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The EERE Blog includes updates to current Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) projects, interviews with energy experts, and success stories about EERE’s technology offices and national laboratories. Subscribe to the blog email list.

May 15, 2017
Hail No! National Lab's Solar Panels Survive Severe Storm

A severe hailstorm pelted the Denver area on May 8, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. But, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's...

May 11, 2017
Consumer vs Prosumer: What's the Difference?

A new buzzword is signaling a growing shift in how we power our homes and communities. Prosumers produce and consume energy – a shift made...

May 10, 2017
4 Technologies Driving Energy Efficiency Jobs

More than 133,000 energy efficiency jobs were added in 2016, bringing the total number of Americans working in the sector to 2.2 million people....

May 9, 2017
a photo of MIRA the supercomputer.
3 Ways Supercomputers are Impacting your Life Today
Supercomputers at the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratories are changing the way leading scientists are forecasting the weather, studying
May 8, 2017
SimpleFuel's home-scale refueling appliance can provide a 1-kilogram fill—enough fuel to travel approximately 60-70 miles—to vehicles in 15 minutes or less at the required pressure to fully fill hydrogen storage tanks onboard the FCEV (700 bar) using hydrogen produced via electrolysis, a method of producing hydrogen from electricity. Photo Courtesy | SimpleFuel
EERE Success Story—SimpleFuel Grabbing the Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industry’s Attention by Storm
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are some of the most advanced automobiles available. They allow for a similar driving experience to traditional...
May 8, 2017
5 Common Geothermal Energy Myths Debunked

5 common myths about geothermal energy answered in less than 400 words.

May 5, 2017
The Algae Technology Education Consortium (ATEC) is developing opportunities for education and training for next-generation jobs in the bioeconomy. | Photo courtesy of ATEC
EERE Success Story—New Algae Degree Program Passes Its First Semester
The Algae Technology Education Consortium (ATEC), a collaboration among the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Algae Foundation, universitie...
May 4, 2017
Graphic by Sarah Harman
2 Technologies that Would Have Offered Hope for the Death Star

If only the Empire in Star Wars had known about U.S. Department of Energy resources, the Alliance might never have made that lucky shot. Their...

May 3, 2017
Testing at the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory enables larger amounts of renewable energy on the nation’s electric grid.
EERE Success Story—Solar Software Platform Fast-Tracks Grid Connections
GridUnity—formerly Qado Energy— set out to completely change the interconnection process with a cloud-connected tool that determines a solar pr...
May 3, 2017
2 American Racing Legends: Bob Bondurant and the Shelby Cobra Reunited

Racing legend Bob Bondurant recently toured the U.S. Department of Energy and reunited with an old friend - the Shelby Cobra.

May 1, 2017
Graphic by Sarah Harman
4 Reasons Why Hydropower is the Guardian of the Grid

Four reasons why hydropower plays a major role in maintaining the reliability and resiliency of the U.S. power grid.

May 1, 2017
After 12 years in the NFL Will Allen is shifting his focus to energy. Photo | Will Allen
Former NFL Player Will Allen Scores in Energy Arena

After 12 years in the NFL, Will Allen is now focused on business ventures related to energy services, energy technology and engineering consulting.

April 27, 2017
Depicted here is an electric furnace at Kowalski Heat Treating of Cleveland, Ohio. The industrial firm underwent an energy efficiency retrofit through Ohio’s Energy Efficiency Program for Manufacturers.
EERE Success Story—Industrial Efficiency Protects Manufacturing Jobs
The Energy Department is facilitating the manufacturing sector’s move toward energy efficiency in the Rust Belt and beyond.
April 26, 2017
Solar Jobs: State of the States

A breakdown of the data released by The Solar Foundation shows where solar jobs are located and which parts of the value chain are seeing the most...

April 25, 2017
Group photo of Collegiate Wind Competition 17 teams and organizers at the National Wind Technology Center. Photo Courtesy | Lee J. Fingersh, NREL
EERE Success Story—Penn State Earns Top Honors at the Collegiate Wind Competition 2017 Technical Challenge on Earth Day
Last week at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC) near Boulder, Colorado, teams from 10 of the 12 universities that participated in the U.S D...
April 25, 2017
Photo | NREL
5 Things You Should Know About Wind

The five things you should know about wind power and it's impact in the United States.

April 24, 2017
5 of the Fastest Growing Jobs in Clean Energy

More than 6 million Americans work in the energy sector and a huge percentage of the new jobs are in renewable energy and efficiency. Here's 5 of...

April 20, 2017
A Tale of Two Cities: Atlanta and Boston SWAP Energy Efficiency Expertise

Binge watch the Better Buildings Challenge SWAP 3! It features Boston and Atlanta - two different cities that come together to trade ideas, jabs...

April 19, 2017
EERE Blog
How are Ocean Waves Converted to Electricity?

5 steps to convert ocean waves to electricity, and it all starts with the sun.

April 18, 2017
These hybrid Ford Escape vehicles at Grand Teton National Park were purchased with support from the Clean Cities National Parks Initiative. Photo | NREL
7 National Park Projects Enhanced by Clean Energy

The National Park Service has several energy efficiency and renewable energy projects that enhance the park experience and preserve its historical...

April 17, 2017
The photo above is a view "underground". This Real-time Four-Dimensional Subsurface Imaging Software created at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory utilizes E4D-RT to image fractures in real time. This software provides faster, more accurate interpretations of data from simulation models, and improves the cost competitiveness of EGS development.
EERE Success Story—“Seeing Underground” to Advance Geothermal Energy
Energy sources originating from beneath the Earth’s surface satisfy over 80% of total U.S. energy needs, and a key energy challenge today is to e...
April 13, 2017
5 Common Myths about Robotics Debunked
With the rise of robotics in both entertainment and the general marketplace, we decided to set the record straight on five common robot myths.
April 12, 2017
SolarReserve’s Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Plant in Nevada is the first utility-scale facility in the world to use advanced molten salt receiver technology, which was developed with funding from the SunShot Initiative. The 110 megawatt power plant incorporates storage to power 75,000 homes, day or night. Photo Courtesy of SolarReserve.
EERE Success Story—Mirage to Reality: Energy Department Investment Brings Crescent Dunes to Life
The same visionary scientists responsible for pioneering space exploration are also behind a national effort to commercialize concentrating solar p...
April 12, 2017
Thumbnail image of the video, showing a screenshot.
No Heat? No Problem: This Ultrasonic Dryer Dries Clothes in Half the Time
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed an ultrasonic drying concept that uses vibrations instead of heat to dry clothes.
April 11, 2017
Pictured above is the Excel 15 wind turbine. This innovative turbine is anticipated to be 40% more efficient than Bergey’s 10 kW turbine, produce 85% more energy, and be sold at a similar price point. Photo Courtesy | Bergey Windpower
EERE Success Story—Distributed Wind Competitiveness Improvement Project (CIP) Partner Delivers Next-Generation Wind Turbine for On-Site...
Distributed wind is used at or near where it is generated, and has gained a strong footing in the marketplace among commercial, industrial, and uti...