AES has more than 60,000 Friends, most of whom are experts in a variety of energy fields. In this issue, we asked them to share what they’ve been thinking about or working on this summer. At first glance, there may not appear to be a common thread connecting the selections. They span energy sectors, extend from systems thinking to materials, explore new ground and cover old ground in new ways. Even the formats are varied, with articles, a video, and resources. But there is a thread that unites these disparate pieces: a solutions-oriented optimism. Even in these strange and challenging times, our contributing friends share their belief that we can innovate, create, and improve upon this new energy economy.​

Table of Contents

​

Nationwide Clean Energy... By 2035  
by David Wooley
​
The trend toward cleaner forms of electric power generation is accelerating, with the cost of renewable energy and batteries dropping fast. What could that mean for the immediate future?

​Bioremediation Potentials: A Short Introduction
by Maximlian Fritz Feichtner

A versatile practice with a long tradition, bioremediation offers a hopeful approach for decarbonizing the planet.

The Future of Energy Storage Beyond Lithium Ion
by CNBC
Researchers in this video explore new solutions for storage, including flow batteries, thermal batteries, and gravity-based systems. ​

​Geothermal Energy Is Surging — Battered Oil and Gas Companies Should Take Advantage
by Jigar Shah and Tim Latimer

Geothermal energy is a ready-to-scale, off-the-shelf solution that can put America's idled oil and gas workforce back into the field almost immediately.

Making Commodity Chemicals Requires Fossil Fuels — New Devices Could Do It With Renewables
by Robert F. Service 

The supply of renewable electricity sometimes exceeds demand. What if chemists could put the excess to work making commodity chemicals?

How Project Management Can Start Your Career In Cleantech
by Mike Brownell

The majority of cleantech jobs are for STEM degrees, but project management roles are an excellent entry point for environmental science, business, and liberal arts majors. Here are some ideas, and courses, to get you started.