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September 2016

Sept. 8, 2016

Alberi Validates New Theory, Sheds Light on Semiconductors

A new theoretical framework on defect formation in semiconductors-materials used in a multitude of NREL-developed technologies such as solar cells, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and power electronics-indicates that shining light on them during growth can lead to improved crystalline quality and, ultimately, better device performance.

Sept. 1, 2016

NREL- and Sandia-Developed HyStEP Device Receives Far West FLC Award

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), and industry partners Air Liquide, Boyd Hydrogen, California Air Resources Board, and Toyota were selected as 2016 recipients of a Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Far West Region Award for their outstanding partnership in designing, building, and deploying the Hydrogen Station Equipment Performance (HyStEP) Device.

Sept. 1, 2016

News Release: NREL Releases Updated Baseline of Cost and Performance Data for Electricity Generation Technologies

The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released the 2016 Annual Technology Baseline. In addition to updated data for utility-scale renewable and conventional energy technologies, this year’s version includes cost and performance data for residential and commercial rooftop photovoltaics (PV) systems.

August 2016

Aug. 31, 2016

News Release: NREL Supercomputing Model Provides Insights from Higher Wind and Solar Generation in the Eastern Power Grid

A new study from the United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) used high-performance computing capabilities and innovative visualization tools to model, in unprecedented detail, how the power grid of the eastern United States could operationally accommodate higher levels of wind and solar photovoltaic generation. The analysis considered scenarios of up to 30 percent annual penetration of wind and solar.

Aug. 31, 2016

News Release: NREL Discovery Creates Future Opportunity in Quantum Computing

Scientists at the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) discovered a use for perovskites that runs counter to the intended usage of the hybrid organic-inorganic material.

Aug. 29, 2016

NREL Research Puts the Wind at an Industry's Back

NREL collaboration with industry partners brings wind energy that is more reliable, more affordable, and better for the environment.

Aug. 25, 2016

NREL Helps the National Park Service Celebrate Its Birthday with Clean Energy

As the National Park Service (NPS) marks its centennial on August 25, NREL is helping the NPS enhance the park experience by providing cleaner air and contributing to a healthier environment.

Aug. 25, 2016

NREL and NASA Receive Regional FLC Award for Notable Technology

NASA Johnson Space Center (JSC) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) were selected as 2016 recipients of a Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Mid-Continent Regional Award, for their notable technology development of the patented Battery Internal Short-Circuit (ISC) Device.

Aug. 18, 2016

News Release: NREL Announces Round Two Selections for the DOE Small Business Vouchers Pilot

The Energy Department’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will help 12 companies advance their technologies under the second round of DOE’s Small Business Vouchers (SBV) pilot.

Aug. 15, 2016

News Release: Companies Can Reduce Carbon Footprint by Giving Consumers Green Choices

Companies can reduce the carbon footprint of their supply chains and improve customer satisfaction by giving consumers information and tools to make green choices, according to research conducted by the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Aug. 11, 2016

News Release: Johney Green to Lead NREL Mechanical and Thermal Systems Engineering Research

The Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has named Dr. Johney Green Jr. as Associate Laboratory Director for Mechanical and Thermal Systems Engineering. He will oversee the laboratory’s transportation, buildings, wind, water and geothermal research programs.

Aug. 8, 2016

News Release: NREL Assesses Strategies Needed for Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Reduction

The White House wants to cut U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by 2050, but the goal raises questions about one of the greatest sources of those pollutants, light-duty vehicles (LDVs). The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has taken a close look at what specific combination of measures national experts have determined is needed to slash LDV emissions from 1,514 million metric tons (MMTs) to 303 MMTs of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year and meet this larger emissions-reduction goal.

Aug. 3, 2016

News Release: NREL/DOE Launch Energy Profiles for Every U.S. City and a Toolbox for City Energy Actions

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has launched two new tools as part of its Cities Leading through Energy Analysis and Planning (Cities-LEAP) project. Created by DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the tools are designed to help cities nationwide make more strategic energy decisions based on actual and estimated data and analysis.

Aug. 2, 2016

New Funds to Help NREL Commercialize Compact, Power-Dense Inverters for Electric-Drive Vehicles

As part of the new Technology Commercialization Fund (TCF), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has awarded funding to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to lead a vehicle research and development (R&D) project in collaboration with John Deere Electronic Solutions (JDES).

Aug. 1, 2016

News Release: NREL Technique Leads to Improved Perovskite Solar Cells

Scientists at the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), in collaboration with researchers at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), devised a method to improve perovskite solar cells, making them more efficient and reliable with higher reproducibility.

July 2016

July 28, 2016

NREL Facilitates Installment of Advanced Hydrogen Fuel Station in Washington, D.C.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Fuel Cell Technologies Office and Department of Interior's National Park Service recently unveiled a modular demonstration hydrogen fueling station as part of a partnership to demonstrate hydrogen technologies in the Washington, D.C. area for up to four years. NREL helped with installation of the technology and will collect data on the station's performance.

July 27, 2016

NREL Researcher Jason Lustbader Recognized with SAE Excellence in Oral Presentation Award

NREL's Jason Lustbader received an SAE award for his presentation on long-haul truck heating load reduction.

July 27, 2016

Happy Accident Keeps a Would-Be Teacher at NREL as a PV Leader

Sarah Kurtz's dream of being a university professor is on hold while she pursues her passion for solar energy at the National Center for Photovoltaics.

July 26, 2016

NREL, SolarCity Complete Experimental Evaluation of PV Inverter Anti-Islanding with Grid Support Functions in Multi-Inverter Island Scenarios

First known work using actual hardware to examine scenarios with multiple solar photovoltaic inverters connected to multiple different points on the grid.

July 25, 2016

NREL’s Campus EV Charging Stations are Now More Integrated with the Grid

NREL’s campus electric vehicle (EV) charging stations are now enhanced with integrative software that links drivers’ expectations with extensive renewables in the laboratory’s campus grid.


Last Updated May 28, 2025