Peaks to Power

National Laboratory of the Rockies

A podcast highlighting the latest research and news from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR). 

  1. 17 Jun

    Smarter Grids, Brain-Like Materials, and an Award-Winning Pitch for Battery Recycling

    This week, we’re highlighting NLR advancements in grid management, materials science, and critical materials recovery. You'll hear about:  A new open-source tool helping utilities use smart energy management to meet growing electricity demand while reducing the need for grid upgrades Brain-inspired materials that can "remember" light, opening the door to more efficient machine vision and neuromorphic computing An NLR postdoc’s award-winning pitch at the recent National Lab Research SLAM about using microbes to recover critical metals from spent batteries. Find the transcript for this show here. This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.

    9 min
  2. Lab Notes: Alaska Heat Pumps and Workforce Development

    10 Jun

    Lab Notes: Alaska Heat Pumps and Workforce Development

    Joined by guest host Molly Rettig, Peaks to Power travels to Alaska and the National Laboratory of the Rockies' campus in Fairbanks to learn more about heat pumps and the researchers making it easier to install this new technology that could save consumers money on energy bills.  Learn more about our work with heat pumps and NLR's Alaska Campus.  Find the transcript for this show here.  This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.

    14 min

  3. 3 Jun

    NASA Invention of the Year, First-of-Its-Kind Test Bed, and Artificial Photosynthesis

    In this episode of Peaks to Power, learn about:    The internal short-circuit device from NLR scientists that was awarded NASA’s Invention of the Year.  The Agora large-load test bed, a first-of-its-kind national capability designed to help data centers become active participants in grid reliability.  The semiconductor-catalyst combo that captures more energy to drive chemical reactions.This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.

    10 min

  4. 20 May

    University Partnerships, Self-Driving Laboratories, and Helping Airports Meet Growing Energy Demands

    In this episode of Peaks to Power, learn about:   Two Memorandums of Understanding the National Laboratory of the Rockies signed with the University of Utah and the Colorado School of Mines Two researchers working to create self-driving laboratories using artificial intelligence and robotics  NLR’s Aeroportal web platform helping airports manage increase infrastructure and energy demands.  This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.

    11 min

  5. 6 May

    We’re Back! Rooftop Sunscreen, Plant-Based Snowboards, and Cell-Free Biomanufacturing

    The National Laboratory of the Rockies’ podcast is back with a new name and brand! In our first episode as Peaks to Power, you’ll hear about:  A rooftop “sunscreen” that’s keeping buildings cool in summer while protecting roofs from ultraviolet sunrays  A bioplastic made from hemp seed oil that might one day be found in aerospace, automotive, battery, and construction materials  A new approach, called cell-free biomanufacturing, that NLR is pioneering to turn biomass and waste into useful chemicals. This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.

    10 min

  6. 19/11/2025

    Improvements in Batteries, Trains, and Wave Technology

    Disclaimer: This episode was produced when the laboratory operated as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The laboratory is now the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR). New week, new discoveries! In today’s episode, you can:  Explore the evolving world of battery safety research—from new energy storage technologies to a strategic approach for evaluating safety at the electrode, pack, and cell levels. Discover how self-propelled rail cars could make freight trains competitive in short-haul delivery for the first time. Revisit the HERO-WEC, now redesigned to better withstand storms and powerful waves as it turns ocean energy into fresh drinking water. This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.

    10 min

  7. 30/09/2025

    A Dashboard for Trucking Efficiency, an HVAC Game Changer, and More Power With Less

    Disclaimer: This episode was produced when the laboratory operated as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The laboratory is now the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR). Are you curious about new technologies that maximize performance while minimizing energy use and costs? If yes, this episode is for you. Learn about:  A tool package that is helping trucking companies reduce fuel usage and costs by streamlining their fleet design and logistics.  A breakthrough in air conditioning that transforms how we condition air and when we use electricity to do it. A silicon-carbide-based power module with never-before-seen efficiency, power density, and low-cost manufacturability. This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.

    14 min

  8. 17/09/2025

    Saving Energy and Money for Concrete and Cement Manufacturing, Power Line Utilities, and Hospital and Commercial Buildings

    Disclaimer: This episode was produced when the laboratory operated as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). The laboratory is now the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR). In this episode, you’ll learn about three real-world research applications for a more reliable and cost-effective future:  Experts convened at NREL to focus on deploying next-generation concrete and cement technologies to decrease our reliance on cement imports and increase durability.  Artificial intelligence has the potential to help snuff out wildfires caused by downed power lines before they even begin. NREL researchers are looking at how to lower the plug and process loads of medical buildings by examining idle energy consumption of equipment like MRI scanners. This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.

    11 min
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About

A podcast highlighting the latest research and news from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR). 

Information

  • Creator
    National Laboratory of the Rockies
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    63
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 National Laboratory of the Rockies
  • Show Website
    Peaks to Power

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