Feature News

The following feature stories take an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at how NREL is advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. You may subscribe to receive weekly news features by e-mail or via RSS feed.

2012

October 2012

New Tool Makes Saving Electricity Easier

Green Button helps electricity customers securely download detailed household or building energy use information from their utility website.

September 2012

High-Tech Tools Tackle Wind Farm Performance

Wind plant underperformance is a significant concern in the wind energy industry. Simulation models developed at NREL are showing the way to solutions.

NREL Summer Interns Lap Up Lab Experience

Fifty-nine students from all around the United States do real research in real laboratories that generates real results.

August 2012

Microgrids: So Much More than Backup Energy

NREL is working with industry to maintain a secure, reliable flow of energy in microgrids.

Embrace of Renewables in Heartland Wows Execs

NREL's Executive Energy Leadership Academy takes decision-makers to witness clean energy and energy efficiency at work on the Great Plains.

NREL Parking Garage Leads in Efficiency

Early attention to design makes employee parking structure a model of low energy use.

July 2012

Solar Cells Light Up Prison Cells on 'The Rock'

1,300 solar panels turn sunlight into electricity on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.

NREL Helps Cut Building Energy Use in Half

NREL is working with industry to find ways to reduce the energy intensity of large hospitals, schools, and retail buildings by 50%.

NREL: 35 Years of Clean Energy Leadership

From humble beginnings, NREL's expanding campus is a model of research, deployment, and sustainability.

June 2012

Thermal Scout Finds Trouble at Solar Plants

Device combines infrared camera with GPS and software to identify failing receivers at concentrating solar power plants.

NREL Helps "Supersize" Butanol Production

Growing renewable butanol refiner demonstrates its process for a future scale-up of the drop-in petroleum replacement.

NREL Helps PV Industry Make Panels Last

Photovoltaic reliability focuses on tests, standards, seals, glues, failure modes … and mutual trust.

May 2012

Sci-Fi No Longer, NREL Engineers Smart Homes

Homes will soon communicate with the grid to conserve energy and save money.

Fast Cars and Science Thrill Colorado Students

Record number of entrants sparks the 2012 middle-school competitions for cars powered by solar cells, hydrogen, and lithium-ion batteries.

NREL Narrows Energy Tech Emissions Estimates

Narrowing ranges of lifetime emissions estimates helps to clarify the environmental impacts of different generation technologies.

April 2012

NREL Catalyst Brings Drop-In Fuels Closer

Lab's patented material cleans up biomass gas, making it ready to convert into fuels compatible with today's infrastructure.

Solar Leases Attracting New Demographic

NREL study finds the finances of solar leasing appeal to younger homeowners in less affluent neighborhoods.

March 2012

NREL Thinks Big at Wind Technology Center

Further technology improvements will be critical to the future of wind energy. Research at NREL is leading the way.

New Approach Aims to Slash Cost of Solar Cells

NREL and Oak Ridge National Laboratory combine breakthroughs to help start-up Ampulse grow photovoltaic silicon on inexpensive metal foils.

February 2012

Thermal Storage Gets More Solar on the Grid

NREL analysis says thermal energy storage can give photovoltaic power the grid flexibility it needs to meet demand at peak hours.

Success Comes in Twos at the 2012 Science Bowl

Cherry Creek High School scores two dramatic victories in final round at twin-abundant Colorado Science Bowl to secure trip to national competition.