Photoelectrochemical CO₂ reduction to multi-carbon alcohols in standalone devices driven only by sunlight is challenging. Now Rahaman et al. integrate a copper–palladium catalyst in a perovskite–BiVO₄ tandem device for solar-driven multi-carbon alcohol production.

Plugging and abandoning oil and gas wells is a growing priority. Here the authors estimate the associated costs for all oil and gas wells in US Gulf Coast offshore waters, coastal inland water and wetlands.

Improvements in the power conversion efficiency of silicon heterojunction solar cells would consolidate their potential for commercialization. Now, Lin et al. demonstrate 26.81% efficiency devices using a p-doped nanocrystalline silicon and low-sheet-resistance transparent conductive oxide contact layer.

Solar hydrogen production devices have demonstrated promising performance at the lab scale, but there are few large-scale on-sun demonstrations. Here the authors present a thermally integrated kilowatt-scale pilot plant, tested under real-world conditions, for the co-generation of hydrogen and heat.

The way catalysts are arranged and interfaced to form fuel cell electrodes is just as important as the catalysts themselves. Here Lee et al. report an up to 50% increase in performance and superior durability using grooved, rather than conventional flat, electrodes for hydrogen fuel cells.

Understanding how oil supply-side policies affect extraction, emissions and communities is important for the design of decarbonization pathways. Here the authors take a modelling approach to characterizing 2020–2045 decarbonization scenarios from various policies applied to California’s oil extraction.

Photoelectrochemical CO₂ reduction to multi-carbon alcohols in standalone devices driven only by sunlight is challenging. Now Rahaman et al. integrate a copper–palladium catalyst in a perovskite–BiVO₄ tandem device for solar-driven multi-carbon alcohol production.

Plugging and abandoning oil and gas wells is a growing priority. Here the authors estimate the associated costs for all oil and gas wells in US Gulf Coast offshore waters, coastal inland water and wetlands.

Improvements in the power conversion efficiency of silicon heterojunction solar cells would consolidate their potential for commercialization. Now, Lin et al. demonstrate 26.81% efficiency devices using a p-doped nanocrystalline silicon and low-sheet-resistance transparent conductive oxide contact layer.

Curbed natural gas supply from Russia to Europe has exacerbated an energy crisis on the continent. Here the authors employ a multiple regression model to estimate the response of small consumers, industry and power stations to this crisis.

Despite increased attention, residential energy insecurity is a widespread and persistent problem in the USA. We commend ongoing investigations, urge scholars to continue to examine why some households disproportionately experience energy insecurity, and offer several lines of inquiry that may help reduce energy insecurity’s incidence and impact.