|
Dr. Sydney Lienemann joined the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Energy in December. Dr. Lienemann holds a Ph.D. in chemical physics from the University of Colorado Boulder and has over a decade of experience at the intersection of climate, renewable energy, and environmental policy.
DOE announced $7.1 million in funding for four projects to improve planning, siting, and permitting processes for large-scale renewable energy and energy storage facilities across the country. These projects, as well as 12 previously selected under the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP™) program, will develop and expand statewide initiatives that provide expertise, trainings, and technical resources to local governments, Tribal governments, and communities as they plan for and evaluate large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects.
This guide from the U.S. Department of Agriculture includes natural-resource conservation principles and practices for all phases of a utility-scale solar project to protect agricultural production potential on farmland. A high-level summary of conservation considerations for solar farms is also available.
EnergyTech UP is a competition involving student teams and faculty participants. Student teams compete for cash prizes for successfully identifying a promising energy technology, assessing its market potential, and creating a business plan for commercialization while faculty mentors and students create innovative implementation plans. Faculty submissions are due January 13 and student registration is due February 3. Students can register for an informational webinar on January 23 at 1 p.m. ET.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) published the 2024 Standard Scenarios, the annually updated electricity sector analysis for utilities, regulators, research institutions, think tanks, and more. The latest edition shows a least-cost reliable buildout of the grid’s assets under current policies with significant growth in wind, solar, storage, and natural gas generators. Register for the informational webinar on January 16 at 1 p.m. ET to learn more.
The C3E Awards honor mid-career leadership and achievements and help to raise visibility of women in the clean energy sector. Nominations for the Annual C3E Awards are now open through February 13. Each winner receives a monetary award and national recognition.
The HOPE workshop is designed to strengthen PV research at universities in the United States. Apply by February 17 for an opportunity to learn from NREL scientists and engineers. The workshop is open to doctoral students at U.S. universities who are pursuing careers in PV-related research and would like to learn more about fabrication, measurement, and the study of PV materials and devices. The HOPE workshop will take place July 13–18, 2025, in Golden, Colorado.
With a total prize pool of $600,000, this prize supports the development of science, technology, mathematics, and engineering-focused summer and after school programs that inspire underrepresented kindergarten through 12th grade and community college students to explore energy careers. Apply by February 27 and register for an informational webinar on January 28 at 1 p.m. ET to learn more.
Meet David CastrejĂłn, an electrician apprentice mastering solar energy and mentoring new apprentices with support from HIRE360, a DOE-supported workforce development program. Read about his fulfilling career shift to tradesman at the forefront of energy innovation.
Fall 2024 Quarterly Solar Industry Update – NREL
January 28 & February 25 | 11 a.m. ET | Virtual
Interconnection Innovation e-Xchange (i2X) FIRST is a series of monthly interactive meetings to facilitate the adoption of new and recently updated standards relevant to interconnected clean energy resources such as solar and wind energy. Register here for all the i2X FIRST events and view recordings and slides from past events.
January 28 | 12 p.m. ET | Virtual
Sandia National Laboratories’ National Solar Thermal Test Facility welcomes Greg Mehos, director of Greg Mehos & Associates LLC, for the next session of the Concentrating Solar Power Seminar Series about storage and flow of bulk solids.
March 4–6 | Golden, CO
Registration is now open for the 2025 PV Reliability Workshop. Top experts will get together to discuss the latest findings in PV reliability. Don’t miss out—submit your presentation and register to attend this year’s workshop.
March 20–21 | Golden, CO & Virtual
A circular economy for solar panels goes beyond reducing waste—it emphasizes designing for durability, optimizing performance throughout the life cycle, and creating pathways for reuse, repair, recycling, and resource recovery. Join experts from around the world to explore solutions for PV circularity.
Fiscal Year 2025 SBIR/STTR Funding Opportunity Informational Webinar and Q&A – Watch a recording and download the slides from a recent informational webinar and watch a recording of a recent Q&A session.
|
