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AI model delivers river temperature insights, strengthening US energy security 11 August 2026 at 05:45

AI model delivers river temperature insights, strengthening US energy security

11 August 2026 at 05:45

Hydrology experts at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) used artificial intelligence and

The Guardian - Energy
Experimental bathtub: the remote lake island trying wave power to boost energy security 9 July 2026 at 14:00

Experimental bathtub: the remote lake island trying wave power to boost energy security

The Guardian - Energy

By: Vivian La in Michigan

9 July 2026 at 14:00

Researchers on Beaver Island, in Lake Michigan, are trying to find a more reliable form of power using local resources

Beaver Island sits in the middle of the northernmost end of Lake Michigan, about 70 miles from the maritime border with Canada. The forested island, just a little bigger than San Francisco in size, is a popular summer destination for tourists and home to about 600 permanent residents. Getting there requires a boat or plane ride.

Getting electricity to the island is not as easy. Power comes from mainland Michigan through cables that cross roughly 30 miles of lake bed. Outages are common during extreme weather, or when there are problems with the sensitive wires. The devastating ice storm that walloped the state last year knocked out power to the island for weeks.

The Guardian - Energy
Loch Ness hydropower project will damage shoreline and ancient woodland | Letter 1 July 2026 at 17:12

Loch Ness hydropower project will damage shoreline and ancient woodland | Letter

The Guardian - Energy

By: Guardian Staff

1 July 2026 at 17:12

Neil Mackenzie on the environmental impact of the Loch Kemp project

Your article (First major hydropower projects in Great Britain in 40 years given go-ahead, 26 June) describes the proposal to build three pumped storage schemes in the Scottish Highlands. But it does not mention the huge environmental cost.

One scheme, the Loch Kemp project, will draw water from Loch Ness and pump it into the upper reservoir created by enlarging Loch Kemp. A giant power station is to be built in protected ancient woodland on the shores of Loch Ness. This woodland is a special area of conservation, an internationally recognised site, and will be partly destroyed by the power station and access road.