Research on clean and renewable energy. Covers 3D-printed energy storage, fossil-fuel transition, affordable renewable power, and battery innovation.
A new study estimates that state renewable portfolio standard policies yielded significant environmental and economic benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions ($2.2 billion) and air pollution reductions ($5.2 billion). The study also found that RPS policies supported 200,000 renewable energy-related jobs and saved consumers...
Researchers at NREL have developed a new approach to producing hydrogen using solar energy, which uses molecular catalysts instead of precious metals. The new method showed comparable activity to metal-based catalysts and has the potential to be scalable and cost-effective.
A fully renewable energy system is achievable and economically viable for Russia and Central Asia by 2030, with costs comparable to European nuclear technology or carbon capture and storage. The region can expect a 20% reduction in electricity costs through integrated energy sectors.
Researchers at NREL have developed a new photoelectrochemical process for producing hydrogen that uses molecular catalysts instead of precious metals. The new method is more efficient and cost-effective, making it a promising solution for scalable hydrogen production.
Scientists have discovered a major metabolic pathway in cyanobacteria that can efficiently convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds. The pathway, led by NREL scientists, has the potential to produce chemicals and biofuels from CO2 or plant biomass, reducing reliance on natural gas.
Researchers have created more efficient nanoparticles in fuel cells, improving the conversion of methanol into electrical energy. The study provides guidelines for controlling the charge of nanoparticles, a crucial step in optimizing catalytic efficiency.
The UTSA-led team will design and develop piezoelectric sensors to generate electricity from moving vehicles, powering roadside lights, traffic signals, and electric car charging stations. This technology has been field-tested in US and international studies, offering a clean alternative to fossil fuel-generated power.
Scientists at NREL have developed a new probe to monitor the formation and decay of fields within photoelectrodes, enabling better understanding of their photophysics. This breakthrough could lead to improvements in the design of more efficient and stable photoelectrochemical cells for solar energy conversion.
The UN report concludes that green energy technologies can significantly reduce global pollution if chosen wisely. Renewable electricity generates much lower greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuels, with wind and solar power producing only 5-6% of the emissions created by coal-fired plants.
The report reveals that renewable energy improves the environment and protects human health by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. However, it also highlights challenges such as material scarcity, recycling issues, and energy penalties from carbon capture and storage systems.
A new study by Stanford researcher Mark Z. Jacobson suggests storing solar energy underground to meet electricity demand on cloudy days. The proposed system uses heat, cold, and electricity storage to provide a stable grid, with potential benefits including reduced air pollution and lower costs.
Scientists at NREL have discovered a way to increase the efficiency of perovskite solar cells by reducing energy lost to heat. By utilizing hot-carrier solar cells, the potential efficiency limit increases from 33% to 66%. Perovskites are a class of materials with various technological applications.
Researchers at PNNL found that Cyanothece uses both stored energy and direct sunlight to produce hydrogen. The organism's ability to create robust amounts of hydrogen makes it a viable catalyst for hydrogen production.
The University of Missouri engineer Yangchuan Xing has received a $2.2 million DOE grant to develop manufacturing technology for lithium ion batteries used in electric vehicles. The project aims to drive down the cost of environmentally friendly automobiles, creating jobs and economic development in Missouri.
Researchers at ORNL discovered a new mechanism for converting bio-based ethanol into hydrocarbon blend-stocks, eliminating an energy-consuming intermediary step. This breakthrough could support the economic viability of direct biofuel-to-hydrocarbon conversion technologies.
The project aims to develop transactive controls that optimize energy usage in buildings and devices, improving efficiency and reducing costs. Researchers will test the technology at three campuses, including Washington State University and the University of Washington, to demonstrate its potential for grid modernization.
The new system, developed by EPFL's Distributed Electrical Systems Laboratory, is based on high-performance lithium-ion titanate cells and can store up to 500 kWh of energy. Researchers will use it to study and optimize the functioning of renewable energy systems and feed them into the power distribution grid.
A recent study found that green commercial buildings have higher average rents (3.7%) and occupancy rates (18.7% in Canada, 9.5% in the US) compared to non-green buildings. Tenant satisfaction scores also increased by 7% in Canada.
Large-scale wind power generation can reduce breeding success of white-tailed eagles by causing collision mortality. Preventive measures are needed to protect vulnerable species and ensure sustainable energy production.
