News and Feature Stories
The following news stories take an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at how NREL is advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.
May 2018
May 18, 2018
Access to Data Accelerates Innovation and Adoption of Geothermal Technologies
The future of the geothermal sector is being driven by data-informed decisions and research. NREL's geothermal team is developing several tools and platforms to streamline the collection and sharing of geothermal data sets, enabling new breakthroughs in geothermal research and development.
May 17, 2018
Research Turbine Leaves Legacy in Its Wake
The conclusion of a successful multiyear industry partnership will soon alter the landscape for Denver-area residents. This week, GE will remove the largest of the megawatt-scale research turbines at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) National Wind Technology Center (NWTC), located near Boulder, Colorado.
May 16, 2018
NREL's EVI-Pro Lite Tool Paves the Way for Future Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Planning
A new NREL-developed tool called EVI-Pro Lite is helping communities across the country evaluate existing electric vehicle charging infrastructure and determine future needs for charging infrastructure to support increased regional adoption of EVs. Using data from personal vehicle travel patterns, electric vehicle attributes, and charging station characteristics, the tool projects demand for charging infrastructure by state or city/urban area.
May 14, 2018
Webinar May 17: Fuel Cell Electric Bus Progress toward Meeting Technical Targets
In this DOE Fuel Cell Technologies Office webinar, NREL's Leslie Eudy will present the most recent performance results from fuel cell electric buses operated by six transit agencies and discuss progress made toward meeting technical targets.
May 10, 2018
News Release: NREL Names Four Scientists Senior Research Fellows
Mowafak Al-Jassim, Andy Walker, Robert McCormick, and Gregg Beckham were chosen for their significant contributions to NREL and the larger scientific community.
May 9, 2018
News Release: NREL's Gregg Beckham Wins Prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry Award
Gregg Beckham, a senior research fellow and group leader at NREL, was awarded the prize for the development of hybrid biological-catalytic and recycling processes to convert biomass and waste plastics to useful chemicals and high-value materials.
May 8, 2018
Remember the Algae that Went to Space? Here's What Happened Next
NREL scientists and Chatfield High School students are seeing the results of their collaborative experiment that sent a novel bioreactor housing two different strains of algae into space last summer.
May 8, 2018
News Release: NREL Releases Major Update to Wind Energy Dataset
A massive amount of wind data was recently made accessible online, greatly expanding the amount of information available on wind flow across the continental United States.
May 2, 2018
News Release: NREL Validates Go Electric's Technology As Part of Wells Fargo IN2 Program
The Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has completed technology validation testing for Go Electric Inc. as part of the NREL-administered Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) program.
May 2, 2018
NREL Quantifies California's Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Needs
How many electric vehicle chargers does the State of California need to accommodate 1.3 million EVs? That was the subject of a recent study conducted by NREL on behalf of the California Energy Commission with respect to the state's 2025 zero-emission vehicle goal.
April 2018
April 30, 2018
Q&A with Andy Walker: The Ins and Outs of Renewable Energy Optimization
NREL researcher Andy Walker sits down to discuss a new role as research fellow, and his work in developing renewable energy optimization techniques.
April 25, 2018
Low- and Moderate-Income Residences Can Help Modernize the U.S. Electric Grid
Pairing solar photovoltaics with rooftops of low and moderate-income housing represents an opportunity to help modernize the U.S. electric grid and improve energy affordability in low-income communities
April 24, 2018
NREL Researchers Create New Materials With Unusual Properties
Few scientists reference Kurt Vonnegut in their academic journals, but researchers at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found the parallels between his work and theirs compelling. Both invoke polymorphism--the ability of a material to adopt multiple crystal structures.
April 20, 2018
NREL and Hawaiian Electric Navigate Uncharted Waters of Energy Transformation (Part 2)
NREL and the Hawaiian Electric Companies are evaluating energy trends and simulating future grid scenarios to ensure stability--and their findings could help other islands, and even mainland states, apply similar solutions.
