engineering.washu.edu/news/2024/WashU-to-lead-26-million-decarbonization-initiative.html">Carbon Utilization Redesign for Biomanufacturing-Empowered Decarbonization (CURB) Engineering Research Center</a> (ERC) in the McKelvey School of Engineering.

McKelvey Engineering researchers plan to engineer the cyanobacterium Synechococcus 2973 to create food, nutraceuticals and biopolymers from human waste generated in space. They will test this process in simulated micro- and low-gravity conditions and integrate the biological systems from anaerobic digestion to their newly developed photo-biorefineries, for example, engineering cyanobacteria and synthetic lichens, as shown in this photo. (Courtesy photo)

WashU-led consortium to facilitate integrative research and education for space biology

Researchers aim to develop space biomanufacturing from carbon dioxide, astronaut wastes

Plasma cleaning is a high-tech surface treatment that uses ionized gas to remove microscopic contaminants, enhancing adhesion and durability in materials. This article explains plasma cleaning’s role across industries, its eco-friendly benefits, and emerging trends in sustainable manufacturing.

Plasma Cleaning: Cutting-Edge Innovations, Core Principles, and Real-World Applications

From November 12 to 15, Munich became the epicenter of the global electronics industry as Electronica 2024 brought together 3,480 exhibitors and nearly 80,000 visitors from across the world. Renowned as the industry’s leading trade fair, this year’s event was more international than ever, offering a glimpse into how digital technologies are shaping the path to a carbon-neutral future. Spanning 18 exhibition halls, the event highlighted groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability, and the future of mobility, alongside the critical need to foster young talent in electronics.<h2>Key Topics Shaping the Electronics Landscape</h2><h3>Sustainability: Electronics Driving the Green Revolution</h3>At the heart of this year’s event was the drive to achieve carbon neutrality, with many exhibitors showcasing how electronics play a crucial role in environmental sustainability. From energy-efficient semiconductor solutions to IoT technologies that enable smarter energy management, it was clear that the industry is stepping up to address climate challenges.Sustainability discussions centered on:<ul><li>Smart Grids and Renewable Energy: Innovations in optimizing energy systems for greater efficiency.</li><li>Circular Economy: Efforts to design electronics for recyclability and longevity.</li><li>Green Electronics Manufacturing: Reducing the environmental footprint of production processes.</li></ul><img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1732193109394-electronica-infineon.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Smart and sustainable mobility was one of the main topics at this year's Electronica.<h3>Artificial Intelligence: Powering the Industry</h3>AI continued to dominate conversations, underscoring its influence across sectors. At Electronica 2024, AI’s transformative power was evident in:<ul><li>Smart Manufacturing: Machine learning-driven solutions to optimize production lines and reduce waste.</li><li>AI-powered Sensors: New sensor technologies with AI integration for predictive analytics in industrial and healthcare applications.</li><li>Autonomous Mobility: The role of AI in enhancing vehicle safety and energy efficiency.</li></ul><h3>Future of Mobility: Shifting Gears with Electronics</h3>The push toward sustainable transportation took center stage, with electronics enabling electric vehicles (EVs), autonomous systems, and advanced battery technologies. Key themes included:<ul><li>Electrification: Efficient power management and battery advancements for EVs.</li><li>Connectivity: V2X (vehicle-to-everything) communication for smarter traffic ecosystems.</li><li>Safety Systems: Innovations in sensor fusion and AI-enhanced driver-assistance technologies.</li></ul><h3>Fostering Talent: Investing in the Future</h3>With the global electronics industry facing a talent shortage, Electronica 2024 placed special emphasis on nurturing the next generation of engineers and innovators. Events, workshops, and mentorship programs were tailored to inspire students and young professionals to take up roles in this rapidly evolving field.<h2>Exhibitor Highlights: Innovations to Watch</h2><h3>Infineon Technologies: AI and Sustainability at the Core</h3><a href="https://www.infineon.com/cms/en/product/promopages/electronica/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Infineon</a> stole the spotlight with its dual focus on sustainability and digitalization. Showcasing AI-enabled semiconductor solutions, the company emphasized its commitment to green energy and smart mobility. Their technologies are pivotal in advancing applications such as solar energy systems, electric drives, and secure IoT solutions.<h3>Altium: Transforming Electronics Design</h3><a href="https://www.messe.tv/en/2024/electronica/altium-life-cycle-electronics-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Altium</a>, a multinational software company specializing in electronic design automation, unveiled a trifecta of solutions—Altium Discover, Altium&nbsp;Develop, and Altium Lifecycle—aimed at streamlining the electronics design process. From conceptualization to product lifecycle management, these tools empower engineers to innovate faster and with greater efficiency.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1732192928529-novelties_altium_booth_electronica_2024_fair_munich-large.webp" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Altium presented their three new solutions for solutions for the entire electronics development life cycle: Discover, Develop and Lifecycle. Source:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.messe.tv/en/2024/electronica/altium-life-cycle-electronics-development" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Altium</a><h3>Nordic Semiconductor: The New Standard in Bluetooth LE</h3>Nordic Semiconductor introduced the <a href="https://www.nordicsemi.com/Nordic-news/2023/10/Nordic-announces-nRF54L-Series-expanding-industrys-most-efficient-Bluetooth-LE-portfolio" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">nRF54L Series,</a> expanding the world’s most energy-efficient Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) portfolio. With a focus on ultra-low power consumption, this series is ideal for applications like wearables, medical devices, and IoT solutions, pushing the boundaries of connectivity.<h3>Analog Devices: Agile Manufacturing Robotics</h3><a href="https://www.analog.com/en/lp/001/electronica.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Analog Devices</a> showcased robotics innovations for agile manufacturing, demonstrating how precision sensors and edge computing can revolutionize production lines. Their solutions highlighted the growing importance of flexibility and efficiency in Industry 4.0 environments.<h3>Ignion: IoT Innovation</h3>Ignion focused on smart antenna solutions designed to improve IoT device performance, showcasing their new <a href="https://ignion.io/landing-page/discover-omnia-mxtend/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">OMNIA mXTEND™</a>, a one-of-a-kind three-port Virtual Antenna® component designed to simplify RF connectivity for IoT applications.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1732194027984-ignion-omnia-mxtend-antenna.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Ignion unveiled their new OMNIA mXTEND™ Virtual Antenna.&nbsp;<h2>From Carbon Goals to Connectivity: Electronica’s Blueprint for the Future</h2>Electronica 2024 left attendees with a clear message: the future of electronics is deeply intertwined with global efforts to create a sustainable, connected, and intelligent world. Innovations showcased at the event demonstrated the industry’s resilience and ability to address pressing challenges, from climate change to supply chain disruptions.As we look ahead, several trends stand out:<ol><li>AI as the Catalyst: Expect deeper integration of AI across all electronics applications, driving efficiency and unlocking new capabilities.</li><li>Sustainability as a Mandate: Green manufacturing and circular design will become non-negotiable for businesses aiming to stay competitive.</li><li>Talent Development: The need for a robust talent pipeline will see continued investment in education and mentorship.</li></ol>For engineers, technologists, and industry stakeholders, Electronica 2024 served as both a showcase of current advancements and a roadmap for the exciting developments yet to come. As the industry evolves, platforms like Electronica will remain indispensable for fostering collaboration, innovation, and progress.

