News

People who own electric vehicles (EVs) are more likely to go a step further and add solar panels to their home, according to an analysis of a behavioral study by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy

renewable energy

Renewable energy comes from unlimited, naturally replenished resources, such as the sun, tides, and wind. Renewable energy can be used for electricity generation, space and water heating and cooling, and transportation.

Source: U.S Department of Energy Source

Laboratory (NREL). Conversely, the impact of owning solar panels also has a bearing on whether a homeowner buys an electric vehicle but not as strongly.

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory have invented and patented a new cathode material that replaces lithium ions with sodium and would be significantly cheaper. The cathode is one of the main parts of any battery. It is the site of the chemical reaction that creates the flow of electricity that propels a vehicle.

Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) have found that as the shape of a cloud evolves, it demonstrates predictable patterns. Using computer simulations, PNNL researchers determined that as clouds change shape, their edges become more jagged, but their overall shape does not change much. The research shows clouds with more jagged edges are more likely to split into multiple entities.

The urgent need to meet global clean energy goals has world leaders searching for faster solutions. To meet that call, the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has teamed with Microsoft to use high-performance computing in the cloud and advanced artificial intelligence

artificial intelligence

A machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations or decisions influencing real or virtual environments.

Source: U.S. Department of State Source

to accelerate scientific discovery on a scale not previously demonstrated.

The White House announced the release of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) to spotlight a key report that details the best available science and understanding of climate change

climate change

A change in the average conditions — such as temperature and rainfall — in a region over a long period of time.

Source: NASA Climate Kids Source

impacts across the United States. Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) joined more than 600 national experts who contributed to NCA5.

Physics is filled with mysteries: To find a few worth exploring, look no further than an ice cube. At room temperature, of course, the cube will melt before your eyes. But even far below freezing, ice can shift in barely perceptible ways that scientists are still trying to understand. Using imaging tools at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory, researchers have detected a phenomenon known as premelting at temperatures far lower than those previously observed.

Jack Orebaugh, a forensic anthropology major at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is devoted to aiding families with missing loved ones. Leveraging his internship at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory, he aims to enhance search methods for lost individuals in densely vegetated areas using cameras and drones.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Heliostat Consortium (HelioCon), co-led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and joined by partners at Sandia National Laboratories and the Australian Solar Thermal Research Institute (ASTRI), announced publication of the HelioCon Annual Report: 2023, which provides detailed information on progress the HelioCon team has made since its founding.

The landmark publication, released approximately every four years, evaluates the state of the science and current impacts of climate change in the United States. It serves as a mechanism for experts to provide insights for decision makers working on climate policies around the country and globally, from legislators to local agencies and beyond.

College students have big ideas. And a few of those big ideas—focused on extending the benefits of clean energy to underserved communities—were just rewarded. On Dec. 4, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the five winners of the CONCEPT Phase for the Collegiate Track of the American-Made Community Energy Innovation Prize.

On the beach, ocean waves provide soothing white noise. But in scientific laboratories, they play a key role in weather forecasting and climate research. Along with the atmosphere, the ocean is typically one of the largest and most computationally demanding components of Earth system models

earth system model (ESM)

A model that simulates how chemistry, biology, and physical forces work together. These models are similar to, but much more comprehensive than, global climate models.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy Source

like the Department of Energy’s Energy Exascale Earth System Model,

Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM)

The Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) project includes Earth System Models, simulations, and predictions to investigate energy-relevant science using code optimized for DOE's advanced supercomputers.

Source: NVCL Web Page Source

or E3SM.

At the turn of the millennium, interest in the prospect of plentiful and clean hydrogen energy was growing—but, as with any fuel source, there were concerns over the safety of storing, moving, and using hydrogen as a fuel. So, in 2003, the Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Technology Office established the Hydrogen Safety Panel with a novel purpose: to prioritize safety for hydrogen projects to avoid harm to people and infrastructure.