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Nature Energy is an online-only journal interested in all aspects of energy, from its generation and storage, to its distribution and management, the needs and demands of the different actors involved, and the impacts that energy technologies and policies have on different societies. The journal has a particular interest in studies that advance our knowledge and inform the development of next-generation technologies and solutions. Nature Energy publishes research from the natural, behavioural and social sciences.
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RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Aug 19, 2024

Thread Of Notes

The PAINT database for operational concentrating solar power plant data following FAIR data principles

The limited availability of operational data slows the development of concentrating solar power. To address this issue, Phipps et al. developed PAINT, a FAIR, open-access database that compiles multi-year data from a plant in Jülich, Germany.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02070-1 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 16

Industrial overcapacity can enable seasonal flexibility in electricity use

Lyu et al. show that industrial overcapacity, long viewed as a burden, can be repurposed. Using China’s aluminium sector as an example, they demonstrate that excess capacity and material storage can provide seasonal flexibility to lower energy costs.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02073-y nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 12

Watching catalysis take a walk

Electrocatalytic surfaces are dynamic, but few methods correlate nanometre-scale current with structure across large areas. Interferometric electro-optical microscopy now images electrochemical currents at 50 nm and 10 ms resolution, revealing that hydrogen evolution on MoS2 initiates and propagates along specific crystallographic directions.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02089-4 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 10

Understanding interconnected ion and water transport in anion exchange membrane zero-gap CO2 electrolysers

Achieving long-term stability in low-temperature anion exchange membrane zero-gap CO2 electrolysers is hindered by salt precipitation and flooding, which limit CO2 transport. In this Perspective, the authors explore the interplay between ion and water transport processes, emphasizing the need for strategies to simultaneously manage both to extend cell runtimes.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02052-3 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Jun 5

Aligning global shipping climate policies with life cycle perspective

The IMO Net-Zero Framework promotes adoption of low climate impact marine fuel through combination of pricing mechanism and fuel standard; however, fuel choice depends on competition for clean energy across sectors. Policies must consider life cycle perspective to avoid shifting impacts to the fuel supply chain and address wider environmental impacts, including land use and mineral resource depletion.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02080-z nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 29

Marine fuel choices and related life-cycle environmental impacts under global shipping policies

Shipping is a hard-to-decarbonize sector that is competing for energy and requires effective policies to cut emissions. This study shows that combining fuel standards and levies speeds up the adoption of low-carbon fuels such as ammonia but may increase other environmental impacts.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02079-6 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 29

Ambient-pressure conversion of plastic waste to jet fuel cycloalkanes by tandem hydropyrolysis and vapour-phase hydrogenation

Converting plastic waste into jet fuel could support aviation decarbonization, but current approaches are limited by high-pressure requirements and low efficiency. Here the authors present a tandem hydropyrolysis and vapour-phase hydrogenation strategy that uses a Ru/Co-Al oxide catalyst, achieving promising rates and yields at low pressures.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02078-7 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 27

Stable tin–lead perovskite inks for efficient all-perovskite tandems

Low-bandgap tin–lead perovskites can boost solar cell efficiency but degrade quickly due to tin oxidation. Here the authors add proton-scavenging additives that stabilize inks for over 300 days, enabling 24.06% single cells and 29.56% certified tandem efficiency.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02077-8 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 26

A thin and robust polymer electrolyte membrane with dynamic metal-ion crosslinking

Dynamic copper-ion crosslinking of polybenzimidazole yields a thin yet mechanically robust polymer electrolyte membrane. Fuel cells incorporating this membrane achieve a high peak power density and exhibit good stability at elevated temperatures.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02061-2 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 22

Additive-assisted liquid medium annealing relieving strains in perovskite solar cells for improved stability

The annealing process introduces strain into the perovskite and undermines the stability of the solar cells. Xiaofeng Gao et al. address this issue by using a meltable additive, 1,4-butanesultam, to relieve strain and improve operational stability.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02072-z nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 22

Resilient electricity infrastructure and energy transitions in island states

Nature Energy talks to Paul Bertheau, Head of the Research Unit Off-Grid Systems at the Reiner-Lemoine-Institut, about challenges and approaches to enhancing resilience in island states when it comes to electricity and energy access in the transition away from fossil fuels.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02065-y nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 20

CO2-enabled recovery

Cation contamination has long hindered deployment of highly active platinum-alloy catalysts in commercial proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Now, a CO2-assisted recovery protocol allows contaminants to be removed from inside an operating cell, potentially redefining the practical outlook for platinum-alloy catalysts.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02076-9 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 20

Improving the stability of monolithic perovskite/silicon tandems against reverse-bias stress using graded dielectric layers

Perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells degrade under reverse bias. Wang et al. introduce graded dielectric layers that smooth the electric field and reduce tunnelling and interfacial reactions, improving reverse-bias tolerance.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02067-w nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Close-space sublimation as a versatile deposition process for efficient perovskite silicon tandem solar cells

Research on perovskite solar cells shows that scaling up production will require faster, more reliable film-making methods. This work introduces a simple high-rate process that forms high-quality wide-bandgap films for efficient single-junction and tandem devices.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02068-9 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Evaluating strategies to address material supply–demand gaps in the US electric vehicle battery supply chain

As the USA works to secure supplies of electric vehicle battery materials, Lu et al. show that this will require investment across the domestic supply chain, demand-side strategies and continued international sourcing.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02046-1 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

A twist away from hydrogen

Electron spins are often not considered in electrocatalysis, yet they can play a pivotal role in determining reaction pathways. New research suggests that chiral (twisted) copper can generate spin-polarized charge carriers during CO2 electroreduction and suppress undesired hydrogen evolution.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02066-x nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Anion-reduction catalytic centres regulate interfacial solvation structures for fast-charging Si anodes

Interfacial solvation structures are key to stable fast charging in Si anodes. Qiao and colleagues show that S-vacancy-driven anion-reduction catalysis regulates these structures to form a LiF-rich solid electrolyte interphase, enabling ultrafast charging and long cycle life.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02074-x nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Securing US electric vehicle battery supply requires domestic action and international sourcing

Expanding domestic production and implementing demand-side strategies can substantially narrow material shortages for US electric vehicle batteries, but these efforts still fall short of meeting projected 2035 demand. To assure US battery supplies, the USA must support investments across all domestic supply chain stages, reduce and shift battery material demand, and continue to secure international supplies.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02045-2 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 19

Hole-transfer cascade-engineered donor polymer for unencapsulated perovskite solar cells with improved moisture stability

Moisture stability is a challenge for perovskite solar cells. Min-Ho Lee et al. design an electron-donating polymer with a deep highest occupied molecular orbital that enhances the devices’ resistance to moisture.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02071-0 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 18

A balanced approach to oxygen electrodes

Although reversible solid oxide cells show promise for clean energy conversion, performance and stability is still limited by their oxygen electrodes. New work demonstrates a design that accelerates oxygen exchange by targeting balanced transport of oxide ions and electrons.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02056-z nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 18

Predictors of informed energy policy support across Europe

New research finds that across Europe, peoples’ perceptions of the societal and environmental impact and the distributional fairness of an energy policy, together with the emotions experienced towards the policy, are strongly related to policy support.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02050-5 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 15

Perceived societal and environmental impacts, fairness and emotions predict policy support in Europe

Energy policy support hinges on public perceptions of the impacts of these policies on society and the environment, of how fair impacts are, and on policy-related emotions. These aspects should be given priority when designing and communicating new policies.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02063-0 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 15

Chirality-induced spin selectivity as a mechanism to control product selectivity during electrochemical CO2 reduction

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction is often hindered by the competing hydrogen evolution reaction, reducing selectivity for the desired products. Here the authors demonstrate that helical chiral copper electrodes can suppress hydrogen evolution by generating spin-polarized carriers through the chiral-induced spin selectivity effect.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02062-1 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 12

Unlocking hidden sodium

Fe-based polyanionic cathodes are promising for large-scale Na-ion batteries but are limited by incomplete Na utilization. Now, research shows that tuning the local Na coordination via V substitution in phosphate-based cathode allows additional Na sites to participate, enabling near-complete Na utilization, enhancing energy density and cycling stability.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02060-3 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 12

Harmonized sodium coordination engineering for high-energy phosphate cathodes

Fe-based polyanionic cathodes are promising for Na-ion batteries but are limited by inactive Na sites and irreversible Na loss. Here the authors employ targeted V3+ substitution to tune the Na+ coordination environment, activate inert sites and stabilize high-voltage redox for high-performance Na-ion batteries.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02059-w nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 12

Molecular-templated pre-assembly of self-assembled monolayer for perovskite solar cells and modules with improved reverse-bias stability

Perovskite solar modules suffer from reverse-bias instability. To address this, Wang et al. promote the assembly of self-assembled monolayers through hydrogen-bonding interactions with a polycarbazole template.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02014-9 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 7

Integrated planning of net-zero power systems for all

New research introduces a global, high-resolution power system model to show that achieving a net-zero electricity sector while ensuring equitable access to decent living standards is both technically feasible and economically viable by mid-century.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02054-1 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 4

Oxygen-tolerant electrochemical CO2 separation using N-heterocyclic imines with superstoichiometric release per electron

