The need to shift towards more sustainable practices globally has increased significantly in the last few years. Climate tech is now being deployed as global leaders seek to increase renewable energy. In 2023, we’ve seen some innovations, like the cargo ship running on green methanol made from food waste. Well, in 2024, we’re optimistic that these efforts will be intensified. Here are five innovations we expect.
Saying goodbye to gas stoves
Gas stoves are very common, as many kitchens around the world, especially in America, have them. However, their reign is slowly coming to an end in 2024. The reason is simple: gas stoves pose climate risks that we should avoid.
So, this year, people will start replacing their gas stoves with induction ones. Companies like Channing Street Copper Co. are making new models that are much easier to install. Aside from being climate-friendly, induction stoves are also faster.
A new way option for clean heat
The heat in factories, which comes from gas or coal, is a major part of the energy used in the U.S. and beyond. However, recently, a startup has shown us a new way of generating ‘clean heat’ that doesn’t harm our environment.
This startup, called Antora, heats large blocks of carbon using renewable energy and releases the heat on demand. The good thing is that the cost of this system is similar to that of fossil fuels.
Inefficient buildings are about to get more efficient
Not only do factories and large companies contribute to the climate risks we’re facing, but old apartment buildings also waste a lot of energy. Well, a startup called Hydronic Shell Technologies has created a design to upgrade inefficient buildings.
With heating equipment, built-in insulation, and cooling equipment, this company has a system of retrofitting old apartment buildings and making them more efficient. This will save building owners some costs and also save tenants from stress.
A direct air capture facility- the first of its kind
Removing the excess amount of carbon in the air is another huge eco-friendly innovation that will go a long way in building a more sustainable future. Two years ago, a startup company called Heirloom started to test a direct air removal concept.
However, the startup is operating the first direct air capture plant in the States, intending to remove one billion tons of CO2 by 2035. In collaboration with another company, CarbonCure, Heirloom is working on permanently storing the captured CO2 in concrete.
Turning concrete into a supercapacitor
One of the biggest polluters of the world is cement, and this has motivated different companies to start working on reducing emissions from the material. However, MIT researchers have another use for concrete.
These researchers have discovered the possibility of making concrete that can store energy. This means the concrete foundation of a building can store solar power from the roof of the same building.