Building Our Energy Future Newsletter—July 2022

This newsletter highlights the latest news and tools, spotlights partnerships and team members, and links to recent publications and upcoming opportunities related to NREL's buildings research.

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Energy Equity

Row of single family homes in urban neighborhood

Helping Communities Achieve Equitable Climate Futures

NREL leverages partnerships and ResStock tool to help the city of Chicago set priorities for energy efficiency, affordability, resiliency, equity, and transparency.

Decarbonizing Buildings

NREL Set To Receive $5.4 Million in Funding To Research Turning Buildings Into Carbon Storage Structures

NREL has been selected to receive over $5.4 million from the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) for the development of technologies that can transform buildings into carbon storage structures.

Plasma produced during the sputtering process of coating electrochromic window material

Decarbonizing Windows Takes a Big Step Toward Industry Certification

Durability validation shifts from lab to industry partner.

Illustration of a building that looks like it is made with LEGOs

Scientists Show Large Impact of Controlling Humidity on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Research effort by NREL and Xerox PARC offers predictions for 2050. It suggests new technologies are needed.

Developing Tomorrow's Leaders

A screenshot of virtual event participants.

Celebrating 20 Years!

Solar decathlon expands, bringing zero-energy programs to high school students and mid-career professionals.

Graphic with two pictures with jagged edges, one of students visiting a Solar Decathlon house and one of an architect drafting.

JUMP Into STEM Final Event Exemplifies Commitment to Equity From the Next Generation of Building Science Professionals

The JUMP into STEM Final Event—held virtually Jan. 27 and 28, 2022—showcased holistic solutions from student teams covering three challenge areas: equal access to indoor air quality, resilience for all, and accelerated market adoption.

Leader in Buildings Research Receives Prestigious Black Engineer of the Year STEM Award

Roderick Jackson follows his passion for science, students, and social justice.

Advancing Clean Energy Through Partnerships

A prototype of a prefabricated housing unit–called a Blok–is lowered into place on NREL’s Golden, Colorado, campus as part of the IN2 program.

Blok-by-Blok: Lower Emissions and Costs With Net-Zero Energy Modules

A new report from Blokable, the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory details actionable pathways to developing and building net zero energy housing without increasing costs yet still reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Brown, tan, and orange buildings in a desert climate.

Addressing Energy Challenges of Housing Health Care Professionals on Remote Indian Health Service and U.S. Tribal Lands

Indian health service teams with NREL to reduce energy use in newly constructed residential buildings.

Three people work together in a laboratory connecting wires to metal boxes, preparing the equipment for testing.

Win-Win: Prize Competitions Drive U.S. Clean Energy Entrepreneurship

American-Made Challenges support technology innovation and domestic manufacturing.