January 2020
NREL Secures 21 Awards to Further CSP and PV Research
On November 6, 2019, the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office awarded $128 million to 75 new projects that will advance solar technologies in five major areas. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) earned a major portion of this funding—nearly $20 million.
When Wind Sweeps into Communities
Wind farm development in the United States often takes place in rural areas with land that is largely the property of farmers and ranchers who lease their land to developers. With wind power capacity additions projected to continue growing, rural residents often wonder if wind energy will be a good neighbor.
Artificial Intelligence, Analysis, and Achievements: Buildings Researchers in the Spotlight
The U.S. Department of Energy has also taken notice of researcher achievements, providing interviews, career highlights, and advice from several NREL buildings experts on their website.
Students Focus on Sunny Futures During Mini-Semester
In three days at NREL, undergraduates from across the country learn about energy research opportunities through lab tours and hands-on activities led by scientists.
New Open-Source Model Works to Improve Wind Power Plant Cost Estimation and Design
The contiguous United States has the technical resource potential to generate up to 32,700 terawatt-hours of electricity per year--more than eight times the amount of electricity consumed in the United States in 2018. However, significant cost and performance improvements in wind power technology are needed for the wind industry to reach this potential.
Reports Identify Regulatory Coordination Key to Optimizing Cross-Border Electricity Trade in South Asia
A series of reports identify how Bangladesh, India, and Nepal might develop a coordinated regulatory framework to effectively implement cross-border electricity trade.
News Release: Three Key Positions Filled on NREL Leadership Team
New deputy director and chief operating officer, chief human resources officer, and chief counsel to join team guiding the strategic direction of the laboratory.
Declining Renewable Costs Drive Focus on Energy Storage
An oft-repeated refrain—the sun doesn't always shine, is sometimes seen as an impediment to renewable energy. But it's also an impetus toward discovering the best ways to store that energy until it's needed.
December 2019
NREL Collaborating on Five Newly Funded Bioenergy Research Projects Totaling $15.3 Million
Funding from the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is fueling five new bioenergy research projects involving NREL scientists.
Solar District Cup Heats Up as 35 Student Teams Advance in Collegiate Competition
The DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office announced 35 student teams from 32 collegiate institutions as finalists in the Solar District Cup Collegiate Design Competition. The Solar District Cup is a new competition, led by NREL, that challenges multidisciplinary student teams to design and model optimized distributed solar energy systems for a campus or urban district by integrating solar, storage, and other technologies.
Modeling Tomorrow's Energy Infrastructure Today: Researchers model electricity systems for future resource and climate uncertainty
A new modeling approach takes future climate and water resource conditions into account for long-term electricity generation infrastructure planning.
Powering the Next Wave of Energy Converter Devices
A multiyear system design and validation project funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Water Power Technologies Office reached completion in 2019 and resulted in increased knowledge about development and validation of wave energy converter devices and their associated materials.
Updated Standard Scenarios Outlook Models Possible Futures for U.S. Electricity Sector
A flagship NREL analysis project, the fifth annual Standard Scenarios Outlook models 36 possible projections for power sector evolution through the year 2050.
2019 Year in Review - NREL's Top 20 Stories
Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) achieved many goals across the spectrum of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in 2019, and the news coming from the laboratory shows it.
News Release: NREL, Co-Optima Research Yields Potential Bioblendstock for Diesel Fuel
A novel oxygenate molecule that can be produced from biomass shows promise for use as a blend for diesel fuel, according to researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
In Breakthrough Method of Creating Solar Cell Material, NREL Scientists Prove the Impossible Really Isn't
Scientists at NREL achieved a technological breakthrough for solar cells previously thought impossible.
Setbacks Are No Setback for Marine Energy Development: A U.S. Submarine Cable Analysis
The ocean may very well be the next frontier, and two major industries—telecommunications and marine renewable energy—are already employing and exploring this vital asset. Vital to both telecom and marine renewable energy development is careful planning to accommodate their respective operations, as well as those of other users of the ocean.
PVWatts at 20: Measuring Success in Megawatts and by the Millions
Expanding solar energy’s reach, one estimate at a time. Meet PVWatts.
On with the Wind
Wind turbines with social skills. Potato guns that help researchers better understand wind-wildlife impacts. A fast-growing and long-lasting demand for skilled wind workers. Whatever the story, 2019 saw gale-force developments in wind energy research at NREL, and these currents show no signs of slowing down.
Last Updated May 1, 2025