National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Post

Future pumped storage hydropower (PSH) projects have the chance to be even greener, thanks to a new NREL tool that calculates their projected GHG emissions. The Pumped Storage Hydropower Life Cycle Assessment tool allows users to input everything about their planned project—from dam material to reservoir volume to the clean energy mix on the local grid—and output estimated life cycle emissions. Explore the tool that could help developers make cleaner decisions when it comes to new PSH: https://lnkd.in/gHqmqQM6

What happens when you combine floating photovoltaics with federal reservoirs and hydropower facilities? - Increased opportunity for solar energy capture - Reduced water evaporation - The potential to protect aquatic habitats. Watch to learn more about all the ways floating photovoltaics could help meet U.S. decarbonization goals: https://bit.ly/3Ymkrvj

Join U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and NREL in welcoming the new #SolarDistrictCup Class of 2024-2025! This Fall, 43 teams from 38 schools will start the competition and enter the wider community of competitors, alumni, mentors, and solar energy leaders supporting clean energy workforce development through the Solar District Cup. Last year, the solar sector added 5.3% growth in employment over the previous year—such growth is necessary if the United States will meet our clean energy goals to achieve an inclusive, equitable transition to a fully decarbonized electricity system by 2035. Now in year 6 of the competition, the Solar District Cup continues to challenge students to design and model solar and solar-plus-storage systems for real mixed-use districts, preparing them to enter the solar workforce. Find out which schools are kicking off the competition this Fall: https://lnkd.in/gz7EiTUQ

Where is the intersection of qualitative and quantitative analysis in renewable energy research? One answer could lie in the systems that are underneath the surface: system dynamics. It’s both a modeling tool and a philosophy used to look at how feedback loops can determine whether systems succeed or fail over time. NREL uses system dynamics research to help inform decisions and policy surrounding new technologies, from batteries to biofuels. Learn how here: https://bit.ly/3Y0hlvQ

The U.S. Department of Energy Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) just selected new teams from 3 communities to join in-depth partnerships: - Duluth, Minnesota - Lane County, Oregon - Nashville, Tennessee Learn more about how NREL and other labs will support these teams over the next 2-3 years to advance clean energy projects. https://bit.ly/3BBWbfP

NREL is now accepting applications from #utilities and #gridoperators for custom technical assistance on topics including transmission and distribution, load forecasting, integrating distributed energy sources and electric vehicles, and building electrification. Utilities and grid operators can receive up to $1 million in custom technical assistance and access to national lab facilities, tools, and research. Sign up for the informational webinar on Weds., Oct. 23 and apply at https://bit.ly/4h1zTnX

Ready for a #CleanEnergy future that feels like science fiction? Transforming Energy is back with a new episode featuring the epic reunion of two researchers based on 30 years of friendship. Discover the ground breaking progress that happens when they team up, and how a young researcher from Alabama State University is helping drive those innovations! We’ll also explore what it’ll take to modernize the U.S. #PowerGrid and how today’s cutting-edge tech could lead us to a carbon-free future by 2100. And for a fun twist, we asked #SciFi writers to envision what life could look like with limitless energy (spoiler: it involves fewer workdays and way cooler gadgets). Tune in today and get ready to think big ➡️ https://bit.ly/3q2M0M5

Offshore Wind Energy Occupational Maps: We Need Your Feedback! NREL, in partnership with Julius, is developing Offshore Wind Energy Occupational Maps to align job titles with the Standardized Occupational Classification (SOC) system. These maps aim to provide detailed job descriptions, education levels, certifications, and required skills for various roles in the offshore wind industry. Your input is vital to ensuring these resources meet the needs of the wind industry. Before publishing the final version, we are opening the #windenergy occupational maps for input until Oct. 31, 2024. Follow the instructions on the webpage to learn more about how your offshore wind industry knowledge can influence the future wind workforce! https://lnkd.in/gvs92SDK

Explore the economic impact of renewable energy projects with the enhanced International Jobs and Economic Development Impacts (I-JEDI) model. This free tool estimates critical metrics like employment, earnings, and GDP, helping energy planners and policymakers align their #CleanEnergy investments with economic objectives. The latest update includes new economic data, inflation adjustments, and updated cost estimates for #solar PV and #wind projects in Colombia, Mexico, the Philippines, South Africa, and Zambia. Users can also input specific project data for tailored results, ensuring more accurate insights. 🤝 I-JEDI was developed by NREL with support from USAID. Ready to take a look? Visit our website ➡️ https://bit.ly/4dCpaO8

2024 is shaping up to be another big year for solar markets, according to the Summer 2024 Solar Industry Update! Global solar PV installations are projected to reach about 560 GW by the end of 2024—up about a third over 2023. Check out the full update to learn more about trends in solar deployment, pricing, manufacturing, and more: https://lnkd.in/gsWpDmhv