April 20, 2018
NREL and Hawaiian Electric Navigate Uncharted Waters of Energy Transformation (Part 1)
NREL helped the Hawaiian Electric Companies respond to new stability challenges associated with the rapid addition of solar power and other renewables to Hawaii's six isolated island grids.
April 18, 2018
CAEBAT Model Featured on American Chemical Society Journal Tenth Anniversary Issue Cover
NREL's collaboration with Purdue University's School of Mechanical Engineering has yielded new insights for lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery electrodes at the microstructural level, that can lead to improvements in electric vehicle (EV) battery performance and lifespan. A stochastic algorithm developed by Purdue University, as part of NREL's Advanced Computer-Aided Battery Engineering Consortium, is prominently displayed on the cover of the 10th anniversary issue of American Chemical Society's Applied Materials and Interfaces. The NREL/Purdue team's corresponding article, "Secondary-Phase Stochastics in Lithium-Ion Battery Electrodes" detailing the research and resulting discoveries, is showcased inside.
April 18, 2018
KULR Technology Exclusively Licenses Award-Winning Battery Internal Short Circuit Device
Under agreement with NREL, KULR will be the exclusive manufacturing, distribution, and marketing partner for the patented, award-winning Battery Internal Short Circuit (ISC) Device to industrial, research, and design clients. Developed by NREL and NASA, the Battery ISC Device revolutionizes the way lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are evaluated so designs can be improved before batteries hit store shelves.
April 18, 2018
Abundant Renewable Energy Resources Exist in Lao PDR
A clearer picture of which renewable energy resources can benefit the Lao People's Democratic Republic has emerged from a new report published by NREL.
April 18, 2018
Co-Optima Transportation Ingenuity Capitalizes on Strengths of U.S. Energy Resources and Existing Infrastructure
The FY17 Year in Review describes recent advances including identification of key properties for new fuels, assessment of compatibility with vehicle components and infrastructure, and expansion of research to encompass solutions for the entire on-road fleet. This research effort, led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is providing industry with the scientific underpinnings needed to accelerate introduction of high-performance fuels and engines that reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, and lower drivers' costs.
April 13, 2018
NREL Staff Honored for Innovative Thinking, Accomplishments
The Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) celebrated the innovative minds behind cutting-edge research at its annual Innovation and Technology Transfer Awards ceremony last month.
April 13, 2018
News Release: Research Team Engineers a Better Plastic-Degrading Enzyme
A breakthrough in enzyme research led by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the United Kingdom's University of Portsmouth has led to an improved variant of an enzyme that can breakdown ubiquitous plastic bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate, or PET.
April 12, 2018
NREL Research Pushes Perovskites Closer to Market
NREL has played a significant role in the increased efficiency of perovskite solar cells.
April 11, 2018
Heavy-Duty Emissions Research Honored with SAE Colwell Award
On April 10, authors the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Cummins Inc. received the Arch T. Colwell Merit Award during the 2018 annual Society of Automotive engineers (SAE) World Congress Awards and Recognition Ceremony in Detroit. The Colwell award recognizes the authors of papers of outstanding technical or professional merit that are presented at SAE meetings.
April 10, 2018
News Release: New Solar PV Tool Accurately Calculates Degradation Rates, Saving Money and Guiding Business Decisions
A new software package developed by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and industry partners SunPower and kWh Analytics is making the measurement of PV system expected lifetime performance more reliable, consistent, and accurate.
April 9, 2018
New Analysis Finds Synergistic Relationship Between High PV Penetration and Energy Storage Deployment
Adding higher penetrations of solar photovoltaics (PV) to the electric power grid could increase the potential for energy storage to meet peak demand, according to new analysis from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
April 9, 2018
NREL Leadership Contributes to Revision of Key Energy Integration Standard, IEEE 1547
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has published the full revision of IEEE 1547, which establishes uniform requirements for interconnection of distributed energy resources (DERs), such as solar photovoltaics, with the electric power system. With support from the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Office, NREL researchers provided leadership and technical support in developing this full revision of the standard.
