research Archives - Renew Economy

Wind

Do wind turbines make droughts worse? A new study says they do not
By mixing different air layers, wind turbines can make surface air temperatures slightly warmer at night but they don’t cause long term soil drying.
Rachel Williamson

Aug 21, 2026

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Storage

Electrochemical “bath” could bring spent lithium-ion batteries back to life, cut cost of recycling in half
Researchers believe they have found a way to recover almost the full life of lithium-ion batteries, through a relatively simple process that could cut battery recycling costs by more than 50 per cent.
Joshua S Hill

Jul 2, 2026

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Renewables

Solar farms can help to regenerate land while generating energy, new study finds
A new study has demonstrated the regenerative effect that solar farms can have on degraded and depleted land, by sheltering it from harsh winds, pushing down surface temperatures, and boosting soil moisture.
Joshua S Hill

May 13, 2026

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Solar

What to do with used solar panels? University opens Australia’s first PV recycling research centre
With millions of solar power systems installed across the country, a national research centre will probe what to do with the panels at the end of their lives.
Jennifer Dudley-Nicholson

Apr 23, 2026

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Solar

Have researchers broken through the “impossible” solar conversion ceiling?
A group of international researchers are touting a “dream technology” that could supercharge solar energy conversion to levels around 130%, compared to the sub-30% levels we see today.
Joshua S Hill

Mar 31, 2026

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“Long held dream:” Japan lab claims big leap forward with new solid-state battery material
Japan researchers flag new material that is pushing limits in energy density and stability, but crucially can work — in the lab — at sub-zero temperatures.
Rachel Williamson

Apr 3, 2024

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Solar

Plant power promises to shrink solar panel size, grow output, in new research
Research investigates the potential to mix the light-emitting abilities of plants with a plasmonic current to spark more efficient solar electricity generation.
Rachel Williamson

Feb 20, 2023

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Policy & Planning

New wind and solar saved $82bn in fossil fuel costs in 2021, but supply pressures loom
Renewables achieved double-digit cost reductions in 2021, and saved tens of billions in fossil fuel costs, but IRENA warns of supply chain and commodities crises.
Michael Mazengarb

Jul 14, 2022

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IEA data exposes “technology not taxes” myth of former Morrison government
Public funding of energy research collapsed under the Coalition, with more funds spent on fossil fuel technologies than renewables, IEA data shows.
Michael Mazengarb

Jul 1, 2022

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Policy & Planning

Australia is becoming a global hotbed for climate change lawsuits
New research shows Australia ranks as one of the most litigious on climate change, as the number of lawsuits launched globally continues to surge.
Michael Mazengarb

Jun 30, 2022

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Renewables

Bigger and better wind turbines to overcome climate caused wind droughts
A shift to bigger and better wind turbines could significantly boost capacity factors, overcoming climate change driven reductions in wind availability.
Michael Mazengarb

Jun 28, 2022

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Policy & Planning

“Limited time:” World will lock in 1.5°C warming by 2025 without big emissions cuts
New research suggests aiming for net zero emissions by 2050 would likely see the world blow past 2 degrees of global warming.
Michael Mazengarb

Jun 7, 2022

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