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
![Schools Raise the Roof on Solar Energy](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20121015_edu_pix22276_thumb.jpg)
Schools Raise the Roof on Solar Energy ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
Colorado's largest school district leads by combining solar panels with solar curriculum.
![New Tool Makes Saving Electricity Easier](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20121008_analysis_pix22292_thumb.jpg)
New Tool Makes Saving Electricity Easier ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120920_wind_pix19886_thumb.jpg)
High-Tech Tools Tackle Wind Farm Performance ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120904_edu_pix21957_thumb.jpg)
NREL Summer Interns Lap Up Lab Experience ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120824_grids_pix21935_thumb.jpg)
Microgrids: So Much More than Backup Energy ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
NREL is working with industry to maintain a secure, reliable flow of energy in microgrids.
![Embrace of Renewables in Heartland Wows Execs](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120813_execs_pix21765_thumb.jpg)
Embrace of Renewables in Heartland Wows Execs ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120802_garage_pix20947_thumb.jpg)
NREL Parking Garage Leads in Efficiency ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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'](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120723_at_pix21416_thumb.jpg)
Solar Cells Light Up Prison Cells on 'The Rock' ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
1,300 solar panels turn sunlight into electricity on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay.
![NREL Helps Cut Building Energy Use in Half](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120716_aedg_pix21237_thumb.jpg)
NREL Helps Cut Building Energy Use in Half ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120703_35yrs_pix21287_thumb.jpg)
NREL: 35 Years of Clean Energy Leadership ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
From humble beginnings, NREL's expanding campus is a model of research, deployment, and sustainability.
June 2012
![Thermal Scout Finds Trouble at Solar Plants](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120627_csp_pix20339_thumb.jpg)
Thermal Scout Finds Trouble at Solar Plants ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
Device combines infrared camera with GPS and software to identify failing receivers at concentrating solar power plants.
![NREL Helps](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120619_biomass_pix20216_thumb.jpg)
NREL Helps "Supersize" Butanol Production ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120606_pv_pix20427_thumb.jpg)
NREL Helps PV Industry Make Panels Last ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
Photovoltaic reliability focuses on tests, standards, seals, glues, failure modes … and mutual trust.
May 2012
![Sci-Fi No Longer, NREL Engineers Smart Homes](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120524_esif_pix20167_thumb.jpg)
Sci-Fi No Longer, NREL Engineers Smart Homes ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
Homes will soon communicate with the grid to conserve energy and save money.
![Fast Cars and Science Thrill Colorado Students](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120515_jss_pix20714_thumb.jpg)
Fast Cars and Science Thrill Colorado Students ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120510_lca_pix20688_thumb.jpg)
NREL Narrows Energy Tech Emissions Estimates ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120411_thermochem_pix20398_thumb.jpg)
NREL Catalyst Brings Drop-In Fuels Closer ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120403_pv_pix20286_thumb.jpg)
Solar Leases Attracting New Demographic ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
NREL study finds the finances of solar leasing appeal to younger homeowners in less affluent neighborhoods.
March 2012
![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120321_wind_pix20242_thumb.jpg)
NREL Thinks Big at Wind Technology Center ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120305_solar_pix20126_thumb.jpg)
New Approach Aims to Slash Cost of Solar Cells ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120214_csp_pix20100_thumb.jpg)
Thermal Storage Gets More Solar on the Grid ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
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](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120207_scibowl_pix20082_thumb.jpg)
Success Comes in Twos at the 2012 Science Bowl ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
Cherry Creek High School scores two dramatic victories in final round at twin-abundant Colorado Science Bowl to secure trip to national competition.
January 2012
![NREL's REDB Connects Smart Grid Research](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120127_redb_pix20050_thumb.jpg)
NREL's REDB Connects Smart Grid Research ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
NREL is building interconnected laboratories where partners can "plug in" and test new energy technology before hooking it up to the grid.
![Sustainability Efforts Earn Accolades for NREL](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120120_sustainable_18298_thumb.jpg)
Sustainability Efforts Earn Accolades for NREL ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
NREL has been a quiet leader in sustainability efforts; recently, the lab won three national awards, including one from the White House.
![NREL Helping Virgin Islands Cut Fuel Use](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/news/features/images/20120110_usvi_thumb.jpg)
NREL Helping Virgin Islands Cut Fuel Use ![](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017023826im_/http://www.nrel.gov/images/spacer.gif)
Partnership could serve as a model for how to make renewable energy a large part of the electricity grid.