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Anyone who looks out at the ocean may feel awed by the power apparent in every wave. That power has the potential to provide energy to land-based homes and businesses, as well as floating facilities and vessels at sea. But how can we transform the ocean’s energy into usable forms, such as electricity or desalinated water?

One way to harness the ocean’s energy is through a device called a wave energy converter, or WEC. To date, WEC designs have been generally centered on large, rigid bodies that float in the water and move relative to each other as waves roll past. These bodies typically absorb ocean wave energy and focus that energy into a centralized conversion mechanism, such as a rotary generator or hydraulic piston.

Now, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is exploring ways to significantly advance wave energy converter design and development. With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Water Power Technologies Office, NREL researchers are developing concepts in which many small energy converters can be aggregated to create a single structure. With this new approach to developing wave energy, the domain of distributed embedded energy converter technologies (DEEC-Tec) could help the promise of substantial renewable energy generation from ocean waves become a reality.

Figure 1. Stretched and deformed sample volume of a flexWEC’s structure illustrating the basic use of distributed embedded energy converters (DEECs) to create power from wave energy. The sample volume has two sections where material is removed to clarify their respective arrangements: (1) the middle section has the supporting compliant material framework removed, and (2) the right section has both the supporting compliant framework and the DEECs removed. The illustration showcases how the combined semicontinuous nature of DEEC technologies supports the development of materials and structures for ocean wave energy harvesting and conversion devices.

Why Distribute and Embed Multiple Energy Converters?

One of the most innovative elements of DEEC-Tec is its ability to create flexible ocean wave energy converters, sometimes known as flexWECs. These devices have inherently broad-banded ocean wave energy absorption and conversion characteristics, meaning they can harvest energy across a wide range of ocean wave heights and frequencies.

DEEC-Tec provides a new scope of possibilities for how ocean wave energy can be harvested and converted and how flexWEC designs could power a variety of end uses both on land (powering homes and businesses) and at sea (powering navigation buoys and marine vehicles). Some of these uses will support DOE’s Powering the Blue Economy™ initiative, which aims to advance marine renewable energy technologies, such as navigation buoys or autonomous underwater vehicles, to promote economic growth in industries such as aquaculture.

“Our goal with DEEC-Tec is to vastly broaden how we currently conceptualize and envision the use of ocean wave energy,” said NREL researcher Blake Boren, who has been studying wave energy converters for over 10 years. “There is a tremendous range of possibilities for how we can develop these DEEC-Tec-based wave energy converters, and we are accelerating that exploration process.”

Figure 2. Three possible flexWEC archetypes showcasing the nondeformed and dynamically deformed states of DEEC-Tec-based flexWEC structures. The yellow flexible bodies in each archetype represent the DEEC-based, compliant structures illustrated in Figure 1. (Note: Nothing is to scale; flexWEC archetype figures and scenes are solely illustrative.)

How DEEC-Tec Moves Wave Energy Forward

DEEC-Tec concepts are assembled from many small energy converters that, together, form a structure that can undulate like a snake, stretch and bend like a sheet of fabric, or expand and contract like a balloon. As the overall structure bends, twists, and/or changes shape as the ocean waves roll past, each embedded energy converter can turn a portion of that ocean wave energy into electricity.

A flexWEC has several advantages:

