PNNL’s year in review includes highlights ranging from advancing soil science to understanding Earth systems, expanding electricity transmission, detecting fentanyl, and applying artificial intelligence to aid scientific discovery.
The National Transmission Planning Study presents several transmission expansion scenarios that would reliably support the growing demand for energy across the nation.
With the launch of a large research barge, PNNL and collaborators took another significant step to improve offshore wind forecasting that will lower risk and cost associated with offshore wind energy development.
PNNL and collaborators developed new models—recently approved by the U.S. Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC)—to help utilities understand how new grid-forming inverter technology will enhance grid stability.
In a study off the West Coast, researchers find that although seabirds generally soar underneath the height of possible future wind turbine blades, more work is being done to fully understand seabird flight behavior.
Researchers seek to bring down costs, address potential environmental risks and maximize the benefits of harnessing wind energy above the deep waters of the Pacific.
The nation is closer to its offshore wind energy goals than ever before, but better wind forecasting is still needed. To address this challenge, PNNL and collaborators are charting a new course with help from novel technology.
PNNL had a significant presence at October’s North American Wind Energy Academy/WindTech 2023 Conference in Denver, Colorado. Thirteen PNNL wind experts participated in various capacities.
Understanding the risk of compound energy droughts—times when the sun doesn’t shine and the wind doesn’t blow—will help grid planners understand where energy storage is needed most.
PNNL led one of five Pathway Summer School programs nationwide, with a specific focus on engaging students from Native American or Indigenous backgrounds.
Over three days more than 200 federal, state, and tribal partners gathered to evaluate and walk through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Region 10 Cascadia Subduction Zone Earthquake and Tsunami Response Plan.