Peaks to Power

This week on Peaks to Power, dig into artificial intelligence, critical mineral mining, and national laboratory collaborations: Minnesota-based NLR researcher Ryan King is using AI to bolster critical mineral supply chains , thanks in part to a partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute. NLR’s Amanda Kolker and David Digon were named fellows in the U.S. Dep...

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 visi...

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 ....

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...

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...

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,...

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,...

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...

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 technol...

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). It’s the 50th episode of The NREL Podcast! Today, you’ll hear about:  A new tool that lets researchers and partners cut prototyping costs, wait times, and design barriers for ocean energy technologies.  A recent g...

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). It’s been a busy summer at NREL. In this episode, you’ll learn about:   The appointment of NREL’s incoming laboratory director Dr. Jud Virden , who brings 34 years of national lab experience at Pacific Northwest N...

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). Ever wondered what it's like to intern at NREL? It might include supercomputers, hydrogen breakthroughs, and … a podcast mic. NREL intern Madelyn Weirich joins this episode of The NREL Podcast to take you beh...

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, explore three ways NREL researchers are creating energy solutions for small, remote, and rural regions: How a microgrid project on Martha’s Vineyard is strengthening the island’s energy resilience...

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, explore three ways NREL researchers are seeking out energy solutions:   An experiment dubbed “ No Photon Left Behind ” examined if growing tomatoes under the filtered light spectrum of a semitrans...

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, hosts Kerrin and Taylor dive into three stories with one goal: powering our world with curiosity, creativity, and just a dash of “What if it fails?” Listen in to explore: Updates to NREL’s risk ma...

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 of The NREL Podcast , hosts Taylor Mankle and Kerrin Jeromin spotlight three stories where innovation meets real-world impact, including:  Marine energy tech getting a surprising upgrade. NREL rese...

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 of The NREL Podcast , hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle take listeners across the United States to explore three very different—but equally impactful—stories from the lab, including:  A look a...

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, hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle dive into a banner year for innovation at NREL. Together, they explore the entrepreneurial side of energy technology, including:  NREL’s record-breaking 294...

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, hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle highlight the human side of energy innovation—from personal career journeys to community impact and mentorship. Highlights include:  A look into how Senior S...

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, hosts Taylor Mankle and Kerrin Jeromin explore stories of innovation and determination at NREL, including:  How researchers are testing marine energy technologies in land-locked Colorado . With to...

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). 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’l...

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). 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 reducin...

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, 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,...

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 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...

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 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 wor...