Nature Energy, Published online: 20 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41560-024-01518-6Net energy implications of the energy transition have primarily been assessed at the final energy stage to date. New research considers the useful-stage energy return on investment and finds that wind and solar photovoltaics outperform fossil fuels, shedding light on their investment...

Nature Energy, Published online: 17 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41560-024-01552-4Author Correction: Africa needs context-relevant evidence to shape its clean energy future

Nature Energy, Published online: 16 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41560-024-01528-4The solvation structure of an electrolyte and the resulting interphase are crucial for lithium-metal battery performance. Now, an electrochemically inert diluent, designed to selectively interact with electrolyte anions, aids in the formation of an inorganic-rich bilayer interphase,...

Nature Energy, Published online: 16 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41560-024-01539-1Interventions prioritizing care and knowledge in locally led energy transition initiatives may contribute to the disruption of established gender norms. A new study on the Solar Mamas programme in Zanzibar supports this idea.

Nature Energy, Published online: 15 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41560-024-01530-wInvestment in climate and energy startups is growing in the United States. Here the authors show that public grants back high-risk areas, and that publicly funded startups exit at higher rates with corporate backing than with other private investment.

Nature Energy, Published online: 14 May 2024; doi:10.1038/s41560-024-01540-8Realizing fast-charging and energy-dense lithium-ion batteries remains a challenge. Now, a porous current collector has been conceptualized that halves the effective lithium-ion diffusion distance and quadruples the diffusion-limited rate capability of batteries to achieve fast...