Author: Zech

The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) have jointly launched the U.S.-India Renewable Energy Technology Action Platform (RETAP) under the Strategic Clean Energy Partnership.U.S. President Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced RETAP during their meeting on June 22. The move underscores the two countries’ growing cooperation on emerging technologies to advance the clean energy transition.RETAP was established to strengthen bilateral cooperation, focusing on technology-driven and time-bound outcomes, with a primary goal of accelerating the adoption and scale-up of emerging renewable technologies.RETAP will initially focus on exploring green and clean…

The US military plans to begin using thousands of autonomous weapons systems over the next two years to counter China’s growing power, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks announced in a speech on Monday. The so-called “Replicator” initiative aims to work with defense and other technology companies to mass-produce affordable systems for all branches of the military. Military systems capable of varying levels of independence have become increasingly common over the past decade or so, but the scale and scope of the US announcement makes it clear that the future of conflict has changed: the era of combat robots has…

Recent digital technologies have revealed some alarming effects on social connections and mental health. The US Surgeon General has issued widely publicized recommendations on loneliness and on young people, both of which are full of evidence of the harms caused by social media and the internet in general. But can digital technologies also improve social connections? While the harms of digital media for many are well documented, some people thrive on digital connections, especially marginalized groups who have a harder time finding each other in physical environments, the Surgeon General’s Youth Advisory points out on page 6: Another at-risk population…

Source: Virginia Tech Rescue Team Are you looking for a way to make a meaningful impact on emergency medical services while supporting the Hokie community? Your opportunity is here! Apply to become a member of the Virginia Tech Rescue Squad and contribute to both the community and your personal growth through valuable medical experience. About us: The Virginia Tech Rescue Squad is a 100% student-run volunteer organization dedicated to responding to 911 medical emergencies on the Virginia Tech campus and surrounding areas. Our mission is to provide fast and effective medical assistance to those in need and ensure the safety…

The 4th edition of Energy Tech Day – Going Carbon Neutral: Responsible Technology Investments brought together energy experts to identify new opportunities and challenges facing the energy sector in Romania during the energy transition process. The high-level conference covered major themes such as: Aspects of the development strategy of the Romanian energy sector, outlook 2030/2050; Importance of fast-paced development of projects in the renewable energy sector; CCS Future in Romania; Major companies’ commitment to building a bridge to a low carbon future; The role of natural gas storage in ensuring security of supply and promoting decarbonization; Clean hydrogen economy potential…

To continue to reduce the cost of solar energy and other clean energy technologies, scientists and engineers will likely need to focus, at least in part, on improving technology features that aren’t based on hardware, according to MIT researchers. The researchers describe their findings and the mechanisms behind them today in Nature Energy. Although the cost of installing a solar power system has fallen by more than 99 percent since 1980, this new analysis shows that the “soft technology” features required to deploy a solar power plant, such as structured permitting procedures, supply chain management techniques, and system design processes,…

The bill has led many developed countries to approve similar legislation to strengthen and protect the competitiveness of their green tech industries, including the EU’s proposed Green Deal industrial plan earlier this year and Australia’s National Recovery Fund, passed in March.China is the world’s largest manufacturer of wind energy components. Photo: XinhuaOxenford said subsidy programs by the U.S. and its allies could spur the development of green tech industries and create more jobs at home, but were unlikely to change the dynamics of current global supply chains long dominated by China.The EIU said that relocating companies locally would inevitably raise…

In a Deloitte survey of technology industry leaders, talent issues were seen as both their biggest challenge and their biggest opportunity. Over the past six months, talent issues have remained steady as the No. 2 strategic challenge (behind competition and market disruption).3 Digging deeper, nearly 90% of leaders say that recruiting and retaining talent is a medium or high challenge. Additionally, 72% rate “meeting the broad range of employee needs” as a medium or high challenge (exhibit). Businesses will continue to struggle to navigate returns to the office, layoffs, and changing employee preferences. Two areas leaders found particularly challenging were…

The technology industry has experienced a golden age over the past fifty years, experiencing exponential growth, driving disruptive innovation, and revolutionizing how we live, work, play, and interact with each other and the world at large. At the center of this transformation lies a driving force that has fueled the innovation engine: venture capital. In this piece, we will explore the impact of venture capital on the American economy, survey the birth of global technology titans that it fueled, and posit the risks of regulation by enforcement. Impact of Venture Capital on the American Economy Venture capital (VC) is a…

On July 26, 2023, the House Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce held a legislative hearing entitled, “A Legislative Framework for Autonomous Vehicles: Improving Safety, Improved Lives and Mobility, and Countering China,” as a first step toward reviving legislation regulating autonomous vehicles (“AVs”) that was introduced in 2017. The hearing focused on the importance of enacting a national framework for autonomous vehicles that addresses the following: The safe operation and deployment of AVs, the role of AV technology in breaking down transportation barriers for people with disabilities and other mobility challenges, the economic importance of strengthening the United States’ role…