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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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June 2016
New Study Reveals Impact of Auto Roof Racks on Fuel Economy
A recent study by NREL research engineer Yuche Chen and researcher Alan Meier at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) examined the national impact of roof racks on fuel consumption. In this first-of-its-kind study, Chen and Meier determined that in 2015, the popular vehicle add-on accounted for national light-duty fuel consumption that amounts to roughly 100 million gallons of gasoline a year.
NREL Staff Recognized by DOE for Outstanding Achievements at 2016 Annual Merit Review
The U.S. Department of Energy recently honored eight NREL staff members for their outstanding achievements at the Annual Merit Review.
Ph.D. in Hand, Postdocs Explore Their Futures
Researchers come from across the globe for opportunity to work at lab.
NREL Scientists Use In-Situ Characterization to Explain Perovskite Solar Cell Growth and Processing
NREL scientists have helped to establish research capabilities to address several important scientific and practical questions concerning perovskite solar cells. Perovskites are an important class of next-generation photovoltaic materials exhibiting impressive light absorption, high device efficiencies, and low-cost, industry-scalable processing.
News Release: NREL Names New Executives to Lead Scientific Research and Lab Operations
The Energy Department's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently made two key hires to lab leadership positions. NREL has named Peter Green as the new Deputy Laboratory Director for science and technology and Julie Baker as Associate Laboratory Director for facilities and operations.
NREL's Complete-Cab Truck Climate Control Package Showcased in Automotive Engineering
Long-haul Class 8 trucks use approximately 7% of their fuel for rest period idling, consuming more than 667 million gallons of fuel each year nationwide. NREL has identified a package of climate-control technologies that annually can save 774 gallons of fuel used per truck for rest period air conditioning.
Meeting Explores Global Advancement in Vehicle-To-Everything Integration
NREL recently hosted the V2X Enabled Electric Vehicles expert workshop, one of several meetings organized under the International Energy Agency's Hybrid & Electric Vehicle "Task 28" portfolio, which encompasses research and collaboration for deployment of home grids and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technologies -- exploring all issues related to the use of electric storage from plug-in electric vehicles beyond vehicle power.
NREL Partners with California to Accelerate Advanced Energy Communities
The California Energy Commission has selected NREL to be part of a team that will complete a major applied research project to accelerate the deployment of Advanced Energy Communities (AEC).
May 2016
NREL to Assist in Development and Evaluation of Class 6 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
The U.S. Department of Energy recently awarded Cummins Inc. a $4.5 million grant to develop a Class 6 commercial plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that can reduce fuel consumption by at least 50 percent over conventional Class 6 vehicles. NREL's fleet test and evaluation team will assist Cummins in analyzing the performance of its vehicle technology and by providing in-depth understanding of application-specific drive cycles.
NREL Names a Director's Fellowship in Honor of Art Nozik
The Nozik Fellowship is available to early-career researchers who earned their Ph.D. in the last two years.
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Last Updated April 28, 2025