December 2023
Born in a Flood: The Epic Story of the Controllable Grid Interface
Since 2013, NREL's Controllable Grid Interface has helped manufacturers and system operators understand how grid disturbances affect renewable energy systems before they are deployed. Ten years later, the second, more powerful CGI will soon be ready to complement the first CGI and enable NREL to support more experiments.
Recyclable, Plant-Based Material Could Take a Spin on Next Generation of Wind Turbines
Nicknamed PECAN, NREL's new, recyclable wind turbine blade resin boasts a novel composition. The name is an acronym representing the material's chemical structure, PolyEster Covalently Adaptable Network. NREL researchers designed the PECAN resin using biobased chemicals that can be easily extracted from plant waste.
North American Wind Energy Academy 2023 Recap
Researchers, educators, industry leaders, and more recently convened in Broomfield, Colorado, for the 2023 conference.
NREL Will Lead Two $19M Research Centers To Spur Decarbonization Efforts as Part of DOE's Energy Earthshots Initiative
The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science has announced $264 million in funding for 29 projects to develop clean-energy solutions that will pave the way to achieving a net-zero-carbon economy by 2050.
NREL Celebrates Staff Awards for FY 2021, FY 2022
NREL celebrated individual and team achievements in Fiscal Year 2021 and Fiscal Year 2022 at its annual Staff Awards.
Why the New GCxN Cohort Is Just the Start
This fall, Shell and NREL agreed to extend the GCxN program for another five years, providing another 30 startup companies with access to $250,000 in nondilutive funding to conduct technical assistance projects.
NREL Interns of 2023 Share Appreciation for Their Mentors
While at NREL, interns work on diverse projects and specialties, but they all have one thing in common: They rely on a mentor to get the most out of their internships.
A Sustainable Solution To Increase Clean Energy Deployment
In a Nature Energy article, NREL researchers discuss contracts for difference, which ensure renewable energy projects, like offshore wind farms, receive a fixed price for the energy they generate and can pay back their high initial investment costs, lowering the barrier for new projects to help expand clean energy deployment.
Q&A With Scott Struck: From Frogs to Jerry Cans to Urban Drool
Scott Struck studies cyclical water supplies that keep humans and ecosystems happy and healthy. In the latest Manufacturing Masterminds Q&A, Struck explains how various water sources could help bolster dwindling water supplies across the country and around the world.
November 2023
Researchers Calculate Path to Greener Computing
While enabling innovative technological advancements, the worldwide growth in advanced computing has created a looming energy crisis.
Earn 30 Continuing Education Units by Joining Solar Decathlon Professionals Winter Cohort!
The U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® is partnering with the U.S. Green Building Council to host the next Solar Decathlon Professionals Program (SD Pro) cohort!
NREL-Led Effort Addresses Problem of Plastic in Rivers
WaterPACT involves collecting samples of plastics in waterways, gathering data about the size and scope of the problem, and eventually coming up with a solution.
Newly Identified Algal Strains Rich in Phosphorous Could Improve Wastewater Treatment
Several algal strains with high capacities for phosphorus accumulation have the potential to boost phosphorus recovery in wastewater treatment systems along with recovering harmful or valuable metals.
NREL Notice of Intent Invites US Manufacturers To Develop and Commercialize Distributed Wind Energy Technology
NREL has issued a Competitiveness Improvement Project notice of intent and will host a workshop in advance of a 2024 funding solicitation for U.S. manufacturers of small- and medium-sized wind turbine technology.
How Tyche Informs Strategic Energy Investments
Decision makers who want to know the impact of potential R&D investments on their energy technology goals now have a new tool: the Technology Characterization and Evaluation (Tyche) software.
Transportation Annual Technology Baseline Expands To Include New Technologies
In its first-ever update, the Transportation Annual Technology Baseline (ATB) now offers its users expanded cost and performance data to inform transportation sector analysis nationwide.
Accelerating Power at Sea for a Thriving Blue Economy
New prize challenges competitors to propose innovative marine energy concepts to accelerate renewable offshore energy—enabling the future blue economy.
US Department of Energy Announces Heliostat Prize Semifinalists
Nine semifinalists have been selected to move on to design phase of the American-Made Heliostat Prize.
Seven From NREL Make Return Appearance on Highly Cited Researchers List
Seven researchers from NREL and one college professor affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy facility are included on this year's Highly Cited Researchers list.
Fall 2023 Geothermal Collegiate Competition Kicks Off With 33 Teams
Thirty-three teams from 25 U.S. collegiate institutions are competing in the U.S. Department of Energy Fall 2023 Geothermal Collegiate Competition, designing real-world geothermal solutions for a chance at $32,000 in prize funding.
Last Updated May 28, 2025