  • A broader spectrum of energy capture. With a wide range of movement and deformations available, DEEC-Tec-based wave energy converters absorb and convert ocean wave energy across a much broader range of wave conditions — both in terms of size and frequency — when compared with rigid-body converters.
  • Mechanical redundancy. The ability to use many hundreds or thousands of distributed embedded energy converters can ensure that ocean energy conversion occurs even if one or more of those converters stops functioning.
  • Resilience. The DEEC-Tec-based wave energy converter’s flexibility grants an inherent survival mechanism: the ability to ride out and absorb excessive, dangerous surges of energy from large storms and rough seas.
  • Favorable materials. DEEC-Tec-based wave energy converters could be manufactured from recycled materials or simple polymers. These replace heavier, sometimes more expensive materials that have historically been used for wave energy converter development, such as steel or rare-earth elements needed for large permanent magnets. Moreover, existing mass-manufacturing techniques could be used for straightforward and cost-effective DEEC-Tec component fabrication.
  • Easier installation. DEEC-Tec-based wave energy converters can be folded, deflated, or otherwise made compact for transport from a manufacturer to a deployment site. Likewise, for installation, they can be expanded to cover broad surface areas as needed. This would allow for robust energy capture with lower capital costs.
  • Reduced maintenance schedules. Monitoring the relative performance of many small devices determines the need for DEEC-Tec-based wave energy converter maintenance throughout the structure. The inherent redundancy of the structure potentially translates to less frequent inspections and maintenance requirements.
  • Near-continuous structural control. A DEEC-Tec-based wave energy converter is composed of numerous small transducers — mechanisms that convert one form of energy into another. Some of these can serve as simple electrical actuators, which can change the converter’s shape and movement in response to ocean wave conditions. This will allow for greater ocean wave energy harvesting and conversion control.

Bending to the Future

While there are many advantages to using DEEC-Tec in the research and development of ocean wave energy converters, there are still unknowns that need to be understood and addressed. To this end, NREL researchers are identifying the materials, structural designs, electronic systems, and manufacturing methods that could advance DEEC-Tec concepts for marine renewable energy. NREL’s work also includes DEEC-Tec subcomponent validation and codesign, computational models to simulate performance, and device proofs of concept for building and validation.

As part of this research, NREL is collaborating with outside institutions, such as the University of Colorado–Boulder, Netherlands-based energy company SBM Offshore, the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and Sandia National Laboratories.

Learn more about NREL’s work on distributed embedded energy converter technologies.

Article and Images courtesy of the NREL, the U.S. Department of Energy.

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Ford ‘can’t walk away from EVs’ or it risks falling even further behind China

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4 hours ago

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November 11, 2025

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Ford 'can't walk away from EVs' or it risks falling even further behind China

Ford-walk-away-EVs

Ford’s CEO Jim Farley admitted he was humbled after tearing down the first Tesla and Chinese EVs. If it wants to compete globally, Ford can’t walk away from EVs altogether, so it’s planning to shake things up.

Ford can’t walk away from EVs, or it will lose to China

After taking apart a Tesla Model 3 and several electric vehicles from China for the first time, Farley said he was “very humbled” during a new episode of the Office Hours: Business Edition podcast.

The “shocking” revelation is what pushed Ford to overhaul its EV program. Ford is shifting its focus to smaller, more affordable EVs, which require smaller batteries and fewer materials.

Ford is promising its next-generation electric vehicles will be significantly more efficient and advanced than the current Mustang Mach-E and F-150 Lightning. Farley told host Monica Langley that the Mach-E had about 1.6 km of electrical wiring, which led to a larger battery.

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Ford’s CEO has warned several times now that Chinese EV makers pose an “existential threat” to Western brands, including itself.

Ford-walk-away-EVs
Xiaomi SU7 (Source: Xiaomi)

After flying a Xiaomi SU7 from Shanghai to Chicago last year and driving it around for a few months, Farley even said he didn’t want to give it up.

“EVs are exploding in China,” Ford’s CEO said on the podcast, adding the Chinese government had its “foot on the economic scale” to promote electric vehicles.

Ford-walk-away-EVs
Xiaomi SU7 production (Source: Xiaomi)

Although the US is facing headwinds with the $7,500 federal tax credit now expired and the Trump administration shifting policies, Farley admitted, “We can’t walk away from EVs, not just for the US, but if we want to be a global company, I’m not going to just cede that to the Chinese.”

Ford, like most automakers, is bracing for slower EV sales over the next few months. Farley said on the company’s third-quarter earnings call that he expects electric vehicles to account for just 5% of the US market in the near term.

