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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March 2018
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).
February 2018
Feb. 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).
Feb. 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.
Feb. 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.
Feb. 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.
Feb. 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.
Feb. 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).
Feb. 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.
Feb. 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.
Feb. 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).
Feb. 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.
Feb. 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.
Feb. 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.
Feb. 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.
Feb. 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.
Feb. 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.
Feb. 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
Jan. 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.
Jan. 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.
Jan. 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.
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