Electricity demand is rapidly increasing in the United States—so much so that we may need to double or even triple our transmission system by 2050! But how does that work? In this special Lab Notes episode, you’ll hear directly from experts at NREL—Jarrad Wright, Christina Simeone, and Faith Smith—about key findings from the National Transmission Planning Study . Providing concrete examples and data from the study, they dive into why exactly the U.S. grid needs an upgrade, where the barriers and...
Jan 15, 2025•26 min
To kick off the first episode of the new year, our hosts are celebrating a few of their favorite renewable energy innovations of 2024! From advancements in sustainable aviation to innovative solutions for reducing plastic pollution , this episode highlights 10 of the lab's top stories of 2024, showcasing the future of renewable energy and sustainable technologies. Learn more about how NREL is celebrating the incredible strides made over the past year in renewable energy research and innovat...
Jan 08, 2025•10 min•Season 1Ep. 39
In this episode, explore the volunteer efforts of NREL employees and how they’re making a tangible impact on their communities while advancing the lab’s mission of a renewable energy future. Hear from Education, Stewardship, and Community Action for Promoting Environmental Sustainability (ESCAPES) Cofounder Hilary Sewell and NREL Volunteer Coordinator Ivilina Thornton about how NREL staff are partnering with organizations like GRID Alternatives to give directly to the community, whether it be th...
Dec 11, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 38
In this Thanksgiving week episode, special correspondent Nataleah Small joins to dive into the latest innovations at NREL, including: How NREL researchers are revolutionizing heating systems by using salt-hydrate thermochemical materials (TCMs) to create more efficient, cost-effective heating solutions. From hydration and dehydration processes to innovative reactor configurations, discover how TCMs could transform the way buildings stay warm in winter. A few ways NREL’s STEM Education team is em...
Nov 27, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 37
In this Lab Notes episode, we explore the ins and outs of integrating solar energy with agriculture—also known as agrivoltaics ! Learn about why agrivoltaics is vital for sustainable growth, along with NREL’s work in pioneering the technique from lead Agrivoltaics researcher Jordan Macknick. Then, dive into how agrivoltaics is evolving in the United States and the challenges of scaling these projects with Ethan Winter from American Farmland Trust. Finally, understand the critical role of equity ...
Nov 21, 2024•41 min
In this week’s episode, your hosts dive into a few real-world applications of NREL’s research, including: Boosting Energy Efficiency on the Front Lines of Wildfire Control : through a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, NREL introduced solar power and battery storage solutions to wildfire basecamps, paving the way for quieter, cleaner, and more efficient firefighting support. Decoding Zero-Emission Vehicle Costs : Now available for public use, NREL's T3CO tool helps owners of commerci...
Nov 13, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this Halloween-inspired episode, our hosts explore recent highlights in NREL’s research, including: A look into the potential of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs). NREL’s 19 new case studies provide real-world GHP examples across various U.S. climate zones , with installations at the NREL Alaska Campus, Seattle Public Schools, and more. A gathering of “Sun Nerds” at the NREL Pyrheliometer Comparisons (NPC) event , during which scientists from around the world had the chance to calibrate solar meas...
Oct 30, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 35
In this episode of Transforming Energy’s Lab Notes series, hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle are flying high into NREL’s research on sustainable aviation . The federal government and the aviation industry have lofty goals for decarbonizing aviation by 2050, but how can we get there? NREL researcher Scott Cary shares how national labs, like NREL, are key to identifying pathways to a more sustainable aviation sector . Additionally, Dave Ulane, director of the Colorado Division of Aeronautics,...
Oct 28, 2024•18 min
In this week’s episode, our hosts Kerrin and Taylor discuss: A 30-year friendship that brings together NREL and minority-serving institutions through DOE’s Visiting Faculty Program to focus on unraveling the mysteries of photosynthesis . NREL researcher Juanping Yu and Alabama State University professor Harvey Hou research collaboration has resulted in research papers, an Energy Earthshots award, and new friendships. Upgrading the nation’s power grid is a huge undertaking, but one that must be d...
Oct 16, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this episode, our hosts explore the unofficial mascots of NREL’s campuses in Colorado and Alaska. This interactive episode covers: A fun guessing game (listeners are encouraged to join in) connecting clips of animal calls to their sources—the unofficial mascots of each campus. The game highlights how the local wildlife at each campus symbolizes the lab’s key research areas: solar, wind, or sustainable buildings. NREL's efforts to coexist with the wildlife at each campus, respecting them ...
