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 2024
Plug Into Newly Released 2024 US Electricity Sector Data
The 2024 Electricity Annual Technology Baseline provides updated, easy-to-use data on the cost and performance of electricity generation technologies in the United States.
IN² at 10 Years: Cohort 1 Flow-Battery Creator Has the Power
Ten years ago, NREL researcher Shanti Pless suggested flow-battery company ESS Inc. apply to the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator and championed it through the process.
Juggling Motion: Jason Jonkman's Exploration of Movement Helped Him Become a Floating Wind Energy Expert
An interest in juggling paved the way for Jason Jonkman's offshore wind research and allowed him to become one of NREL's 2024 Distinguished Researchers.
How To Power the South Pole With Renewable Energy Technologies
From research to life in the Antarctica research stations, diesel fuel provides almost all of the necessary power. The fuel is shipped to Antarctica and either flown or trucked to the South Pole, an expensive proposition that could be greatly reduced using wind and solar.
Behind the Blades: How Lanaia Carveth Keeps the Gears Turning
Lanaia Carveth transitioned from a career as a consultant in the construction industry doing environmental planning, permitting, regulatory compliance, and project management to her current role as a project manager at NREL's National Wind Technology Center.
Beneath the Surface: How a High School Essay Steered Tina Ortega Toward a Career in Marine Energy
Tina Ortega's connection to and reverence for the natural world inspired her to seek out a career that would help protect the environment.
DOE Recognizes NREL Hydrogen Researchers at 2024 Annual Merit Review Awards
The U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen Program honored five NREL researchers for their outstanding achievements at the 2024 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting.
On the Road to Increased Transmission: High-Voltage Direct Current
Building more high-voltage direct current transmission lines could better connect solar and wind energy to the U.S. grid.
Q&A With Ana Aday: A Holistic Approach To Advancing Cement and Concrete Sustainability
Ana Aday, a materials science researcher in NREL’s Building Technologies and Science Center, is taking on a whole new challenge: decarbonizing the cement and concrete industry.
'Moderate' Is the New 'Extreme': Weather's Impact on Growing Renewable Grid Operations
Shifting our perception of extreme weather could support planning a reliable future grid.
Safe and Fast Permitting Using NREL's SolarAPP+ Continued To Grow Throughout 2023
The SolarAPP+ automated online permitting platform instantly issues a permit for residential solar PV or PV-plus-storage systems if they pass an automated code compliance check, saving valuable time for local governments and solar contractors. In 2023, the platform continued to grow nationwide.
How NREL Researchers Are Catalyzing Change for Our Ocean and Climate
Take a closer look at how NREL is meeting some of the biggest challenges set out for National Ocean Month.
Next-Generation Profiles Project Makes Electric Vehicle High-Power Charging Safer and More Reliable
Electric vehicles that use high-power charging are quickly becoming the new standard—understanding the grid impacts of high-power charging will ensure inter-grid reliability and keep charging costs low.
Advanced Spin Resonance Facility Accelerates Fundamental Understanding of Catalytic Mechanisms and Structural Characterization at Level of Electrons
Realizing the need and opportunity to probe deeper into the mysteries of the chemical reactions that sustain photosynthesis and enable light-driven ammonia production and hydrogen catalysis, NREL formed the Advanced Spin Resonance Facility.
Geothermal Collegiate Competition Winners Partner With Osage Nation To Address Energy Sovereignty
The University of Oklahoma won the 2023 Technical Track with their design for sustainable greenhouse heating and cooling using geothermal energy.
Zero Energy Design Designation Sets Collegiate Building Science Programs Apart
Apply by June 28, 2024, to have your program recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Marine Energy and Hydropower Collegiate Competitions Name Winners—and Next Year's Hopefuls
The 2024 competitions came to a successful close while more than 30 teams gear up to participate in 2025.
Distinguished Member of Operations Staff Award Winner Kelly McIltrot Has a Passion for Helping Win Competitive Funding
When asked about winning one of the inaugural Distinguished Members of Operations Staff awards for 2024, NREL's Kelly McIltrot could only shake her head in disbelief.
News Release: NREL Names 2024 Executive Energy Leadership Program Participants
NREL has selected 18 leaders to participate in its 2024 Executive Energy Leadership program.
How Two Rookie Engineers Expertly Designed a Tidal Energy Turbine
University of New Hampshire doctoral candidates are designing an axial-flow tidal turbine that will be collecting data at the mouth of the Piscataqua River in New England.
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Last Updated May 1, 2025