Peaks to Power

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 the second episode in Transforming Energy’s Lab Notes series, guest host Molly Rettig takes listeners on a journey to Mountain Village, a Yup’ik community working with NREL researchers to design and build super energy-efficient homes amid the challenges of extreme weather and permafrost. Through local collaboration and innovative research and technology, these efforts not only address pressing housing needs but also empower communities to adapt to the changing climate while preserving their traditional way of life.   

Housed in the farthest-north LEED Platinum building in the world, the Applied Research for Communities in Extreme Environments (ARCEE) Center focuses on advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy in extreme climates, addressing Arctic and climate-threatened communities, and expanding NREL’s wealth of experience in building technologies. In each project, researchers are working hand in hand with communities to make sure these technologies work for their climate, their economy, and their culture.

This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at [email protected]. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.  

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: 

1.  Sitka, Alaska, and Molokai, Hawaii, both selected for the Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP), are leveraging shared challenges of remote living and energy constraints to pioneer community-driven renewable energy solutions. With Molokai's successful community engagement model inspiring Sitka's approach, both regions are collaboratively shaping resilient energy futures tailored to their unique needs and aspirations.
2. The Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment (BOTTLE)consortium, led by experts from national labs and universities, collaborates with companies like The North Face to replace petroleum-derived polyester with biodegradable alternatives, aiming to mitigate the environmental impact of clothing microplastics.
3.  NREL dedicates extensive research to life-cycle assessments of renewable energy technologies, crucial for mitigating adverse environmental impacts as we advance toward a greener future. Through code-based assessment methods, NREL scales traditional evaluations to accommodate vast amounts of data, ensuring that technologies designed for sustainability don't inadvertently harm the environment throughout their life cycles.

This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at [email protected]. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.  

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).

This episode discusses three recent stories from NREL:  

1. Gotham City's Dark Knight is known for his impressive gadgets, but now, NREL unveils its own cutting-edge project, known as "BatMan." This initiative harnesses laser technology to revolutionize battery manufacturing, potentially doubling electric vehicle charging rates and advancing energy sustainability. 
2. Groundbreaking air quality research addresses the global public health crisis caused by outdoor air pollution, offering insights into the complex relationship between emissions, air quality, and human health, with the potential to save millions of lives annually. Through innovative models and analyses, NREL researchers assess air quality impacts domestically and internationally, aiding policymakers in making informed decisions to promote environmental justice and sustainable energy transitions.
3. There is an urgent need to mitigate degradation rates in clean energy technologies to ensure long-term viability, aligning with goals of a net-zero carbon emission economy by 2050. Recommendations highlight the critical importance of reliability data sharing, atomistic examinations, and accelerated testing to develop standards and enhance the durability of renewable energy technologies, ultimately paving the way for substantial savings and improved system performance.

This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at [email protected]. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.  

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).

This episode discusses two recent stories from NREL:  

1. The transformative shift toward sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), highlighting the crucial role of advanced simulations powered by supercomputers. Despite the long-standing reliance on petroleum jet fuel since the 1950s, growing concerns about carbon emissions are driving the urgent need for change. Through meticulous testing and analysis, researchers like Shashank Yellapantula are paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future in aviation. 
2. NREL and Oak Ridge National Laboratory teamed up to analyze the potential of geothermal heat pump installations. The collaborative efforts reveal the significant energy and emissions savings these pumps could achieve, highlighting their role in decarbonizing the building sector and strengthening the electricity grid. 

Also, in celebration of Black History Month, special correspondent Nataleah Small spotlights NREL's Black Employee Resource Group, featuring co-leaders and NREL researchers Kamyria Coney and Sika Gadzanku, who discuss the group's mission to promote diversity and inclusion at NREL and in the local community. 

This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at [email protected]. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.  

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).

• Researchers at NREL have utilized a multidisciplinary approach to quantitatively define the arrangement of polymers in Populus wood, offering insights crucial for biomass conversion to fuels, chemicals, and materials. The study presents a novel computer model detailing the intricate structural configuration of the wood's secondary cell wall, advancing our understanding beyond previous incomplete techniques and offering potential breakthroughs in bioenergy research.
• NREL's role in assisting startups is underscored by its cutting-edge technology and expertise, facilitating transformative innovations in the clean energy sector. Through collaborative programs and strategic partnerships, NREL empowers startups to navigate early-stage challenges, secure funding, and accelerate the development and adoption of groundbreaking technologies, driving the transition to a sustainable energy future.
• NREL is building a groundbreaking 127,000-square-foot Energy Materials and Processing at Scale (EMAPS) laboratory in Golden, Colorado. The facility, set to achieve LEED Gold certification, will provide state-of-the-art research capabilities in energy storage, advanced manufacturing, and grid modernization, fostering multidisciplinary collaboration and advancing NREL's mission of driving renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies

This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at [email protected]. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.  

