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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October 2021
Oct. 15, 2021
JUMP Into STEM Continues To Open Doors to the Building Science Industry
Buildings are used every day by almost all members of U.S. society, which is why diversity in building science professionals is critical to better understanding the needs of all building occupants.
Oct. 15, 2021
Looking at Geothermal Energy Through an International Lens
From Iceland to Alaska to France, NREL geoscientist Amanda Kolker has studied geothermal energy all around the world. After graduating with a bachelor's degree in geology, Kolker went to study volcano and glacier interactions in Iceland but was quickly distracted by Iceland's vast geothermal energy systems.
Oct. 14, 2021
News Release: NREL, Mines Insight Could Lead to Better Silicon Solar Panels
Researchers at NREL and Colorado School of Mines are applying a new technique to identify defects in silicon solar cells that cause a drop in efficiency. The lessons learned at the atomic level could lead to improvements in the way manufacturers strengthen their products against what is known as light-induced degradation.
Oct. 13, 2021
Researchers Engineer Microorganisms To Tackle PET Plastic Pollution
To help combat the plastic waste problem, NREL and its collaborators have developed a method to upcycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into performance-advantaged nylon, a precursor to other valuable products such as waterproof clothing, stick-free cookware coatings, and heat-resistant machine parts.
Oct. 13, 2021
New Software Puts Rail Freight on Express Track to Net-Zero Emissions
Researchers at NREL are collaborating with leading industry and research partners on a new modeling framework that can be used to analyze and plan net-zero-emission and hybrid freight train systems: Advanced Locomotive Technology and Rail Infrastructure Optimization System (ALTRIOS) software.
Oct. 13, 2021
Country Roads, Take Me Home—in an Electric Car
Rural areas are working to connect in new ways, through improved digital and cell phone networks, as well as alternative forms of transportation. Researchers from NREL are joining small towns across America to expand affordable, convenient, and energy-efficient transportation choices.
Oct. 11, 2021
NREL Process for Renewable Butyric Acid Good for Environment, Cheaper Biofuels
Scientists at NREL developed a fully integrated process to produce a promising precursor for diesel and jet fuel from lignocellulosic biomass, and for less expense than the selling price of the same material from petroleum.
Oct. 8, 2021
Electric Hydrogen Partnership Hopes To Repeat Success With Renewable Hydrogen Technology
An upcoming partnership with company Electric Hydrogen will draw on deep experience in developing breakthrough renewable technologies; this time, they are targeting robust and cost-effective electrolyzers for clean hydrogen.
Oct. 8, 2021
Nano-Sized Materials Point to Big Breakthroughs
A poppy seed from your morning bagel is about 1,000 times larger than a bacterial cell. That small cell is about 1,000 times larger than the chemical structures NREL researchers are creating and studying to transform how we use energy.
Oct. 8, 2021
CABLE Conductor Manufacturing Prize Announces Stage 1 Winners
Ten teams competing in the CABLE Conductor Manufacturing Prize were selected as Stage 1 winners. Competitors are helping re-wire the future of electricity—developing concepts for affordable and manufacturable conductivity-enhanced, next-generation materials.
Oct. 8, 2021
Celebrating Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day 2021: Highlights From NREL's Research
October 8—10/08—is Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day! This year NREL is celebrating this symbolic date, chosen to represent the atomic weight of hydrogen (1.008), by highlighting innovative hydrogen and fuel cell research across the laboratory.
Oct. 6, 2021
Podcast Brings Clean Transportation Conversations to Life
A new podcast produced by NREL in partnership with the Clean Cities Coalition Network presents a fresh way to highlight how we can bring more affordable, accessible, and sustainable transportation to the streets today, while exploring strategies to improve the mobility options of tomorrow.
Oct. 6, 2021
Industry Proves To Be a Promising Prospect for Future Grid Flexibility
New study by the Joint Institute for Strategic Energy Analysis finds industrial manufacturing could profitably help stabilize the grid with large-scale batteries.
Oct. 6, 2021
Introducing the Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator
An exciting new initiative has been created by DOE and NREL to catalyze the development of cybersecurity solutions for the nation's clean energy grid of the future. The Clean Energy Cybersecurity Accelerator brings together federal infrastructure and expertise, asset owners in the energy sector, and technology innovators in a way that has not yet been done before.
Oct. 1, 2021
Compact Medium-Voltage Converters To Enable Advanced Grid Architectures and Operations
An NREL-led project is working on a new type of grid device that could segment sections of the grid, providing advanced control for flexibility and resilience for our power systems.
Oct. 1, 2021
Nine Reasons To Partner With NREL’s CoMET Facility
The Composites Manufacturing Education and Technology Facility can help partners build better materials for wind and marine energy, transportation, and energy-efficient buildings.
September 2021
Sept. 30, 2021
New Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize Launches
To help achieve ambitious goals to address climate change, the DOE has launched a new $2.5 million Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize to fund organizations working with disadvantaged communities in clean energy as well as foster connections between DOE and innovators the agency has yet to reach to pave the way to an inclusive, equitable, and just energy future.
Sept. 29, 2021
Solar District Cup Unveils Class of 2021-2022 Student Participants
The infrastructure that defines the U.S. electric grid is based largely on pre-digital technologies and is now faced with increasingly difficult load and power quality demands. New tools are required to create a flexible and modern electric grid and the next generation of renewable energy professionals are here to help.
Sept. 29, 2021
A Change in the Wind: Collegiate Wind Competition Will Use a New Team Participation Process for 2023 Event
In March 2022, the Collegiate Wind Competition organizers will implement a new application process and timeline for the 2023 competition. This new process is intended to broaden the reach and impact of the CWC.
Sept. 29, 2021
Q&A With Bob Allen: Cooking Up the Right Ingredients for a Circular Economy
This is the first in series of articles profiling NREL researchers whose work is helping build a circular economy to extend the lifespan of materials, components, and products, while reducing waste, conserving resources, and boosting efficiency. NREL Senior Research Fellow Bob Allen shared his thoughts on how innovations in upcycling sustainable polymers and composites can contribute to the circular economy.
Sept. 29, 2021
News Release: NREL Pinpoints Method for Moving Larger Wind Turbine Blades Across Country
Researchers at NREL have determined how to transport massive wind turbine blades to parts of the country at a lower cost than segmented blades, but the solution will require some flexibility on the part of industry.
Sept. 28, 2021
Advanced Thermal Management Design Boosts Performance of Silicon Carbide Inverters for Heavy-Duty Vehicles
A state-of-the-art thermal management system developed by NREL in collaboration with John Deere promises to significantly increase the power density of silicon carbide (SiC) inverters within heavy-duty EV applications.
Sept. 27, 2021
Charged With Curiosity, Geospatial Data Scientist Anthony Lopez Solves Real-World Questions with Computational Models
The NREL star thought he had no potential growing up. Today, he is leading research on how land use constraints factor into realizing wind energy's full potential.
Sept. 22, 2021
Calendar Aging Research Is Critical to Future of Silicon-Based Batteries
NREL researchers are at the forefront of silicon anode research, using cutting-edge facilities to explore the foundational science of organic electrolytes with silicon interfaces. However, recent findings highlight the importance of continued studies on the lifetime of silicon-based cells.
Sept. 21, 2021
Creating Consensus in Grid Modernization
With its cutting-edge research capabilities and technical leadership, NREL has a history of developing essential standards that strengthen energy systems around the world.
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