Science Sometimes Ends With a Taste Test Experiments lead to a greater understanding, deeper insights, and sometimes they even bear fruit. That was certainly the case last summer at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where researchers nurtured a dozen tomato plants. Tucked into a corner … [continued]
The minerals that power lithium-ion batteries—including lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite—are both highly valuable and difficult to come by. As battery storage capacity across the United States continues to grow, constraints on the mining, refining, and processing of key minerals leaves our energy systems vulnerable to the fluctuations of … [continued]
NREL Announces Chip-to-Grid Consortium, Invites Collab Around Energy-Data Integration Over the past decade, energy demand from U.S. data centers has tripled—doubling in just the last two years. And the growth is not slowing down. Utilities are wondering where to add generation. Meanwhile, companies queue for that power. Governments are deciding … [continued]
NREL-Developed Neural Networks Uncover New Insights Into Battery Health Resilient energy systems depend on reliable batteries. The lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries powering our world must endure the steady strain of time, charge cycles, and environmental conditions that gradually wear them out through degradation. Understanding the health of a battery can help … [continued]
The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has selected 19 leaders to participate in its 2025 Executive Energy Leadership program (Energy Execs). The program curriculum is structured to support decision makers from government, corporate, nonprofit, and community organizations as they work to apply energy practices in their … [continued]
Public–Private Partnership Advances Research That Turns US Biomass Into National Sources of Fuel, Rubber, and Battery Materials The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is known for its groundbreaking research in impactful bioenergy technologies and invention of performance-advantaged chemicals and materials. But some of its most … [continued]
The life of a wave energy converter (WEC) may sound idyllic—bobbing on ocean waves all day or swaying underwater, quietly generating electricity for the people living and working near shore. But in reality, it takes a lot of careful planning for salt water and electronics to achieve that perceived state … [continued]
Latest HERO WEC Mission Status Update Examines How a Polyurethane Belt Could Improve Reliability of Wave Energy Converters The National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s (NREL’s) wave-powered desalination research is charting new waters by improving the robustness, reliability, and deployability of the hydraulic and electric reverse osmosis wave energy converter—or HERO WEC. To do this, … [continued]
Transportation Secure Data Center Is Growing Its Data Offerings This year, the Transportation Secure Data Center (TSDC) turns 15 years old, continuing to increase the availability and usability of travel and transit surveys and studies from municipalities, transit agencies, and other entities that want to share their results while protecting participant privacy. … [continued]
18 Teams Earn Division Winner Titles for Solar and Solar-Plus-Storage Design Proposals On April 21 and April 22, the division winners and Project Pitch Champion in the Solar District Cup Collegiate Design Competition’s Class of 2024–2025 were announced. This year’s competing class of teams is the largest in Solar District … [continued]
