Subscribe
Stay connected with the latest news and research breakthroughs from NLR.
News and Feature Stories
The following news stories take an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at how NLR is leading energy systems innovation and integration.
Search or filter for a specific story using the options below.
March 2023
Beneath the Surface: From Holes to Coal to Tides: Patrick O'Byrne's Journey to Clean Energy
Patrick O'Byrne is helping NREL hone tidal energy technologies—by working through complex underwater engineering challenges as a water power intern.
February 2023
Top 3 Reasons Why Our Researchers Love Water Power (And You Should, Too)
This Valentine's Day, dive into all the reasons to love water power. NREL researchers share their top reasons to adore one of the oldest forms of renewable energy.
January 2023
Prize Winners Design Ways To Make the Most of Hydropower
The winners of the Hydropower Operations Optimization Prize, which launched in early 2022, used complex strategies, models, analytics, and machine learning to help hydropower meet challenges like demand, environmental requirements, flood management, and integration with solar power.
Our Most Popular and Powerful Water Power Moments From 2022
The NREL water power team tallied up the most popular events, news stories, and videos published over the last year.
September 2022
The New Grids on the Block
NREL's validation capabilities range from lab to field, watt to megawatt, component to system, and nanogrid to microgrid.
On the Road to 100% Clean Electricity: Six Potential Strategies To Break Through Last Few Percent
A growing body of research has demonstrated that cost-effective high-renewable power systems are possible, but costs increase as systems approach 100% carbon-free electricity—what has become known as the "last 10% problem."
August 2022
Exploring the Big Challenge Ahead: Insights on the Path to a Net-Zero Power Sector by 2035
NREL study identifies the opportunities and challenges of achieving the U.S. transformational goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035.
How Do We Get to Net Zero?
On July 11, 2022, NREL experts hosted two workshops at the 2022 HydroVision International Conference in Denver, Colorado.
July 2022
Explore Colorado's Artificial Oceans and Rivers—in Three Dimensions
Learn how NREL simulates rivers and oceans (and much more) to help accelerate the development of cost-effective and durable hydropower and marine energy technologies.
June 2022
Powering Ghana: USAID and NREL Provide Technical Assistance To Develop First Hydro-Solar Plant in West Africa
The first West African hydro-solar plant was deployed in Ghana in January, with technical support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Share
Last Updated April 21, 2026