Integrating solar power with the grid is a more difficult challenge than many might imagine. With home use of solar power increasing pressure on the grid, creative solutions will be needed to fully integrate this power source: battery storage is one.

Dr. Adam Hollinger of Penn State, Behrend, along with graduate student Scott DeLaney, discusses the safety and efficiency issues involved with lithium-ion batteries.

This discussion covers important aspects of energy storage research developments and career development essentials.

Autonomous vehicles powered by cleaner and more efficient hybrid engines will be the future of the automotive industry says hybrid propulsion expert Dr. Hai Wang of Stanford University.

As solar power grows as a percentage of energy produced in the U.S., the issue of intermittency has emerged as a hurdle to integration. To overcome this hurdle, solar energy must be stored for more efficient use.

Catherine McKalip-Thompson, manager of sustainability for Bechtel Infrastructure, describes trends in sustainable building design, smart cities and the integration of engineering, architecture and planning.