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.
February 2011
Feb. 16, 2011
Super-Efficient Cells Key to Low-Cost Solar Power
Record-breaking multi-junction solar cells combined with cheap lenses and Amonix's two-axis sun tracker cut the price of solar electricity.
Feb. 16, 2011
Wyoming Editorial: Wind Tower Plant Will Be Great Addition
The Casper, Wyoming editorial cited research performed at NREL concluding that during the next decade, wind energy development in the state may create 47,000 jobs, pay $2.6 billion in wages and benefits, and add $5.1 billion into the state's economy.
Feb. 14, 2011
First Wind for Schools Project Turbine Installed in Virginia with Recovery Act Support
On February 11, 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) joined with local and state leaders in Heathsville, Virginia to announce the first school in Virginia to participate in DOE's Wind for Schools project.
Feb. 14, 2011
2011 Public Power Wind Award Nominations
The 2011 Public Power Wind Award will honor one consumer-owned utility for its leadership in wind power. All nominations are due by close of business on April 4, 2011.
Feb. 11, 2011
Lab's Impact on Colorado's Economy Triples
The presence of the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado is a $714 million annual boost to the state's economy, according to data compiled in a soon to be released analysis by the University of Colorado.
Feb. 10, 2011
Understanding the Current Science, Regulation, and Mitigation of Shadow Flicker Webinar
The Webinar included a panel of experts in the fields of visual assessment, landscape architecture, and environmental planning with a question and answer session. An audio visual file and transcript are available.
Feb. 10, 2011
Colorado's Ponderosa High School Installs Latest Wind for Schools Project Turbine: A Wind Powering America Success Story
The PeaceJam Club at Ponderosa High School (PHS) in Parker, Colorado has played an integral role in helping the school become more environmentally friendly. Thanks to their efforts, on January 15, 2011, PHS became one of the newest members of Wind Powering America's Wind for Schools family.
Feb. 9, 2011
Cost of Renewable Energy Spreadsheet Tool Now Available
State policy-makers, legislators, and the renewable energy community can use the suite of new analytic tools to assess projects, design cost-based incentives (e.g., feed-in tariffs), and evaluate the impact of tax incentives or other support structures.
Feb. 8, 2011
Colorado School Headed to Science Super Bowl
Students stretch their knowledge of math and science through Science Bowl competition. Many find career path.
Feb. 7, 2011
Department of Energy's Wind and Water Program Releases Three Solicitations
The Wind and Water Power Program released three solicitations, representing up to $50.5 million over 5 years, in support of the National Offshore Wind Strategy.
Feb. 4, 2011
DOI Approves Ninth Commercial-Scale Solar Project on Public Lands
The U.S. Department of Interior, in an ongoing effort to help develop renewable energy on U.S. public lands, approved the Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project last month. The concentrated solar power plant is the ninth large-scale solar facility to be approved for development on public lands since last October. The 110-megawatt plant will be sited on 2,250 acres in Nevada, which are owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The project is expected to create hundreds of construction jobs and help meet requirements of Nevada's Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Feb. 4, 2011
Energy Department to Invest up to $7 million to Support Early-Stage Solar Technologies
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced an investment of up to $7 million in total funding through DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to support the development and commercialization of emerging solar energy technologies.
January 2011
Jan. 31, 2011
Open Energy Information Site Compiles Energy Data
The Open Energy Information (OpenEI) tool, developed by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as part of the Open Government Initiative, is a linked open-data platform that compiles data for easy accessibility.
Jan. 29, 2011
Fairview High School Wins Colorado Science Bowl
Students from Fairview High School Team 1 won the Colorado High School Science Bowl today. They will go on to the 21st National Science Bowl in Washington D.C. on Apr. 28 – May 2, where they will compete for the national title against more than 450 students from 68 high schools.
Jan. 26, 2011
Small Improvements to Make Big Difference
Research Support Facility expansion provides a rare opportunity to apply efficiency lessons right away.
Jan. 25, 2011
Wind Energy Development Can Revitalize Rural America
Tom Potter, Colorado Wind for Schools facilitator, describes depopulation in rural counties and how new energy interests could revitalize the rural way of life and make a big difference in the country's future.
Jan. 19, 2011
Workforce Development in Wind Technologies Webinar
This Webinar hosted a discussion of wind workforce development initiatives. An audio visual file and transcript are available.
Jan. 19, 2011
Nevada's GreenPower Program
Nevada's GreenPower Program provides renewable energy education in Nevada's preK-12 schools.
Jan. 19, 2011
Nevada Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Authority
The Nevada Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Authority is currently taking applications for tax abatements for utility-scale wind projects.
Jan. 19, 2011
NREL Analyzes Impact of Climate Control in Electric Drive Vehicles
A technical paper recently released by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory reveals the impact of climate control loads in electric drive vehicles.
Jan. 19, 2011
Nevada WindGenerations Program
The WindGenerations program offers rebates for distributed wind projects in Nevada.
Jan. 18, 2011
Saturday Open House at the NREL Visitors Center 2011
Throughout 2011, the Visitors Center will host a series of special Open House events.
Jan. 18, 2011
Alaska Launches New Small Wind Working Group
The Small Wind Working Group is a new focus and networking group for Alaska small wind issues (wind turbines less than 50 kilowatts).
Jan. 15, 2011
Colorado's Ponderosa High School Dedicates Wind for Schools Project
More than 75 people attended the dedication ceremony. CBS Denver News4 aired the story.
Jan. 14, 2011
Kansas City's KCTV-5 Visits High School Planning Wind for Schools Project
The segment features student interviews about the school wind turbine.