Over 80,000 visitors and 3,400 exhibitors attended this year's Electronica in Munich. Image source: Electronica.

From AI-powered manufacturing to sustainable mobility solutions, Electronica 2024 revealed how electronics are paving the way to a carbon-neutral world. This year’s record-breaking event featured game-changing technologies and fostered collaboration across the global industry.

Electronica 2024: Key Insights and Innovations Driving the Electronics Industry Forward

As the world struggles to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, researchers are seeking practical, economical ways to capture carbon dioxide and convert it into useful products, such as transportation fuels, chemical feedstocks, or even building materials. But so far, such attempts have struggled to reach economic viability.New research by engineers at MIT could lead to rapid improvements in a variety of electrochemical systems that are under development to convert carbon dioxide into a valuable commodity. The team developed a new design for the electrodes used in these systems, which increases the efficiency of the conversion process.The findings are reported today in the journal&nbsp;Nature Communications, in a paper by MIT doctoral student Simon Rufer, professor of mechanical engineering Kripa Varanasi, and three others.“The CO2 problem is a big challenge for our times, and we are using all kinds of levers to solve and address this problem,” Varanasi says. It will be essential to find practical ways of removing the gas, he says, either from sources such as power plant emissions, or straight out of the air or the oceans. But then, once the CO2 has been removed, it has to go somewhere.A wide variety of systems have been developed for converting that captured gas into a useful chemical product, Varanasi says. “It’s not that we can’t do it — we can do it. But the question is how can we make this efficient? How can we make this cost-effective?”In the new study, the team focused on the electrochemical conversion of CO2 to ethylene, a widely used chemical that can be made into a variety of plastics as well as fuels, and which today is made from petroleum. But the approach they developed could also be applied to producing other high-value chemical products as well, including methane, methanol, carbon monoxide, and others, the researchers say.Currently, ethylene sells for about $1,000 per ton, so the goal is to be able to meet or beat that price. The electrochemical process that converts CO2 into ethylene involves a water-based solution and a catalyst material, which come into contact along with an electric current in a device called a gas diffusion electrode.There are two competing characteristics of the gas diffusion electrode materials that affect their performance: They must be good electrical conductors so that the current that drives the process doesn’t get wasted through resistance heating, but they must also be “hydrophobic,” or water repelling, so the water-based electrolyte solution doesn’t leak through and interfere with the reactions taking place at the electrode surface.Unfortunately, it’s a tradeoff. Improving the conductivity reduces the hydrophobicity, and vice versa. Varanasi and his team set out to see if they could find a way around that conflict, and after many months of work, they did just that.The solution, devised by Rufer and Varanasi, is elegant in its simplicity. They used a plastic material, PTFE (essentially Teflon), that has been known to have good hydrophobic properties. However, PTFE’s lack of conductivity means that electrons must travel through a very thin catalyst layer, leading to significant voltage drop with distance. To overcome this limitation, the researchers wove a series of conductive copper wires through the very thin sheet of the PTFE.“This work really addressed this challenge, as we can now get both conductivity and hydrophobicity,” Varanasi says.Research on potential carbon conversion systems tends to be done on very small, lab-scale samples, typically less than 1-inch (2.5-centimeter) squares. To demonstrate the potential for scaling up, Varanasi’s team produced a sheet 10 times larger in area and demonstrated its effective performance.To get to that point, they had to do some basic tests that had apparently never been done before, running tests under identical conditions but using electrodes of different sizes to analyze the relationship between conductivity and electrode size. They found that conductivity dropped off dramatically with size, which would mean much more energy, and thus cost, would be needed to drive the reaction.“That’s exactly what we would expect, but it was something that nobody had really dedicatedly investigated before,” Rufer says. In addition, the larger sizes produced more unwanted chemical byproducts besides the intended ethylene.Real-world industrial applications would require electrodes that are perhaps 100 times larger than the lab versions, so adding the conductive wires will be necessary for making such systems practical, the researchers say. They also developed a model which captures the spatial variability in voltage and product distribution on electrodes due to ohmic losses. The model along with the experimental data they collected enabled them to calculate the optimal spacing for conductive wires to counteract the drop off in conductivity.In effect, by weaving the wire through the material, the material is divided into smaller subsections determined by the spacing of the wires. “We split it into a bunch of little subsegments, each of which is effectively a smaller electrode,” Rufer says. “And as we’ve seen, small electrodes can work really well.”Because the copper wire is so much more conductive than the PTFE material, it acts as a kind of superhighway for electrons passing through, bridging the areas where they are confined to the substrate and face greater resistance.To demonstrate that their system is robust, the researchers ran a test electrode for 75 hours continuously, with little change in performance. Overall, Rufer says, their system “is the first PTFE-based electrode which has gone beyond the lab scale on the order of 5 centimeters or smaller. It’s the first work that has progressed into a much larger scale and has done so without sacrificing efficiency.”The weaving process for incorporating the wire can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing processes, even in a large-scale roll-to-roll process, he adds.“Our approach is very powerful because it doesn’t have anything to do with the actual catalyst being used,” Rufer says. “You can sew this micrometric copper wire into any gas diffusion electrode you want, independent of catalyst morphology or chemistry. So, this approach can be used to scale anybody’s electrode.”“Given that we will need to process gigatons of CO2 annually to combat the CO2 challenge, we really need to think about solutions that can scale,” Varanasi says. “Starting with this mindset enables us to identify critical bottlenecks and develop innovative approaches that can make a meaningful impact in solving the problem. Our hierarchically conductive electrode is a result of such thinking.”The research team included MIT graduate students Michael Nitzsche and Sanjay Garimella, &nbsp;as well as Jack Lake PhD ’23. The work was supported by Shell, through the MIT Energy Initiative.This work was carried out, in part, through the use of MIT.nano facilities.

A conceptual schematic of the new woven electrode design. Researchers wove a series of conductive copper wires (the brown-orange pipe) through a very thin membrane to reach the catalyst. Image: Courtesy of the researchers, edited by MIT News

A new electrode design boosts the efficiency of electrochemical reactions that turn carbon dioxide into ethylene and other products.

