News

Wild Energy Center researchers were in the spotlight in a recent Grist feature exploring the ecological impacts of floating solar. Director Rebecca Hernandez and graduate researcher Amanda Bujosa share why understanding how floating solar affects aquatic ecosystems is essential as the technology scales. Their work is helping define a critical research agenda at the intersection of clean energy and environmental stewardship.

CLTC Director Michael Siminovitch traveled to Thailand to lead the inaugural LED Lighting Design Competition at Khon Kaen University. The month-long program, hosted by the university’s School of Architecture, brought together 30 students to design and prototype aesthetically compelling, functional LED pathway lights.

The UC Pavement Research Center hosted a Lab2Slab construction event in June, placing three new concrete test slabs using alternative cement blends aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The event drew researchers, industry partners, and students to observe the latest step in testing more sustainable pavement materials.

A new WCEC report explores affordable strategies to accelerate adoption of low-global-warming-potential (low-GWP) heat pumps in California homes. Findings show that the heat pumps reduced greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 90 percent compared to the gas systems they replaced. The team also advanced a novel polymer heat exchanger design to support long-term market transformation as refrigerant standards tighten.

A new study from the UC Davis Wild Energy Center explores how floating solar energy systems—known as “floatovoltaics”—can coexist with waterbirds that rely on the same aquatic habitats. As these renewable energy installations expand across reservoirs, irrigation ponds, and wastewater facilities, researchers are investigating their potential impacts on bird species that nest, forage, and rest in these environments.

WCEC researchers recently returned from the 2025 ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit in Washington, D.C., where they presented a liquid cooling demonstration as part of the COOLERCHIPS program.