April 5, 2018
News Release: Perovskite Technology is Scalable, But Questions Remain about the Best Methods
As perovskite solar cells set efficiency records and the nascent technology becomes more stable, another major challenge remains: the issue of scalability, according to researchers at the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
April 4, 2018
From Preble's Mouse to Rattlers, NREL Biologist Likes Critters
Looking out over the "living laboratory" of NREL's campus, Senior Wildlife Biologist Tom Ryon sees a tapestry that others may not. Everywhere he goes, he can't avoid interactions with nature. Nor does he want to.
April 3, 2018
News Release: NREL Opens Large Database of Inorganic Thin-Film Materials
An extensive experimental database of inorganic thin-film materials that organizes a decade's worth of research at the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is now publicly available.
April 2, 2018
News Release: NREL Research Overcomes Major Technical Obstacles in Magnesium-Metal Batteries
Scientists at the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) have discovered a new approach for developing a rechargeable non-aqueous magnesium-metal battery.
March 2018
March 30, 2018
Q&A with Sheila Hayter: Laying the Foundation for an Interconnected Energy Future
Sheila Hayter is a group manager in the Integrated Applications Center (IAC), leading a team of experts who support international, federal, state, and local entities with the goal of significantly reducing nonrenewable energy consumption though optimized use of energy efficiency strategies and renewable energy technologies. Along with her NREL work, she is the ASHRAE president elect. We caught up with Hayter to discuss where her roles with ASHRAE and NREL intersect.
March 27, 2018
Transportation Research Fueled by Academia
NREL's long history of successful partnerships with universities includes collaborating on transportation research projects, as well as joint appointments and sustaining a thriving host of internship programs. Over the past few years transportation researchers have collaborated with more than 20 universities within the United States and internationally.
March 27, 2018
Koenraad Beckers: A Love of Science Benefits Geothermal Research
In June, NREL researcher Koenraad Beckers will bike from Boise, Idaho, to Yellowstone National Park. The ride is typical for this avid biker. The reason though is unusual. Passionate about geothermal energy research, he wants to observe the hot water in both places.
March 22, 2018
Newly Branded Energy Systems Integration Group Joins International Institute for Energy Systems Integration
The Utility-Variable Generation Integration Group (UVIG) is broadening its reach among the ESI community, joining with the International Institute for Energy Systems Integration (iiESI), and changing its name to the Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG).
March 22, 2018
News Release: NREL Discovers Enzyme Domains that Dramatically Improve Performance
By studying and comparing the workhorse cellulose-degrading enzymes of two fungi, researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have pinpointed regions on these enzymes that can be targeted via genetic engineering to help break down cellulose faster.
March 21, 2018
Johney Green Joins Inaugural Board of Trustees for the UK's Faraday Institution
NREL's Johney Green, Jr. has been chosen to join Faraday's inaugural board of trustees to help set the agenda and support programs for emerging electrochemical energy storage technologies.
March 13, 2018
Return of the Lambkins: Practice Makes Perfect at Colorado Science Bowl
An experienced hand at the buzzer proved to be the formula for success at this year's Colorado High School Science Bowl--hosted by NREL - where 41 teams from across the state competed for a shot to represent Colorado at the DOE National Science Bowl® in April. The teams worked tirelessly through the morning's round-robin competition, 16 of them advancing to the afternoon double-elimination.
March 8, 2018
NREL Briefs Congressional Committee on Impact of Scientific Innovations on Transportation Future
On March 7, NREL's Laboratory Program Manager for Vehicle Technologies John Farrell briefed the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce on how the Energy Department and the national labs are driving innovation to spur advances in the efficiency and performance of fuels, vehicles, and the broader transportation system.
