Energy and Environment Highlights
Latest Highlights
Workshop Pursues Framework for Building Better Grid Tools
5th Workshop on Next-Generation Analytics for the Future Power Grid held at PNNLDecember 2016
A recent gathering of industry and research experts at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory took important steps toward creating advanced computational tools to analyze and support power grid operation and planning, which ultimately will help ensure the grid’s reliability and efficiency.
Controls Engineer Named Fellow of Renowned Engineering Institute
Zhenyu "Henry" Huang elevated for his contributions to dynamic analysis and high performance computingDecember 2016
Researcher Zhenyu Huang was elevated to the grade of Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers for his work in dynamic analysis and high performance computing.
- How the Wind Blows
Researchers leverage a popular weather model to better forecast the wind and its clean energy potentialDecember 2016 - Sturgeon, Lamprey, and Eel: Special Tags for Special Fish
Long-living lamprey, adult eels, and sturgeon have a promising new ally December 2016 - Trucks, Trains, Ships, and Cranes: Tracking Transportation Stress and Vibration
Multinational team measuring stress on simulated spent fuel during shipmentDecember 2016 - Energy Storage Expert Among Most Influential Scientists
Jun Liu named in top 1 percent of citations in the areas of chemistry and materials scienceDecember 2016 - Scientist Named to Editorial Board of Renewable Energy Journal
Zhaoqing Yang will serve as editor of the journal's Ocean Energy and Offshore Wind sectionNovember 2016 - No Coking Zone
New research identifies a novel approach to understanding chemical "poisoning" and coking in zeolite catalystsNovember 2016 - Yousu Chen Receives IEEE Leadership Award
Engineer was honored for contributions at local, regional, and national levelNovember 2016 - The Ultimate Wind Energy Research Assistant: WREN Hub
Research from around the globe exploring wind energy impacts on wildlife November 2016 - Catching More Carbon with Less Sticky Solvents
New computation model could change the way carbon dioxide is capturedNovember 2016 - Glass Scientist Wins Exceptional Engineering Achievement Award
John Vienna selected for leadership and expertise in glass development for nuclear waste processingNovember 2016 - An Award-Winning Subsurface Software
E4D-RT takes subsurface imaging software where no commercial software has gone beforeNovember 2016 - Engineer Appointed to Lighting Society Board
Naomi Miller will serve as At-Large-Director of Illuminating Engineering SocietyNovember 2016 - PNNL Scientists Part of Award-Winning Team for Automotive Research
Ken Rappe and Mark Stewart help team win USCAR awardNovember 2016 - Superior Lighting for Sacramento's Senior Citizens
Tunable white LED systems find health benefits, energy savings of 68 percent November 2016 - Built to Code: Savings Imminent Post-Code Adoption and Implementation
New report analyzes impacts of model building energy code development and implementation, indicates reduced carbon dioxide emissionsOctober 2016 - New PNNL Computing Project to Tackle Grid Modernization at Warp Speed
Researchers work to optimize grid planning through "exascale" supercomputer applicationsOctober 2016 - PNNL Economist Elected President of Economics Conference
Patrick Balducci chosen to lead Pacific Northwest Regional Economics ConferenceOctober 2016 - Xiaoliang Wei Wins Early Career Achievement Award
Scientist Recognized for Redox Flow Battery WorkOctober 2016 - PNNL Scientist Recognized by DOE Office of Nuclear Safety
William Ivans acknowledged for contributions to safety softwareOctober 2016 - More Than a Parking Lot: 16 Organizations Win LEEP Awards
Campaign participants shine bright, saving $14.4 million annuallyOctober 2016 - The Pursuit of Liquid Hydrogen
A PNNL twist on magnetocaloric refrigeration uses high-field magnets to reach very cold temperatures that could lead to low-cost liquid hydrogenOctober 2016 - Cracking Under Pressure is No Problem for High Strength Self-Healing Cement
With the addition of polymers, PNNL- developed "super cement" that can self-heal September 2016 - Guide for Documentation and Validation of Energy Storage System Safety
New compliance guide helps ensure timely deployment of safe energy storage systemsSeptember 2016 - PNNL-Led Campus Project Expands to Multiple Buildings
Experiment deployment and results, and partner progress on energy storage and solar activities, mark strong first phaseSeptember 2016 - Outdoor Lighting Decision Tree Tool Improves Energy Efficiency
New interactive tool serves as decision-helperSeptember 2016 - Rosenberg Named ASHRAE Fellow
Acknowledged for buildings systems and energy researchSeptember 2016 - Air Conditioning That's Out of This World
New materials enhance the cooling effects from outer space to reduce energy use in small- to medium-sized buildingsSeptember 2016 - Distributed Wind Market Report Finds Local Wind is Powering More U.S. Companies
