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energy

Environment

Virtual power plants could ease growing strain on US electric grid

Energy-saving networks that link smart devices, solar panels and batteries could regulate power demand and help avoid fossil fuel use at peak times

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Physics

Sunlight-trapping device can generate temperatures over 1000°C

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Thermal-trapping device reaching 1050 degrees Celsius CREDIT Device/Casati et al. USAGE RESTRICTIONS Credit must be given to the creator. Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.

Environment

Around half the world could lose easily accessible groundwater by 2050

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EKXM2R Groundwater well and standpipe for crop irrigation. Porterville, Tulare County, San Joaquin Valley, California, USA
We are about to hear echoes in the fabric of space for the first time

Space

We are about to hear echoes in the fabric of space for the first time

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A slice through the largest 3D map of our universe to date

Space

Invisible 'dark radiation' may explain a big problem with dark energy

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Environment

Renewables supply 30 per cent of global electricity for the first time

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View Los Angeles financial district skyline at night

Environment

The shift to LED lighting is stopping us from seeing our night skies

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A worker inside the vacuum vessel of the DIII-D fusion reactor

Physics

Nuclear fusion experiment overcomes two key operating hurdles

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Environment

Wind turbines based on condor wings could capture more energy

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Earth

Geoscientists are using telecom 'dark fibres' to map Earth’s innards

The networks of fibre optic cables that criss-cross the planet could be used to better understand what’s happening inside it

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Space

There are hints that dark energy may be getting weaker

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Wireless power from space

Environment

Five climate megaprojects that might just save the world

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Environment

Storm-proofing 1% of power lines protects entire grid from blackouts

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Environment

Chemical injection brings dying batteries back to life

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