Batteries are a ubiquitous part of modern life powering our phones and laptops and increasingly our vehicles, homes, and businesses. The battery industry will progressively impact our everyday lives yet few comprehensive reports for it are available and free to the public. To address this The Volta Foundation, its members, and partner organizations, including Ratel Consulting, have produced its second annual Battery Report. It contains contributions from energy storage leaders and insiders on industry, markets, research, talent, policy, and other relevant topics. Continue reading
Tag Archives: electricity
Spark of genius?
Student at the University of Washington in Seattle have invented a device that generates electricity from open flames to charge phones and similar small devices. Elly Park reports. Continue reading
Rolls-Royce Power Systems plans African expansion
Commissioning 100 MW Mozambique plant.
Southern Africa power demand on sharp rise.
Says Africa a very important growing market.
Low rainfall and crippling power shortages hit Zambia’s economy
LUSAKA, Zambia Oct 15 (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Brenda Nglazi Zulu has tried to adapt to the power cuts that sometimes leave her home in the capital Lusaka without electricity for half the day. She bought a gas stove and installed solar panels to help keep her lights on.
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Tapping into plant energy to charge phones
A trio of Chilean student engineers have developed a biocircuit device that can harness plant energy and convert it into small charges of electricity to power smartphones. Ben Gruber reports.
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Solar powered backpack helps South African children cope with rolling blackouts
Made from recycled plastic, an innovative new school bag is assisting students from impoverished communities in South Africa study at night. Using solar technology, the bags are powered during the day and light up homes which are either not connected to the national power grid or are in the dark because of frequent electricity cuts.
Smart fabric generates electricity
SUWON, SOUTH KOREA (REUTERS/SUNGYUNGKWAN UNIVERSITY)- Wearable technology is said to be the future.
But how to keep devices charged could be a problem.
Now South Korean researchers say they have a solution – a ‘smart’ fabric that generates electricity.
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