This week, we witnessed Hurricane Laura blow through parts of Louisiana and Texas, leaving widespread damage. 2020 is continuing to live up to the title of the worst year ever.
Trying to get through 2020 like…#HurricaneLaura #laurahurricane #Hurricane #2020worstyear pic.twitter.com/trfKm1d7hC
— Gumbo (@MrGumbo5) August 27, 2020
After this terrible news, Americans are desperately searching for positive things to read this week. That’s why people are talking about “Booze Fairies” in New Jersey, a 3,000-pound triceratops skull dubbed “Shady” that was unearthed in South Dakota, and NBA players deciding to continue their season. If you thought you were having a bad week when Zoom went out (or just having a bad week in general) be grateful you weren’t the woman who was found alive in a body bag at a funeral home. After all of this week’s excitement, it’s time for all of the latest energy news to get you ready for the weekend.
1California’s blackouts are from power plants not being able to keep up
California’s power plants can no longer keep up with energy demands during the recent heat wave, according to a New York Times report. Fox News reports on how numerous power plants were either down or producing below peak strength prior to the Golden State’s record-breaking temperatures in mid-August.
2Coffee-cup-size device could hack solar power
Researchers have found that solar energy equipment can be hacked with a device that fits into a coffee cup, possibly leaving parts of the power grid vulnerable to outages. EnergyWire explains why solar inverters — which link solar panels to the wider grid — can be shut down or changed to potentially disrupt the flow of electricity.
3Thin solar panels printed with inkjet
Solar cells can now be made thin, light and flexible – even flexible enough to rest on the top of a soap bubble. Phys Org details how ultrathin organic solar cells can be used to harvest energy from light, whether indoors or outdoors.
4Solar device turns CO2 into fuel without electricity
Scientists created a “photocatalyst sheet” that converts carbon dioxide and water into formic acid, a colorless chemical that can be used as a carbon-free fuel. E&E News shows how this device powered entirely by sunlight that produces a useable energy source that could have implications for hydrogen production.
5Space technology for the road: hydrogen-powered supercar debuts
A new hydrogen-powered supercar debut that is being dubbed “technology for the road.” H2 View shares how the supercar could reach 0-6 mph in 2.2 seconds and can go more than 1,000 miles without refueling.
