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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September 2017
Sept. 13, 2017
News Release: Enzyme's Worth to Biofuels Shown in Latest NREL Research
An enzyme discovered at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) proves adept at breaking down cellulose fibers regardless of whether their crystalline structure is simple or highly complex. No other enzyme has shown that ability.
Sept. 12, 2017
News Release: NREL Report Shows Utility-Scale Solar PV System Cost Fell Nearly 30% Last Year
The installed cost of solar power fell to record lows in the first quarter of 2017 because of the continuing decline in photovoltaic (PV) module and inverter prices, higher module efficiency, and lower labor costs, according to an analysis by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Sept. 12, 2017
Wind and Wave Energy Pioneer Finds Freedom in Research
Research Fellow Bob Thresher likes to venture into the unknown, a quality that spurred his pioneering career at NREL.
Sept. 7, 2017
A New Theory on Crystal Symmetry May Lead to Advanced Applications
Angelo Mascarenhas and Brian Fluegel, scientists at the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), have published a theory for crystal lattices with a tensor periodicity that may inspire a new generation of techniques for growing materials with properties that can be exploited for electronic, photonic, and optical energy-storage applications.
Sept. 1, 2017
Colorado State Patrol Vehicles to Utilize NREL Parking Garage
The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) began parking vehicles on the fifth floor of the NREL Parking Garage under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy.
August 2017
Aug. 30, 2017
NREL-Developed CUBE Helps Solve Army's Refueling Challenge
Device takes in power from PV panels, diesel generators, battery and puts all to use
Aug. 25, 2017
International Experts to Share Technical Progress and Solutions at 2017 International PV Soiling Workshop
The workshop will be October 23-25, 2017, at the Dubai World Trade Center. Three days of technical presentations will cover topics such as soiling losses in harsh climates, modeling and predicting soiling losses, procedures and equipment for measuring soiling losses, robotic cleaning machines, antisoiling coatings, and International Electrotechnical Commission standards in connection to photovoltaic soiling.
Aug. 25, 2017
News Release: NREL, Swiss Scientists Power Past Solar Efficiency Records
Collaboration between researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), and the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) shows the high potential of silicon-based multijunction solar cells.
Aug. 24, 2017
News Release: NREL Updates Baseline Cost and Performance Data for Electricity Generation Technologies
The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released the 2017 Annual Technology Baseline (ATB), updating a key source of reliable electricity generation technology cost and performance data used to support and inform electric sector analysis in the United States.
Aug. 24, 2017
News Release: NREL Analysis Identifies Where Commercial Customers Might Benefit from Battery Energy Storage
Commercial electricity customers who are subject to high demand charges may be able to reduce overall costs by using battery energy storage to manage demand, according to research by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Aug. 23, 2017
News Release: Researchers Validate UV Light’s Use in Improving Semiconductors
A discovery by two scientists at the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) could aid the development of next-generation semiconductor devices.
Aug. 23, 2017
Science-Driven Innovation Can Reduce Wind Energy Costs by 50% by 2030
With science driving wind-technology innovations, the unsubsidized cost of wind energy could drop to 50% of current levels, equivalent to $23/megawatt-hour, by 2030, according to a report released by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Aug. 17, 2017
Webinar August 22: Permitting Hydrogen Fueling Stations
In this DOE Fuel Cell Technologies Office webinar, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will present information to familiarize project developers and other interested parties with the DOE tools available to assist in permit preparation.
Aug. 14, 2017
NREL Market Report Finds U.S. Offshore Wind Industry Poised for Multigigawatt Surge
Bolstered by the nation’s first commercial offshore wind project, the U.S. offshore wind industry could be on the brink of a multigigawatt surge in development.
Aug. 14, 2017
NREL Summer Interns Climb to New Heights
Enjoying the Colorado outdoors is an added bonus for NREL interns--but the main draw is the opportunity to expand scientific horizons.
Aug. 10, 2017
Graduate Students Gain Hands-On PV Experience from NREL Researchers
The Hands-On PV Experience gave thirteen graduate students a chance to spend one week at NREL, deepening their knowledge of photovoltaics and learning from top solar scientists.
Aug. 8, 2017
John Deere Hybrid Electric Vehicles Benefit from NREL's Wide-Bandgap Thermal Management Expertise
Finding new ways to manage fuel costs of heavy-duty off-highway vehicles can go a long way towards reducing overall operating costs in industries such as construction and mining, which can help contractors and operators remain competitive in the marketplace. This requires equipment that can perform optimally, while minimizing expenses.
Aug. 8, 2017
Decades After Developing Technology, NREL Sets New Solar-to-Hydrogen Record
Path to producing hydrogen from sunlight becomes even clearer
July 2017
July 31, 2017
News Release: NREL Names Roderick Jackson as Laboratory Program Manager for Buildings Research
Roderick Jackson is the new laboratory program manager for buildings-related research at the Energy Department's (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
July 31, 2017
NREL Analysis Shows Clear-Sky Probabilities for the August Solar Eclipse
Detail of NREL analysis showing clear-sky versus cloudy-sky probabilities for the August solar eclipse.
July 27, 2017
Regional Technical Exchange Centers Connect Fuel Cell Technology Suppliers, Manufacturers
NREL is leading one of four regional technical exchange centers to expand the domestic supply chain of fuel cell and hydrogen components and systems and improve U.S. manufacturing competitiveness.
July 27, 2017
NREL, NYSERDA, and Con Edison Partner on Home Energy Management Systems
Twenty-four homes in New York City will be at the forefront of NREL home energy management systems (HEMS) research. The goal is to identify strategies for broad market adoption of smart home technologies that can bring comfort, convenience, and energy savings to residents across New York and the country.
July 26, 2017
NREL Scientists Upend Century-Old Ammonia Production Method
Paul King and Katherine Brown wanted answers. To produce ammonia from nitrogen, could they use a biomolecular reaction similar to one that boosts the production of hydrogen from water?
July 24, 2017
News Release: NREL to Receive Public Service Award for 40 Years of Energy Innovation
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is again receiving national recognition for its 40th Anniversary with a prestigious public service award.
July 21, 2017
News Release: NREL Announces Partnership with Panasonic and Xcel Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is partnering with Panasonic Corporation and Xcel Energy to simulate and optimize the energy load profile of Peña Station NEXT, a planned 382-acre mixed-use development in Denver, Colo.
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