December 2025
News Release: Energy Department Renames NREL 'National Laboratory of the Rockies'
The U.S. Department of Energy today renamed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) the National Laboratory of the Rockies.
Scientists Describe Exciton Formation in Thin Magnetic Crystals—With Potential for Quantum Computing or Other Advanced Technologies
A research team studied excitons in CrSBr films using NREL’s Questaal electronic structure package, combining experimentation with high-fidelity theory to better understand experimental observations.
November 2025
Can Your Wave Energy Technology Survive the Ocean?
With SEA-Stack, wave energy companies will be able to quickly vet new technology designs and potentially save significant time and money.
Three Startups Join New IN2 Cohort Advancing Reliability in Built Environment
This year’s startups are focused on energy efficiency and reliability in buildings.
NREL’s INFORMES Tool Will Accelerate the Future of Intermodal Freight
To help transition the United States to the freight system of tomorrow, NREL researchers will soon unveil the first-ever modeling tool for national intermodal freight movement, infrastructure planning, and logistics planning: INFORMES.
A Phyto Finish: Could Seaweed Be Mined for Critical Minerals?
Some seaweeds accumulate critical minerals. NREL scientists are studying which ones do it best.
9 From NREL Named to Highly Cited Researchers List
Nine scientists from NREL, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, have been recognized as being among the most highly cited researchers on the planet.
September 2025
HERO’s Mission: Engineering ‘Video Games’ Meet Wave Tank
NREL’s hydraulic and electric reverse osmosis wave energy converter (HERO WEC) is getting an upgrade.
Safer Batteries, Reliable Power: Guiding Research for Next-Generation Energy Storage
A recent Nature perspective authored by NREL researchers takes a closer look at the current landscape of battery safety research, emphasizing new risks and opportunities of up-and-coming energy storage technologies.
ALTRIOS Software Helps Launch Next-Generation Railcars in Heart of Georgia
After analyzing the operations of Parallel Systems’ self-propelled railcars and freight train terminals using the ALTRIOS and ALTRIOS-LIFTS tools, NREL researchers determined the next-generation vehicles could reduce delivery times by 70% and help smaller freight railroads compete with the trucking industry in short-haul deliveries.
Researcher Spotlight: Love of Biology Fuels Kristi Moriarty’s Career at NREL
Kristi Moriarty, a senior vehicle and infrastructure analysis researcher at NREL, is an expert in analyzing the infrastructure, supply chain logistics, materials, regulations, and other elements that facilitate getting advanced fuels from production to end use.
NREL Expertise Contributes to Customizable Ready-To-Deploy Tool Package To Improve Fleet Efficiency
NREL, freight industry, academia, and technology partners develop promising solution to cost-effectively increase trucking efficiency.
Q&A With Alli Werner: Engineer Enlists Tiniest Engineers (Microbes) To Recycle Plastics, Mine for Metals, and More
In the latest Manufacturing Masterminds Q&A, biological engineer Alli Werner shares why she thinks high school students should not have to choose between sports and science, what a summer internship at an Alaskan glacier taught her about field work, and how her latest breakthroughs could help make it easier, cheaper, and less toxic to recover precious metals.
NREL Researchers Build World’s Fastest, Low-Cost, Ultraefficient Silicon Carbide Power Module
How will the world meet rising energy demands? NREL researchers have an answer in the form of the Ultra-Low Inductance Smart power module, nicknamed ULIS.
Cooler Buildings, Stronger Grid: A New Approach to Air Conditioning With Built-In Energy Storage
The Energy Storing Efficient Air Conditioner is a game-changing technology developed by NREL in collaboration with Blue Frontier Inc. that can lower a building’s electricity bills and help reduce demand on the grid.
Built for Brilliance: Zintl-Phase Quantum Dots Illuminate New Opportunities for Optoelectronics
NREL-synthesized BaCd₂P₂ quantum dots demonstrate promising performance with Earth-abundant materials.
A Walk Through the Evolution of Distribution Grid Tools at NREL and Beyond
Aadil Latif discusses the different eras of distribution modeling tools and exciting developments ahead.
NREL Publishes Strategies To Reduce Energy Costs in Commercial Buildings, Including Hospitals
Plug and process load reduction strategies are key to intelligent whole building systems operation.
August 2025
AI Could Snuff Out Wildfires One Power Line at a Time
NREL's computing capabilities could help prevent wildfires caused by fallen power lines.
International Institute Turns Spotlight on NREL's Marc Day
The Combustion Institute, which dates to 1954, designates fellows based on peer recognition for outstanding contributions to the field of combustion, whether in research or in applications.
Last Updated May 28, 2025