Engineers make converting CO2 into useful products more practical

<section id="isPasted">When early humans learned to harness fire for heat around 400,000 years ago, it marked a monumental turning point in mankind’s history. Heat is used for various purposes in the modern age, particularly in manufacturing, including refining, steel, cement, pulp and paper. The fossil fuels used to generate heat in these manufacturing sectors generate substantial greenhouse gas emissions. Hence, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) is now heavily investing in alternative technologies for heat generation. Under the Manufacturing USA initiative, the DOE has made a significant stride by awarding $70 million to the&nbsp;<a href="https://epixc.org/">Electrified Processes for Industry without Carbon (EPIXC) Institute</a>. This institute, led by Arizona State University and with key partnerships with national labs and universities, including Texas A&amp;M University, is a beacon of hope for the future of electrified heating technologies. EPIXC's funding, through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office, is a testament to the promising future of these technologies. “A significant portion of the heat used in manufacturing is currently generated by burning fossil fuels,” explained Dr. Mark Barteau, professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering and C. D. Holland ’53 Chair at Texas A&amp;M. “However, with the potential of abundant carbon-free energy in the future, we could revolutionize the industry by using electrical energy for heating, thereby significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” Texas A&amp;M is a core partner in EPIXC through the leadership of the&nbsp;<a href="https://energy.tamu.edu/">Texas A&amp;M Energy Institute</a>. Texas A&amp;M researchers will contribute across the EPIXC mission, including development of a “roadmap” for decarbonization of manufacturing processes. The five-year program will be initiated with a two-year “jumpstart” project devoted to developing innovative electrified heating technologies for propane dehydrogenation, a chemical process for converting propane to propylene, a material that has several commercial applications, such as producing plastics, solvents and other chemicals. As the name suggests, propane dehydrogenation involves the selective removal of two hydrogen atoms from a propane feedstock to make propylene. This reaction takes place in the presence of catalysts to speed up the reaction. But propane dehydrogenation is an endothermic reaction, which means that the chemical reaction consumes heat, which currently comes from burning fossil fuels. With their funding, Barteau and his team aim to (1) develop electrified chemical processes and (2) establish a program for workforce development for manufacturing personnel and researchers. His team, including Dr. Micah Green and Dr. Benjamin Willhite both professors in the chemical engineering department, is currently developing a reactor based on internal radiofrequency (RF) heating of the propane dehydrogenation catalyst. &nbsp;A reason for using RF is to achieve good radiation penetration depth; that is, the radiation can reach inside the chemical reactor and create uniform heating temperatures. Thus, the team will work on reactor designs that best match the source of electrical energy put into the system.</section><blockquote>A significant portion of the heat used in manufacturing is currently generated by burning fossil fuels. However, with the potential of abundant carbon-free energy in the future, we could revolutionize the industry by using electrical energy for heating, thereby significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.<cite>- Dr. Mark Barteau</cite></blockquote><section>Another challenge that Barteau will be addressing is scaling these technologies from the laboratory to pilot-scale demonstrations and, ultimately, deployment in the field.&nbsp;“A world-scale propane dehydrogenation plant will make about 600,000 metric tons of propylene per year. Electrified processes will need to be operable at that scale since these plants will require large amounts of clean electricity,” said Barteau. “This energy could be generated on-site, or it could be generated elsewhere and transmitted.” The project could reduce CO2 emissions by 0.3 metric tons per metric ton of propylene produced and increase propylene yields by up to 10%. The team will be further strengthened by the participation of two key members from the Texas A&amp;M Energy Institute leadership: Dr. Stratos Pistikopoulos, professor of chemical engineering and director of the Texas A&amp;M Energy Institute, Dr. Konstantinos Pappas, associate director at the energy institute. Their expertise will significantly contribute to the development of training curricula for workforce development, drawing upon the institute’s modular concept of its renowned educational program. As climate change and global warming threaten the planet, Texas A&amp;M and partners at EPIXC will strive to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels for heat generation and decarbonize industries by developing technologies to electrify process heating. The successful implementation of these electrified processes could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing, contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly industrial sector. Funding for this research is administered by the Texas A&amp;M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), the official research agency for Texas A&amp;M Engineering.</section>

Texas A&M researchers will conduct a two-year “jumpstart” project devoted to developing electrified heating technologies.

Moving Toward an Electrified Solution to Generate Heat for Manufacturing Industries

