Feature News
The following feature stories take an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at how NREL is advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. You may subscribe to receive weekly news features by e-mail or via RSS feed. 
2014
November 2014
New Initiatives Debut at Industry Growth Forum 
At annual event, inverter technology takes top honor—and two new programs are announced to push clean energy innovations to the marketplace.
October 2014
Reviving Algae from the (Almost) Dead
NREL's cryogenic tank holds 500 dormant algae samples, and each must ease back into life.
Partnerships Drive New Transportation Solutions
Hybrid of research and industry know-how steers NREL transportation RD&D.
HP Supercomputer at NREL Garners Top Honor
Supercomputer that uses waste heat to warm its building wins R&D 100 award.
September 2014
NREL Software Tool a Boon for Wind Industry
Simulator for Wind Farm Applications — SOWFA — can help developers boost capacity of wind farms.
NREL Interns Look Toward the Future
Forty-four interns spend summer at NREL researching topics from genetic engineering to technologies for hydrokinetic turbines.
August 2014
Crystal Solar and NREL Team Up to Cut Costs
"Gas to wafer" approach, 100 times faster than typical methods, wins R&D 100 award.
Transportation Leader Roots Career in True Grit
NREL's Wendy Dafoe works closely with the Energy Department to advance the Clean Cities sustainable transportation mission.
Postdoctoral Fellows Bring Fresh Insights
The next generation of scientific superstars shines at NREL.
July 2014
NREL Uses Industry Best Practices to Add Partners
NREL is accelerating the availability of next-generation technologies by making it easier for industry partners to work with the lab.
Industry, Investors Count on NREL's Modeling Tools
NREL's algorithms and models predict performance and financial risk of renewable energy systems.
June 2014
NREL Supercomputer Tackles Grid Challenges
As "big data" plays an increasing role in the renewable energy industry, NREL's Peregrine supercomputer is ready to take flight.
NREL Bolsters Batteries with Nanotubes
Approach boosts performance, safety, and durability for lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles, soon to be a $14 billion market.
Campus Showcases High-Performance Buildings
NREL buildings demonstrate the effective execution of energy-efficient design and operation.
May 2014
Model Car Races Put Creativity on the Line
Middle school students' design and engineering skills tested on the racetrack.
Climate Change Shifts Focus for Energy System
NREL's Energy Systems Integration Facility is the hub for testing devices that can power through outages.
NREL Hosts Race to Zero-Energy Homes
Twenty-eight teams from U.S. and Canadian universities convene at NREL for student design competition.
April 2014
NREL Looks for Star Science Students
Laboratory and aspiring scientists both benefit from Research Participant Program.
NREL Unlocking Secrets of New Solar Material
Perovskite, a semiconducting cube-like mineral, is jumping up efficiency charts faster than any other solar-cell material.
March 2014
NREL Driving Research on Hydrogen Fuel Cells
As fuel cell cars get ready for the road, industry turns to NREL for help improving cost and reliability.
2014 Science Bowl Adds New Rivals, New Friends
Boulder's Fairview High School beats out 47 other teams to claim victory in this year’s state competition.
NREL Energizes Outreach at Education Center
Revamped facility and programming bring renewable energy and energy efficiency knowledge to students, adult groups, and the community.
February 2014
Unique Bioreactor Finds Algae's Sweet Spot
Bioreactor simulates precise climates, uncovers how to get maximum fuels from algae.
January 2014
Supercomputer Exposes Enzyme's Secrets
Computer simulations show that a part of an enzyme, once thought unimportant, is useful in breaking down cellulose.
NREL Working to Clean Air in Fracking Process
Unique microbe gobbles methane and turns it into liquid diesel.
