May 2024
Additive Manufacturing Could Turn the Tides for Marine Energy Technologies—Here Is How
Researchers have been exploring how additive manufacturing could complement marine energy technologies. Hint: the two are a promising pair.
News Release: More Awards Given Out Than Ever Before at 2024 NREL Industry Growth Forum
NREL gave awards to eight top cleantech innovators at the 2024 NREL Industry Growth Forum on May 1–3, 2024, the most honors ever awarded during the annual event.
Tidal Energy Is Coming to Alaska. But How Much?
Alaska's Cook Inlet contains huge amounts of untapped tidal energy. But little is known about how much economic value this powerful inlet could bring to Alaska—until now.
News Release: NREL Invites Robots To Help Make Wind Turbine Blades
Researchers at NREL have successfully leveraged robotic assistance in the manufacture of wind turbine blades, allowing for the potential to improve the consistency of the product.
Popular NREL Cell Efficiency Chart Now Better Presents Tandem Photovoltaics
NREL photovoltaics researchers created a new version of the iconic chart that tracks world-record photovoltaic cells across many technologies and time.
April 2024
NREL Selected As Part of $1.6M in Federal Funding To Explore Potential of Geologic Hydrogen
NREL was recently selected as one of 16 teams to research enhanced production of geologic hydrogen by the U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy program.
Department of Energy Announces Solar District Cup Class of 2023–2024 Winners
On Monday, April 29, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the division winners and Project Pitch Champion in the Solar District Cup Collegiate Design Competition's Class of 2023-2024. In the five years of this competition, this was the largest ever class of competing teams.
A Look at the Future of Transmission: Getting Clean Electrons to Where They Need To Be
The latest Tell Me Something Grid article features Jarrad Wright and his analysis of transmission expansion needs and trade-offs in a low-carbon future.
News Release: NREL Proof of Concept Shows Path to Easier Recycling of Solar Modules
The use of femtosecond lasers to form glass-to-glass welds for solar modules would make the panels easier to recycle, according to a proof-of-concept study conducted by researchers at NREL.
NREL Keeps Getting Greener
Three NREL labs were awarded green certifications by My Green Lab late last year.
NREL Researchers Outline Path Forward for Tandem Solar Cells
Researchers at NREL have prepared a roadmap on how to move tandem solar cells—particularly those that mesh different photovoltaic technologies—closer to commercialization.
IN² at 10 Years: How It Started, How It's Going, What's Next, and Beyond
For its 10th anniversary, the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²) is expanding in a major way.
With Great Power Comes Great Possibility
Three teams are building better conductor systems—or even superconductors—to supercharge transmission lines, wind turbines, MRI machines, electric motors, airplanes, and more.
Behind the Blades: How Cris Hein Helps Bats and Wind Turbines Share the Sky
Armed with a Ph.D. in bat studies, NREL's lead environmental scientist Cris Hein helps bats—and other wildlife—share the skies with wind turbines.
Short-Circuiting on Purpose: How NREL-Licensed Tech Continues To Make a Difference in Space
NASA and NREL created a device that causes an internal short circuit inside the layers of a battery cell, providing information that allows NASA to meet its stringent battery safety requirements.
AAAS Adds NREL's Nancy Haegel to Honor Roll of Fellows
Nancy Haegel, the director of the National Center for Photovoltaics at NREL, has been elected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
The (In)Visible Plastic Pollution Problem
Together, BOTTLE's upstream approach and WaterPACT's downstream approach to addressing the plastic pollution problem will enable a better future for humanity and our environment.
Study Unlocks Opportunities To Bridge the US Wind Energy Workforce Gap
A new report identifies that educational training programs, like the U.S. Department of Energy Collegiate Wind Competition, which provides participating students with real-world wind energy experience, could help meet the growing demand for trained wind energy workers.
With Kestrel on Deck, Advanced Computing Hit a Home Run Over 300 Clean Energy Projects
NREL's high-performance computing, efficient data center operations, and powerful visualizations have left an indelible stamp on clean energy innovation.
Alaska’s Wind, Wave, Tidal Resources Could Help State Meet Future Energy Needs, NREL Determines
Offshore wind makes sense for decarbonizing energy production and building energy security and independence when it comes to ocean renewable energy production in Alaska’s Outer Continental Shelf.
Last Updated May 28, 2025