<h1 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Context and Importance</h1>The current market size of Cloud computing is estimated to be USD 0.68 trillion, and it is growing at a very rapid pace. According to some estimations, by 2029, the cloud computing market will reach USD 1.44 trillion with a compound annual growth rate of 16.40%. 1&nbsp;As cloud computing adoption has accelerated, so too has the energy demand to power the massive data centers that host these services. These energy demands have significant environmental implications, contributing to increased carbon emissions and raising concerns about the sustainability of the digital future. In this regard, the concept of Green Cloud has emerged to be an imperative that mitigates these concerns.The aim of this article is to explain the Green Cloud, its underlying principles, and how engineers and organizations can implement sustainable practices in cloud operations.<h1 dir="ltr">Defining the Green Cloud</h1><h2 dir="ltr">What is the Green Cloud?</h2>The Green Cloud means integrating sustainable practices into cloud computing operations by focusing on energy-efficient, environmentally-friendly cloud services that minimize carbon emissions and reduce resource consumption. Traditionally, cloud computing primarily focuses on factors like scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency without environmental aspects as a primary concern. However, in the case of Green Cloud computing, along with the aforementioned factors, the objective is to create a more eco-conscious digital infrastructure that contributes to long-term environmental preservation and seeks to manage resources sustainably via energy usage optimization and e-waste reduction.<h2 dir="ltr">Key Environmental Issues in Cloud Computing</h2>Data centers are considered the core of cloud computing; however, they consume vast amounts of energy that leads to an excess carbon footprint in the environment. The power required to operate servers, cool systems, and manage data has significant environmental consequences, especially when fueled by non-renewable energy sources like coal and natural gas. Moreover, as the hardware and cooling systems become outdated, data centers also generate significant e-waste that can contribute to resource depletion and hazardous waste production.<h1 dir="ltr">Why the Green Cloud Matters</h1><h2 dir="ltr">Impact of Traditional Cloud Practices</h2>The energy consumption of traditional cloud computing practices is staggering. For instance, the three hundred thousand servers of Microsoft's Chicago data center alone consume 23.5% of the USA's total coal-generated electric power. Similarly, Google has over one million servers worldwide that also consume a lot of energy.&nbsp;2The energy consumption of data centers is expected to further increase, driven by the exponential growth of data. Without intervention, this could lead to even greater carbon emissions, placing unsustainable pressure on global power grids and ecosystems. It is projected that the proportion of global carbon dioxide emissions attributed to information and communication technologies (ICTs) has grown from 1.3% in 2002 to 2.3% by 2020.&nbsp;3&nbsp;Therefore, it is imperative to shift towards sustainable cloud operations that prioritize environmental sustainability.<h1 dir="ltr">Principles of a Green Cloud</h1><h2 dir="ltr">Energy Efficiency</h2>The principles of a Green Cloud revolve around minimizing environmental impact by using energy-efficient hardware and optimizing server infrastructure. Modern data centers are adopting energy-efficient processors and low-power servers designed to reduce electricity consumption. To improve energy efficiency, one key strategy can be utilizing virtualized environments, where multiple virtual servers can run on a single physical machine enabling workload consolidation, which means that data centers can handle more tasks with fewer resources, significantly reducing idle server energy consumption.<h2 dir="ltr">Renewable Energy Adoption</h2>Currently cloud processing is heavily dependent on non-renewable energy sources, as evident through the example of Microsoft's Chicago data center using a quarter of the USA's coal-generated energy. Powering data centers with renewable energy is a critical step in achieving sustainable cloud computing as renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, offer a clean alternative to fossil fuels that can help reduce the carbon footprint of cloud operations.&nbsp;In this regard, major cloud providers like Google and Microsoft are prioritizing sustainability by committing to renewable energy use and reducing their carbon footprints. For instance, Microsoft Azure has set a goal to achieve carbon-negative operations by 2030, while Google plans to run entirely carbon-free.&nbsp;4<h2 dir="ltr">Carbon Reduction Techniques</h2>Another important principle is to utilize carbon reduction techniques, including utilizing low-power processors, energy management software, and cooling system optimizations that minimize the energy required to maintain ideal operating temperatures in data centers. For instance, open-source tools like <a href="https://www.cloudcarbonfootprint.org/">Cloud Carbon Footprint</a> are designed to measure, track, and reduce carbon emissions from cloud usage. This tool generates metrics and projections for potential carbon reductions, which can be communicated to employees, investors, and other relevant stakeholders. 5Similarly, carbon offset programs that enable cloud providers to invest in environmental projects that compensate for their carbon emissions are also great initiatives toward Green Cloud.&nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1730724156554-Screenshot+2024-09-25+115819.png" width="624" height="291" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Screenshot from the Cloud Carbon Footprint tool. Credit: cloudcarbonfootprint<h1 dir="ltr">Technological Approaches to Achieving the Green Cloud</h1><h2 dir="ltr">Cloud Infrastructure Optimization</h2>Technological approaches to achieve a Green Cloud focus on optimizing cloud infrastructure to minimize energy consumption. For instance, techniques such as power-efficient cooling systems and improved server designs reduce energy usage in data centers.&nbsp;Moreover, data centers can minimize their environmental impact by using techniques like resource scheduling and workload management to ensure that resources are not wasted on idle tasks. In this regard, automation also plays a vital role as automated systems can intelligently manage server activity, powering down unused servers or scaling resources based on real-time needs.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">Edge Computing and Distributed Data Centers</h2>Edge computing is another way of achieving Green Cloud, as it reduces long-distance data transfer requirements by processing data closer to its source. This approach of handling computation locally lowers bandwidth usage and the power required for network operations as well as reducing energy costs.&nbsp;Similarly, distributing data across geographically diverse data centers further helps reduce energy intensity by utilizing regional power resources more effectively. These data centers are strategically placed to take advantage of local renewable energy sources and climate conditions for efficient cooling.<h2 dir="ltr">Virtualization and Containerization</h2>Virtualization and containerization are critical technologies to achieve Green Cloud. Container-based architectures contribute to energy savings by allowing multiple applications to share the same operating system while running in isolated environments with minimal overhead. Containerization allows workloads to run on fewer servers, which reduces the energy required for powering and cooling data centers. Virtualization and containerization help cloud providers achieve significant energy savings by optimizing the utility of available hardware while maintaining flexibility and scalability.<h1 dir="ltr">Engineering Challenges in Implementing Green Cloud Practices</h1><h2 dir="ltr">Balancing Performance and Sustainability</h2>Implementing Green Cloud practices presents engineering challenges in balancing performance and sustainability. For instance, one significant challenge is the trade-off between energy savings and cloud performance, as energy-saving measures, such as reducing power to idle servers, can sometimes introduce latency or lower performance.&nbsp;Exploring new technologies and architectures that can improve energy efficiency without sacrificing performance is imperative to tackle this challenge. In this regard, adopting hybrid architectures that combine traditional and cloud-native solutions can provide the flexibility needed to achieve both sustainability and high performance.<h2 dir="ltr">Cost vs. Environmental Benefit</h2>The economic challenges of adopting Green Cloud solutions can be significant, especially for smaller organizations, since the upfront costs of transitioning to energy-efficient hardware, renewable energy sources, and optimized cloud infrastructure can be substantial. However, long-term cost savings from reduced energy consumption often outweigh these initial investments.Quantifying the return on investment (ROI) for Green Cloud investments, however, adds another layer of complexity. Organizations must balance immediate financial implications against long-term environmental benefits by developing metrics that accurately assess energy savings, reduced operational costs, and potential regulatory incentives. Businesses can utilize cost-benefit analyses and lifecycle assessments to better understand the financial and environmental impact of their investments.<h1 dir="ltr">Real-World Examples and Best Practices</h1><h2 dir="ltr">Case Studies of Green Cloud Implementation</h2>Major cloud providers are leading the charge toward sustainable cloud computing. For instance, in 2023, for the seventh year in a row, Google matched 100% of its electricity usage with renewable energy. Moreover, Google is aiming for 24/7 carbon-free energy across all its global operations by 2030. 6&nbsp;Similarly, AWS achieved to match 100% of their consumed electricity with renewable energy in 2023, and they are aiming to achieve their target of net-zero carbon by 2040.&nbsp;7&nbsp;Microsoft has also made a significant commitment by targeting carbon negativity by 2030.&nbsp;4Smaller companies are also aiming to achieve sustainable cloud operations. For instance, Ecosia is a search engine that donates 80% of its profits to reforestation projects worldwide.8&nbsp;Similarly, GreenGeeks is a web hosting company that claims to be 300% green. They use renewable energy credits to offset their carbon footprint and support wind energy projects.&nbsp;9<h1 dir="ltr">The Future of the Green Cloud</h1><h2 dir="ltr">Trends in Sustainable Cloud Computing</h2>AI and machine learning can contribute a lot to the future of Green Cloud for energy optimization. With AI and machine learning, data centers will be able to analyze vast amounts of operational data, identify inefficiencies, and dynamically adjust resource allocation to minimize energy consumption while maintaining performance.&nbsp;Another crucial trend for the future of Green Cloud is the rise of zero-carbon data centers, which aim to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from their operations. Top companies are aiming to adopt climate-positive operations and go beyond carbon neutrality towards carbon-negative by actively contributing to carbon removal and climate restoration.<h1 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h1>The Green Cloud is an important step toward addressing the environmental impact of cloud computing. Cloud providers can significantly reduce their carbon footprints via energy-efficient hardware, renewable energy sources, and carbon reduction techniques.&nbsp;The Green Cloud is not just a trend but a necessary transformation in how we approach digital infrastructure. In this regard, engineers have a responsibility and a critical role in advancing these technologies and ensuring that cloud computing continues to grow in an environmentally responsible manner. The future of computing can become both powerful and environmentally friendly if Green Clooud practices are adopted widely.<h1 dir="ltr">References</h1><ol><li dir="ltr">Cloud Computing Market Size &amp; Share Analysis - Growth Trends &amp; Forecasts (2024 - 2029) [Online]. Mordor Intelligence. Available at: <a href="https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/cloud-computing-market">https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/cloud-computing-market</a> (Accessed on September 24, 2024)</li><li dir="ltr">Bharany, S., et al,. (2022). A systematic survey on energy-efficient techniques in sustainable cloud computing. Sustainability. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106256">https://doi.org/10.3390/su14106256</a></li><li dir="ltr">Radu, L. D. (2017). Green cloud computing: A literature survey. Symmetry. <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/sym9120295">https://doi.org/10.3390/sym9120295</a></li><li dir="ltr">Who has the greenest cloud? The most sustainable cloud tech in 2024 [Online]. Hive. Available at: <a href="https://www.hivenet.com/post/who-has-the-greenest-cloud-the-most-sustainable-cloud-tech-in-2024">https://www.hivenet.com/post/who-has-the-greenest-cloud-the-most-sustainable-cloud-tech-in-2024</a> (Accessed on September 24, 2024)</li><li dir="ltr">Cloud Carbon Emissions Measurement and Analysis Tool [Online]. Cloud Carbon Footprint. Available at: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.cloudcarbonfootprint.org/">https://www.cloudcarbonfootprint.org/</a> (Accessed on September 24, 2024)</li><li dir="ltr">24/7 Carbon-Free Energy by 2030. [Online] Google Data Centers. Available at: <a href="https://www.google.com/about/datacenters/cleanenergy/">https://www.google.com/about/datacenters/cleanenergy/</a> (Accessed on September 24, 2024)</li><li dir="ltr">AWS enables sustainability solutions. [Online]. AWS. Amazon. Available at: &nbsp;<a href="https://aws.amazon.com/sustainability/">https://aws.amazon.com/sustainability/</a> (Accessed on September 24, 2024)</li><li dir="ltr">Ellie Hutchin (2017) Ecosia. The Search Engine That's Saving The World! [Online] The Great Projects. Available at: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.thegreatprojects.com/blog/the-search-engine-that-s-saving-the-world">https://www.thegreatprojects.com/blog/the-search-engine-that-s-saving-the-world</a> (Accessed on September 24, 2024)</li><li dir="ltr">Web Hosting that's fast, secure &amp; eco-friendly. [Online] Green Geeks. Available at: &nbsp;<a href="https://www.greengeeks.com/">https://www.greengeeks.com/</a> (Accessed on September 24, 2024)</li></ol>

