One of the most exciting parts of the clean power sector, in my opinion, is that we don't quite know what technologies will come about and take hold. While the usual suspects of solar and wind get the headlines, and rightfully so for how much they're driving this clean energy transition, top minds and innovators are continually coming up with new and exciting technologies that will help to fill in the clean tech gaps.

So to take a break from the usual cavalcade of solar/wind news, here are some recent news items of under the reader clean technology developments that I think could rouse some curiosities and inspire the utility professionals here at Energy Central:

Portland Now Generates Electricity From Turbines Installed in City Water Pipes

Talk about extracting energy for new places where otherwise it was simply wasted, the city of Portland has developed a partnership with Lucid Energy "to generate clean electricity from the water already flowing under its streets and through its pipes." This one is really cool-- obviously this would be marginal in terms of total energy supply/demand, but put enough of these unique concepts together at a cost-effective rate and reap the benefits!

Germany Looks To Put Thermal Storage Into Coal Plants

Another great example of retrofitting old fossil fuel infrastructure to be re-purposed in creative ways for clean energy uses. In this article, see how researchers are "planning a pilot that will involve ripping out the boiler from an old coal plant and replacing it with a molten salt thermal storage tank that will be heated using excess renewable energy."

Researchers create new way to power electric cars

As powering electric vehicles is undeniably the biggest challenge facing utilities in the future with the added power load they are expected to bring, finding ways to do so in the cleanest and most efficient manner is crucial. This article details the research done by researchers at UMass Lowell to do just that, with the creation allowing "electric vehicles of all sizes to run longer while maintaining zero emissions. The new technology uses water, carbon dioxide and the metal cobalt to produce hydrogen gas on demand at a relatively low temperature and pressure."