Explore

EU Funds SUSTAIN-ARCTIC Project to Develop Climate-Neutral Research Solutions in Arctic Regions

EU Funds SUSTAIN-ARCTIC Project to Develop Climate-Neutral Research Solutions in Arctic Regions

The European Union has allocated 5.6 million euros to the SUSTAIN-ARCTIC project, which aims to develop and promote climate-neutral solutions for research activities in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions. Politecnico di Torino will coordinate this three-year initiative, leading an international consortium of 11 institutions from six countries: Italy, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland, and France. The project seeks to significantly reduce the environmental impact of scientific infrastructure in these fragile ecosystems. Key strategies include sustainable logistics, optimizing scientific field operations, and digitalizing research activities. This involves moving away from reliance on diesel generators by implementing local renewable energy production, advanced storage systems, and smart resource management. The project will establish demonstration sites in Svalbard, Norway, and Finland, focusing on solar and wind power to ensure year-round energy supply for research stations. Additionally, new infrastructure ...

Solar Energy Technologies Offer Diverse Applications for U.S. Power Generation and Heating

Solar Energy Technologies Offer Diverse Applications for U.S. Power Generation and Heating

Solar energy, a renewable resource derived from the sun's radiation, is harnessed through various technologies to produce electricity or heat. Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy directly converts sunlight into electricity using solar cells, which generate direct current (DC) that is then converted to alternating current (AC) for use in homes and businesses. PV systems are scalable and can be installed on residential rooftops, commercial buildings, and large ground-mounted plants. Solar thermal energy, conversely, uses sunlight to produce heat, commonly for water heating and space heating in residential and commercial settings. Concentrated solar power (CSP) systems employ mirrors to focus sunlight, generating heat to produce electricity, primarily in large, utility-scale plants in areas with consistent sunlight. CSP designs include parabolic troughs, power towers, and dish systems, with some incorporating thermal storage like molten salt to generate electricity even without direct sunlight. Additionally, passi...

Clean Energy Investment Surpasses Fossil Fuels, Signaling Global Energy Transition

Clean Energy Investment Surpasses Fossil Fuels, Signaling Global Energy Transition

Clean Energy Investment Surpasses Fossil Fuels, Signaling Global Energy Transition

Meta's Texas Solar Purchase Smaller Than Data Center Gas Plant, Raises Clean Energy Commitment Questions

Meta's Texas Solar Purchase Smaller Than Data Center Gas Plant, Raises Clean Energy Commitment Questions

Meta's Texas Solar Purchase Smaller Than Data Center Gas Plant, Raises Clean Energy Commitment Questions

Agri SA and Institute for Security Studies Partner to Combat Rural Crime in South Africa

Agri SA and Institute for Security Studies Partner to Combat Rural Crime in South Africa

Agri SA, an industry body representing organized agriculture, has formalized a working relationship with the Institute for Security Studies (ISS) by signing a memorandum of understanding. This partnership aims to address rural crime in South Africa through a collaborative effort to collect, share, and jointly report on crime data in rural areas. The initiative combines Agri SA's extensive reach within the agricultural sector with the ISS's independent research expertise in security, crime, and justice. The organizations plan to build a credible body of evidence to understand the root causes of rural crime, develop practical solutions, and influence the national response by engaging directly with the South African Police Service and the government. This collaboration seeks to move beyond conflicting statistics and narratives that often characterize public debate on farm crime, focusing instead on evidence-based interventions.

Petra Diamonds Initiates Strategic Review, Considers Asset Sale to Address Liquidity Needs

Petra Diamonds Initiates Strategic Review, Considers Asset Sale to Address Liquidity Needs

Petra Diamonds Initiates Strategic Review, Considers Asset Sale to Address Liquidity Needs

Energy-Efficient Appliances Reduce Household Electricity Costs and Environmental Impact

Energy-Efficient Appliances Reduce Household Electricity Costs and Environmental Impact

Energy-efficient appliances are playing a crucial role in reducing household electricity consumption across the U.S. These appliances, often identified by the ENERGY STAR label, are designed to perform the same tasks as their conventional counterparts but with significantly less power. For instance, new ENERGY STAR refrigerators use less electricity than older models, and the same applies to dishwashers, washing machines, and air conditioners. While some appliances like refrigerators and air conditioners are known for high energy usage due to continuous operation or high power demands, others like dishwashers and washing machines consume less electricity than commonly perceived, with most of their energy expenditure going towards heating water rather than powering the motor. Additionally, 'phantom load' or standby power, drawn by devices even when turned off but still plugged in, contributes to overall electricity costs, highlighting the importance of unplugging unused electronics or using power strips. Th...

GTT Marine and Normec Verifavia Integrate Platforms for Automated Emissions Data Verification

GTT Marine and Normec Verifavia Integrate Platforms for Automated Emissions Data Verification

GTT Marine and Normec Verifavia Integrate Platforms for Automated Emissions Data Verification

U.S. Research Funding Cuts Impact South African Science and Research System

U.S. Research Funding Cuts Impact South African Science and Research System

Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Blade Nzimande announced that the withdrawal of United States research funding has cost South Africa’s science and research system approximately R2.5 billion. This significant reduction in funding has placed 1,930 research posts and 108 student degrees at risk, according to estimates from the South African Medical Research Council. Affected institutions include prominent universities such as the University of Cape Town, Wits University, and the University of Pretoria, as well as CAPRISA. A notable casualty of these cuts was an HIV vaccine trial, which lost a newly awarded five-year grant valued at $45 million. The U.S. government's decision to withdraw funding impacted various health research and clinical trial programs, particularly those focused on HIV and tuberculosis. Minister Nzimande noted that the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has indicated that some funding might be reinstated if it is determined not to fall under the definition of foreign aid.

South Africa announces measures to tackle violence against women after series of killings

South Africa announces measures to tackle violence against women after series of killings

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced new measures to combat violence against women

This $15 Million Villa on a 40,000-Acre South African Game Reserve Comes With a Helicopter

This $15 Million Villa on a 40,000-Acre South African Game Reserve Comes With a Helicopter

Villa Thandawena sits in the middle of a Big Five game reserve with access to game drives and guided bush walks.

Durban FilmMart Head on Why This Year’s Event Is ‘Looking Inward’ as African Screen Industries Strive to ‘Create Solutions’ on Their Own Terms

Durban FilmMart Head on Why This Year’s Event Is ‘Looking Inward’ as African Screen Industries Strive to ‘Create Solutions’ on Their Own Terms

The Durban FilmMart returns for its 17th edition with a full slate of conversations and events looking to build on the legacy of innovation, disruption and industry-defining discussions at what is arguably the most influential film market on the continent. Running from Oct. 9 – 12, this year’s event is organized around the theme “Shifting […]