March 7, 2018
News Release: NREL Research Fellow Inducted Into Engineering Academy
Mark O'Malley, a senior research fellow at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), has been elected as a foreign member to the National Academy of Engineering. Only 16 foreign members were chosen this year.
March 5, 2018
O, Canada: NREL Partnership Produces New Take on Alternative Fueling Station Locator Tool
Word of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL) deep transportation web development expertise recently sparked interest in the United States' neighbor to the north, kicking off a collaborative international effort to launch a powerful new alternative fueling station tool on the other side of the border.
March 3, 2018
News Release: Fort Collins High School Wins 28th Colorado High School Science Bowl
Students from northern Colorado dominated this year's Colorado High School Science Bowl with Fort Collins High School emerging victorious over second-place finisher Fairview High School (Boulder).
March 2, 2018
Validation Begins at the NWTC for Powerfield's Easy-to-Install Solar Racking
Powerfield's lightweight solar frames are currently being validated at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's National Wind Technology Center.
February 2018
February 28, 2018
NREL Launches New Website for High-Performance Computing System Users
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) Computational Science Center has launched a revamped website for users of the lab’s high-performance computing (HPC) systems at the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF).
February 28, 2018
High Performance Computing and Cutting-Edge Analysis Can Open New Scientific Realms
NREL recently created the Scientific Computing and Energy Analysis (SCEA) directorate, pairing our expertise in high performance computing with our deep knowledge of energy analysis.
February 28, 2018
Q&A with Adam Warren
Adam Warren, director of the Integrated Applications Center (IAC), discusses IAC's new role in ESI research, and the center's focus for 2018.
February 28, 2018
Unique Procurement Process Expands Microgrid Research Capabilities at the ESIF
Following a rigorous, 21-week dual-stage procurement program, NREL has purchased a Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) microgrid controller for installation at the ESIF, enabling new research capabilities to more effectively evaluate microgrid systems and their components.
February 27, 2018
NREL-KPA-Toyota Collaboration Facilitates Permitting of Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Repair Facilities
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Hydrogen Sensor Laboratory was used recently in a partnership with KPA Services, LLC, at the request of Toyota Motors to validate hydrogen sensors for incorporation into their system to adapt vehicle repair facilities for fuel cell electric vehicles.
February 26, 2018
News Release: NREL's Industry Growth Forum and Emerging Markets Day Connect Advanced Energy Startups and Investors
Advanced energy innovation will be on display May 2- 4 in Denver, Colorado, when 30 small businesses present their business cases to a panel of investors and industry experts as the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) hosts its annual Industry Growth Forum (IGF).
February 26, 2018
Ten Years of Analyzing the Duck Chart: How an NREL Discovery in 2008 Is Helping Enable More Solar on the Grid Today
In February 2008, a team of NREL analysts led by Paul Denholm published a paper that examined how to plan for future large-scale integration of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation on the electric grid. They observed a unique change in the shape of the electric load met by conventional power plants when increasing levels of PV are added to the system, and thus identified the earliest version of what was later named the "duck curve" by the California Independent System Operator.
February 22, 2018
How Low Can Conventional Generators Go? NREL Explains Why Minimum Generation Is Key to Maximum Renewable Integration
New study in the journal Energy Policy illustrates the importance of quantifying power system operational constraints to enable more renewables on the grid.
February 21, 2018
Free Webinar February 28: Overcoming the Impacts of Fast Charging
Vehicle Electrification Group Manager Matt Keyser will be moderating a free webinar titled, "Overcoming the Impacts of Fast Charging on Hybrid/Electric Vehicles (EVs), Batteries, and Charging Systems," featuring leading industry experts from companies, including Jaguar Land Rover Automotive. Hosted by The Battery Show as part of the Electric & Hybrid Vehicle Technology Expo, the webinar takes place on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 7:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time (5:00 a.m. Mountain Standard Time).