Ford-F-150-Lightning-production
The 2026 Ford F-150 Lightning STX (Source: Ford)

The “EV market in the US is totally different than we thought,” Farley explained during the podcast, adding buyers are looking for more affordable options rather than the “$70-80,000” EV.

To stay competitive, Ford is betting on its new low-cost EV platform, the Ford Universal EV Platform, which the company says will help unlock more affordable electric cars.

Ford-walk-away-EVs
CEO Jim Farley presents the Ford Universal EV Platform in Kentucky (Source: Ford)

The first vehicle Ford plans to launch on the platform is a midsize electric pickup, starting at around $30,000. It’s expected to arrive in 2027. Ford will use lower-cost LFP batteries licensed from China’s CATL. They will be manufactured at Ford’s new plant in Michigan.

According to Lisa Drake, Ford’s vice president of tech platform programs and EV systems, the company intends to match the cost structure of leading Chinese brands.

In the meantime, Ford has paused production of its current electric pickup, the F-150 Lightning. A new report from The Wall Street Journal claims it’s now considering scrapping the EV pickup altogether.

Source: Business Insider


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Mercedes gives first look at the GLB EV interior and it’s loaded with massive screens [Images]

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6 hours ago

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November 11, 2025

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Mercedes gives first look at the GLB EV interior and it's loaded with massive screens [Images]

Mercedes-GLB-EV-first-look

The Mercedes GLB EV will be here in less than a month. With its debut just around the corner, Mercedes offered a first look at the new GLB EV’s interior, and yes, it’s loaded with massive screens.

First look at the new Mercedes GLB EV interior

Mercedes is putting the new electric GLB through the paces at the Mercedes Technology Center (MTC) in Singlefingen, Germany, ahead of its world premiere on December 8.

The testing is conducted in wind tunnels that range in temperature from -40 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, snow cannons shoot various types of snow while high-powered fans generate winds up to 124 mph, simulating fierce blizzard conditions.

Although it’s covered in snow, you can still see that the new EV version maintains a similar boxy design to the current gas-powered GLB.

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If you look a little closer, it appears to have a larger grille design, like the new GLC EV, which Mercedes said “redefines” the face of the brand.

Mercedes also unveiled the new GLB EV’s interior for the first time, which looks pretty similar to the GLC’s. The optional floating MBUX Superscreen is the highlight, extending the entire width of the dash.

Mercedes-GLB-EV-first-look
The new Mercedes GLB EV during cold-weather testing (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

It also features Mercedes’ new multifunction steering wheel, which reintroduces a rocker switch for the cruise control.

Another new feature is the concave door handle design, which features a floating center panel that opens a storage space. The center console has a similar design, offering an optional wireless charging cradle and cup holders.

Mercedes-GLB-EV-interior-first-look
The interior of the new Mercedes GLB EV (Source: Mercedes-Benz)

Mercedes said the new SUV offers “noticeably more headroom for first and second row occupants” compared to its predecessor. It will offer standard seating for five, with the option to add a third row for seven.

According to Mercedes, the new GLB takes “interior climate comfort” to the next level. For example, the climate control heats up twice as fast as its predecessor during a 20-minute drive at 19 degrees Fahrenheit. Mercedes said that since it only requires half the energy of the current GLB, it helps maximize range.

We will learn more about the Mercedes GLB EV on December 8. Check back soon for updates.