A new study found that most utility-scale solar energy facilities in California are located in natural habitats, leading to environmental conflicts. The researchers identified areas for more sustainable siting, including built-up lands and those already affected by human activities.
A new study led by UC Riverside researchers found that utility-scale solar energy development can drive land-use and land-cover change, resulting in greenhouse gas emissions. The study emphasizes the need for optimized solar energy development to minimize environmental impacts.
Berkeley Lab's report reveals a 70% decline in PPA prices since 2009, making solar increasingly cost-competitive for utilities. Installed project costs have fallen by over 50%, with median up-front costs dropping from $6.3/W to $3.1/W.
Michigan State University has partnered with ExxonMobil to improve the efficiency of photosynthesis in microalgae to produce biofuels and bioproducts. The project aims to determine which algae are most efficient under various conditions, leveraging new technologies developed by MSU researchers.
Researchers at KIT have developed an invisibility cloak that guides sunlight around contact fingers on solar cells, reducing optical losses and increasing efficiency. By applying a special coating onto the solar cell, the cloaking effect can be achieved, potentially leading to up to 10% increase in efficiency.
Researchers from the University of Edinburgh built complex computer models to understand why cells developed pathways to convert sugar into energy. The study suggests that these metabolic systems evolved to produce more energy compared to alternative pathways.
A new study explores the potential of Pressure Retarded Osmosis technology to extract energy from salinity gradients in Australian waters. The research suggests that brine, rejected during desalination, can be used as a source of osmotic energy, offering a carbon emission-free alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University will analyze data from over 5 million solar panels worldwide to identify factors contributing to degradation. By applying an epidemiological approach, they aim to develop more reliable designs and extend the lifespan of solar panels.
Researchers at UMass Amherst are developing smart energy services that use data from Holyoke Gas & Electric Co.'s smart meters to reduce peak demand, promote local renewable energy and save customers money. The services will also provide real-time notifications for unusual energy usage and suggested conservation tips.
University of Cincinnati quantum chemistry researcher Thomas Beck develops new methods to calculate the thermodynamics of ion hydration, leading to more efficient renewable energy devices. His findings have garnered international respect and recognition from top physicists.
Researchers have developed a system that captures energy from 'hot electrons' to split water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, offering a promising means of harnessing renewable energy. The process uses light-activated gold nanoparticles and efficiently increases solar-to-electric power-conversion efficiencies.
A new study from the University of Texas at Dallas reveals that US investors prefer coal over renewable energy, reflecting a different environmental perspective. In contrast, European investors prioritize renewable energy stocks, driven by environmentally conscious attitudes.
A new policy article suggests that opening up access to power grids, ending fossil-fuel subsidies, and supporting renewable energy technologies can make wind and solar power cheaper. The authors argue that modernizing power grids and ensuring policies related to renewable energy are crucial for reducing emissions.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory have made breakthroughs in manipulating photosynthesis to create a robust and renewable energy source. By storing sunlight in chemical bonds, they can produce hydrogen, a clean-burning fuel that could power cars and households.
Researchers at the University of Kansas found that large wind farms can trigger a slowdown effect in atmospheric flow, resulting in less renewable energy generated. This phenomenon, known as the 'turbulence-attenuation effect,' affects wind turbines' ability to generate electricity.
The EOLO group has developed a novel method for predicting wave energy up to 16 hours in advance, using a combination of historical measurements and machine learning algorithms. This technique has shown higher reliability than existing methods for forecasting swell and storms in the Bay of Biscay.
A new study maps potential wind-power sites and nesting patterns of golden eagles, revealing 'sweet spots' where wind power can coexist with eagle habitats. The research provides a framework for industry and managers to assess potential development and minimize bird deaths.
A new study has analyzed data from Great Britain, the US and Sweden to profile human population growth and its consumption of energy. The research found that energy use generally outpaced population growth over the past few hundred years.
Researchers have developed a method to revive oscillations in complex networks, including power grids and biological systems. This approach uses advanced mathematical analysis to stabilize rhythms, which can be disrupted by external factors such as renewable energy fluctuations or changes in the human cardiovascular system.
Researchers at NREL have identified battery second-use strategies that can offset vehicle expenses while improving utility grid stability. Reusing Li-ion batteries can retain up to 70% of their initial capacity and provide a credit of $1,000 to car owners.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has been selected as one of five national laboratories to lead the Department of Energy's new Small Business Vouchers Pilot. The lab will provide technology assistance to small clean energy firms in three sectors: bioenergy, water power, and buildings.