February 21, 2018
IN2 Program Validates Data Center Cooling Solution
LiquidCool Solutions, a participant in the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator program, had their server-cooling technology validated at the ESIF, where it was deployed along-side NREL's supercomputer, Peregrine.
February 20, 2018
Breakthroughs Move Researchers One Step Closer to $35 Billion Fuel Savings
NREL and its partners recently revealed breakthroughs in identification of fuel blendstocks for the U.S. Department of Energy's Co-Optimization of Fuels & Engines initiative. This national research effort is providing industry with the scientific underpinnings needed to accelerate introduction of high-performance fuels and engines that reduce energy consumption, improve air quality, and lower drivers' costs.
February 16, 2018
Revamped Website Features Easier Access to Travel Survey Data, Offers New Datasets
Access to detailed transportation data from travel surveys and studies conducted across the nation just got easier. The revamped Transportation Secure Data Center features a variety of updates that enhance the user experience and increase the scope of data available.
February 16, 2018
NREL's Earl Christensen Honored with Two Awards from National Biodiesel Board
Fuel stability research advances innovation and bolsters industry confidence in biodiesel.
February 13, 2018
News Release: NREL Scientists Model Methane-Eating Bacteria
A research team including scientists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory explored the possibilities provided by the natural world by researching how the bacteria Methylomicrobium alcaliphilum 20ZR uses methane, an abundant greenhouse gas, and converts it to valuable product precursors.
February 8, 2018
New Wave Energy Converter Design Inspired by Wind Energy
NREL researchers took inspiration from the pitch control of wind turbine blades for a new wave energy converter design.
February 7, 2018
Study Shows Philippine Power System Can Achieve 30% and 50% Renewable Energy by 2030
NREL has confirmed the technical viability of achieving renewable energy penetrations of 30% and 50% in the Republic of the Philippines' Luzon-Visayas power system by 2030.
February 6, 2018
News Release: NREL Taps Young to Oversee Geothermal Energy Program
In her new role, Young will work closely with NREL management to establish the lab's geothermal energy portfolio, including research and development geared toward advancing the use of geothermal energy as a renewable power source.
January 2018
January 31, 2018
NREL Wind Leaders Participate in Wind Industry Partnership Summit
More than 90 people--including over 50 industry attendees, in addition to laboratory and DOE representatives--attended the Wind Industry Partnership Summit, held January 24-25 in Washington, D.C.
January 31, 2018
News Release: 2016 Data Book Shows Continued Growth of Renewable Electricity
The 2016 Renewable Energy Data Book shows that U.S. renewable electricity grew to 18.3 percent of total installed capacity and 15.6 percent of total electricity generation in 2016.
January 30, 2018
Dave Moore: Taking Roundabout Path to Perovskite Fast Track
Perovskites become a passion for a scientist who had an "experience edge" over other students.
January 30, 2018
News Release: NREL Scientists Demonstrate Remarkable Stability in Perovskite Solar Cells
Researchers at NREL created an environmentally stable, high-efficiency perovskite solar cell, bringing the emerging technology a step closer to commercial deployment.
January 29, 2018
News Release: NREL Seeks Participants for 2018 Executive Energy Leadership Program
Leaders in the private sector, communities, non-profits, and government are eligible to participate in the program.
January 26, 2018
New Open-Source Version of FLORIS Released
NREL researchers recently released an updated open-source version of FLOw Redirection and Induction in Steady State (FLORIS), a set of controls and optimization tools for wind farm control.
January 26, 2018
NREL, Eaton Partner on Innovative Energy Solutions
On January 15, Eaton, a power management company dedicated to improving the quality of life and the environment through the use of power management technologies and services, entered into a cooperative agreement with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
January 24, 2018
Collaboration and Compromise: The Big Picture of Energy Systems Integration
Dr. Mark O'Malley offers his perspective on ESI; where it's going and what it takes to get there.
