November 2021
Scientists Discover Way To Improve Perovskite Efficiency and Stability
Researchers at NREL and affiliated institutions across the country have bolstered the efficiency of perovskite solar cells by as much as 16%.
NREL Provides Guidelines for Creating Next-Generation Data Ecosystem
Scientists at NREL are helping pave the way for the next generation of data-driven, AI-enabled material science. In a new journal article, the authors describe a decade-long effort to build a modern data ecosystem to support close interaction between computational sciences and materials sciences.
Path to Net-Zero Emissions Runs Through U.S. Buildings
Commercial buildings generate 16% of all U.S. carbon dioxide emissions.
U.S. Navy, KIUC, AES, and NREL Innovate and Collaborate for Resilience and Cost-Effective Clean Energy Project on Kauai
Largest 100% clean energy microgrid within U.S. Department of Defense supports island community, Pacific Missile Range facility, KIUC, and Hawaii's ambitious renewable energy goals.
Eight NREL Scientists Named to List of Highly Cited Researchers
Eight researchers affiliated with NREL are on this year's list of Highly Cited Researchers, with many familiar names from the 2020 list. Clarivate PLC, the London-based company that released the list on Nov. 16, selected 6,602 researchers around the world based on the number of highly cited papers they produced between January 2010 and December 2020.
Janna Martinek Works Behind the Scenes To Solve Some of NREL's Most Complex Problems
Since joining NREL in 2012, Janna Martinek has developed a reputation across the laboratory as a leader in numerical modeling and related engineering. She is also known as someone who can handle any problem that is thrown her way—no matter how complex.
Interlaboratory Consortium Broadens Technical Support Opportunities for South Asia
USAID and three Department of Energy national laboratories partner to advance clean and sustainable energy in South Asia.
New Reports From NREL Document Continuing PV and PV-Plus-Storage Cost Declines
NREL has released its annual cost breakdown of installed solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery storage systems. U.S. Solar Photovoltaic System and Energy Storage Cost Benchmark: Q1 2021 details installed costs for PV systems as of the first quarter of 2021.
American-Made Solar Prize Round 4 Winners Move Quickly From Ideas to Prototypes
On Sept. 16, DOE announced the winners of the fourth round of the Solar Prize. AeroShield Materials from Boston, Massachusetts, and the r&d lab from Petaluma, California, each received $500,000 to continue developing and commercializing their products and an additional $75,000 in vouchers redeemable for technical support.
Two Teams Named Grand-Prize Winners in Water Resource Recovery Prize
Phase 2 finalists of the Water Resource Recovery Prize receive honorable mention for proposing innovative solutions to lower the cost of water treatment by extracting valuable resources.
An Evolving Dictionary for an Evolving Grid: Defining Long-Duration Energy Storage
A new thought piece by NREL analysts describes the challenges of defining long-duration energy storage to reflect both duration and application.
Leader in Building Energy Modeling Research Reflects on Impact of NREL Career
Like many others, Luigi Gentile Polese was drawn to NREL by its mission and values. With a passion for energy and the environment, this innovator did not see an ambiguous job posting as a deterrent.
News Release: NREL's Kate Anderson Honored for Clean Energy Leadership
The U.S. Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) program has honored Kate Anderson of NREL for her leadership and achievement in the field of renewable energy.
News Release: NREL Supports Department of Energy Launch of the New Net Zero World Initiative at COP26 To Accelerate Global Energy System Decarbonization
Countries committed to raising their climate ambitions will work across U.S. government and DOE's national laboratories to create and implement highly tailored, actionable, technology roadmaps and investment strategies for key countries that will put global net zero within reach.
News Release: NREL Researchers Point Toward Energy Efficiency for Achieving 100% Renewable Grid
Incorporating energy efficiency measures can reduce the amount of storage needed to power the nation's buildings entirely with renewable energy, according to analysis conducted by researchers at NREL.
NREL Tool Provides Cybersecurity and Savings for Hydropower Plants
A new NREL and Argonne National Laboratory tool named the Cybersecurity Value-at-Risk Framework provides hydropower operators complete and customized assessments of their cybersecurity risks and demonstrates how different investments will help improve overall resilience.
NREL Explores Innovative Manufacturing Approach for Next-Generation Wind Turbine Blades
Wind turbine blades might look elegant, even ballet-like, as they glide through the air. But, much like ballet, achieving that simple grace requires complex, advanced engineering. NREL researchers are revolutionizing wind turbine blade manufacturing by combining recyclable thermoplastics and additive manufacturing.
October 2021
New Hydropower Report Identifies Opportunities To Reform the Licensing Process
A national laboratories report, titled "An Examination of the Hydropower Licensing and Federal Authorization Process," identifies what factors can add time, cost, or risk when earning a hydropower license so decisionmakers can streamline the process and create carbon-free energy.
Q&A With Jon White: Achieving Security by Design
NREL's Cybersecurity Program Director Jon White shares his own path into the field and the laboratory's strategy for deploying technologies that stay one step ahead of adversaries.
American-Made Challenges Announces Launch of Solar Forecasting Prize, Puts up $375K in Winnings
New prize seeks to accelerate the development of solar forecasting capabilities.
Last Updated May 28, 2025