NREL Innovation Spectrum
The scope of NREL's capabilities emulates the nature of the innovation process itself. Moving new technologies from initial concept to commercial application requires a breadth of expertise across the innovation spectrum, encompassing:
- Fundamental science
- Market-relevant research
- Systems integration
- Testing and validation
- Commercialization
- Deployment
The NREL innovation spectrum is highly interactive within the laboratory and across other research institutions and private industry. NREL provides the scientific and analytical leadership to guide the innovation process, contributing knowledge and expertise at each stage.
Innovation Success Stories
Learn more about the spectrum of clean energy innovation and how NREL is creating a future of sustainable energy systems based on clean, cost-effective, and secure resources.
Overview
Fundamental Science
- Green Light-Emitting Diode Makes Highly Efficient White Light
- Quantum Dots Promise to Significantly Boost Photovoltaic Efficiencies
Biomass
- NREL Creates New Pathways for Producing Biofuels and Acids from Cyanobacteria
- Novel Biomass Conversion Process Results in Commercial Joint Venture
- Reducing Enzyme Costs Increases Market Potential of Biofuels
- Novel System for Recalcitrance Screening Will Reduce Biofuels Production Costs
- Computer Modeling of Carbon Metabolism Enables Biofuel Engineering
Geothermal
Hydrogen
Solar
- NREL Produces Highly Efficient, Wide-Bandgap, Thin-Film Solar Cells
- NREL Scientists Spurred the Success of Multijunction Solar Cells
- NREL Explores Earth-Abundant Materials for Future Solar Cells
- Award-Winning Etching Process Cuts Solar Cell Costs
- Pioneering Inkjet Printing Technology Produces Thin-Film Photovoltaics
- Rapid Deposition Technology Holds the Key for World's Largest Solar Manufacturer
- An Upside-Down Solar Cell Achieves Record Efficiencies
- Components Makeover Gives Concentrating Solar Power a Boost
- NREL Designs Promising New Oxides for Solar Cells
- Singlet Fission Holds Two-for-One Potential in Solar Cells
- NREL Invents a Superior Diagnostics Tool for Solar Cell Manufacturing
- NREL Paves the Way to Commercialization of Silicon Ink
Water Power
Wind
- NREL Develops New Controls that Proactively Adapt to the Wind
- Wind Turbine Design Innovations Drive Industry Transformation
- Unique Dynamometer Enables Rapid Advancement of Industry Leader
- NREL's Wind Powering America Team Helps Indiana Develop Wind Resources
- NREL Innovations Contribute to an Award-Winning Small Wind Turbine
- NREL Computer Models Integrate Wind Turbines with Floating Platforms
- NREL Triples Previous Estimates of U.S. Wind Power Potential
- NREL Studies Wind Farm Aerodynamics to Improve Siting
Buildings
- Innovative Evaporative and Thermally Activated Technologies Improve Air Conditioning
- NREL Recommends Ways to Cut Building Energy Costs in Half
Electric Infrastructure Systems
Vehicles and Fuels
- NREL Enhances the Performance of a Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode
- NREL Reveals Links Among Climate Control, Battery Life, and Electric Vehicle Range
- Advanced Heat Transfer Technologies Increase Vehicle Performance and Reliability
- "Buried-Anode" Technology Leads to Advanced Lithium Batteries
- NREL Helps Clean Cities Displace Billions of Gallons of Petroleum, One Vehicle at a Time
- NREL Helps Cool the Power Electronics in Electric Vehicles
Commercialization
- NREL's Industry Growth Forum Boosts Clean Energy Commercialization Efforts
- Energy Innovation Portal Brings DOE Technologies to the Market
