The NREL Podcast

Possible Pathways to 100% Renewable Energy in Puerto Rico, the Wind Workforce Gap, and an NREL Leader Honored—Plus, How Research Gets Published


Listen Later

This episode discusses three recent stories from NREL:  

  1.  In 2017, Puerto Rico faced a devastating double blow as consecutive hurricanes decimated 80% of its electrical grid, resulting in the longest blackout in U.S. history. Determined to rebuild resiliently, Puerto Rico passed Act 17 in 2019, aiming for a 100% renewable energy system by 2050, which sparked the groundbreaking PR100 study—a collaborative effort between the Department of Energy and six national laboratories—to chart the territory's energy future through extensive community engagement and innovative scenarios.
  2. With the U.S. wind energy sector projected to grow substantially, a new NREL report highlights a potential shortage of over 124,000 workers by 2030, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to raise awareness, increase training opportunities, create connections, and emphasize inclusivity in the wind energy workforce. We delve into the report's findings and discuss actionable steps to bridge the wind workforce gap, essential for realizing America's clean energy future.
  3. Nancy Haegel, Director of the National Center for Photovoltaics at NREL, has been elected as a fellow of the AAAS, recognized for her distinguished contributions to materials science, particularly in semiconductor transport, infrared detectors, and renewable energy. She is the 12th person from NREL to receive this prestigious honor.

Plus: NREL librarian Jason Youngstrom joins to discuss the essential role of NREL librarians, who play a crucial part in advancing renewable energy research by ensuring NREL researchers have access to the latest information and publications needed to drive innovation and maintain NREL's position as a leader in the field. 

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. Transforming Energy: The NREL Podcast is created by the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colorado. Email us at [email protected]. Follow NREL on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The NREL PodcastBy NREL

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

26 ratings


More shows like The NREL Podcast

View all
Planet Money by NPR

Planet Money

30,638 Listeners

Marketplace by Marketplace

Marketplace

8,714 Listeners

Energy Gang by Wood Mackenzie

Energy Gang

1,254 Listeners

Columbia Energy Exchange by Columbia University

Columbia Energy Exchange

398 Listeners

The Daily by The New York Times

The Daily

112,549 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,391 Listeners

Interchange Recharged by Wood Mackenzie

Interchange Recharged

498 Listeners

Switched On by Bloomberg

Switched On

100 Listeners

The Ezra Klein Show by New York Times Opinion

The Ezra Klein Show

16,030 Listeners

Volts by David Roberts

Volts

614 Listeners

Catalyst with Shayle Kann by Latitude Media

Catalyst with Shayle Kann

272 Listeners

The Green Blueprint by Latitude Media

The Green Blueprint

207 Listeners

Zero: The Climate Race by Bloomberg

Zero: The Climate Race

229 Listeners

Everybody in the Pool by Molly Wood

Everybody in the Pool

226 Listeners

Open Circuit by Latitude Media

Open Circuit

140 Listeners