The report examines RPS costs and benefits in US states with most policies in effect for over five years. States have deployed approximately 46,000 MW of new renewable energy capacity through 2012, with estimated incremental RPS cost averaging less than 1% of retail electricity rates.
The Banking on Solar working group aims to standardize contracts and underwriting processes, educating banks about the risks and rewards of solar assets. This effort has already begun developing standardized loan documents and underwriting criteria in residential and commercial markets.
NREL honored Principal Engineer Bhushan Sopori with the Distinguished Innovator Award for his leadership in solar energy research. The lab also recognized Rising Stars, including Kirstin Alberi, Arrelaine Dameron, and Gregg Beckham, who have made significant contributions to technology transfer and commercialization.
The Hydrogen Fueling Infrastructure Research and Station Technology (H2FIRST) project aims to reduce the cost and time of fueling station construction, increase station availability, and improve reliability. NREL and Sandia will share their hydrogen research expertise to develop low-cost, high-performance materials and components.
The NREL-Navy collaboration demonstrated eight energy-efficient technologies, yielding valuable results for the U.S. Navy. Advanced power strips and building retrofits achieved measurable savings, with plug load control technology reducing overall energy consumption by 8% in an office setting.
Researchers at NREL have discovered a new solar material, perovskite, that can generate electricity more efficiently than previous materials. The material has a unique ability to diffuse photons a long distance, making it suitable for low-cost and high-efficiency devices.
The Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) has been recognized as the 2014 Laboratory of the Year by R&D Magazine. The facility showcases a unique combination of an ultra-energy efficient workplace, high-performance computing data center, and sophisticated laboratory spaces.
Researchers at NREL are examining the best ways to create hydrogen via electrolysis using wind and solar power, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The lab is also exploring strategies to lower the cost of fuel cells by decreasing platinum usage, which could make hydrogen fuel cell vehicles more viable for widespread adoption.
The Technology Performance Exchange (TPEx) helps manufacturers and consumers exchange information on building-related products' energy performance. This enables apples-to-apples comparisons of products, supporting the deployment of high-impact technologies.
The report analyzes state demographics and policy characteristics to contextualize the impact of various solar policies on photovoltaic installations. Four peer groups reveal different policy effectiveness based on demographic factors such as median household income and community interest in renewable energy.
David S. Ginley, a materials scientist at NREL, has been recognized for his distinguished contributions to renewable energy and sustainability. He is honored for his work on photovoltaics, batteries, and fuel cells, as well as his efforts in developing materials and forums for student interactions.
A recent study published in Science reveals that methane emissions from natural gas systems can have a significant impact on the climate benefits of switching to natural gas. The research suggests that more efforts should be made to reduce methane leaks and improve measurement tools for policy-making. Additionally, the study identifies...
A new NREL report finds that the value of delivered energy from dry-cooled tower and parabolic trough CSP plants, integrated with thermal energy storage, are quite similar. This technology allows for dispatching solar thermal energy like conventional thermal generation, enabling CSP to respond to changes in supply or demand.
Dan Arvizu, NREL director, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering for his leadership in the renewable and clean energy sectors. He was cited for promoting national balanced energy policies and making significant advancements in engineering education.
A NREL study reveals that wind power technology can assist the power grid by controlling active power output, improving system reliability. The research also shows that providing active power control services to wind turbines can be economically viable and is essential for better integrating variable generation into electric systems.
Scientists at NREL are working on a biological process to convert methane from fracking into liquid diesel fuel, which could lower dependence on foreign oil and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The process uses microbes that can digest methane and produce lipids, the precursor to fuel.
The NREL Equivalent Circuit Battery Model enhances RadTherm software for dynamic analysis of battery performance and optimization of multi-cell pack designs. This improved simulation capability accelerates the development of next-generation electric-drive vehicle batteries.
Researchers at NREL have discovered a new cellulose digestion mechanism using the fast-eating enzyme CelA, which outperforms commercial preparations by producing more sugars and creating cavities in cellulose for greater synergy. The discovery has important implications for industry and could lead to lower costs for biofuels production.
Dr. Ben Kroposki, NREL director of Energy Systems Integration, named an IEEE Fellow for his leadership in renewable energy systems integration. NREL analysts also received honors for their work on energy-efficient computing and data sharing.
Two NREL reports show that soft costs, including financing and installation costs, now account for up to 64% of the total price of residential solar energy systems. Researchers found that supply chain costs, labor, customer acquisition, and corporate costs are among the largest contributors to these costs.
The NREL Building Agent application allows facility managers to diagnose and adjust for problems based on direct occupant comfort feedback. This integration enables a more active role for occupants in comfort and energy trade-offs, leading to improved building performance and cost savings.
The 2012 Renewable Energy Data Book reports a significant increase in US renewable electricity capacity, with installed capacity over 163 GW and renewables accounting for 56% of new electrical capacity installations. Wind and solar PV were among the fastest-growing electric generation technologies.
The NREL Electric Calcium Test (e-Ca) detects infinitesimally small amounts of moisture, making it 100 to 1,000 times more sensitive than other commercial tests. The test can detect water vapor transmission rates as low as one ten-millionth of a gram per square meter per day.
The Alternative Fueling Station Locator App allows iPhone users to select an alternative fuel and find the closest stations within a 30-mile radius. The app draws information from the Clean Cities' Alternative Fuels Data Center, containing over 15,000 alternative fueling stations nationwide.
