We are currently on the frontier of green energy. Scientists have been busy researching and developing ideas to launch humanity into the future of energy usage. A number of these technologies that have been admittedly doomed in their infancy. However, many have been vitalized with a number of incredible breakthroughs. The last few years have highlighted a number of these developments in green technology. Now they are quickly maturing into the imperative roles they will play in the future of mankind.
1. Wind Energy Competing with Coal Dollar for Dollar
Breakthroughs don’t have to be found in an isolated lab. Today, we’re finding that one of the most impressive breakthroughs in wind energy is being hashed out in the everyday world. Shockingly, the catalyst of this movement has been what many feared would be the industry’s demise: capitalism. Many would argue that it made no fiscal sense to invest in green energy when traditional means pay out so well. To the pleasant surprise of many a faithful investor, wind energy is actually becoming competitive with coal and oil. This is due to the huge number of companies and individuals who donate their own capital into these ventures. Now, they seem to be paying out.
2. HVDC Breakers Realizing Edison’s Dream
In the early twentieth century, prolific inventor Thomas Edison was locked in an energy debate that would determine the future of the energy trade. He touted Direct Current (DC) power while others believed in Alternating Current (AC). Edison ended up losing that round; his power system would require power plants to spring up every mile. However, new HVDC breakers are allowing more power to be transferred with less loss than AC. This way, energy from far off wind and solar farms can adequately transfer power into the cities and hubs of civilization.
3. Spinach Provides More than Strong Muscles
Bio-hybrid cells are those that hybridize technology and plants into a cohesive energy unit. Plants make energy from sunlight and we’re essentially looking for ways to take advantage of that. Researchers recently discovered that spinach creates 2.5 times more energy than the current standard.
4. Nonrenewable Energy that’s Possibly Renewable?
It’s common knowledge that oil and natural gas is a nonrenewable recourse. By definition, it’s not possible to somehow harvest natural gas like a renewing crop. Once its used, it’s done. However, common knowledge was dealt a significant blow when scientists discovered an anaerobic bacterium that actively produces natural gas as a byproduct of its interaction with coal.
5. Wearing Solar Cells
Scientists recently announced that they had created strands of fiberglass that captured and converted electricity like a photoreceptor. The idea is that these strands will be woven into the clothing we wear. We essentially becoming walking power stations. This technology is still in its infancy, but researchers insist that it shows tremendous promise.
