Grid Modernization News
Explore our archive of grid modernization news stories.
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HERO’s Mission: Engineering ‘Video Games’ Meet Wave Tank
NREL’s hydraulic and electric reverse osmosis wave energy converter (HERO WEC) is getting an upgrade.Full story -
Safer Batteries, Reliable Power: Guiding Research for Next-Generation Energy Storage
A recent Nature perspective authored by NREL researchers takes a closer look at the current landscape of battery safety research, emphasizing new risks and opportunities of up-and-coming energy storage technologies.Full story -
ALTRIOS Software Helps Launch Next-Generation Railcars in Heart of Georgia
After analyzing the operations of Parallel Systems’ self-propelled railcars and freight train terminals using the ALTRIOS and ALTRIOS-LIFTS tools, NREL researchers determined the next-generation vehicles could reduce delivery times by 70% and help smaller freight railroads compete with the trucking industry in short-haul deliveries.Full story -
Researcher Spotlight: Love of Biology Fuels Kristi Moriarty’s Career at NREL
Kristi Moriarty, a senior vehicle and infrastructure analysis researcher at NREL, is an expert in analyzing the infrastructure, supply chain logistics, materials, regulations, and other elements that facilitate getting advanced fuels from production to end use.Full story -
NREL Expertise Contributes to Customizable Ready-To-Deploy Tool Package To Improve Fleet Efficiency
NREL, freight industry, academia, and technology partners develop promising solution to cost-effectively increase trucking efficiency.Full story -
Q&A With Alli Werner: Engineer Enlists Tiniest Engineers (Microbes) To Recycle Plastics, Mine for Metals, and More
In the latest Manufacturing Masterminds Q&A, biological engineer Alli Werner shares why she thinks high school students should not have to choose between sports and science, what a summer internship at an Alaskan glacier taught her about field work, and how her latest breakthroughs could help make it easier, cheaper, and less toxic to recover precious metals.Full story -
NREL Researchers Build World’s Fastest, Low-Cost, Ultraefficient Silicon Carbide Power Module
How will the world meet rising energy demands? NREL researchers have an answer in the form of the Ultra-Low Inductance Smart power module, nicknamed ULIS.Full story -
Cooler Buildings, Stronger Grid: A New Approach to Air Conditioning With Built-In Energy Storage
The Energy Storing Efficient Air Conditioner is a game-changing technology developed by NREL in collaboration with Blue Frontier Inc. that can lower a building’s electricity bills and help reduce demand on the grid.Full story -
Built for Brilliance: Zintl-Phase Quantum Dots Illuminate New Opportunities for Optoelectronics
NREL-synthesized BaCd₂P₂ quantum dots demonstrate promising performance with Earth-abundant materials.Full story -
A Walk Through the Evolution of Distribution Grid Tools at NREL and Beyond
Aadil Latif discusses the different eras of distribution modeling tools and exciting developments ahead.Full story -
NREL Publishes Strategies To Reduce Energy Costs in Commercial Buildings, Including Hospitals
Plug and process load reduction strategies are key to intelligent whole building systems operation.Full story -
AI Could Snuff Out Wildfires One Power Line at a Time
NREL's computing capabilities could help prevent wildfires caused by fallen power lines.Full story -
International Institute Turns Spotlight on NREL's Marc Day
The Combustion Institute, which dates to 1954, designates fellows based on peer recognition for outstanding contributions to the field of combustion, whether in research or in applications.Full story -
Paving the Road for Cement and Concrete Technologies
NREL brings together specialists from across the country to discuss cement and concrete for its third annual critical technologies meeting.Full story -
Applications Open for Collegiate Competitions Aimed at Inspiring Future Water Power Workforce
Application period opens for annual marine energy and hydropower competitions, which challenge college students to find real-world solutions and explore career pathways.Full story -
Breaking Rules but Not Waves: Plasmons in Correlated Materials
Researchers discovered that charge waves called plasmons can survive—and even thrive—in a “bad” metal, challenging long-held beliefs about conductivity and coherence in quantum materials.Full story -
AI Could Help Bridge Valley of Death for New Materials
More than 50 experts gathered at NREL to consider how incorporating AI into materials synthesis, characterization, and modeling could unlock new insights and speed new technologies to market.Full story -
Heavy Metal Meets High Tides With New 3D Printer
New tool lets researchers and partners cut prototyping costs, wait times, and design barriers for ocean energy technologies and more.Full story -
Researchers Observe Evidence of Hyperbolic Exciton Polaritons
Promising new pathways for manipulating excitons and light can benefit optoelectronics.Full story -
Researchers Surf Magnon Wave To Control Particles in Next-Gen Electronics
A new study demonstrates how magnons, a type of wave found in magnetic systems, can manipulate interactions between excitons—uncharged “quasiparticles” that carry energy.Full story
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Last Updated March 10, 2025