The aim of this article is to explain the Green Cloud, its underlying principles, and how engineers and organizations can implement sustainable practices in cloud operations.

Understanding the Green Cloud: An overview of sustainable cloud computing

In a recipe for a net-zero future, hydrogen is sometimes considered the secret ingredient. A team of Carnegie Mellon researchers is moving beyond the hype to analyze the realities—and risks—of using hydrogen as part of our energy and manufacturing systems.“Many businesses and communities across the United States are putting their chips on hydrogen hubs,” says <a href="https://engineering.cmu.edu/directory/bios/karplus-valerie.html">Valerie Karplus</a>, a professor of <a href="https://www.cmu.edu/epp/people/faculty/valerie-karplus.html">engineering and public policy</a> and associate director of the <a href="https://www.cmu.edu/energy/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Scott Institute for Energy Innovation</a>. “To realize their potential, hubs will need to navigate the tricky balance between maintaining the financial incentives necessary for early market development while upholding their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”In the wake of $8 billion in federal funding that has helped regional stakeholders start up hydrogen hubs across the United States, Karplus and <a href="https://engineering.cmu.edu/directory/bios/morgan-m-granger.html">Granger Morgan</a> have summarized the two types of risks associated with early investment in hydrogen systems: economic, that maintaining hubs won’t be financially viable; and environmental, that hubs won’t reduce greenhouse gasses at a sufficient level, or that their use will exacerbate local pollution.<blockquote>To realize their potential, hubs will need to navigate the tricky balance between maintaining the financial incentives necessary for early market development while upholding their commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.<cite>Valerie Karplus, Professor, Engineering and Public Policy</cite></blockquote>Karplus and Morgan, a professor of engineering and public policy, point out that in the effort to curb the effects of climate change, hydrogen offers many advantages, but it is not a panacea. A crucial step to making it a viable energy source is finding a production method that reduces greenhouse gas emissions and has increasingly favorable economics. They suggest that starting with hubs can address many of the economic risks, but regulation is required to address the environmental risks.“The bottom line is that hydrogen would be very useful if we could get it without environmental consequences,” said Morgan.Hydrogen can still indirectly contribute to greenhouse warming, putting particular pressure on making sure that transport, storage, and sequestration are handled properly.“Hydrogen is the lightest molecule, so it leaks very easily,” said Morgan. “Building a hydrogen system that doesn’t leak is really tough and takes a lot of attention.”As Morgan notes, hydrogen leaks are difficult to detect, and its presence extends the atmospheric lifetime of methane, a greenhouse gas that’s 40 times more potent than carbon dioxide.Morgan and Karplus’ research, which appears in the journal <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/risa.17449" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Risk Analysis</a>, includes a set of design principles to help hydrogen hubs capitalize on their potential.Recommendations include streamlining of the regulatory requirements for hydrogen hubs, combined with efforts to engage with end users and address their concerns about the social and economic equity of new infrastructure appearing in communities.Beyond financial viability and climate mitigation, how hydrogen development affects workers and communities will shape its broader growth prospects. A hydrogen economy could provide a new source of employment in parts of the country that are already being hard hit by a decline in manufacturing or fossil energy production, given similarities in skills requirements. At the same time, a shift to hydrogen-based ironmaking processes for steel production could improve air quality and reduce associated negative health impacts to communities.

Hydrogen is sometimes considered a secret ingredient in the recipe for a net-zero future. As a team of Carnegie Mellon researchers points out, hydrogen offers many advantages, but it’s not a panacea.

Hubs: A step towards a hydrogen future?

An interview with Adam White from Infineon on Powering the Next Generation of AI Data Centers.

There is No AI Without Power

As the world grapples with climate change and environmental degradation, the Dutch automotive industry is pioneering efforts in sustainable mobility. 

