Transforming Energy: The NREL Podcast

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
  • 5.0 (24)
  • SCIENCE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Transforming Energy: The NREL Podcast

A podcast highlighting the latest research and news from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as we work to achieve the laboratory's vision of a clean energy future for the world. 

  1. Lab Notes: Let's Talk Transmission Planning

    JAN 15 · BONUS

    Lab Notes: Let's Talk Transmission Planning

    Electricity demand is rapidly increasing in the United States—so much so that we may need to double or even triple our transmission system by 2050! But how does that work? In this special Lab Notes episode, you’ll hear directly from experts at NREL—Jarrad Wright, Christina Simeone, and Faith Smith—about key findings from the National Transmission Planning Study. Providing concrete examples and data from the study, they dive into why exactly the U.S. grid needs an upgrade, where the barr...

    26 min

  2. JAN 8

    NREL's Top Stories of 2024

    To kick off the first episode of the new year, our hosts are celebrating a few of their favorite renewable energy innovations of 2024! From advancements in sustainable aviation to innovative solutions for reducing plastic pollution, this episode highlights 10 of the lab's top stories of 2024, showcasing the future of renewable energy and sustainable technologies. Learn more about how NREL is celebrating the incredible strides made over the past year in renewable energy research an...

    10 min

  3. 12/11/2024

    NREL People Picking Up Trash, Installing Rooftop Solar, and Giving Back to the Community

    In this episode, explore the volunteer efforts of NREL employees and how they’re making a tangible impact on their communities while advancing the lab’s mission of a renewable energy future. Hear from Education, Stewardship, and Community Action for Promoting Environmental Sustainability (ESCAPES) Cofounder Hilary Sewell and NREL Volunteer Coordinator Ivilina Thornton about how NREL staff are partnering with organizations like GRID Alternatives to give directly to the community, whether...

    10 min

  4. 11/27/2024

    Building Heating Solutions, Inspiring Students, and Transforming Energy for Alaska’s Tribal Communities

    In this Thanksgiving week episode, special correspondent Nataleah Small joins to dive into the latest innovations at NREL, including: How NREL researchers are revolutionizing heating systems by using salt-hydrate thermochemical materials (TCMs) to create more efficient, cost-effective heating solutions. From hydration and dehydration processes to innovative reactor configurations, discover how TCMs could transform the way buildings stay warm in winter. A few ways NREL’s STEM Educat...

    15 min
  5. Lab Notes: Agrivoltaics—Where Agriculture and Solar Production Meet

    11/21/2024 · BONUS

    Lab Notes: Agrivoltaics—Where Agriculture and Solar Production Meet

    In this Lab Notes episode, we explore the ins and outs of integrating solar energy with agriculture—also known as agrivoltaics! Learn about why agrivoltaics is vital for sustainable growth, along with NREL’s work in pioneering the technique from lead Agrivoltaics researcher Jordan Macknick. Then, dive into how agrivoltaics is evolving in the United States and the challenges of scaling these projects with Ethan Winter from American Farmland Trust. Finally, understand the critical role of...

    41 min

  6. 11/13/2024

    US Forest Service Goes Green, the Cost of Owning Zero-Emission Vehicles, ARIES Depicts Real-World Energy Systems

    In this week’s episode, your hosts dive into a few real-world applications of NREL’s research, including: Boosting Energy Efficiency on the Front Lines of Wildfire Control: through a partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, NREL introduced solar power and battery storage solutions to wildfire basecamps, paving the way for quieter, cleaner, and more efficient firefighting support.Decoding Zero-Emission Vehicle Costs: Now available for public use, NREL's T3CO tool helps owners of commercial ve...

    13 min

  7. 10/30/2024

    Geothermal Heat Pump Opportunities, Sun Nerds Convene at NREL, and Kestrel Flies Beyond the Lab

    In this Halloween-inspired episode, our hosts explore recent highlights in NREL’s research, including: A look into the potential of geothermal heat pumps (GHPs). NREL’s 19 new case studies provide real-world GHP examples across various U.S. climate zones, with installations at the NREL Alaska Campus, Seattle Public Schools, and more. A gathering of “Sun Nerds” at the NREL Pyrheliometer Comparisons (NPC) event, during which scientists from around the world had the chance to calibra...

    11 min
  8. Lab Notes: A Journey Into the Future of Sustainable Aviation

    10/28/2024 · BONUS

    Lab Notes: A Journey Into the Future of Sustainable Aviation

    In this episode of Transforming Energy’s Lab Notes series, hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle are flying high into NREL’s research on sustainable aviation. The federal government and the aviation industry have lofty goals for decarbonizing aviation by 2050, but how can we get there? NREL researcher Scott Cary shares how national labs, like NREL, are key to identifying pathways to a more sustainable aviation sector. Additionally, Dave Ulane, director of the Colorado Division of Aeronautics...

    18 min
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About

A podcast highlighting the latest research and news from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) as we work to achieve the laboratory's vision of a clean energy future for the world. 

Information

  • Creator
    The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Transforming Energy: The NREL Podcast
  • Show Website
    Transforming Energy: The NREL Podcast

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