Peaks to Power

National Laboratory of the Rockies

A podcast highlighting the latest research and news from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR).

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S1 · E61
Wednesday · 9 min
The Lab Is Going Chiral. Plus: 4 Wins at the Oscars of Innovation
In this episode of Peaks to Power, hosts Jackson and Taylor talk chirality-induced spin selectivity and the R&D 100 Awards: Experimental results show that chirality-induced spin selectivity can control electrochemical reaction products to generate useful chemicals. NLR took home four of this year’s R&D 100 Awards for innovative technologies, bringing the lab’s total award count to 80 since 1982. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E60
August 12 · 10 min
12 Genesis Awards, One Membrane Center, and 5 Emerging Aviation Fuels
Peaks to Power is back with updates in advanced computing, materials science, and flight! In this episode, find out about: 12 project awards NLR received in the Department of Energy’s Genesis Mission A new collaboration with Argonne and Oak Ridge national laboratories to establish a national center for membrane technologies A recently published report evaluating the real-world potential of five emerging aviation fuels. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E59
July 29 · 9 min
Improving Energy Planning, Water Desalination Device, and Ongoing Battery Research
This week on Peaks to Power, we break down battery research, gather updates on a water desalination device, and review a grid planning tool. NLR researchers are equipping state energy offices and public utility commissions with the Sienna analysis tool and trainings to make the most of the energy planning. The latest update to the HERO WEC device could provide a blueprint for future wave energy components. Years of work and a catalogue of data results in a new, open-access Battery Safety Database and more from NLR’s extensive battery research. Follow @NatLabRockies on Instagram to meet a few incredible interns and celebrate National Intern Day. This week's episode was hosted by Kerrin Jeromin and Nataleah Small. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E58
July 1 · 9 min
AI Research Digs Deep Into Mining Operations. Plus: NLR’s Oppenheimer Fellows
This week on Peaks to Power, dig into artificial intelligence, critical mineral mining, and national laboratory collaborations: Minnesota-based NLR researcher Ryan King is using AI to bolster critical mineral supply chains , thanks in part to a partnership with the University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute. NLR’s Amanda Kolker and David Digon were named fellows in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oppenheimer Science and Energy Leadership Program, enhancing collaboration across the national lab network. Find the episode transcript here. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E57
June 17 · 9 min
Smarter Grids, Brain-Like Materials, and an Award-Winning Pitch for Battery Recycling
This week, we’re highlighting NLR advancements in grid management, materials science, and critical materials recovery. You'll hear about: A new open-source tool helping utilities use smart energy management to meet growing electricity demand while reducing the need for grid upgrades Brain-inspired materials that can "remember" light, opening the door to more efficient machine vision and neuromorphic computing An NLR postdoc’s award-winning pitch at the recent National Lab Research SLAM about using microbes to recover critical metals from spent batteries. Find the transcript for this show here. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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June 10 · 14 min
Lab Notes: Alaska Heat Pumps and Workforce Development
Joined by guest host Molly Rettig, Peaks to Power travels to Alaska and the National Laboratory of the Rockies' campus in Fairbanks to learn more about heat pumps and the researchers making it easier to install this new technology that could save consumers money on energy bills. Learn more about our work with heat pumps and NLR's Alaska Campus. Find the transcript for this show here. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E56
June 3 · 9 min
NASA Invention of the Year, First-of-Its-Kind Test Bed, and Artificial Photosynthesis
In this episode of Peaks to Power, learn about: The internal short-circuit device from NLR scientists that was awarded NASA’s Invention of the Year. The Agora large-load test bed, a first-of-its-kind national capability designed to help data centers become active participants in grid reliability. The semiconductor-catalyst combo that captures more energy to drive chemical reactions. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E55
May 20 · 11 min
University Partnerships, Self-Driving Laboratories, and Helping Airports Meet Growing Energy Demands