The Road to Sustainable Mobility in the Netherlands and Europe

Aerodynamic shape optimization (ASO) is a key technique in aerodynamic design aimed at enhancing an object's physical performance while adhering to specific constraints.To optimize a 3D shape, one has to represent it in terms of a number of parameters that can be fed to the optimizer. A standard way to do this is to use a technique known as Free Form Deformations (FFD). Unfortunately, this requires extensive manual intervention and even when used by a domain expert, it often takes a great deal of trial and error to get right.<h2>Deep Geometric Mapping</h2>Now, researchers in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epfl.ch/labs/cvlab/" target="_blank">Computer Vision Laboratory</a> (CVLab), part of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.epfl.ch/schools/ic/" target="_blank">School of Computer and Communication Sciences</a>(IC), in collaboration with colleagues at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.isae-supaero.fr/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ISAE-SupAero</a> in France, have developed the DeepGeo model, a fully automated neural-network-based approach to generating the required parameterization for complex geometries.“DeepGeo performs the same function as FFD, but uses recent developments in deep learning to eliminate the need for human tinkering. It finds the appropriate parameters, which are then used to optimize the aircraft design. It is no longer necessary to spend months coming up with good parameterization,” explained Professor Pascal Fua, Head of the CV Lab.DeepGeo also adapts the volumetric meshes modeling - the discretized computational domain surrounding the target object - as its shape changes during optimization. These volumetric meshes are necessary to perform the required Computational Fluid Dynamics computations and automating their deformation further reduces the workload of the designers.Because it is innovative and potentially transformational, the corresponding paper,&nbsp;<a href="https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/b3fd399e-a66f-433d-b066-c44d454ec9bd" target="_blank">DeepGeo: Deep Geometric Mapping for Automated and Effective Parameterization in Aerodynamic Shape Optimization</a> recently won a best student paper award at the biggest aeronautics conference of the year, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.aiaa.org/aviation/#:~:text=Join%20AIAA%20in%20Las%20Vegas,%20NV%20from%2021%20to%2025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Forum ‘24</a>.It outlines how DeepGeo is based on deep geometric learning techniques without requiring large-scale training datasets. Multiple case studies undertaken by the researchers, including 2D circle-to-airfoil optimization, 3D CRM wing optimization, and 3D Blended-Wing-Body aircraft optimization, demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of DeepGeo. It delivers comparable performance to FFD at a fraction of the cost in terms of the required effort by human designers.“By eliminating the need for extensive datasets and hyperparameter tuning, DeepGeo significantly reduces implementation complexity and cost and our research highlights its potential to automate ASO, making it more accessible and efficient,” added Zhen Wei, a doctoral assistant in the CV Lab and first author on the paper.<h2>A personal passion driving green aviation design</h2>For Fua, his drive to optimize green aviation design goes beyond the laboratory. He’s a passionate glider pilot and recently took part in a journey with motorized gliders from Chambéry in France to Ourzazate in Morocco.Whilst the adventure was a lot of fun, Fua was constantly monitoring the sustainability of the trip and uses his amateur ‘in the air’ experience as inspiration for new research ideas. The expedition was soaring most of the time and only used the engines very sparingly. It covered more than 5000 km using the engine for less than 5 hours in a total of 55 hours flying time.“For more sustainable aviation, the game is to essentially change the shape of aircraft to reduce drag. This is an old problem, it's been around forever,” explained Fua. “Going forward we want to first use DeepGeo on model gliders used for FAI competitions. Because they need to fulfil so many contradictory requirements while being reasonably cheap to build, they are a wonderful test bed for our technology.”<h2>Beyond sustainable aviation</h2>Whilst model gliders will provide a demonstration of what DeepGeo can do, there’s a much bigger picture: This research is about optimizing design and efficiency for commercial jets and passenger airlines – planes with engines – and a wide range of applications beyond.Beyond the field of aeronautics, the automated simultaneous design of shapes that interact, such as contiguous car components or internal parts of turbines, is a pervasive and open problem. One of Fua’s long term goals is to revolutionize the way that composite objects, whose parts can have arbitrary shapes or topologies, are modelled, manipulated and optimized, enforcing both design constraints on individual parts and compatibility constraints among these parts.“DeepGeo offers a promising solution for complex geometric parameterization in the field of aerodynamic shape optimization. Future work in this direction will be key in designing energy-efficient machines at a time when minimizing humanity’s impact on the environment has become a critical concern,” Fua concluded.

EPFL professor’s passion for sustainable flying and expertise in machine learning and computer vision drives innovation in green aviation design and beyond.