The SAPC working group has developed three standard contract templates for residential and commercial solar power projects, with the goal of increasing consumer transparency and private-sector investment. The contracts cover residential leases and commercial power purchase agreements, allowing developers to increase business opportunit...
A new solar cell design featuring copper electrodes has surpassed traditional heterojunction cells in efficiency without special equipment or expensive materials. The innovative approach could disrupt the solar industry by reducing costs and increasing production capabilities.
NREL will develop a new low-cost flow battery using organic energy storage materials to overcome limitations of current flow batteries. The goal is to increase energy density and reduce cost, enabling widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
Santiago Grijalva, NREL's new director of the Power Systems Engineering Center, will establish and direct the NREL's grid research portfolio at ESIF. He champions an Internet of the Grid, envisioning millions of decision-makers managing the electric grid.
The report identifies strategies to overcome market barriers and decrease soft-costs in four key areas: customer acquisition, permitting, inspection, and interconnection, installation labor, and financing. NREL aims to reduce residential solar costs by $0.65/W and commercial solar costs by $0.44/W by 2020.
The US Department of Energy has launched guidelines for home energy professionals, including standard work specifications and professional certifications. The new standards aim to improve the quality of weatherization services and provide better career paths for workers.
The study finds that high levels of wind and solar power reduce fossil fuel costs by $7 billion per year, while incurring cycling costs of $35 million to $157 million. Cycling increases operations and maintenance costs by $0.47 to $1.28 per megawatt-hour of generation.
A new report from NREL and MIT reveals that China's dominance in solar manufacturing is largely due to its production scale advantages, including access to capital and supply chain benefits. The study suggests that these advantages can be replicated in the US with innovative technology and scale-up.
A new NREL study indicates that wind and solar power electricity generation could become cost-competitive with natural gas by 2025 in certain regions of the West. The report identifies areas where renewable energy development is likely to occur, including Wyoming, New Mexico, Montana, and Idaho.
The collaboration aims to convert sugar cane bagasse into fuel ethanol, enabling year-round operations and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. NREL's expertise in biomass conversion technology will help optimize the process and make it economically viable.
Researchers found that topological insulators behave asymmetrically at the sub-atomic level, which could lead to significant improvements in energy efficiency for quantum computers. The discovery was made using first-principles calculations and observations taken at the Advanced Light Source.
A new NREL report provides detailed land-use data for solar power plants, showing that a large fixed tilt photovoltaic plant requires an average of 2.8 acres for solar panels to generate 1 gigawatt-hour per year. The study found that small single-axis PV systems require on average 2.9 acres per annual gigawatt-hour, while concentrating...
NREL's innovations in solar, vehicles and energy efficiency have earned three prestigious R&D 100 Awards. The Image Processing Occupancy Sensor (IPOS) detects heat loss in electric-vehicle batteries with greater accuracy, while high-efficiency silicon solar cells offer improved conversion rates.
Researchers at NREL developed a tandem cell with a gallium indium phosphide cell atop a gallium arsenide cell, achieving the new record efficiency of 31.1%. This improvement enhances photon recycling and luminescent coupling in the lower bandgap junction.
NREL is enhancing its research capabilities through a 2-year loan of four Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicles from Toyota. The vehicles will help investigate hydrogen fueling infrastructure, renewable hydrogen production, and vehicle performance. Testing includes observing durability and reliability.
The Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) is a new research center that aims to boost clean energy technologies on a smarter grid. The facility will house experimental laboratories and outdoor test beds, including a petascale supercomputer, to support large-scale modeling and simulation. Advanced Energy Industries has already sign...
Researchers discovered novel cellulose-degrading enzymes in marine wood borer gribbles, which can thrive in industrial settings. The enzymes hold promise of efficiently breaking down biomass into sugars for biofuel production.
The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of converting switchgrass into jet fuel economically and in large quantities. The process is expected to result in a 95% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to current production methods.
The new IPOS sensor combines camera and computer vision technologies to detect human presence, illuminance levels, and other variables with high accuracy. It can control lighting and ventilation in real-time, providing more efficient energy savings and flexibility in office spaces.
The U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) hosted a car competition for 97 Colorado schools, with teams racing solar and lithium ion powered vehicles designed and built by students. The 'Sweet and Sassy' team from Woodlands Academy took top honors in the solar design category.
Saudi Arabia is working with the US Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to set up networks for measuring solar radiation in varying meteorological conditions. The partnership aims to train Saudi engineers and install over 50 monitoring stations to gauge the best spots for solar power plants.
Researchers found that two enzyme paradigms - free and complexed enzymes - use different mechanisms to degrade biomass at the nanometer scale. Combining these systems enhances catalytic performance, suggesting an optimal strategy may already exist.
Researchers from NREL evaluated CSP systems with thermal energy storage within the CAISO system to estimate operational factors such as fuel cost, emissions, and reliability. The analysis found significant value in dispatchable CSP, particularly when providing reserve power, which can be turned on or off during high or low demand periods.
Research Fellows Mike Himmel and David Ginley honored for innovation impacts in energy systems integration and commercialization of NREL technologies. NREL has added 29 new CRADAs, attracting $8 in private investment for every dollar invested.
A recent NREL survey found that 95% of 100% biodiesel (B100) samples met ASTM International fuel quality specifications, representing a dramatic improvement from previous years. The increase is attributed to stricter quality requirements and the voluntary BQ-9000 quality management program.
Thin film solar cells can be removed from a silicon substrate by dipping them in water at room temperature. The cells can then attach to almost any surface after exposure to heat of about 90°C for a few seconds.