In this episode of Peaks to Power, learn about: Two Memorandums of Understanding the National Laboratory of the Rockies signed with the University of Utah and the Colorado School of Mines Two researchers working to create self-driving laboratories using artificial intelligence and robotics NLR’s Aeroportal web platform helping airports manage increase infrastructure and energy demands. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E54
May 6 · 10 min
We’re Back! Rooftop Sunscreen, Plant-Based Snowboards, and Cell-Free Biomanufacturing
The National Laboratory of the Rockies’ podcast is back with a new name and brand! In our first episode as Peaks to Power, you’ll hear about: A rooftop “sunscreen” that’s keeping buildings cool in summer while protecting roofs from ultraviolet sunrays A bioplastic made from hemp seed oil that might one day be found in aerospace, automotive, battery, and construction materials A new approach, called cell-free biomanufacturing, that NLR is pioneering to turn biomass and waste into useful chemicals. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E53
Nov 19, 2025 · 10 min
Improvements in Batteries, Trains, and Wave Technology
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). New week, new discoveries! In today’s episode, you can: Explore the evolving world of battery safety research—from new energy storage technologies to a strategic approach for evaluating safety at the electrode, pack, and cell levels. Discover how self-propelled rail cars could make freight trains competitive in short-haul delivery for the first time. Revisit the HERO-WEC, now redesigned to better withstand storms and powerful waves as it turns ocean energy into fresh drinking water. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E52
Sep 30, 2025 · 14 min
A Dashboard for Trucking Efficiency, an HVAC Game Changer, and More Power With Less
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). Are you curious about new technologies that maximize performance while minimizing energy use and costs? If yes, this episode is for you. Learn about: A tool package that is helping trucking companies reduce fuel usage and costs by streamlining their fleet design and logistics. A breakthrough in air conditioning that transforms how we condition air and when we use electricity to do it. A silicon-carbide-based power module with never-before-seen efficiency, power density, and low-cost manufacturability. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E51
Sep 17, 2025 · 11 min
Saving Energy and Money for Concrete and Cement Manufacturing, Power Line Utilities, and Hospital and Commercial Buildings
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, you’ll learn about three real-world research applications for a more reliable and cost-effective future: Experts convened at NREL to focus on deploying next-generation concrete and cement technologies to decrease our reliance on cement imports and increase durability. Artificial intelligence has the potential to help snuff out wildfires caused by downed power lines before they even begin. NREL researchers are looking at how to lower the plug and process loads of medical buildings by examining idle energy consumption of equipment like MRI scanners. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E50
Sep 3, 2025 · 10 min
3D Printing Metal for Ocean Energy Devices, Unlocking AI’s Potential, Early Career Spotlight
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). It’s the 50th episode of The NREL Podcast! Today, you’ll hear about: A new tool that lets researchers and partners cut prototyping costs, wait times, and design barriers for ocean energy technologies. A recent gathering at NREL where experts explored how artificial intelligence can accelerate materials synthesis, characterization, and modeling—unlocking new insights and speeding technologies to market. NREL data scientist Hilary Egan's creative career path from astrophysics to applied artificial intelligence. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E49
Aug 20, 2025 · 14 min
NREL’s New Laboratory Director and Google’s AI Hackathon—Plus, an Energy Tech Pitch Event
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). It’s been a busy summer at NREL. In this episode, you’ll learn about: The appointment of NREL’s incoming laboratory director Dr. Jud Virden, who brings 34 years of national lab experience at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and a background in chemical engineering to his new position. How Google and NREL teamed up to host an AI Hackathon. (Yes, we Googled it: Hackathon is a real word.) This summer’s EnergyTech University Prize 2025 collegiate pitch event with many innovative university students vying for the prize pool of more than $430,000. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E48
Aug 6, 2025 · 9 min
An NREL Intern Takeover
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). Ever wondered what it's like to intern at NREL? It might include supercomputers, hydrogen breakthroughs, and … a podcast mic. NREL intern Madelyn Weirich joins this episode of The NREL Podcast to take you behind the scenes of NREL's internship programs. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E47
