National Renewable Energy Laboratory

NREL, in partnership with the Mortenson/Davis Partnership Architects design-build team, received four awards from the Design-Build Institute of America for the Research and Innovation Laboratory (RAIL) facility. These awards recognized NREL’s achievements industry-wide in design-build best practices. NREL received the Award of Excellence in Industrial, Process and/or Research; Award of Merit in Industrial, Process and/or Research; Best In Process-Best Value; and Enlightened Owner.

Have you ever wondered how the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform is able to simulate complex infrastructures at scale to solve large-scale energy #grid challenges? In this month’s ESI newsletter, we dive into the larger #EnergyTransition questions that ARIES can answer, NREL’s newest partnership with Meta, the results of the National Transmission Planning Study, and more. Read the latest news from Energy Systems Integration here: https://bit.ly/oct24nl. #biofuel #batteries #hydropower

#DYK that researchers are looking into reflecting the sunlight away from the Earth to mitigate climate change? In climate models, solar radiation modification (SRM) has shown some potential to reduce global temperatures. But how SRM might impact renewable energy generation is still unclear. That’s why an NREL research team recently set out to clarify this unknown. In a new paper published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, the authors review previous literature to learn how SRM might impact renewable energy resources, like wind and solar energy, biomass, and hydropower. This work is part of a bigger research effort to understand how SRM could affect climate change and renewable energy. The team found that climate change and SRM could affect renewable energy production, but not necessarily reverse impacts due to climate change alone. But improved modeling, simulation studies, and artificial intelligence could help clarify exactly how much. Check out the paper to learn more about SRM and its potential uses and implications. https://bit.ly/3OcpQiV

As the semester ramps up, teams participating in the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Geothermal Collegiate Competition are developing real-world #geothermal solutions for their campuses and communities! Students get to use the same tools as #RenewableEnergy professionals, including Leapfrog Energy 3D modeling software for the 22 technical track teams. 💻🌍 Learn more about the competition ➡️ https://bit.ly/3fXeAGP]

Advanced computing is transforming energy throughout NREL! From modeling #ElectricVehicle infrastructure to testing the performance of sustainable technologies, the #ComputationalScience Center’s Modeling, Simulation, and Optimization Capability (MSOC) team regularly partners with other NREL researchers to help make advanced computing serve them better. Utilizing NREL's open-source Hybrid Optimization and Performance Platform (HOPP), researchers set out to analyze gigawatt-scale, off-grid hybrid plant setups—including #wind, #solar, and electrolyzer assets—at over 50,000 potential hybrid plant locations throughout the United States. But analysis of that many sites uses tremendous computing power, so mechanical engineer Elenya Grant met with MSOC to find an approach to this task using high-performance computing. Learn more about how MSOC identified efficient computing solutions to analyze hydrogen costs with optimal hybrid plant design nationwide ➡️ https://bit.ly/4eCbKCk

Picture the quintessential American farm: a red barn surrounded by expansive fields, rows of thriving crops, and livestock grazing peacefully. Now, envision #solar panels integrated above and between these elements, harnessing renewable energy to power and sustain all this buzzing life! In this episode of the #NRELPodcast, join us for expert-led discussions that delve into the complexities of #agrivoltaics and its transformative potential to enhance both energy generation and #FoodSecurity. 🎧 Listen now ➡️ https://apple.co/3ZhIrjJ

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is offering #utilities and grid operators four opportunities for technical assistance to help overcome #grid integration and interconnection challenges – and the deadline for two of these is Tues., Nov. 26. These resources provide access to cutting-edge #research, tools, and expertise from six national laboratories: 🔹 Key Assist: up to $1 million in technical assistance over 2 years, including access to world-class research platforms such as the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (#ARIES) platform. Applications are due by Tues., Nov. 26.   🔹 Interconnection Assistance: $100,000–$150,000 in technical assistance for 1 year, including access to national lab researchers and cutting-edge models. Applications are due by Tues., Nov. 26.   🔹 Rolling Technical Assistance: up to 100 hours of subject matter expertise. Applications are accepted at any time.  🔹 The Utility Planning Resources for Energy Transition webinar series: weekly presentations addressing challenges in the evolving #EnergyLandscape, including expert discussions and Q&A. Webinars start this November!  To learn more and apply, visit our website ➡️ https://bit.ly/4h1zTnX

Communities implementing #EVcharging want a tool to help them navigate their infrastructure projects. Developed alongside the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation, the Public EV Charging Infrastructure Playbook helps communities plan and build the infrastructure to support #EV charging. The Playbook contains interactive modules that can be tailored to each community’s unique needs, no matter where they’re at in the process. https://bit.ly/3YO9vpo

As we continue showcasing members of our Global Employee Resource Group (ERG), Senior Cybersecurity Engineer Danish Saleem shared that the ERG was a place of community and connection. In looking to the future, Danish shared what he thinks is important to keep in mind, "To create a bridge between the research performed at NREL, it is imperative to establish connections with industry partners. As a result, the physical impact of that research in the real world can be identified and improved, as well as it helps foster understanding and appreciation of cultural differences."

We’re #hiring a Chief Digital Assets Strategist to join the Energy Analysis and Decision Sciences directorate! Our new hire will work with software tool product teams and senior leadership to develop and implement a #software & #data product strategy. Proven experience in digital strategy development and virtual asset management is preferred. Apply now ➡️ https://bit.ly/3AUaaO2