Localized wind turbines provide a renewable alternative for U.S. companies' utility needsSeptember 2016 - Interior Lighting Campaign Winners Named for Exemplary Energy Performance
13 organizations lead the way for huge energy savings in lightingSeptember 2016 - PNNL and Industry Team Wins Award for Hybrid Power Generation System
Harmonic Adsorption Recuperative Power System makes power generation less costly and more efficientSeptember 2016 - ACEEE Served for Building Efficiency
Summer Study draws visionaries focused on reducing climate impact of buildingsSeptember 2016 - Self-Powered Fish Tags Make for Long-Lasting Research
Long-lasting transmitter uses fish swimming motion for powerSeptember 2016 - Two PNNL Scientists Elected to Washington State Academy of Sciences
WSAS elects Suresh Baskaran and Jun Liu for scientific leadershipAugust 2016 - Targeting Technetium
PNNL explores promising technique for tackling a tough cleanup challenge at the Hanford SiteAugust 2016 - Cheaper, Cleaner, Safer Nuclear Fuel Recycling
Tailor-made traps collect noble gases at ambient temperatureAugust 2016 - Stay! Teaching Technetium Not to Escape
Cobalt keeps troubling radionuclide from leaving during waste processingAugust 2016 - Emissions Calculator for Modern Grid Investments
PNNL and utilities partner to develop and test new Emissions Quantification ToolJuly 2016 - Chemist Wins Award for Advancements in Future Fuels
Tim Bays recognized with diverse team of researchersJuly 2016 - "Dry" Method Whets Appetite for MOF Synthesis
Solvent recycling in metal organic framework is key to efficiencyJuly 2016 - Sealing the Deal: Two-Layered Seal Extends Shelf Life of Micro-Battery
Better-encapsulated battery used to power tiny tags that track fish movementJuly 2016 - Dam Operators Keep their Cool with Cold Spray Repairs
A better way to repair hydropower dam turbinesJuly 2016 - PNNL Research Sparks Discussions at 2016 IEEE PES General Meeting
Two PNNL-authored papers selected as "Best Paper" finalistsJuly 2016 - Grid Contingency Analysis Software Helps Prevent Cascading Failures
High-performance computing tool gives planners a better understanding of the potential impacts associated with extreme eventsJuly 2016 - Magnetic Attraction Extracts Valuable Rare Earth Elements
A new way to extract rare earth elements at geothermal power plantsJune 2016 - Many Muons: Imaging the Underground with Help from the Cosmos
Borehole muon detector an important technological advancement for imaging and monitoring carbon dioxide storage sitesJune 2016 - Transactive Times: Three PNNL Researchers Featured in Special Issue
IEEE's Power & Energy Magazine focuses on transactive energyJune 2016 - Keeping Fast Reactor Steel in Shape
Advanced oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) ferritic alloys are potential top candidate materials for components that need exceptional resistance to radiation-induced swelling and creep.June 2016 - Researcher Recognized for 10 Years of Efforts in Lightweight Materials Program
Eric Nyberg receives Special Recognition Award from DOE Vehicle Technologies OfficeJune 2016 - Sustainability Superstar
McMordie Stoughton recognized for contributions to water management planJune 2016 - Real-time Relief for Easing Congestion on the Power Grid
New tool maximizes today's transmission assets, taps unused capacitiesJune 2016 - PNNL Unlocks Secret to the World's Strongest Titanium Alloy
Preheating process can increase its strength by 10-15 percent; holds great promise for vehicle manufacturingJune 2016 - Scale-up of Aviation Biofuels from Alcohols Reaching New Heights
PNNL and industry partners achieve biofuel milestone, producing 5 gallons of synthetic paraffinic kerosene from CO derived alcoholsJune 2016 - Rising Stars of Robotics
PNNL to help mentor the next generation of robotics experts in environmental cleanupJune 2016 - True Detection
PNNL helps assess vapor monitoring and detection equipment for the Hanford tank farmsJune 2016 - Two PNNL Staff Go Beyond the Office Walls to Help Students Excel
Christian Johnson and Elizabeth Stephens recognized with Fitzner-Eberhardt Award for their support of STEM educationtheir support of STEM educationJune 2016 - Researchers Characterize Biofilms to Help Reduce Corrosion, Clogged Pipes
Study featured cover of Journal of BiophotonicsJune 2016 - New National Academy Book on Future Electric Grid Research
PNNL's Jeff Dagle on committee to provide recommendations for future grid analytical researchJune 2016 - DOE's Patricia Hoffman Keynotes Energy Storage Symposium at PNNL
Experts convene to discuss future of energy storage and battery technologyJune 2016 - Architecture-Friendly Organic Light-Emitting Diodes Studied in Demonstration
First DOE tests on emerging technology take place at Aurora Lighting Design, Inc.May 2016 - Marine Energy Paper Chosen from Among Sea of Candidates
Post-doc Samuel Harding plays key role in award-winning paperMay 2016 - If the Grid Becomes a Value Exchange, How Do We Assign Value to it?