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Segway early Black Friday takes hundreds off EVs from $150, exclusive $1,082 savings on refurbished Anker SOLIX units, Jackery, more

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7 hours ago

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November 11, 2025

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Segway early Black Friday takes hundreds off EVs from 0, exclusive ,082 savings on refurbished Anker SOLIX units, Jackery, more


If you didn’t know, today is Singles’ Day, and as such, our Green Deals edition has some great opportunities to celebrate and treat yourself with, starting at Segway’s early Black Friday Sale with up to 30% discounts on several e-scooters and e-bikes starting from $150. We also secured exclusive deals with up to $1,082 savings on nine refurbished Anker SOLIX power stations and solar panels, like the renewed F3800 Portable Power Station at a new $1,597 low. There’s also the new Jackery Explorer 240D Portable Power Station back at its $139 low, as well as a new Worx Intellicut mower low, DEWALT’s 6-tool combo kit at an annual low, and our Singles’ Day roundup bringing up the rear. And don’t forget about the hangover deals that are collected together at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s full Anker SOLIX early Black Friday Sale lineup, and more.

Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Save hundreds in early Black Friday/Singles’ Day savings on Segway EVs to upgrade your commute, starting from $150

Segway has officially kicked off its early Black Friday Sale that will also coincide with Singles’ Day, giving lone riders a great opportunity at hundreds in savings on the brand’s select lineup of e-scooters and accessories. One such notable deal is the E2 Pro Electric Scooter that is dropping to $379.99 shipped, and also matching at Amazon. While it carries a $600 MSRP direct from the brand’s website, you’ll more often find it posted up at $500 in full over at Amazon, with most of the discounts we’ve seen over 2025 having kept costs above $400, save for the few drops to $330 we saw earlier in the year. During these early holiday promotions, you can score it at the second-best price we have tracked, giving you $120 off the going rate and $220 off the MSRP. Head below to browse the full lineup of Segway’s early Black Friday deals.

A great commuter for folks who don’t want to shell out too much money, but still want one of the more premium brands supporting them through travels around town, the Segway E2 Pro electric scooter has you covered for up to 21.7 miles on a single charge, thanks to the 275Wh battery. That battery runs the 750W motor and rear-wheel drive system, with enough power to handle up to 18% inclines while giving you top speeds of 15.5 MPH.

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One notable inclusion here is the Apple Find My integration for greater security, allowing you to keep track of your scooter and hunt it down in case of theft, which has been needed for such models that utilize push-button starts without keys. Your riding experience will also benefit from the front and rear turn signals, anti-skid traction control, 10-inch air-leakage-proof tubeless tires, 2.8-inch integrated LED dashboard for setting adjustments, and more.

Segway’s full early Black Friday Sale lineup:

  • C2 Lite eKickScooter for kids: $150 (Reg. $180) | matched at Amazon
    • 9.9 MPH for up to 5.9 miles
  • C2 eKickScooter for kids: $160 (Reg. $200) | matched at Amazon
    • 9.9 MPH for up to 6.8 miles
  • C2 Pro eKickScooter for kids: $230 (Reg. $280) | matched at Amazon
    • 12.4 MPH for up to 9.3 miles
  • E2 Plus II Electric Scooter: $280 (Reg. $350) | matched at Amazon
    • 15.5 MPH for up to 16 miles
  • E2 Pro Electric Scooter: $380 (Reg. $500) | matched at Amazon
    • 15.5 MPH for up to 21.7 miles
    • Apple Find My, more
  • MAX G30LP Electric Scooter: $500 (Reg. $600) | matched at Amazon
    • 18 MPH for up to 25 miles
  • MAX G30P Electric Scooter: $550 (Reg. $1,000) | not available at Amazon
    • 18 MPH for up to 40 miles
  • Max G2 Electric Scooter: $700 (Reg. $1,000) | matched at Amazon
    • 22 MPH for up to 43 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, more
  • GoKart Kit2: $800 (Reg. $999) | matched at Amazon
    • Requires a compatible Segway Ninebot S, S2, or S MAX
  • F3 Electric Scooter: $850 (Reg. $1,000) | matched at Amazon
    • 20 MPH for up to 44 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, more
  • ZT3 Pro All-Terrain Electric Scooter: $1,000 (Reg. $1,200) | matched at Amazon
    • 24.9 MPH for up to 43.5 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, more
  • MAX G3 Electric Scooter: $1,200 (Reg. $1,300) | matched at Amazon
    • 28 MPH for up to 50 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, more
  • Xafari Electric Bike: $1,800 (Reg. $2,400)
    • 20 MPH for up to 88 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, and much more
  • Xyber Electric Bike: $2,900 (Reg. $3,300)
    • 35 MPH for up to 112 miles
    • Traction Control System, Apple Find My, auto proximity locking, and much more

Segway’s early Black Friday accessory deals:

You can browse Segway’s early Black Friday lineup on the main landing page here, too.

