When the big chill is too big, a more sustainable substitute cools Galen Center
The massive motors used to cool the arena can take a break now that a smaller “pony chiller” has been installed to cut energy use.
As the world heats up, USC experts examine our early responses to climate change
Policymakers and scientists are pushing for — and in some cases, enacting — steps like lessening our reliance on fossil fuels and redesigning cities, but the question remains: Will it be enough?
L.A. could be powered entirely by renewable energy in 25 years
The effort could achieve dramatic reductions in greenhouse gases without significant disruption to the economy or people’s lifestyles, according to USC research.
USC scientists may have unlocked kelp’s potential as a major biofuel source
Using a “kelp elevator,” researchers at the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies were able to grow the biofuel crop in large quantities in the open ocean.
Transforming oil wells into batteries for the sun and wind
USC researchers want to convert idle oil and gas wells into much-needed storage for sustainable energy, making California blackouts a thing of the past.
Regulators can help clear the way for entrepreneurial energy companies to innovate
Giving state-level regulators more discretion in approving hydropower facilities in the United States led to faster adoption of the clean technology, a USC researcher and colleague find.
Imagine a world where your devices worked all day
Ananya Renuka Balakrishna, a new assistant professor at USC Viterbi, is researching ways to create batteries with longer lifespans.
President Folt’s first year brings renewed energy to USC sustainability
Since her zero-waste inauguration, the president — herself an environmental scientist — has positioned USC to become a leader in sustainable strategies like solar energy.
New flow battery could help unleash renewable energy
USC scientists may have solved the storage problem that has long slowed the spread of renewables.
Urban heat waves imperil L.A.’s most vulnerable communities
New USC research highlights the outsized risk for low-income communities as global warming raises temperatures and our cities become even more crowded.
USC’s largest solar project continues to transform the Galen Center’s roof
All workers are abiding by COVID-19 distancing regulations as university officials expect the center’s solar setup to be fully operational by summer.
USC researchers are creating the cheaper, cleaner fuels of the future
Trojan scientists are raiding deep fryers, developing alternative crops and turning to kelp in their quest to create renewable biofuels.
Through solar power and zero waste, Galen Center shoots for sustainability
The USC athletics arena looks to leap forward with 1,500 solar modules on the roof, more than 3,000 LED light bulbs and a commitment to waste diversion starting with a “green game” on Saturday.
Hydrogen Fuel is Getting Buzz, But Here’s Why It Hasn’t Gone Mainstream
Is hydrogen the answer to our energy needs? An aerospace and mechanical engineer explains how to bring this fuel down to Earth.
These environment-friendly business ideas aim to be both sustainable and successful
Cars that run on kelp. Cosmetics made from waste. USC Dornsife researchers are creating new products designed to both mend the planet and make it in the marketplace.
Childhood love of chemistry leads to large-scale energy research and coveted Sloan Fellowship
After being inspired by science as a child in Romania, Smaranda Marinescu draws inspiration from nature to develop efficient and inexpensive catalysts for harnessing energy from renewable sources.
The Better Batteries That Will Power Your Phone — and a Green Future
As the world’s energy demands grow, batteries could be key to storing sustainable energy.
Meet the Man Who Might Have the Key to Cost-Effective Solar Energy
A USC chemist looks to nanomaterials to help us unlock the power of the sun.
Alum takes solar kits to help with Puerto Rico hurricane recovery
USC Viterbi alumnus PJ Wilson moved to Puerto Rico, advocating for renewable energy on the island.
Harnessing energy from living sources has potential for new sustainable technology
The nanowire structure and electron transfer process of a unique bacterium could provide a sustainable energy solution.
Climate change game-changer? USC scientists find more efficient way to convert methane into useful chemicals
The researchers have found a catalyst that converts methane to olefin, a compound made up of hydrogen and carbon, in a single step.
The Secret to Better Rechargeable Batteries Is in Their Sandwich
The next wave of smartphone and car batteries could pack big power in a small size.
A new miniature solution for storing renewable energy
Novel two-dimensional, metal organic hybrids efficiently conduct charge, eventually storing renewable energy.
Undergraduates help fuel innovative energy research
Work in the USC Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute may solve one of the world’s biggest challenges — the clean generation and storage of renewable energy.