Potential future technologies Many technological improvements have been suggested to reduce emissions from various energy sources. Carbon dioxide could be captured from fossil plants and stored underground rather than released into the atmosphere ( a technology known as carbon capture and storage ). Improved efficiency for solar cells, or cells made from novel materials, could offset the emissions associated with silicon production. New reactor technology could enable nuclear reactors to produce orders of magnitude more energy without increased emissions, and recycled or new materials could reduce the emissions associated with construction of windturbines and hydroelectric dams.