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.
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November 2022
Nov. 18, 2022
NREL Researchers Developing Enhanced Methods for Evaluating Window Energy Performance Lifespan
A new technical report published by researchers with NREL, the University of Colorado Boulder, and WinBuild Inc. proposes new methods to evaluate how long windows sustain their energy performance.
Nov. 18, 2022
Popular NREL Cell Efficiency Chart Shines in New Interactive Version
There is a new way to explore NREL's famous chart spotlighting the efficiency of solar cells. The Best Research-Cell Efficiency Chart is now interactive, with the ability to pull up decades of research data and create custom charts that focus on specific technologies or time periods. You can also dive deeper into the data behind many points on the chart, going beyond just efficiency.
Nov. 18, 2022
PV Windows Unlock Goal of Increased Energy Efficiency of Skyscrapers
Skyscrapers dominate city skylines, but these massive glass-walled structures can be made more energy efficient through the addition of thermally efficient photovoltaic (PV) windows, according to an analysis by researchers at NREL.
Nov. 18, 2022
A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats
An accessible, centralized data library for all things marine energy is making it easier for everyone in marine energy—from small startups to big universities—to get the data they need to accelerate technology development.
Nov. 17, 2022
Collaborative Database Maps Lithium-Ion Supply Chain Landscape
Developing a secure supply chain—from material extraction to manufacturing battery cells and packs—is essential for a competitive edge in lithium-ion domestic and global markets.
Nov. 17, 2022
IN² Demonstration: Getting Control Outside of the Lab
For its 10th cohort, the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²) formed an all-demonstration group, where each participant would scope and perform a demonstration of their technologies as part of the program.
Nov. 16, 2022
Strategic Planning Could Maximize the Benefits of Integrating Electric Vehicles Into Electricity Distribution Systems
Electric vehicle adoption is increasing—and fast. At this point, you may own one or probably know someone who does.
Nov. 15, 2022
Eight From NREL Named to 2022 Highly Cited Researchers List
Eight scientists from NREL were named today to the Highly Cited Researchers list, including two who are making their first appearance.
Nov. 14, 2022
Ready, Set, Go! 120-Plus Teams To Compete in Solar Decathlon 2023 Design Challenge
124 teams from 97 collegiate institutions are working to solve the climate crisis, one building at a time, by participating in the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2023 Design Challenge.
Nov. 11, 2022
Livewire Data Platform Expands Access to Transportation Project Data Sets
Finding readily available and easily accessible data sets is a common challenge in the research community. DOE's Livewire Data Platform's growing catalog of transportation and mobility-related projects helps address this need by providing researchers with a unified platform to connect with each other and easily find data sets.
Nov. 10, 2022
Not Just a Summer Lab Internship
As a child growing up in Massachusetts, Gabriel Prepetit went to football stadiums to watch the games and excitement unfold, but the massive structures around him ultimately made the real lasting impression.
Nov. 10, 2022
National Lab Collaboration Shows Biofuels Are Competitive Alternatives to Petroleum Across the Board
Renewable fuels still carry a high burden of proof: They need to be high performing, efficient, and cost-effective. Analysis performed by national laboratory researchers has uncovered a slate of biofuels produced from organic materials, including plants and agricultural waste, that have the potential to replace petroleum-derived fuel.
Nov. 9, 2022
NREL and SMUD Launch Groundbreaking Automation Tool for Interconnecting Customer Solar to the Grid
NREL-developed PRECISE™ automates interconnection assessments to help customers and utilities reach growing solar goals.
Nov. 7, 2022
NREL Develops Cybersecurity Tool To Flag Threats for Grid
Cybersecurity is gaining significant importance on the power grid as more distributed energy resources (DERs) are connecting to operational technology (OT) networks.
Nov. 4, 2022
New Capability for Nondestructive and Fast Module Spectral Response Measurements
NREL’s cell and module performance team recently commissioned a new testbed for measuring the spectral response of silicon PV modules.
Nov. 3, 2022
Q&A With Maurice Martin: Advancing Cybersecurity on the Front Lines of the Modern Grid
Securing the grid from cyberattacks is increasingly important as systems become more distributed, digital, and interdependent. Thanks to serendipitous events in his career, Maurice Martin was able to board the cybersecurity train right as it was taking off.
Nov. 3, 2022
NREL-Authored Clean Energy Supply Chain Analysis Reports
NREL-authored reports provided insights on supply chain issues related to solar photovoltaic, wind power, energy storage, semiconductor, and hydrogen fuel cell and electrolyzer technologies.
Nov. 2, 2022
NREL and Lithuanian Energy Agency Partner To Launch 100% Renewable Energy Study
A new agreement between NREL and the Lithuanian Energy Agency kicks off a multiyear research collaboration to support Lithuania with achieving 100% clean electricity.
Nov. 1, 2022
U.S. Department of Energy Awards NREL $4.8M To Accelerate National Affordable Housing Upgrade Effort
An NREL project is among seven selected by the U.S. Department of Energy to help fast-track affordable housing solutions for disadvantaged communities.
Nov. 1, 2022
Pioneer in Energy Efficient Buildings Bestowed Lifetime Achievement Award
At the start of Otto Van Geet's career, most research laboratories spent energy freely for science. Thirty years later, laboratories are more likely to be monuments of futuristic sustainability, and that progress is thanks in large part to Otto's creative work in designing efficient buildings.
October 2022
Oct. 31, 2022
It's Go Time for Low-Cost, Net-Zero Affordable Housing
The U.S. construction industry is facing a housing supply deficit on the order of millions—and growing—at a time when climate targets mean that every unit needs be built as efficiently, sustainably, and affordably as possible.
Oct. 31, 2022
News Release: Efficiency and Stability Best-Practices Proposed for Solar Water-Splitting To Make Hydrogen
Scientists from NREL and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory are providing researchers with a guide to how to best measure the efficiency of producing hydrogen directly from solar power.
Oct. 28, 2022
Long-Lived? Highly Recyclable? Priorities for Solar Panels in a Circular Economy
To meet its 2050 decarbonization goals, the United States will need to install up to 20 times more solar photovoltaic (PV) modules than are installed today.
Oct. 27, 2022
NREL, Mines Researchers Show Advances in Development of III-V Solar Cells for Use on Earth
Two recently published papers spell out advances in the field of photovoltaics made from III-V materials. The improvements to the III-V solar cells will help the technology find a terrestrial home. III-V cells—although efficient—carry such a high price tag it only makes economic sense to use them on satellites and Mars rovers.
Oct. 27, 2022
IN² Demonstration: The Possibilities of a Plug-and-Play Kitchen
For its latest NREL-based cohort, the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN²) formed an all-demonstration group, where each participant would create a demonstration of their technologies as part of the program. Among the first to have its demonstration project underway is San Francisco-based Kit Switch.
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