New report details pros and cons of applying valuation methods to Transactive SystemsMay 2016 - New Method Shows Promise for Turning Energy Peaks into Valleys
Researchers are testing an innovative control approach to improve efficiency in buildingsMay 2016 - Pursuing Grid Flexibility, Avoiding Grid Lock
New software busts through time barriers that prevent new energy resources from getting onto the gridMay 2016 - New Insights from Old Glass
Researchers use ancient glass from Europe to study aging effects on radioactive glass waste formsApril 2016 - Take the Heat, Cool the Glass
Glass study helps validate heating and cooling system at the Hanford Vit Plant could speed waste processingApril 2016 - Developing a Community for Connected Buildings
Buildings Interoperability Landscape report addresses barriers and establishes baseline goals for advancing building connectivityApril 2016 - Tom Brouns named Fellow of Waste Management Symposia
Honor reflects contributions to radioactive waste managementApril 2016 - Mining Uranium from Seawater
Advances announced in special issue of Industrial & Engineering Chemistry ResearchApril 2016 - 10 Ways We 'Walk the Sustainable Walk' at PNNL
Using our own science to increase energy efficiency and reduce environmental impactsApril 2016 - Thallapally Presents Metal-Organic Framework Research
Invited presentation delivered to DOE's Fuel Cycle Technologies subcommitteeApril 2016 - Inventor of the Year Named by PNNL
Pathway to Excellence event acknowledges advancements made by PNNL researchersApril 2016 - PNNL Scientist Awarded for Improving Building Energy Efficiency Codes
Pam Cole wins 2016 Energy Efficiency Code Champion awardApril 2016 - International Collaboration Studies Effects of Marine Renewable Energy Devices
Annex IV State of Science Report increases market acceleration and safe deployment of marine renewable energy devicesApril 2016 - Small Business Vouchers Further Clean Energy Technology
March 2016 - Not Your Grandma's Storm Windows
PNNL research supports Environmental Protection Agency framework document toward ENERGY STAR label for low-e storm windows March 2016 - Lithium Hoarding Behind Failure of Promising New Battery
New study shows how the choice of electrolyte can cause high-capacity batteries to quickly fadeMarch 2016 - A Modern Grid is a Resilient One
PNNL engineer part of national committee that will recommend R&D solutions to DOEMarch 2016 - Researchers Increase Accuracy of Measurements for Marine Energy Potential
Converging acoustic Doppler profilers increase resolution of tidal velocity dataMarch 2016 - Low Temperature Battery Design Shows Promise for Grid Energy Storage
New design lowers cost, improves system stabilityMarch 2016 - Grid Researchers Heed the Need for Speed
High-performance computing with adapted algorithm makes grid tool twice as fastFebruary 2016 - Dream Come True for Carbon Storage Monitoring
New software developed at PNNL aids carbon dioxide storage planningFebruary 2016 - Keeping Contamination in Its Place
19-year study of a prototype surface barrier yields promising results for containing contamination for 1,000 yearsFebruary 2016 - Removing the Phosphorus Roadblock for Renewable Fuel
PNNL researchers discover method to recycle phosphorus used to grow algae for biofuelFebruary 2016 - Higher Standards: New Rules Enable Energy Conservation
PNNL key player in meeting goals to support the President's Climate Action PlanFebruary 2016 - LightMAT: Accelerating the Development and Deployment of Lightweight Materials
PNNL leads a new cross-lab consortium to provide lightweight materials R&D to U.S. businessesFebruary 2016 - Perfect Score: New Tool Makes Energy Efficiency Easy
PNNL's Building Energy Asset Score offers standardized efficiency evaluationFebruary 2016 - PNNL Showcases Technology at ARPA-E Energy Innovation Summit
Exhibits include PNNL projects and research for a clean energy futureFebruary 2016 - How to Make a Modern Grid
New grid architecture report, website contains analyses and insights for industry and decision makersFebruary 2016 - Realistic Data for 21st Century Power Grid Development
Newly built open-access data sets will help test, refine grid technologiesFebruary 2016 - Moved to Market: Micro Aerosol Disinfecting System
New technology that kills pathogens with a fine, salty mist was awarded with an Excellence in Technology Transfer awardFebruary 2016 - Safe, Secure Spent-Fuel Shipping
PNNL's Steve Maheras recognized by DOE for leadership in site evaluations and railcar prototype developmentJanuary 2016 - Engineer Mark Bassett Ranked Among Energy Elite
Association of Energy Engineers names Bassett as Certified Energy ManagerJanuary 2016 - Detecting Technetium in Groundwater
Novel approach uses salt-based sensorJanuary 2016 - Stream Heat Model Strengthens Water-Energy-Land Dialogue
PNNL researchers developed new way to understand stream temperaturesJanuary 2016 - Modern Grid, Massive Potential
PNNL involved in 40 projects as part of sweeping national effort toward power grid modernizationJanuary 2016 - Mathaudhu's Magnesium Research Published in Nature
Group's research shows promise in making magnesium alloys stronger, more flexibleJanuary 2016 - Top One Percent: PNNL's Highly Cited Authors
Researchers Jason Zhang and Jun Liu were recognized in the Thomson Reuters analysisJanuary 2016 - Beg, Borrow, and Share—A Unique Solution to Balance the Power Grid
PNNL project team wins Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy fundingJanuary 2016