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The diverse structures of energy system models result in disparities in computed energy and climate outcomes. Through a systematic quantification of five diagnostic indicators, new research offers a comprehensive ‘energy model fingerprint’ that will enable better contextualization and comparison of models in climate mitigation studies.
As the climate gets more extreme, buildings need to dramatically reduce energy use for heating and cooling. A new model reproduces the relationship between local climate and hourly building energy use, allowing us to reliably quantify the impact of modified indoor or outdoor climatic conditions such as thermostat adjustment or climate change.
The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction can produce carbon-based fuels; however, the design of more efficient catalysts has proved challenging. A tandem electrocatalyst comprising SnS2 nanosheets and Sn single atoms bound to three oxygen atoms on a carbon support is shown to exhibit high catalytic performance for CO2 reduction to ethanol, including high selectivity.
The long-term operational stability of perovskite photovoltaics is critical to their successful real-world deployment. New research shows that ammonium cations with a high acid-dissociation constant can inhibit degradation reactions and impart excellent long-term stability in solar cells operating at high temperatures.
Electrochemical methods are emerging as potential ways to electrify the production of ammonia (NH3). Now, researchers have discovered a copper–tin electrocatalyst that can efficiently and selectively achieve high production rates of ammonia from nitric oxide (NO) feedstocks, marking a key step forward in decarbonizing ammonia synthesis.
Silicon solar cells based on tunnel oxide passivating contact have industrial potential yet they are less investigated for tandem applications. Now Zheng et al. show a 28.67% certified efficiency for a perovskite/silicon tandem cell using a boron- and phosphorus-doped polycrystalline silicon connecting layer.
Highly performing fuel cell catalysts tested at the fundamental level rarely translate well to full devices, in part due complicated ionomer-catalyst interfaces at the heart of devices, where the electrochemical reactions occur. Here the authors demonstrate ionomerless-thin-film-deposited cathodes that have comparable activity trends across fundamental tests and fuel cells.
Irreversible structural transitions and disorder in electrodes during battery operation can cause electrochemical performance to deteriorate. Now, an innovative design that turns an irreversible phase transition into a partially disordered phase is shown to be effective in improving disordered rocksalt materials.
Ammonia can be synthesized electrochemically from nitric oxide, but the catalytic performance has generally not been satisfactory. Here the authors report a highly active copper–tin alloy for nitric oxide reduction to ammonia, which they test in a flow cell and a membrane electrode assembly.
Energy models play a crucial role in studying mitigation strategies; however, substantial variations among these models exist. This study presents a typology for energy models to map these model differences, based on five dimensions, each characterized by numerous diagnostic indicators.
A differentiated natural gas market is emerging as a key mechanism to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across global natural gas supply chains. Trust in such voluntary markets across civil society, industry and governments depends on a transparent framework for reporting independently verifiable and accurate emissions data.
By tuning the plasma frequency, Yu, Gao et al. develop an industrial-scale chemical vapour deposition system for uniform nanocrystalline silicon oxide coatings, enabling 26.41% efficiency in silicon heterojunction solar cells with copper electrodes.
The majority of electrocatalysts selective for CO2 reduction to ethanol are based on Cu. Here the authors report a highly ethanol-selective Sn-based electrocatalyst, which is proposed to operate via a tandem mechanism.
State-of-the-art graphite anodes cannot meet the extremely fast charging requirements of ever-demanding markets. Here the researchers develop a Li3P-based solid–electrolyte interphase, enabling fast (down to 6 min) charging of graphite-based Li-ion batteries.
Access to clean energy is essential to sustainable human development. We thus have a responsibility and an opportunity to meet the global goal of ending energy poverty by 2030. We propose the creation of a new Mission Energy Access programme to support this aim.
Solid electrolytes may enable a step-change in battery performance, but their brittleness often complicates their use. Now, a new inorganic electrolyte has been developed: it is a glassy material that offers viscoelasticity as well as good ionic conductivity.