Anker's SOLIX F3800 plus power station in kitchen with various appliances

Score up to $1,082 in exclusive savings on nine refurbished Anker SOLIX units at new lows starting from $112

We’ve secured a collection of nine exclusive deals on refurbished Anker SOLIX power stations and solar panels from Welbots, which provide up to $1,082 in total savings and even give our readers some new low prices on these units. The largest of these deals is on the Anker SOLIX F3800 Portable Power Station down at $1,597.07 shipped, after using the exclusive code 9TO5RBANK6 for an additional 6% savings. The deal on this renewed unit starts with a drop from $2,679 to $1,699, and the exclusive code cuts another $102 off the tag. Last month, we secured similar deals that only took costs down to $1,709, with that rate beaten here by the combined 40% markdown that lands it lower than ever to the best new price we have tracked.

You can learn more about this power station, as well as the full lineup of refurbished units, by checking out our original coverage of these nine exclusive deals here.

person riding bike with Jackery's Explorer 240D power station hanging from shoulder on strap

Jackery’s new Explorer 240D 256Wh compact power station returns to $139 low for Singles’ Day, more from $176

By way of its official Amazon storefront, Jackery is offering its new Explorer 240D Portable Power Station at $138.99 shipped, beating out the brand’s direct website pricing by $70. This new model hit the market at the tail end of September with a full $209 price tag, with its initial launch deals to this rate holding on through Prime Day, before keeping above $149 with discounts in the time since. Today’s deal brings you another opportunity to jump on it at the best price we have tracked, saving you $70 in the process. You’ll also find a few bundle options available at discounted rates, too, like the station with a 40W mini solar panel at its lowest rate of $217.54 shipped.

If you want to learn more about this new power station, or browse its bundle offers, be sure to check out our original coverage of these deals here.

man mowing lawn with Worx 40V 14-inch Cordless Intellicut lawn mower

Worx’s 40V 14-inch cordless mower with adaptable Intellicut feature at new $129 low for Singles’ Day

Amazon is now offering the best price yet on the Worx 40V 14-inch 2-in-1 Cordless intellicut Lawn Mower with two 4.0Ah batteries for $129 shipped during Singles’ Day, which has been going strong for us for 2.5 years now, and currently beats out the brand’s direct website pricing by $61. It may carry a $300 MSRP direct from Worx, but at Amazon we’ve been seeing it down at $220 and more recently $199 for long stretches, with discounts having taken things as low as $165 this year. While this deal continues, you’re looking at a total $171 off the MSRP that lands it lower than ever for the best price we have tracked in its history, making it quite the Singles’ Day steal for homeowners and renters who need a means to keep their lawns maintained without running up a significant bill.

If you want to learn more about this budget-friendly mower, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

DEWALT's 20V MAX Cordless 6-tool combo kit for singles' day

Amazon is offering the DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless 6-Tool Combo Kit with two 5.0Ah batteries at $729 shipped, which matches the price we’re seeing from Home Depot. It’s coming down from $1,049 here, and beats out all the discounts we’ve seen during 2025 from Amazon, which mostly kept costs above $815, except for the one-time and short-lived drop to $799. While we have seen it only beaten by the $649 low in the past, you’re still looking at the best price of the last few years, with $320 cut from the tag for the second-best overall price that we have tracked at Amazon.

If you want to learn more about what you’re getting in this kit, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.

Best Fall EV deals!

Best new Green Deals landing this week

The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.


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