https://phys.org/ en-us Latest news from European Science Communication Institute Sweden has provided an example of how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining economic growth. A big part of this achievement is due to an extensive network of local district heating systems that work with non-fossil fuels and excess heat from energy-intensive industries. They hold a market share of about 60% and can now be found in every major town and city in the country, making it one of the best scenarios to test the EMB3Rs platform and its ability to identify new surplus heat sources among medium-sized non-traditional providers. https://techxplore.com/news/2020-12-players-energy-potential-swedish-case.html Energy & Green Tech Thu, 17 Dec 2020 09:42:13 EST news527420519 The European Parliament has set a new climate target for 2030—to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% compared to 1990 levels, up 40% on previous targets. Some industry groups criticize the new targets as being overambitious and too expensive while across Europe scientists and engineers have already joined forces ready to take on the new challenge. A key aspect is to develop new technologies to reduce the need of resources in the energy intensive industries. https://phys.org/news/2020-10-technologies-slash-consumption-recover-industry.html Environment Fri, 23 Oct 2020 08:58:36 EDT news522662314 Society is consuming water at an ever-increasing rate while water pollution and global warming continue to limit the availability of water, a cluster of problems that could slash future economic development by at least a third. https://phys.org/news/2020-09-circular-economy-broken.html Environment Fri, 18 Sep 2020 07:41:14 EDT news519633666 The coronavirus pandemic has sent shockwaves across the world's economy, and policymakers have so far responded with a focus on financial stability. But food system experts fear this will keep rural communities on a 'business-as-usual' path—limiting their long-term resilience. https://phys.org/news/2020-05-rural-resilience-rests-green-recovery.html Economics & Business Mon, 11 May 2020 09:50:23 EDT news508409419 Organic fertilizers could hold the key to transforming Europe´s agriculture forever. A new EU-funded project now aims to build a production plant on a truck to give every farmer the opportunity to easily access natural fertilizers. The researchers of the initiative—NOMAD—want to use fermentation residue, or digestate, a by-product of energy production in a biogas plant. This will allow them to recover valuable renewable energy and nutrients from multiple organic waste streams. https://phys.org/news/2019-12-scientists-truck-biofertilizer.html Environment Tue, 10 Dec 2019 08:38:10 EST news495189486 Turning smart city ambitions into partnerships and investment plans is a challenging path. Three people with hands-on experience in inspiring and guiding cities in this process are Muriel Pels and Inge van de Klundert from Municipality of Utrecht and Carolien van Hemel of Utrecht Sustainability Institute. https://techxplore.com/news/2019-12-smart-city-diplomacy-transparency-conflict.html Engineering Wed, 04 Dec 2019 10:02:33 EST news494676150 Energy efficiency in kilns and other process stages of ceramics production are quite low and pollutants are currently emitted at unsustainable levels. But as costs for fossil fuels rise and governments impose ever tighter carbon emission regulations, ceramics companies are increasingly turning to creative solutions to reduce their climate footprint. https://phys.org/news/2019-09-dirty-ceramic-tile-production.html Materials Science Wed, 25 Sep 2019 08:55:57 EDT news488620546 Eco-friendlier, cheaper, with a bigger storage capacity and increased lifetime: many demands are made on the battery of the future. A Spanish team of researchers uses laser technology to design the next generation of batteries. https://techxplore.com/news/2019-09-approaching-battery-tomorrow-laser.html Energy & Green Tech Wed, 18 Sep 2019 09:44:52 EDT news488018685 Climate change is increasing the risk of water shortages across Europe, but researchers in the Netherlands are hoping to ease pressure by generating a steady supply of clean water and heat from deep underground reservoirs known as aquifers. https://phys.org/news/2019-05-dutch-aquifers-bank-rainwater-farmers.html Plants & Animals Fri, 17 May 2019 07:21:58 EDT news477296506 Along the windy west coast of Ireland a biorefinery on wheels is turning grass into a series of different green products that could give farmers a more diversified source of income. https://phys.org/news/2019-05-ireland-grass-fed-biorefinery-road-farmers.html Environment Wed, 15 May 2019 04:06:01 EDT news477111954 A recently published book from Italian academic Davide Viaggi of Bologna University takes an in depth look at the bioeconomy from an economic and policy perspective – as well as identifying key issues ahead. https://phys.org/news/2019-03-bioeconomy-sustainable-green-growth.html Environment Thu, 07 Mar 2019 10:00:03 EST news471173797 Across six decades, scientists and engineers have transformed the briefest flash of laser light into ultrafast pulses that pack a powerful punch. Rebecca Pool from ESCI talks to Nobel Laureate, Professor Gerard Mourou, to find out more. https://phys.org/news/2019-02-extreme.html Optics & Photonics Tue, 05 Feb 2019 08:57:53 EST news468579452