The study explores how retail rate design affects PV deployment, finding dramatic impacts from -14% to -61%. Increased solar deployment can lead to changes in compensation levels that accelerate or dampen further deployment.
A five-year regional smart grid pilot project in the Pacific Northwest improved energy efficiency and reduced power costs by up to $235,000 annually. The project also demonstrated the effectiveness of transactive control technology in improving reliability and reducing peak demand.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory design a multifunctional landscape that balances economic feasibility, bioenergy, and environmental health. By analyzing subareas of a cornfield, they found that planting bioenergy crops like willows or switchgrass can provide biomass feedstock while limiting nitrogen fertilizer runoff.
Researchers have found that wind turbines can be installed under viaducts to produce electricity, offering a new source of renewable energy. The study suggests that this concept could be applied in heavily built-up territories or natural areas with limited space for new constructions.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new power scheduling technique that coordinates energy produced and stored by conventional and renewable sources. The approach replaces traditional centralized management with decentralized, distributed computing, enabling more efficient and secure energy distribution.
In 2014, renewables made up 59% of net additions to global power capacity, reaching 27.7% of the world's power generating capacity. This milestone marked the first time in four decades that the world economy grew without a parallel rise in CO2 emissions.
NREL is awarding up to $6.5 million in federal funds to technical teams across the US to test advanced control systems, smart consumer devices, energy storage, and emerging communications technologies for grid reliability and efficiency. The projects aim to accelerate modernization of the electric grid and enable a clean energy future.
The partnership aims to enhance the operation and development of testing facilities, enabling better understanding of wind turbine drivetrain systems. The collaboration will also promote public-private partnerships and workforce education in the energy industry.
A fully renewable energy system featuring high shares of wind and solar energy is economically feasible for Finland by 2050, producing over 166 TWh of electricity annually. The system also includes power-to-gas technology and energy storage solutions, with total annual costs estimated at around 25 billion euros.
The EU biofuels regime is failing to achieve its climate and environmental objectives due to a flawed regulatory framework. The study suggests that binding targets and effective governance mechanisms are needed to improve the system. This requires coherent and comprehensive regulation, as well as public-private cooperation.
The collaboration aims to provide diverse sources of investment for solar PV asset development in China, reducing future CO2 emissions. NREL will advise CPVFA on documentation standardization, data availability, and consistency in asset deployment.
NREL's Innovation and Technology Transfer Awards ceremony recognized professionals behind the lab's greatest innovations from FY14. Distinguished Innovator Min Zhang and Rising Stars Chuck Booten and John Simon were honored for their contributions to clean energy technology development.
Climate change is expected to significantly impact the energy generation capacity of power plants in the Western US, potentially leading to power shortages. Researchers recommend upgrading systems and technologies to withstand changing conditions.
Researchers have developed a new friction stir welding process that can join aluminum sheets of varying thicknesses, yielding car doors that are 62% lighter and 25% cheaper. The process is ten times faster than current techniques, meeting high-volume assembly requirements.
The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Idaho National Laboratory (INL) have successfully demonstrated the capability to connect grid simulations at their two labs for real-time interaction via the Internet. This new inter-lab capability enables the modeling of power grids in greater detail by allowing s...
A NREL report finds that shared solar programs can expand access to renewable energy, reaching 32-49% of the US distributed photovoltaic market in 2020. The program's structure and regulation impact its potential for deployment.
A University of Utah team has been awarded a $400,000 grant to study new methods for developing geothermal energy in areas where it's not currently feasible. The goal is to discover ways to create underground flow that will allow communities to construct sustainable and clean geothermal systems.
The International PV Quality Assurance Task Force (PVQAT) aims to develop standards for PV module reliability, addressing climate zones and mounting configurations. Data from 50,000 solar systems shows a low failure rate of just 0.1% per year.
The NREL has released updated guidelines for PV manufacturer quality assurance to ensure reliable performance of solar technologies. The guidelines, developed by an international task force, aim to maintain investor, utility, and consumer confidence in PV system performance.
A new study suggests that integrating solar facilities into urban and suburban environments can generate up to 15,000 terawatt-hours of energy per year. The research found that California has millions of acres of land compatible for photovoltaic and concentrating solar power construction with minimal environmental impact.