A new study reveals the potential of federal reservoirs to host enough floating solar panels to generate up to 1,476 terawatt hours, or enough energy to power approximately 100 million US homes a year. This could help meet the country's solar energy needs and provide more reliable and resilient energy to the power grid.
Thermochemical materials show potential for load flexibility in building heating systems, enabling reduced electrical requirements and load shifting. The technology's performance is significantly impacted by humidity levels, making indoor air a key factor in its integration.
Researchers at NREL create a novel resin called PECAN that performs on par with industry standards and outperforms certain thermoplastic resins. The process allows for the complete breakdown of blades in six hours, making it possible to recycle and reuse components.
Researchers at NREL are exploring ways to design sustainable perovskite solar panels that minimize environmental impact. They suggest replacing expensive metals with low-cost alternatives and establishing recycling pathways for specialized glass components.
Scientists at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have made advances in optoelectronics by integrating a III-V semiconductor optoelectronic structure with a chiral halide perovskite semiconductor. This breakthrough enables control over electron spin, which can be used to increase data processing speeds and decrease power consumption.
Researchers at NREL successfully automate the finishing process of wind turbine blades, improving consistency and reducing labor-intensive work. The technology enables US-based blade manufacturing to become more economically viable, creating jobs and supporting domestic production.
The new method uses femtosecond lasers to form glass-to-glass welds, eliminating the need for plastic polymer sheets that hinder recycling. The recycled materials can be easily reused, extending the life of solar modules.
The NREL-led workshop emphasizes the importance of mitigating degradation rates for clean technologies, which will play a crucial role in meeting future energy needs. The researchers recommend increasing transparency and standardization of reliability data, as well as developing standards for various renewable energy technologies.
According to a new NREL report, millions of US households would see a drop in their energy bills by using heat pumps, with median savings ranging from $300 to $650 per year. However, high installation costs limit the technology's reach, making it only financially feasible for a smaller portion of households.
Researchers at NREL found a correlation between electric vehicle ownership and the adoption of solar panels, with EV owners more likely to invest in photovoltaics. The study suggests that the two technologies have complementary nature, playing a pivotal role in energy systems resiliency.
New analysis by NREL researchers estimates that 56% of paper and cardboard waste is landfilled, contributing to energy and resource losses. The study highlights opportunities for diversion and recovery of technical and economic value from these materials.
Rapid adoption of zero-emission vehicles is essential alongside a clean electric grid transition. Managing travel demand growth reduces the need for clean electricity supply. The study explores changes in technology, behavior, and policies to envision sustainable transportation systems.
A new database containing thousands of solar mirror samples offers valuable insights into degradation trends over decades. The Solar Mirror Materials Database (SMMD) provides natural and accelerated exposure data for accelerating test development, design optimization, and manufacturing guidance.
The study found that offshore wind could generate up to 8% of the nation's electricity by 2050, with deployment ranging from 30 to 250 gigawatts. High levels of deployment are likely in scenarios with stringent decarbonization policies and low technology costs.
A new predictive model could help reduce unscheduled maintenance at hydrogen stations, increasing availability and consumer confidence. The model uses prognostics health monitoring to predict component failures and estimate remaining useful life, allowing station operators to schedule maintenance when demand is low.
A NREL-led research team identified accelerated testing protocols to understand perovskite solar cells' behavior under real conditions. The study found that high temperature and illumination are the most critical combination of stressors for predicting outdoor performance, with cells retaining over 93% of their maximum efficiency after...
A new NREL study quantifies the impacts of setback ordinances on land availability for renewable energy deployment. Setback distances vary significantly across jurisdictions, affecting wind and solar resource utilization. The study suggests that local land use considerations play a crucial role in U.S. decarbonization.
Researchers at NREL have developed bifacial perovskite solar cells that capture both direct and reflected sunlight, resulting in efficiencies of up to 23% on the front side and 91-93% on the back. This could lead to higher energy yields and lower costs over time.
Global experts urge a commitment to PV growth to power the planet, citing increasing acceptance and need for large-scale deployment. By 2050, 75 terawatts or more of globally deployed PV will be needed to meet decarbonization goals.
Researchers developed a thin layer of silicon oxide to protect perovskite solar cells from radiation and extreme temperatures in space. The coating preserved efficiency and increased lifetime by up to 99% compared to unprotected cells.
Researchers at NREL developed a framework to compare the performance of various plastics recycling technologies. They examined technical metrics such as material quality and retention, as well as environmental metrics including energy use and greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at NREL have developed a new growth approach to manufacturing perovskite solar cells, yielding devices with high efficiency and excellent stability. The new method uses gas quenching to suppress phase segregation, resulting in wide-bandgap solar cells with efficiencies over 20% and operational stability.
Scientists from NREL and Berkeley Lab have developed best-practices for PEC water-splitting, providing a guide for researchers to follow uniform experimental practices. This will enable more accurate characterization of solar-to-hydrogen efficiency and help overcome the challenges of durability.
A new catalytic process using lignin could enable the production of 100% sustainable aviation fuel, reducing carbon emissions from the airline industry. The researchers successfully reduced the oxygen content of lignin to less than a half-percent, making it suitable for use as a jet fuel blendstock.
Researchers at NREL have developed a highly efficient and stable perovskite solar cell, achieving a certified stabilized efficiency of 24% under 1-sun illumination. The innovative design enables the cell to retain 87% of its original efficiency after 2,400 hours of operation.