Jul 23, 2025 · 14 min
Islands, Airports, and Arctic Heat: Energy Solutions for Every Community
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, explore three ways NREL researchers are creating energy solutions for small, remote, and rural regions: How a microgrid project on Martha’s Vineyard is strengthening the island’s energy resilience and reliability during outages How NREL’s ARIES platform is being used to test new electrification scenarios for airports—before infrastructure is built How geothermal heat stored underground could help meet building heating needs in Alaska’s Arctic climate 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E46
Jul 9, 2025 · 10 min
Finding Solutions for Tastier Tomatoes, Recycled Carbon Fiber, and Better Battery Performance
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, explore three ways NREL researchers are seeking out energy solutions: An experiment dubbed “No Photon Left Behind” examined if growing tomatoes under the filtered light spectrum of a semitransparent photovoltaic panels would make them grow faster, bigger, and tastier. The BOTTLE consortium at NREL released a paper recently that looked at new methods for recycling carbon fiber composites, the high-strength, low weight materials made from epoxy-amine resins that encase long carbon fibers and form a stiff material found in many consumer products like bicycles, planes, and cars. NREL researchers are using an advanced imaging tool called x-ray nanoscale computed tomography imaging – or nano-C-T imaging, to analyze batteries at the end of their useful life and reveal hidden flaws that give us insights into how battery materials change during its life. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E45
Jun 25, 2025 · 10 min
Managing Marine Energy and Monitoring Battery Health
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 and Taylor dive into three stories with one goal: powering our world with curiosity, creativity, and just a dash of “What if it fails?” Listen in to explore: Updates to NREL’s risk management framework. Remember the HERO-WEC from last episode? Researchers are working with the team behind this device to help developers identify, prioritize, and address the challenges of designing and deploying wave energy converters. How NREL engineer Bri Friedman will deploy a new underwater wave energy converter. As she prepares to take the SURF-WEC to Hawaii, Friedman is embracing early challenges as a way to accelerate learning and share open data with the marine energy community. Plus, Insights into how researchers are fast-tracking battery diagnostics with AI. NREL’s new physics-informed neural network can predict battery health nearly 1,000 times faster than traditional models, combining the speed of AI with the accuracy of physics—and it’s available for free! 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E44
Jun 11, 2025 · 11 min
Elevator Parts in Marine Energy Tech, Transportation Data Sharing, and a Biomanufacturing Collab Helping To Scale Up Tech—Fast
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 of The NREL Podcast, hosts Taylor Mankle and Kerrin Jeromin spotlight three stories where innovation meets real-world impact, including: Marine energy tech getting a surprising upgrade. NREL researchers test an elevator pulley belt to improve their wave-powered desalination device, called the HERO WEC. A major milestone for secure transportation data sharing. The Transportation Secure Data Center celebrates 15 years of enabling smarter transportation planning while protecting user privacy. How a new collaboration with Crysalis Biosciences is transforming shuttered chemical plants into cutting-edge biofuel and biochemical production hubs. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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S1 · E43
May 28, 2025 · 7 min
Improving Housing in Alaska, the Power of Quantum Computing, and Pairing Salt and Perovskites
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 of The NREL Podcast, hosts Kerrin Jeromin and Taylor Mankle take listeners across the United States to explore three very different—but equally impactful—stories from the lab, including: A look at NREL’s work with the Chilkat Indian Village to improve housing in Klukwan, a remote Alaskan village facing a housing emergency. Discover how retrofits, health assessments, and workforce development are bringing warmth and opportunity to the community. NREL’s partnership with regional quantum companies to develop benchmarks that could revolutionize energy systems, from the grid to storage. How even solar cells are better with salt. This simple ingredient is helping scientists at NREL enhance the performance and durability of perovskite solar cells. 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 podcast@nlr.gov. Follow NLR on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, and Facebook.
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