Alternative Energy

Details: Written by: Mindy Weisberger, CNN; Category: Alternative Energy; Published: 11 February 2025; Last Updated: 15 November 2025; Hits: 2461

‘It’s almost science fiction’: Scientists say the shape of Earth’s inner core is changing

By Mindy Weisberger, CNN Mon February 10, 2025CNN Science Original CNN Science Article
Link to Research in Nature AND Associated Research Link to Associated Research

""Abstract

The inner core has been inferred to change its rotation rate or shape over years to decades since the discovery of temporal variability in seismic waves from repeating earthquakes that travelled through the inner core. Recent work confirmed that the inner core rotated faster and then slower than the rest of Earth in the last few decades; this work analysed inner-core-traversing (PKIKP) seismic waves recorded by the Eielson (ILAR) and Yellowknife (YKA) arrays in northern North America from 121 repeating earthquake pairs between 1991 and 2023 in the South Sandwich Islands. Here we extend this set of repeating earthquakes and compare pairs at times when the inner core re-occupied the same position, revealing non-rotational changes at YKA but not ILAR between 2004 and 2008. We propose that these changes originate in the shallow inner core, and so affect the inner-core-grazing YKA ray paths more than the deeper-bottoming ray paths to ILAR. We thus resolve the long-standing debate on whether temporal variability in PKIKP waves results from rotation or more local action near the inner-core boundary: it is tentatively both. The changes near the inner-core boundary most likely result from viscous deformation driven by coupling between boundary topography and mantle density anomalies or traction on the inner core from outer-core convection.""

CNN Science Article —
Scientists who just months ago confirmed that Earth’s inner core recently reversed its spin have a new revelation about our planet’s deepest secrets — they identified changes to the inner core’s shape. Earth’s innermost layer is a hot, solid ball of metal surrounded by a liquid metal outer core. For decades, planetary scientists suspected that the solid inner core deformed over time as it spun. Now, researchers have found the first evidence of changes taking place over the past 20 years in the shape of the inner core.

Signs of the core’s deformation appeared in waves from earthquakes that were strong enough to reach Earth’s centre. The research team used that same earthquake data for a 2024 study to resolve a longstanding debate over the inner core’s rotation. They found that the inner core once spun faster than Earth itself. But beginning around 2010, the solid inner core’s spin slowed. It’s now revolving backward, relative to the rest of the planet.

Read more: It’s almost science fiction

Details: Written by: J C Burke; Category: Alternative Energy; Published: 08 August 2024; Last Updated: 15 November 2025; Hits: 2922

c8f26f64 7a28 75f9 764d cd2347e5bf80 European Geothermal Congress {EGC 2025} is calling for abstracts that explore all aspects of geothermal energy use: power generation, heating and cooling supply, underground thermal storage, and mineral extraction. We are interested in both technological and socio-economic aspects.

The programme is divided into four thematic streams, each designed to cover specific aspects of geothermal energy.

Why submit an abstract?

International Visibility: Present your work to a diverse audience and gain recognition in the geothermal community.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with experts, researchers, and professionals from around the world.
Make an Impact: Contribute to the advancement and promotion of geothermal energy as a sustainable solution.

Conference Streams

Research and Development (TRL: 1-5)
Technology and Innovation (TRL: 6-9)
Geothermal Solutions for Energy System Integration
Financing, Regulations, Policy, Communications, and Market

Submission Deadline: 15 October 2024

Up to 100kW installed capacity

There remains a focus on microgeneration and community schemes, and there is still an interest in redeveloping many disused watermill sites and small off-grid hydro projects. Micro hydro development in the UK is still popular, which includes pico, micro and mini. There remain opportunities for sensitively sited micro hydro installations (up to 100kW installed capacity) that can supply cheap, reliable generation with minimal visual and environmental impact.

Pico hydro is traditionally hydroelectric power generation of under 5 kW. This has proven to be useful in small, remote communities that require only a small amount of electricity.

Even smaller turbines of 200–300 W may power a single home with a drop of only one meter. Pico-hydro setups typically are run-of-stream, meaning that a reservoir of water is not created, only a small weir is common, pipes divert some of the flow, drop this down a gradient, and through the turbine before being put back to the stream.

Flowing water has potential energy that can be harvested as it flows downhill. Micro-Hydro power systems convert the potential energy in small streams and waterways into kinetic energy via a mechanical turbine, which drives a generator to produce electricity. The greater the drop and quantity of water there is flowing through the turbine, the more electricity can be generated.

A steady stream of moving water has significant advantages over solar and wind generation systems. Micro-Hydro systems can run day and night and in any weather conditions so long as there is a consistent flow of water through the turbine.

Details: Written by: J C Burke; Category: Alternative Energy; Published: 15 July 2022; Last Updated: 15 November 2025; Hits: 7290

Whirl-Pool Technolgy Hydropower is a flexible technology, proven, improved and refined over many years, yet its site-specific features make it highly innovatory in application, which makes use of a wide range of available resource – large or small, storage or run-of-river, and including tidal range, canals and even water treatment works. Over 150 years ago it revolutionised electricity generation in the UK and it is still one of the most inexpensive ways to generate power, playing an important role in our electricity system stability.

This section comprises 18 case studies of successful small hydropower (SHP) implementation in a range of communities and aims to add a more detailed, practical perspective on the trans-formative potential of SHP and the best practices. Case studies give specific examples of communities that use SHP for productive use to meet their needs and improve quality of life. The purpose of this new section is to make the learnings drawn from such experiences easily accessible, forming a knowledge base that can benefit communities, decision-makers and developers elsewhere.

The cases demonstrate how reliable access to electricity provided by SHP revolutionizes the daily lives of communities worldwide, in particular in rural areas, creating employment opportunities, stimulating economic development, strengthening the capacity of existing infrastructure and local institutions, while minimizing negative environmental impacts. The following five aspects of SHP development are covered in the case studies.

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It’s almost science fiction

‘It’s almost science fiction’: Scientists say the shape of Earth’s inner core is changing

Geothermal Congress 2025

Swaziland and Zimbabwe Geothermal Potentials

Micro Hydro

Up to 100kW installed capacity

Global Small Hydro Power - SHP