A new deep learning model for easier sustainable aircraft design

The evolution of electrical grids into "smart grids" represents a transformative leap in how electricity is distributed and managed, paving the way for a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable energy future. At its core, a smart grid integrates advanced digital technologies, such as power and current sensors, smart meters, and automated controls, to facilitate two-way communication between utility providers and customers. This allows for real-time monitoring and management of energy flows, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of electricity distribution.1,2Smart grids are not just about adding Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to old infrastructure but about reimagining how energy is delivered in the 21st century. They embody a modernized grid system that enables bidirectional energy flows and employs two-way communication and control capabilities, ushering in many new functionalities and applications.3 Moreover, smart grids are instrumental in modernizing energy systems to accommodate the growing electricity demand, integrate renewable energy sources seamlessly, and provide enhanced control over energy consumption.4This article will explore the intricate relationship between smart grids and the latest technological advancements (such as AI and 5G), their role in bolstering renewable energy and storage solutions, and how they revolutionise electric vehicle (EV) charging capabilities. We aim to comprehensively cover smart grids' pivotal role in contemporary and future energy systems.<h2 dir="ltr">The Evolution of Electricity Grids</h2><h3 dir="ltr">From Traditional to Smart Grids</h3>The journey from traditional to today's smart grids represents a remarkable evolution in electricity distribution and management. The first "grid" was introduced in 1882 with the Pearl Street Station in New York City. This coal-powered plant marked the beginning of centralised electricity generation, serving a modest 85 customers. The early power systems were characterized by fierce competition between direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC). AC eventually prevailed due to its efficiency in transmitting electricity over long distances. 5, 6The electricity grid transformed from a competitive and unregulated landscape into a regulated environment with monopolized zones established by the US Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA) in 1935. This act responded to the chaotic competition and the impacts of the Great Depression, establishing regulated monopolies to ensure a stable and reliable electricity supply.5Modernization efforts have significantly enhanced the grids' capabilities, integrating renewable energy sources such as wind and solar to maintain energy security and reliability. This shift towards renewable energy and the decentralization of energy sources marks a significant departure from the past's large-scale, fossil fuel-based systems. Decentralization allows for a more resilient grid system by incorporating smaller, localized energy sources, including homes with solar panels that return electricity to the grid.5, 7<h3 dir="ltr">The Role of Policy and Innovation</h3>Government policies and technological innovations have driven the smart grid revolution. The recent focus on decarbonization and renewable energy integration is a response to the finite supply of fossil fuels and the growing concerns about climate change. Legislation such as the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrastructure_Investment_and_Jobs_Act" target="_blank">US Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act</a> and the<a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/cleanenergy/inflation-reduction-act-guidebook/" target="_blank">&nbsp;Inflation Reduction Act of 2022</a> have provided significant funding and incentives for grid modernization, renewable energy expansion, and the development of cleaner energy technologies.7Technological innovations, especially in digital and communication technologies, have paved the way for the smart grid. These advancements allow for more efficient management and distribution of electricity, accommodating the variable nature of renewable energy sources. High-voltage, direct current (HVDC) transmission lines and energy storage technologies like utility-scale batteries play a vital role in overcoming the challenges of integrating renewable energy into the grid, ensuring a stable and reliable energy supply.6, 7<h2 dir="ltr">Core Technologies Behind Smart Grids</h2><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI1NjE1ODAwMTk5LWpwZWcgZW4uanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" width="602" height="328" class="fr-fic fr-dii">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">The Backbone: AI and Machine Learning</h3>AI and machine learning (ML) are revolutionizing smart grid operations by optimizing energy usage, forecasting demand, and enhancing energy efficiency.&nbsp;AI models like <a href="https://www.lunarenergy.com/gridshare" target="_blank">Gridshare</a> from Lunar Energy collect data from thousands of homes, enabling personalized energy need predictions. This improves grid responsiveness and planning for utility companies. AI's application extends to integrating EVs with the grid, identifying optimal charging times to avoid overwhelming the local grid. Moreover, AI assists in disaster prevention by monitoring the physical infrastructure and predicting potential failures due to extreme weather conditions.8<h3 dir="ltr">The Role of 5G in Smart Grids</h3>5G technology is crucial in smart grids by ensuring real-time data transmission and grid management. Its high-speed connectivity and low latency are pivotal for the seamless operation of smart grids, enabling faster communication between grid components. This is essential for integrating renewable energy sources, managing distributed energy resources (DERs), and supporting dynamic load balancing.9<h3 dir="ltr">Integrating Renewable Energy and Storage Systems</h3>Integrating renewable energy and storage systems into the smart grid is facilitated by AI, which addresses the intermittent nature of renewable sources. AI and ML contribute to rebalancing production and consumption loads, optimizing power yield from renewables like solar energy, and ensuring grid stability. Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies also support this integration by monitoring electrical waves for system state analysis and leveraging electric vehicle batteries as efficient energy storage to balance the grid. 9,10<h3 dir="ltr">EV Charging Infrastructure</h3>Smart grid capabilities are crucial for supporting the widespread adoption of electric vehicles. Smart grids can recommend optimal charging times to consumers by analysing EV charging patterns and utilising AI, enhancing grid efficiency. This approach not only facilitates the integration of EVs into the grid but also turns them into a valuable energy storage source, helping to balance electricity consumption and reduce grid overload during peak hours.8<h2 dir="ltr">Challenges in Smart Grid Implementation</h2><h3 dir="ltr">Technical Hurdles</h3>Implementing smart grids introduces a complex challenge: integrating diverse energy resources into a unified system. This includes automating substations and switchgear, utilizing weather prediction systems, and adopting advanced sensing and measurement technologies. Such technologies encompass wide-area monitoring systems and fibre-optic temperature monitoring, all aimed at enhancing grid reliability and efficiency.&nbsp;Moreover, decision support technologies and advanced components like microgrid technologies and energy storage solutions (e.g., lithium-ion batteries) are integral to smart grid operations, further complicating the integration process.13 However, reliance on these technologies complicates the integration process due to their diverse operational requirements and compatibility issues. For instance, integrating microgrid technologies requires careful synchronization with the main grid, and energy storage solutions often demand sophisticated control algorithms to optimize their performance within the grid infrastructure. These complexities necessitate meticulous planning and execution to ensure seamless integration of these components into the smart grid system.<h3 dir="ltr">Security and Privacy Concerns</h3>Security and privacy are paramount concerns in the smart grid landscape, exacerbated by the system's interconnectivity and reliance on communication technologies. Smart grids are susceptible to many cyber and cyber-physical threats, including hacking and unauthorized data access.&nbsp;This necessitates robust cybersecurity measures to protect against these threats while ensuring the integrity and confidentiality of user data. Smart grid cybersecurity to mitigate novel security challenges and manage the integration and interoperability issues that come with a more connected and intelligent energy system.11<h3 dir="ltr">Regulatory and Ethical Considerations</h3>Regulatory and ethical considerations also play a critical role in smart grid implementation. Navigating the regulatory landscape involves compliance with existing standards and policies, which may vary significantly across jurisdictions. Furthermore, ethical concerns in data handling require a careful approach to ensure the protection of consumer privacy and the equitable treatment of all grid users.&nbsp;The regulatory framework must address these concerns while supporting the adoption new technologies and practices that facilitate smart grid development. The transformation to a modern power sector necessitates a comprehensive analysis and planning at every level to ensure that integration, data security, reliable communication protocols, and uninterrupted power supply are properly addressed.11<h2 dir="ltr">Future Outlook and Innovations in Smart Grids</h2><h3 dir="ltr">Emerging Technologies and Their Impact</h3><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNzI1NjE1ODE2MTg0LWltYWdlIDIgZW5nLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" width="602" height="335" class="fr-fic fr-dii" style="width: 822px;">Figure: Smart Grid technologies for the future (derived from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.valuer.ai/blog/innovative-smart-grid-technologies-for-the-future" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Source</a>)The smart grid sector is evolving rapidly, buoyed by technological advancements that promise to redefine energy generation, distribution, and consumption. Key among these are:<ul><li dir="ltr">AI and ML: These technologies are instrumental in optimizing grid operations, enhancing load forecasting, and enabling predictive maintenance. AI's ability to analyze vast amounts of data in real time is pivotal for dynamic energy flow management within the grid.13,14</li><li dir="ltr">Blockchain: The blockchain offers a secure and decentralized framework for energy transactions, promoting transparency and trust in energy exchanges. It can facilitate peer-to-peer energy trading, allowing consumers to buy and sell energy directly, significantly impacting grid management and energy distribution.14</li><li dir="ltr">IoT: IoT devices provide real-time monitoring and control over distributed energy resources, enhancing grid efficiency and reliability. Through sensors and smart meters, IoT enables better asset management, including predictive maintenance, and supports the integration of renewable energy sources.14</li></ul><h3 dir="ltr">Predicted Advancements in Smart Grids</h3><ul><li dir="ltr">Autonomous Grid Management: Future smart grids are expected to leverage AI and IoT for fully autonomous operations, enabling them to self-heal, self-optimize, and self-balance without human intervention. This level of automation will ensure a more resilient and efficient grid capable of managing the complexities of modern energy demands.13,15</li><li dir="ltr">Predictive Maintenance: With the integration of advanced sensors and analytics, smart grids will increasingly adopt predictive maintenance strategies. These strategies will allow for detecting potential failures and scheduling maintenance activities, significantly reducing downtime and improving grid reliability.13,14</li><li dir="ltr">Integration of Renewable Energy and Storage: As smart grids evolve, integrating renewable energy sources like wind and solar will become more streamlined and supported by advanced energy storage solutions. This integration will enhance grid stability and reliability and promote a more sustainable and carbon-neutral energy landscape.16</li></ul><h2 dir="ltr">Key Takeaways</h2>Smart grids represent a significant shift from traditional energy systems towards more efficient, sustainable, and resilient electricity distribution and management frameworks. Integrating AI, IoT, and blockchain technologies has set the stage for advanced grid operations, enabling real-time energy management, predictive maintenance, and secure, decentralized energy transactions.The future outlook for smart grids is highly promising, with continued advancements expected to automate grid management further, integrate renewable energy sources seamlessly, and enhance grid reliability through predictive maintenance strategies. These innovations are crucial for meeting the growing global energy demand sustainably and efficiently.Continuous exploration and development in this field will ensure that smart grids evolve to address the complexities of modern energy systems, offering solutions that are not only technologically advanced but also environmentally responsible and economically viable.&nbsp;In conclusion, the trajectory of smart grids is set towards revolutionizing how energy is produced, distributed, and consumed. With the backdrop of climate change and the global push for sustainability, the advancements in smart grid technologies emerge as both a necessity and an opportunity. As we continue to innovate and refine these technologies, the potential to transform our energy systems into models of efficiency and sustainability becomes more tangible.<h2 dir="ltr">References</h2><ol><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://electricalacademia.com/electric-power/smart-grid-components/" target="_blank">https://electricalacademia.com/electric-power/smart-grid-components/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.nist.gov/el/smart-grid-menu/about-smart-grid/smart-grid-beginners-guide" target="_blank">https://www.nist.gov/el/smart-grid-menu/about-smart-grid/smart-grid-beginners-guide</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.energy.gov/oe/grid-modernization-and-smart-grid" target="_blank">https://www.energy.gov/oe/grid-modernization-and-smart-grid</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.energysage.com/electricity/how-has-electric-grid-changed/" target="_blank">https://www.energysage.com/electricity/how-has-electric-grid-changed/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/how-electricity-grid-works" target="_blank">https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/how-electricity-grid-works</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://solartechnologies.com/the-history-and-evolution-of-our-electric-grid/" target="_blank">https://solartechnologies.com/the-history-and-evolution-of-our-electric-grid/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/11/22/1083792/ai-power-grid-improvement/" target="_blank">https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/11/22/1083792/ai-power-grid-improvement/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.sap.com/insights/smart-grid-ai-in-energy-technologies.html" target="_blank">https://www.sap.com/insights/smart-grid-ai-in-energy-technologies.html</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.ibm.com/blog/optimizing-energy-production-with-the-latest-smart-grid-technologies/" target="_blank">https://www.ibm.com/blog/optimizing-energy-production-with-the-latest-smart-grid-technologies/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/11/22/1083792/ai-power-grid-improvement/" target="_blank">https://www.technologyreview.com/2023/11/22/1083792/ai-power-grid-improvement/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/21/14226" target="_blank">https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/14/21/14226</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://electricalacademia.com/electric-power/challenges-smart-grid-implementation/" target="_blank">https://electricalacademia.com/electric-power/challenges-smart-grid-implementation/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.valuer.ai/blog/innovative-smart-grid-technologies-for-the-future" target="_blank">https://www.valuer.ai/blog/innovative-smart-grid-technologies-for-the-future</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.startus-insights.com/innovators-guide/smart-grid-trends/" target="_blank">https://www.startus-insights.com/innovators-guide/smart-grid-trends/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://engineeringonline.ucr.edu/blog/the-future-of-smart-grid-technologies/" target="_blank">https://engineeringonline.ucr.edu/blog/the-future-of-smart-grid-technologies/</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://vortexofadigitalkind.com/smart-grids-green-energy-future/" target="_blank">https://vortexofadigitalkind.com/smart-grids-green-energy-future/</a></li></ol>