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).

• A new analysis by NREL that reveals that the $4 billion economic value represented by cardboard and paper is lost due to landfilling. The study, focused on 2019 data, emphasizes the potential for substantial energy, environmental, and economic benefits through improved waste management strategies for paper and cardboard waste, which constitutes a quarter of municipal solid waste in the United States.
• Owners of electric vehicles (EVs) are more likely to install solar panels on their homes, according to a behavioral study analyzed by researchers NREL. The study, based on a survey of 869 households in the San Francisco Bay Area, reveals a complementary relationship between EVs and solar photovoltaics (PVs), suggesting potential benefits for energy system resiliency and cross-sectoral adoption of sustainable technologies.
• NREL has released its 2023 Standard Scenarios, offering insights into potential changes in the U.S. electricity sector until 2050. The scenarios, generated using NREL's Regional Energy Deployment System model, project significant growth in wind and solar power by 2050, with a five-fold increase in wind capacity to 750 GW and a tenfold increase in solar capacity to 1,100 GW.

This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at [email protected]. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.  

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 the introductory episode of the Lab Notes series, Laboratory Director Martin Keller sits down with NREL writer Ernie Tucker, author of Clean Energy Innovators: NREL People Working To Change the World. The pair discuss Keller’s childhood in Germany, foray into a science-focused career, vision for the laboratory, and dream job (hint: he’s doing it).  

Lab Notes takes a deeper dive into NREL’s research, the people of NREL, and the people impacted by NREL’s work. 

This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at [email protected]. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.  

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).

Hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle discuss the top 10 most-impactful stories highlighting how NREL contributed to a clean energy future in 2023. Highlights include NREL's visionary 2030 National Charging Network study, groundbreaking research on geothermal energy with the "Heat Beneath Our Feet" initiative, and the creation of a one-of-a-kind "SuperLab" linking solar, battery, hydrogen electrolyzers, and a nuclear reactor for advanced energy system studies. Stay tuned for exciting developments in 2024, including the launch of a new podcast series, "Lab Notes."

This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at [email protected]. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.  

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).

Hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle discuss recent stories from NREL:  

• The LA100 Equity Strategies project, developed by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power in collaboration with NREL and the University of California, Los Angeles , envisions a future where Los Angeles achieves 100% clean electricity by 2035 through community-driven approaches. The project, born out of two years of community engagement, outlines strategic pathways to address inequities in the current energy system, focusing on issues such as affordable clean energy access, workforce development, and community involvement to ensure a just and inclusive transition to renewable energy. 
• Ben Maurer, a scuba diver and ocean enthusiast working with NREL, leads the Waterborne Plastics Assessment and Collection Technologies project (WaterPACT) to address the issue of waterborne plastics. Through collaborative efforts with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and various partners, Maurer's team collects data on plastics in major rivers, including the Mississippi, Delaware, Columbia, and Los Angeles rivers, aiming to develop solutions to prevent plastic pollution from reaching the ocean and create a comprehensive understanding of the U.S. contribution to global ocean emissions. 

This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at [email protected]. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.  

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 take us  on a journey through time exploring the origins of NREL. Beginning with the establishment in 1973 of the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) after the oil embargo, SERI soon expanded into wind and other renewable technologies.

The hosts discuss a dynamic journey marked by political changes, budget fluctuations, technological breakthroughs, and influential leadership shifts that shaped SERI's transformation into NREL in 1991, marking a pivotal moment in the laboratory's history.  

This episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle, written and produced by Allison Montroy, Hannah Halusker, and Kaitlyn Stottler, and edited by Taylor Mankle, Joe DelNero, and Brittany Falch. Graphics are by Brittnee Gayet. Our title music is written and performed by Ted Vaca and episode music by Chuck Kurnik, Jim Riley, and Mark Sanseverino of Drift BC. Peaks to Power is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratory of the Rockies in Golden, Colorado. Email us at [email protected]. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.