Direct air carbon capture and sequestration technologies aim to remove CO2 from the atmosphere by 2050. A global research effort assesses the environmental trade-offs of two promising DAC technologies, considering their energy intensity and potential system feedbacks.
The study reveals alternative strategies such as reducing virgin materials, reusing products, and extending product life spans to build sustainable product life cycles. Key challenges remain in developing PV and battery recycling methods, with current research focusing on lab-scale methods.
Scientists at NREL have developed a tin-lead perovskite cell with a 25.5% efficiency, outperforming previous records by several hundred hours. The new cell uses additives to improve carrier lifetime and reduce defect density, leading to enhanced stability and voltage generation.
Researchers at NREL developed a triple-junction solar cell with unprecedented performance, reaching 39.5% efficiency under 1-sun global illumination. The new design uses quantum wells to modify solar properties and has a simpler structure for various applications.
Experts predict wind turbines will reach 130 meters in height by 2035, capturing more energy through larger rotor diameters. Plant sizes are expected to be 1,100 MW for fixed-bottom and 600 MW for floating offshore wind, driving cost reductions of up to 35%.
The study analyzes solar thermochemical hydrogen production, a potentially more energy-efficient method than electrolysis. The researchers identified key challenges and provided boundaries for hydrogen production costs, which could be crucial to meeting the Department of Energy's Hydrogen Energy Earthshot goal.
The study reveals that US landfilled plastic waste is worth $4.5-9.9 billion and has an embodied energy equivalent to 12% of industrial sector energy consumption. The researchers estimate 44 million metric tons of plastic waste in the US, highlighting the need for better recycling techniques.
Researchers find controlling humidity in air conditioners causes roughly half of energy-related emissions, with temperature control causing the other half. New technologies like liquid desiccant-based cooling cycles could improve efficiency by 40% or more.
Researchers found that incorporating energy efficiency measures can minimize long-duration storage, reducing the need for renewable resources. By optimizing mix of renewables, oversized generation capacities, and energy efficiency investments, achieving 100% renewable energy becomes more achievable and cost-effective.
Researchers at NREL and Colorado School of Mines used electron paramagnetic resonance to pinpoint the source of light-induced degradation in silicon solar cells. They discovered a distinct defect signature that disappears when applying regeneration process to cure LID, suggesting not all atomic changes lead to efficiency drop.
Researchers have developed an enzyme-based recycling method for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that can reduce energy use by 69-83% and greenhouse gas emissions by 17-43%. This approach has the potential to decarbonize PET manufacturing and create new opportunities for recycling textiles and other materials made from PET.
A new study finds that the decline of US landfills and state bans on organic waste disposal have created a need for alternative pathways for food waste. Researchers evaluated five options, including anaerobic digestion, composting, incineration, and hydrothermal liquefaction.
Researchers created a new type of phototransistor using metal-halide perovskites, exhibiting persistent photoconductivity that mimics synapses in the brain. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient energy usage in computers and sensors for self-driving vehicles.
Researchers at NREL and University of Utah developed a spin-polarized LED using metal-halide perovskites, enabling room-temperature operation without magnets. This breakthrough has broad implications for applications like quantum computing and bioencoding.
Scientists at NREL have demonstrated that white-rot fungi can use carbon captured from lignin as a carbon source, consuming it and utilizing it to grow. This discovery provides another strategy for carbon sequestration in nature.
Researchers at NREL have created a simple way to evaluate novel materials for thermal energy storage, aiming to make buildings more efficient and flexible in managing power from renewable sources. The new design method could help mitigate blackouts on the grid by shifting peak electricity demand to other times of the day.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed a benchmark system to assess the environmental impact of plastics production in the US. The study provides data on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions for 18 types of plastics, allowing researchers to compare their designs with current manufacturing practices.
Researchers from three US DOE labs outline a framework for engineering-based modeling and analysis to support complex optimization of hybrid energy systems. The study presents an objective new path forward for leveraging multiple energy sources to maximize value.
Researchers have developed a thermoplastic resin for wind blades, enabling recyclability and reducing costs. The material can be melted and reused, decreasing the need for landfills.
Scientists at NREL developed a next-generation thermochromic window that reduces energy consumption and generates electricity. The new technology enables various colors and temperature-driven color changes, increasing design flexibility and control over building aesthetics.
A collaboration between NREL and the University of Portsmouth has led to breakthroughs in understanding how enzymes like PETase and MHETase work together to degrade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. The research reveals that combining these two synergistic enzymes significantly improves their ability to break down PET.
Researchers estimate that adding floating solar panels to existing hydropower stations could generate up to 10,600 terawatt-hours of power annually. This would account for about 35% of global electricity consumption in 2018.
Researchers at NREL conducted the first global assessment of solar panel recycling approaches. They recommend focusing on high-value silicon purification and exploring techno-economic analyses to mitigate environmental impacts. The study aims to contribute to a PV circular economy, reducing waste and conserving valuable materials.
Researchers developed a breakthrough machine learning approach that quickly produces higher-resolution climate data, enhancing wind velocity and solar irradiance by 50 and 25 times respectively. This advancement will enable scientists to complete renewable energy studies with more accuracy and speed.
Researchers at NREL have found that driving electric vehicles can save motorists as much as $14,500 on fuel costs over 15 years. The study considered state-by-state differences and the cost of charging equipment and installation costs to estimate total fuel cost savings.