Latest news with #WeiWang
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Good news! Surprising recovery seen in these East Antarctic glaciers after years of melting: What to know
In a surprising turn of events, Antarctica reportedly saw a net gain of 107.79 gigatons of ice per year between 2021 and 2023. This was a rare occurrence, as data from NASA's GRACE and GRACE-FO missions have been telling a grim tale for almost two decades. The data, which have been significant in tracking the Antarctic Ice Sheet's mass changes over the years, showed that from 2002 to 2010, Antarctica lost ice at a rate of 73.79 gigatons per year. The figure then rose to 142.06 gigatons annually between 2011 and 2020, most of the loss coming from West Antarctica and the Wilkes Land-Queen Mary Land (WL-QML) region in East Antarctica, as reported by Business Today. The gain between 2021 and 2023 was especially pronounced in four East Antarctic glacier basins — Totten, Moscow, Denman and Vincennes Bay. Previously, these areas were losing mass due to reduced surface accumulation and faster ice discharge. These glaciers have now begun accumulating ice again. There have been significant implications for sea-level rise. The AIS added that approximately 0.20 mm per year to global sea levels between 2002 and 2010, a number that surged to 0.39 mm per year from 2011 to 2020. However, Antarctica's mass gain helped offset sea-level rise by 0.30 mm per year in 2021-2023. Researchers believe this anomaly can be majorly linked to an increase in snowfall over the continent. However, the four glaciers that recently rebounded are actually among the most unstable glaciers of Antarctica, and hence the gains may just be temporary. In fact, sea levels can rise up by more than 7 meters, should there be a total collapse. Researchers from Tongji University, led by Dr. Wei Wang and Professor Yunzhong Shen, found that accelerated mass loss stems from two main factors – reduced surface mass balance (contributing 72.53% of the intensification) and increased ice discharge into the ocean (responsible for 27.47%). 'This accelerated mass loss was primarily driven by two factors: surface mass reduction (contributing 72.53%) and increased ice discharge (27.47%),' the researchers said, according to
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RRC successfully complies with well plugging grants
Mar. 17—AUSTIN — The U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the Inspector General has released an audit report showing the Railroad Commission of Texas successfully used federal grant funding for orphaned well plugging and complied with all related laws and regulations. The RRC utilized its 40 years of well plugging expertise to expend a $25 million Initial Grant from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed by Congress. The agency plugged more than 760 orphaned wells through the Initial Grant, a news release said. The Inspector General concluded that "We found that the State of Texas properly expended IIJA orphaned well initial grant funds and fulfilled program goals in accordance with applicable laws, Federal regulations, and grant make no recommendations as there are not reportable findings." The audit also noted that the RRC "performs enhanced monitoring on all the contractual work performed on the well-plugging using IIJA funds" submitting daily reports on all completed work and costs as well as performing three levels of review to ensure invoice accuracy. The majority of oil and gas wells that are no longer producing are plugged by the responsible operators. If an operator is non-compliant or goes out of business the well is considered orphaned, and the Railroad Commission administers a program to plug the wells. The IIJA grants supplement state funds that are used annually to plug orphaned wells across the state. The RRC is now utilizing the first phase of IIJA Formula Grants to plug wells. However, the formula grants include administrative hurdles that are not specified in the IIJA, such as reviews of Endangered Species Act compliance and compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act, that significantly delay plugging projects. In fact, in the first 12 months of the IIJA Formula Grant, the RRC plugged 45 percent fewer wells using federal funds than were plugged during the first 12 months of the IIJA Initial Grant due to the reviews. "We are proud to remain a leader in well plugging efforts nationwide and look forward to working with the new Secretary of the Interior to expeditiously plug wells in Texas," RRC Executive Director Wei Wang said in the release. "According to a recent Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission study, thanks to RRC's robust state managed plugging program, Texas has seen one of the lowest increases in orphaned well population. We would urge our federal partners to examine and remove the red tape implemented by the previous program staff. Texas stands ready and we are more than capable of accomplishing this important work efficiently." A copy of the Department of the Interior Inspector General Report can be found here.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists make breakthrough on long-standing challenge for battery tech: 'Long-lasting, cost-effective, and high-safety'
For years, scientists across the globe have worked tirelessly to create the next generation of sustainable batteries. However, a major roadblock throughout that process has been finding a cost-effective solution that is capable of providing long-term storage. One Chinese research team believes it may have discovered a long-life battery that could lead that wave of next-gen batteries. In a study published by the American Chemical Society, researchers based in Beijing reported their findings of a low-cost and environmentally friendly aluminum-ion, or Al-ion, battery. And the results are astounding. Should the U.S. invest more in battery innovations? Absolutely Depends on the project We're investing enough We should invest less Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. According to the research team, the Al-ion battery not only had increased resistance to moisture, but its physical and thermal stability improved as well. In an experiment designed to test the Al-ion battery's physical limitations, the research team subjected the battery to repeated jabs from a sharp object. In a separate experiment, the team placed the battery in an environment that reached 392 degrees Fahrenheit. In addition to the Al-ion battery's enhanced durability, the team of researchers highlighted its long life and ability to be recycled. The Al-ion battery lasted through 10,000 cycles of charging and discharging while maintaining 99% efficiency. On top of that, the aluminum fluoride used in the production of the battery could be recovered and recycled into another battery with similar performance. For now, lithium-ion batteries lead the way. They are used in most electric vehicles, personal electronic devices, and even energy storage for solar power. Though great progress is being made to improve lithium batteries, there are drawbacks. Mining for minerals such as lithium can create several problems for ecosystems and natural habitats. The mining process depletes valuable water resources, too. However, there is hope that researchers can develop new methods to extract lithium. According to co-author Wei Wang of the State Key Laboratory of Advanced Metallurgy, the team's findings could prove to be game-changing. "This new Al-ion battery design shows the potential for a long-lasting, cost-effective, and high-safety energy storage system," Wang said. "The ability to recover and recycle key materials makes the technology more sustainable." The Al-ion battery could be a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries in the future. Despite this, there is no timetable to bring the Al-ion battery to the consumer marketplace as the research team continues to work on the next-gen battery's energy density and life cycle. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
RRC reaches new energy milestone with first permitted geothermal well
Feb. 26—AUSTIN — The Railroad Commission of Texas has issued its first permit for a deep geo-pressured, geothermal well to Sage Geosystems in Atascosa County. Located south of San Antonio in the Anaconcho Formation, this well permit marks a significant milestone in Texas' energy sector as the first deep geo-pressured, geothermal permit issued since the Texas Legislature transferred regulatory authority for these types of wells from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to the RRC, a news release said. The well will be utilized in electricity generation by the San Miguel Electric Cooperative to serve its customers. Sage Geosystems has entered into a land use agreement with the cooperative to develop a three-megawatt Geopressured Geothermal System energy storage facility. "Texas has been at the forefront of energy regulation and innovation for more than a century, and this transition has streamlined the permitting process for geothermal wells and reinforced the Commission's leadership in emerging energy technologies," RRC Executive Director Wei Wang said in the release. "We remain dedicated to adapting our regulatory approach to facilitate the growth of new energy technologies while upholding the highest standards of environmental and public safety as we have done for more than a century." The RRC's regulatory framework ensures that all geothermal projects adhere to rigorous environmental and safety standards while helping develop this emerging industry which has substantial skill and technology overlap with oil and gas industry.
