Inside the Colorado factory where AtmosZero is electrifying steam

After the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, scientists are looking for ways to ensure the future of nuclear power is safer. One possibility is improving the protective barrier that surrounds the fuel pellets. They coated the fuel road with chromium and in tests, the new coatings performed well. However, modeling suggests that the chromium-coating might not provide enough time to stabilize a power plant during a meltdown. Still, these materials have started to appear in commercial nuclear reactors and could help reduce fuel waste and save money.

In a collaborative effort between developers, power companies, and the government, a new apartment complex in Utah will be almost entirely powered by solar energy. The complex, developed by Wasatch Premier Communities, will work with Rocky Mountain Power to determine how to integrate such technology into the region’s electricity grid. This kind of development is gaining ground in Utah, and those in the industry hope to educate others of the benefits of going electric.

Loyola University Chicago's Searle Biodiesel Lab converts approximately 9,000 gallons of used cooking oil annually from campus dining halls and local institutions into 8,000 gallons of cleaner-burning biodiesel, which powers eight campus shuttle buses and produces 1,500 gallons of hand soap as a byproduct. Since 2013, the lab has created learning opportunities for students and operated as a financially self-sustaining enterprise.

Sage Geosystems has developed a geopressured geothermal battery system in Texas that uses oil-drilling techniques to store energy underground for 4-6 hours—longer than lithium-ion batteries. This is one stage in a plan to replace an aging coal plant with renewable energy, though the system is not yet operational or connected to the grid.

Seville has implemented three innovative water-based cooling solutions—ancient Persian qanat technology, adiabatic cooling systems in 450+ schools, and urban evapotranspiration projects—that collectively reduce temperatures by 6-12°C in public spaces and buildings while using minimal energy and attracting international attention as replicable models for heat adaptation.

Nigerians are turning to liquefied petroleum gas, a fuel commonly used for cooking and heating, as an alternative to power the generators they use to combat an inconsistent supply of electricity. This gas is significantly cheaper than typical petrol and can be used when a dual carburetor is installed on a generator so it can run on both fuel types.

Virtual power plants are emerging in the United States and partnering with utility companies to manage energy demand during extreme weather and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These plants are actually a portfolio of energy resources, anything from smart appliances in homes to solar panels and electric vehicle infrastructure outside of homes, that are tracked and managed digitally. This enables virtual power plants to encourage minimal peak energy use, increase the amount of renewable energy sent back to the grid, and decrease the use of peaker power plants that rely on fossil fuels.

Community-led energy projects are improving access to electricity for Puerto Ricans. One such project, led by a cooperative in Castañer, established two microgrids with backup batteries to keep the power running after an outage.

Ukrainian scientists invented a generator that uses organic waste from agriculture to produce cheap energy. This method can replace natural gas while disposing of agricultural waste in a way that doesn’t emit carbon dioxide.

A chemical recycling plant in Germany is taking old tires and turning them back into their original components. From there, those materials can be used in the production of insulation, steel, and oil. The gas that is discharged during the process is also used to power the whole plant. Other plants around the world are also exploring how to take plastic waste and chemically recycle it instead of burning it, so there are less carbon emissions.