Oct 02, 2024•13 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In this week’s episode, our hosts dive into NREL’S impact, featuring: NREL’s research interns and how they’re not only gaining valuable experience but making tangible contributions to the clean energy transition. This year alone, NREL employed more than 500 interns both on-site and remote. Listen to what summer 2024 intern Amanda Behmer has to say about her experiences working on organic photovoltaic devices! The national and local economic impacts of NREL in the 2023 fiscal year . With an econo...
Sep 18, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In this episode, our hosts discuss: Recyclable Wind Turbine Blades : Researchers at NREL are developing wind turbine blades using a new material known as PECAN (PolyEster Covalently Adaptable Network) resin. This bioderivable resin allows the blades to be chemically recycled and remanufactured multiple times, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional wind blades that often end up in landfills after their 20-year lifespan. Cybersecurity in Critical Infrastructure : As the world becomes in...
Sep 04, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 31
In this episode, our hosts discuss: Carbon-Negative Concrete – Learn about the BUILD'EM project, which aims to replace traditional cement with a low-carbon alternative made from lignin and other innovative materials. This new concrete not only reduces emissions but also promises to be cost-competitive and environmentally friendly. Discover how these new pavers could significantly lower the carbon footprint of concrete and contribute to a more sustainable built environment. EV Charging Infra...
Aug 21, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode, our hosts discuss: 1. Revolutionizing Solar Energy with Perovskites As we develop technology to produce renewable energy, it’s important that our materials don’t cause problems for future generations! Discover how NREL researchers are advancing perovskite solar technology , which promises a leap forward in solar energy efficiency. These emerging materials could lead to high-performance solar panels that are designed with recycling in mind, supporting a circular economy. 2. Harne...
Aug 07, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode, our hosts discuss two recent stories from NREL: The recent release of this year’s Electricity Annual Technology Baseline (ATB) : a valuable resource for utility planners and grid operators to understand and tackle new challenges in the ever-changing power landscape. For the last 10 years, researchers, led by NREL, have released this product that organizes current and projected data in an easy-to-use format that provides detailed information tailored to different electricity-gene...
Jul 24, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle discuss NREL’s impactful and comprehensive approach to education initiatives aimed at cultivating the next generation of clean energy leaders, emphasizing the importance of cultivating STEM identity and fostering diversity and inclusion. Through initiatives like the Stories and STEaM series, NREL not only integrates arts into STEM education to enhance creativity but also ensures that students of all backgrounds feel represented and encouraged to pursue care...
Jul 10, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle discuss two recent stories from NREL: In 2023, the SolarAPP+ automated online permitting platform streamlined the approval process for residential rooftop solar installations, reducing project timelines by approximately 14.5 business days compared to traditional methods. This advancement not only saved over 15,400 hours of permitting department staff time but also eliminated more than 150,000 business days in delays, accelerating the adoption of clean solar...
Jun 26, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 26
This episode discusses three recent stories from NREL: Dynamic Line Ratings , a crucial upgrade for our transmission system's future, are like adjusting a road's speed limit based on weather conditions. By utilizing real-time weather monitoring, we can increase power transmission when it's safe, ensuring efficiency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, which offers a bright forecast for our clean energy journey. The DuraMAT Consortium , spearheaded by NREL, addresses rapid changes...
Jun 12, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 25
This episode discusses three recent stories from NREL: Researchers have successfully utilized robotic assistance in the manufacture of wind turbine blades, aiming to eliminate challenging working conditions for humans and enhance product consistency. By automating trimming, grinding, and sanding processes, the study not only improves workplace safety but also supports the economic viability of domestic blade manufacturing, potentially leading to increased job opportunities within the United Stat...
May 29, 2024•12 min•Season 1Ep. 24
This episode discusses three recent stories from NREL: In 2017, Puerto Rico faced a devastating double blow as consecutive hurricanes decimated 80% of its electrical grid, resulting in the longest blackout in U.S. history. Determined to rebuild resiliently, Puerto Rico passed Act 17 in 2019, aiming for a 100% renewable energy system by 2050 , which sparked the groundbreaking PR100 study—a collaborative effort between the Department of Energy and six national laboratories—to chart the territory&a...
