Solar Futures Study Draws Insights From Across NREL’s Expertise and Tools To Deliver Detailed Analysis of Solar Energy’s Future in United States The next 30 years of solar energy is likely to look very different than the past 30. Photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power are likely to continue to … [continued]
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has released a new pilot study on the Solar Automated Permit Processing (SolarAPP+) tool — a free, web-based platform for automating residential solar permit approval—revealing the platform’s impact in the communities where it is deployed. The results of the study are impressive: The software substantially reduces the … [continued]
NREL researchers create plant-derived epoxy that enables recyclable carbon fiber. Ten times stronger than steel, nearly half the weight of aluminum, far stiffer than fiberglass — carbon fiber carries a package of advantages, making it a preferred material for use in luxury sedans and Formula One racecars alike. But it … [continued]
As is the case across many historically male-dominated fields, women are underrepresented in leadership and technical roles at power system operation organizations. This disparity persists despite a growing body of research demonstrating how women bring diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives that improve overall organizational performance. The Women in Power System … [continued]
Researchers Are Collecting the Most Comprehensive Data on How Winds Move Through Wind Power Plants To Help Design More Efficient Plants and Reduce Wind Energy Costs “Windmills,” Bob Kerr said, “don’t eat.” Through years of drought, Kerr, an Oklahoma cattle rancher and wheat farmer, watched the ponds on his farmland … [continued]
The REopt® web tool is a techno-economic decision support platform used by researchers to optimize energy systems for buildings, campuses, communities, microgrids, and more. Users enter site-specific data to determine the optimal size and combination of energy systems to maximize cost savings while meeting resilience or energy performance goals. With the current administration’s … [continued]
NREL Experts Are Advancing Marine Energy and Hydropower To Help Build a 100% Clean Energy Future Over the last year, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers worked hard to advance water power, a clean, carbon-pollution-free energy source. From surging oceans to rushing rivers, flowing waters are a constant and bountiful … [continued]
Escape into nature. Inhale the mountain air. Glimpse a hawk kiting on the wind. These are the experiences Lindy Williams cherishes as a born-and-raised Coloradan. They are also the experiences she is working to preserve for others as a data scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). With that … [continued]
Latest Phase of Storage Futures Study Finds the Grid Operates More Efficiently With High Levels of Energy Storage Across All Studied System Configurations and Grid Mixes
The energy system of the future must successfully utilize large amounts of variable and intermittent renewable energy sources to meet demand for power generation, decarbonization, grid resilience, and energy efficiency.