January 23, 2018
NREL Postdoc Awarded for Work on Breakthrough Solar Technology
NREL postdoc Jeff Christians received a prestigious award from the U.S. Department of Energy for his work on perovskite solar cells, a promising class of materials.
January 23, 2018
News Release: NREL Research Determines Integration of Plug-in Electric Vehicles Should Play a Big Role in Future Electric System Planning
An influx of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) charging without coordination could prove challenging to the nation’s electric grid, according to research conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
January 18, 2018
Workshop Targets Graduate Students to Advance Careers in PV
The 2018 Hands-On PV Experience workshop is an opportunity for a select group of U.S. graduate students to spend an immersive week at NREL in a hands-on, small-group research setting.
January 16, 2018
News Release: NREL, University of Texas Scientists Determine Critical Factor for Improving Performance and Durability of Perovskite Solar Cells
A microscopic analysis of perovskite solar cells reveals new insight into how the devices degrade--information necessary for moving the technology closer to commercialization.
January 15, 2018
NREL Begins On-Site Validation of Drivetrain Gearbox and Bearings
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory recently installed a new gearbox and main bearing in the U.S. Department of Energy-owned General Electric 1.5-megawatt SLE turbine.
January 12, 2018
NREL to Host Ninth Annual PV Reliability Workshop
NREL will host the ninth annual PV Reliability Workshop from Feb. 27 to March 1 in Lakewood, Colorado. Sessions at the workshop will cover key topics in reliability, such as stability of high-efficiency modules, module soiling, inverter reliability, monitoring and failure detection, international standards, and accelerated testing of modules.
January 11, 2018
NREL Announces New Technology Development and Innovation Project Selections
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has selected two projects to receive U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded Technology Development and Innovation (TD&I) subcontracts. These awards provide recipients access to NREL's National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) facilities and expertise in support of projects involving the research and development of early-stage wind-wildlife impact minimization technologies.
January 11, 2018
Ahmad Pesaran Honored with DOE Assistant Secretary's 2017 EERE Outstanding Impact Award
NREL's Energy Storage Chief Engineer Ahmad Pesaran has been honored with a DOE Assistant Secretary's 2017 EERE Outstanding Impact Award, along with members of the DOE EERE VTO Battery and Electrification team. Pesaran and the team received the EERE Impact Award for the successful development of the ground-breaking electric vehicle Extreme Fast Charging R&D Gap Assessment and Research Roadmap.
January 9, 2018
Fleet DNA Brings Fleet Data to Life, Informs R&D
The Fleet DNA clearinghouse of commercial vehicle operations data features over 11.5 million miles of real-world data from more than 1,700 medium- and heavy-duty vehicles operating across a variety of vocations. This massive data repository provides vehicle duty-cycle summaries and visualizations to help users understand the broad operational range of today's commercial vehicles across vocations and weight classes, enabling insight critical to the development of energy-efficient vehicle technologies that meet performance requirements and reduce operating costs.
January 9, 2018
News Release: Multi-model Effort Highlights Progress, Future Needs in Renewable Energy Modeling
Four agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), hosted two workshops that led to a new report where the teams identified areas of importance for modeling variable renewable energy, performed experiments to determine key assumptions, and compiled a set of recommendations for future research in this area.
January 8, 2018
News Release: NREL Launches Electrification Futures Study Series
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is spearheading the Electrification Futures Study, a research collaboration to explore the impacts of widespread electrification in all U.S. economic sectors--commercial and residential buildings, transportation, and industry.
January 4, 2018
Three-peat NREL Intern Pushes Boundaries of Early-Stage Fuels Research on Way to Master's Degree
Drew Cameron completed two Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships and one Research Participant Program internship at NREL, culminating in her successful master's thesis in December, 2017.
January 3, 2018
Student-Designed Flume Arrives at NWTC
An NREL collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines stimulated an innovative water flume design.