May 15, 2024•14 min•Season 1Ep. 23
In this episode of Transforming Energy: The NREL Podcast, Kerrin and Taylor delve into the core motivations driving the National Renewable Energy Laboratory as they discuss NREL’s mission, vision, and commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) . From tackling climate change and pollution to fostering an inclusive work environment and empowering diverse voices, this episode highlights NREL’s dedication to creating a clean energy future that works for everyone . This epis...
May 01, 2024•7 min•Season 1Ep. 22
In the latest episode of Transforming Energy’s Lab Notes series, hosts Taylor Mankle and Kerrin Jeromin delve into an Earth Day special focusing on NREL’s pioneering efforts in addressing the plastics problem. Through insightful conversations with NREL researchers Nic Rorrer and Julia Curley, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the environmental impacts of plastics and NREL’s pivotal role in finding sustainable solutions. Nic Rorrer, a senior researcher at NREL, highlights the lost opp...
Apr 22, 2024•23 min
This episode discusses three recent stories from NREL: The Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program facilitates peer learning cohorts where local and regional stakeholders gather to enhance clean energy initiatives. Recently, the San Diego Association of Governments participated in a cohort, leveraging insights to refine community engagement for their climate action plans and zero-emission vehicle incentives, fostering innovative approaches and impactful community involvement. A sand-based ther...
Apr 17, 2024•15 min•Season 1Ep. 21
This episode discusses two recent stories from NREL: The Renewable Energy Discovery (REDi) Island app, an innovative educational tool developed by researchers, immerses users in a virtual world powered entirely by renewable energy, showcasing technologies like hydropower and other marine energy. With interactive features allowing exploration of various renewable energy solutions and career opportunities, REDi Island is designed for students, educators, or really, anyone curious about how we can ...
Apr 03, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 20
In the second episode in Transforming Energy’s Lab Notes series, guest host Molly Rettig takes listeners on a journey to Mountain Village, a Yup’ik community working with NREL researchers to design and build super energy-efficient homes amid the challenges of extreme weather and permafrost. Through local collaboration and innovative research and technology, these efforts not only address pressing housing needs but also empower communities to adapt to the changing climate while preserving their t...
Mar 27, 2024•19 min
In this episode: Sitka, Alaska, and Molokai, Hawaii, both selected for the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP), are leveraging shared challenges of remote living and energy constraints to pioneer community-driven renewable energy solutions. With Molokai's successful community engagement model inspiring Sitka's approach, both regions are collaboratively shaping resilient energy futures tailored to their unique needs and aspirations. The Bio-Optimized Technologies t...
Mar 20, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 19
This episode discusses three recent stories from NREL: Gotham City's Dark Knight is known for his impressive gadgets, but now, NREL unveils its own cutting-edge project, known as "BatMan." This initiative harnesses laser technology to revolutionize battery manufacturing, potentially doubling electric vehicle charging rates and advancing energy sustainability. Groundbreaking air quality research addresses the global public health crisis caused by outdoor air pollution, offering ins...
Mar 06, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 18
This episode discusses two recent stories from NREL: The transformative shift toward sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), highlighting the crucial role of advanced simulations powered by supercomputers. Despite the long-standing reliance on petroleum jet fuel since the 1950s, growing concerns about carbon emissions are driving the urgent need for change. Through meticulous testing and analysis, researchers like Shashank Yellapantula are paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future in aviati...
Feb 21, 2024•16 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Researchers at NREL have utilized a multidisciplinary approach to quantitatively define the arrangement of polymers in Populus wood , offering insights crucial for biomass conversion to fuels, chemicals, and materials. The study presents a novel computer model detailing the intricate structural configuration of the wood's secondary cell wall, advancing our understanding beyond previous incomplete techniques and offering potential breakthroughs in bioenergy research. NREL's role in assi...
Feb 07, 2024•10 min•Season 1Ep. 16
A new analysis by NREL that reveals that the $4 billion economic value represented by cardboard and paper is lost due to landfilling . The study, focused on 2019 data, emphasizes the potential for substantial energy, environmental, and economic benefits through improved waste management strategies for paper and cardboard waste, which constitutes a quarter of municipal solid waste in the United States. Owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are more likely to install solar panels on their homes, accor...
Jan 24, 2024•11 min•Season 1Ep. 15