Explore the transformative leap from traditional to smart grids, their integration with AI, IoT, and renewable energy, and their future in energy efficiency.

Smart Grid: Navigating the Future of Energy

Energy demands are at an all-time high, as is the need to be environmentally conscious. That’s why chemical engineering professors Drs. Joseph Kwon and Mark Barteau have developed a strategy to predict the performance of new catalysts for greener ammonia production. &nbsp;“By making industrial processes like ammonia production more sustainable, this research contributes to broader efforts to combat climate change, promoting a healthier planet for future generations,” Kwon said.&nbsp;Changing how ammonia is produced has environmental and economic benefits and enhances food security. This can be achieved by lowering the energy requirements and carbon emissions associated with traditional ammonia production.&nbsp;It is estimated that 1 to 2% of global energy consumption, and a similar fraction of man-made greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, are associated with the production of ammonia for fertilizer.&nbsp;Ammonia is produced by the Haber-Bosch process, a century-old technology that uses atmospheric nitrogen and hydrogen to produce ammonia. The hydrogen is typically generated from methane via a process that generates a large GHG footprint.According to Kwon and Barteau, their research focuses on a greener alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. They are developing electrocatalysts for the electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction, called NRR, using the hydrogen atoms in water.“The goal is to understand and enhance the interaction of nitrogen and hydrogen on the catalyst surface to efficiently produce ammonia at lower temperatures and pressures,” Kwon said. “To make these catalysts work as we hope, we computationally analyze various materials and their properties to predict which will perform best under NRR conditions.” &nbsp;<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1725000282502-News-CHEN-AmmoniaParticles-13August2024.jpg" style="width: 100%px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Nitrogen and Hydrogen produce ammonia in a procedure called the Haber-Bosch process, which creates a large GHG footprint. | Image:&nbsp;<cite id="isPasted">Texas A&amp;M Engineering</cite>Kwon and Barteau’s team combines the computational methods of density functional theory (DFT) and kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) simulations to predict the efficiency and the stability of catalysts under electrochemical reaction conditions.Density functional theory is a modeling method that uses physics, chemistry and materials science to investigate the electronic structure of atoms and molecules. This method allows Kwon to predict how different materials will interact with nitrogen and hydrogen molecules.“Computational tools like DFT and kMC have revolutionized catalyst design in the 21st century,” said Barteau, one of the early practitioners applying DFT to heterogeneous catalysts. “What is particularly powerful about the combination of these tools is the ability to predict the dynamic performance of active materials under different conditions and over time.Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations use probability estimates to predict possible outcomes for an uncertain event. This will help researchers understand how the reactions evolve at different temperatures and pressures, providing insights into the scalability and lifetime of potential catalysts.&nbsp;“We aim to explore new electrocatalyst materials,” Kwon said. “However, employing each method independently can limit the scope of properties regarding materials and reaction processes. This approach allows us to systematically optimize the catalysts before they are even tested in a laboratory, streamlining the development process and paving the way for more sustainable fertilizer production methods.”&nbsp;Kwon also hopes that this research can lead to breakthroughs in catalyst design and a greater understanding of their function at the molecular level. &nbsp;Several key areas that the research focuses on are reducing environmental impact, advancing green chemistry, promoting energy security and catalyzing technological innovation. &nbsp;“This integrated approach not only accelerates the discovery of viable catalysts but also provides a comprehensive understanding of their behavior in real-world conditions, setting the stage for experimental validation and eventual industrial application,” Kwon said.

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