National Renewable Energy Laboratory

The National Wind Technology Center is #hiring a new Laboratory Program Manager (LPM) to coordinate NREL’s #WindEnergy activities across the laboratory. The new LPM will lead the long-term planning of wind program activities, manage relationships with the Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office, and represent NREL in interactions with #research partners. Apply now ➡️ https://bit.ly/3znKOaM

Good things were happening at NREL this past summer. First, the dream of two old friends researching the mysteries of photosynthesis in the same lab finally occurred after 30 years. Second, a student from Alabama State University (ASU), a historically black college and university (HBCU), became the first ASU student to intern at a DOE national laboratory. What do these two things have in common? Both happened because of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Office of Science Visiting Faculty Program. Learn more about this innovative program, the lives it impacted at ASU and NREL, and the clean energy research it improved, https://bit.ly/3XtM1oU

As more buildings are designed and retrofitted for sustainability and #RenewableEnergy, construction and design professionals will need to understand the fundamentals of working with building-integrated photovoltaics. NREL and our partners at the Architectural Solar Association are hosting a new webinar series to educate design and construction professionals on the full continuum of architectural solar applications and the benefits of integrating #SolarEnergy into the architectural design process. The webinars are free and accredited by the The American Institute of Architects (AIA) for 1 learning unit. Register to attend our first webinar in this series on October 1: https://bit.ly/3TA8oYN

Introducing the six entrepreneurs in our third West Gate cohort who are embarking on a career-changing two-year program at NREL. Representing a range of transformative #energy technologies, Cohort 3 is a diverse class of innovators with promising companies. ♻️🌱 Julia Curley, EsterCycle, is pioneering a chemical #recycling technology that decomposes both petroleum- and bio-based polyester plastics into their original building blocks, enabling circularity for compostable and non-compostable plastics. ☀️💚 Simon Julien, Latimer Controls, is enhancing the reliability of utility-scale #solar power by using machine learning to transform intermittent solar generation into a controllable, flexible resource for improved grid stability and economic performance. 🔋⚡️ Heather Platt, Mana Battery, is advancing sodium-ion #battery technology by developing a low-cost platform and high-energy design to produce cheaper batteries that will outperform their lithium-ion counterpart in cost, supply chain abundance, and safety. ⚡️🌿 Michael Solomentsev, Palanquin Power, is revolutionizing data center #EnergyManagement with a novel architecture that eliminates multiple intermediate power conversion steps, ensuring more power flows to servers, significantly reducing operating costs and enhancing efficiency. 💨🛠️ Reamonn Soto, Sensatek Propulsion Technology, is transforming #wind turbine maintenance by using wireless sensors to detect structural damage early, enabling timely repairs that boost turbine efficiency, cut inspection costs, and reduce operational expenses. 💧🧼 Spencer Whitman, Aquarry, is tackling global warming and environmental contamination with pit lake alkalinity enhancement, a scalable technology that adapts ocean carbon dioxide removal (#CDR) techniques to pit lakes, offering a cheaper, easier solution for cleaning up contaminated mine sites. These innovators are primed to drive positive change in the energy landscape, and we're thrilled to have them on board. Learn more about their groundbreaking work: https://bit.ly/47y9hqE

#ElectricAircraft are on the way, and NREL is excited to work with NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration and Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) to understand how #airports can support them with new renewable energy installations.

At the 2024 #CleanCities and Communities Training Workshop, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) honored coalition directors Alicia Cox of Yellowstone-Teton Clean Cities and Joy Gardner of Empire Clean Cities for their leadership, commitment, and contributions to advance clean transportation across the United States. These coalition directors have tailored projects and activities to capitalize on the unique opportunities within their communities, cultivating strong relationships with public and private stakeholders. Read more in the Clean Cities and Communities news article: https://bit.ly/3zc6qa6

The lignin in plants comprises 15%–40% of #biomass on Earth, but biorefineries have struggled to turn the durable plant material into high-value fuels or products. Fortunately, NREL researchers are using #bioengineering and clever preprocessing steps to help overcome that challenge. A team demonstrated a process that uses a bacterium to turn lignin from corn stover into β-ketoadipic acid, a precursor for making nylon. Read this blog from NREL’s Zia Abdullah on how the technology works and why it could ultimately help lower the cost of #SustainableAviationFuel: https://bit.ly/3ZvfVM1

⚡🚙 In June, USAID and NREL hosted a delegation of 10 officials from Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR) ministries of energy and mines, electricity, and transport. The visit focused on exploring advanced research and technologies to support Lao PDR's goal of having 30% of all vehicles on the country’s roads be electric by 2030. Discussions included the development of #EV infrastructure, the potential role of green hydrogen, and integrating gender equity into Lao PDR’s #CleanEnergy transition. This collaboration is a critical step toward shaping the country’s EV roadmap and advancing its sustainable #transportation future. Learn more about the visit 👉 https://bit.ly/3ZsOaDY

To create a truly equitable energy transition, we need to elevate the success stories of solar working for communities nationwide. 🙌 This summer, Watts-Willowbrook Church of Christ in Compton celebrated their new 12-kW rooftop solar and soon-to-be-installed battery storage system. With solar and battery storage, the church will soon function as a resiliency hub for the community, providing air filtration during poor air quality days and AC during heat waves to residents who may not have access. The Brook is the first completed project of the recently developed BIPOC Houses of Worship initiative to bring solar to churches nationwide. This is a partnership between RE-volv, Interfaith Power & Light, Green The Church and National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Through RE-volv’s solar financing model and savings through the IRA’s Direct Pay provision, the church will save over $180,000 on their electricity bills over 20 years. What’s better? The Brook’s decision to go solar is blazing the trail for others in South Central Los Angeles. Five congregations in the area are now starting their solar journey! 📽 Watch the full video here ➡ https://lnkd.in/gjVjB_N8  🗞 Read RMI's article ft. the story ➡ https://lnkd.in/gdRag96J A thank you to Wells Fargo Foundation for their generous support of this project & ProSolar California for installing the solar system 👏

If someone asked what you believe are the biggest engineering marvels from the last century, what comes to mind? The Golden Gate Bridge? The Empire State Building? What about the power grid? The U.S. power grid is considered one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century and includes millions of miles of power lines. But how does this complex system actually bring power to your home? Learn about the fundamentals of the power grid in our latest Energy Basics video ➡️ https://bit.ly/3ZkXQ3d