Energy Science

Where does charcoal come from—and is it sustainable?

Charcoal energizes everything from backyard barbecues to industrial metallurgy, but its environmental impact is worse than once thought. Research from the School of Arts & Sciences finds that policy changes could make charcoal more sustainable.

Marilyn Perkins

Marrying models with experiments to build more efficient solar cells

Penn chemist Andrew M. Rappe, in collaboration with former postdoc Arvin Kakekhani and researchers at Princeton University, has gained insight into how the molecular make up of solar cells can affect their properties and make them more efficient.

Luis Melecio-Zambrano , Michele W. Berger



In the News


Salon.com

New report accuses Citibank of funding fossil fuel projects amounting to environmental racism

Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that from an ethical standpoint banks and investment firms should no longer be financing new fossil fuel infrastructure.

FULL STORY →



Associated Press

Demand for rare elements used in clean energy could help clean up abandoned coal mines in Appalachia

John Quigley of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design says that the things that have created climate change can be a solution for it if handled smartly.

FULL STORY →



Fast Company

Dirty water, more pollution, and oil wells on public lands: How a second Trump term would torpedo the environment

Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that Project 2025 would completely undermine any U.S. action on climate and signify an abdication of American leadership to the world.

FULL STORY →



Tampa Bay Times

Could Florida electric bills go up because of a fuel made from manure?

Danny Cullenward of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design says that federal and California state subsidies have led to a gold rush of companies trying to get into the business of renewable natural gas around the country.

FULL STORY →



The New York Times

Why don’t we just ban fossil fuels?

Joseph Romm of the School of Arts & Sciences says that stronger action against fossil fuels is essential to save the planet.

FULL STORY →



WESA Radio (Pittsburgh)

Pa. environmental, religious and other groups criticize Shapiro plan for ignoring climate change

A study by the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design found that Pennsylvania would benefit overall from joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

FULL STORY →