Electrochemically mediated CO2 capture typically makes use of sorbents that must be reduced before binding CO2, a process often hampered by competitive oxygen reduction reactions. Here the authors develop N-heterocyclic imines that capture CO2 in the neutral state and release it with near-theoretical Faradaic efficiency upon electro-oxidation, avoiding the competing reaction.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02055-0 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 4

Composite air electrodes based on BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ for reversible solid oxide cells

Reversible solid oxide cells can be limited by the kinetics of the reactions occurring at the oxygen electrode. Here the authors show that compositing a Gd0.3Ca2.7Co3.82Cu0.18O9−δ catalyst with a balanced oxygen-ion- and hole-conducting BaCe1−xZrxO3-based material leads to enhancements in performance.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02042-5 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 4

An analytical model to describe self-discharge rates in solid-state batteries

Internal self-discharge can compromise the shelf life of solid-state batteries. Now, physico-chemical analysis of charge loss shows that the internal self-discharge over time is not solely determined by the electronic conductivity of the solid separator but also by its electrochemical stability. This model could help guide separator and cell design.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02047-0 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 1

Pushing tunnel oxide passivating contact technology

As silicon solar cells approach their theoretical efficiency limit, further performance gains become increasingly difficult. Two studies now demonstrate advances in mainstream tunnel oxide passivating contact technology: one improves the boron emitter and polysilicon in the standard design, while the other proposes an alternative cell architecture that overcomes limitations of the mainstream approach.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02051-4 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 1

Thin membranes with Cu-ion crosslinking for high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

High-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells tend to use relatively thick membranes to counteract H3PO4-induced degradation, limiting performance. Here the authors introduce a dynamic metal-ion crosslinking strategy to create thin, robust membranes, achieving promising power density and durability.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02049-y nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • May 1

Mitigating lead toxicity towards safer commercialization of perovskite solar cells

The presence of lead in perovskite photovoltaics requires careful scrutiny before commercialization. In this Review Lin and colleagues discuss mitigation strategies and the end-of-life implications for recycling and sustainability.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02037-2 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 24

Imaging dynamic electrocatalytic processes on nano-strained MoS2 using interferometric electro-optical microscopy

Understanding dynamic heterogeneity in hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts is essential but difficult with limited spatio-temporal resolution. Here the authors use interferometric electro-optical microscopy to achieve nanometre–millisecond imaging of hydrogen evolution activity on MoS2.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02043-4 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 24

Quantifying the self-discharge rate of solid-state batteries

Internal self-discharge limits solid-state batteries because chemical potential differences drive ions and electrons to move across the separator, causing charge loss during storage. Here Janek and Alt present an analytical model that shows how tiny electronic leaks in the solid separator can cause reversible self-discharge, providing guidance for separator and cell design.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02038-1 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 22

Reactive CO2 capture via controlled amine speciation in non-aqueous electrolytes

The integration of carbon capture and electrochemical conversion is an emerging strategy to valorize CO2. Here the authors demonstrate that altering CO2–amine speciation in aprotic media enhances CO2 uptake and suppresses hydrogen evolution, achieving promising Faradaic efficiency towards CO production, including with flue gas feedstocks.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02035-4 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 17

A scalable, biopolymer-based microenvironment for electrochemical CO2 conversion to multicarbon products with current densities over 2 A cm−2

Electrochemical CO2 reduction to multicarbon products is hindered by difficulties in microenvironment control at high current densities. Here the authors demonstrate that biopolymer coatings on electrocatalysts enhance local conditions, achieving high Faradaic efficiencies and challenging assumptions about the need for hydrophobic materials in such systems.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02040-7 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 17

Grid access and electricity for refugees

Sarah Rosenberg-Jansen is a senior research fellow at the Stockholm Environment Institute, where she conducts research on UN institutional policies and private-sector practices on sustainable energy and climate within humanitarian systems and refugee camps. She speaks to Nature Energy about refugee grid and electricity access in forced displacement settings.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02033-6 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 15

Implications of the solar rebound effect for the European energy transition

When households install solar panels, they often increase electricity use due to the energy they perceive as ‘free’. This study shows how this so-called solar rebound effect shapes Europe’s energy system, driving investment needs and costs, and calls for inclusion in planning.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02031-8 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 14

Why Europe’s solar rollout must account for the solar rebound effect

When households install rooftop solar panels, they often increase their electricity consumption due to the perception of ‘free’ energy, a phenomenon known as the solar rebound effect. Energy scenarios should reflect this additional demand, while associated policy should incentivize use during sunny hours to limit system costs and unfair cost shifting.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41560-026-02026-5 nature.com
RSS Hunter RSS Hunter • Apr 14

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