Skip to main content

PNNL

  • About
  • News & Media
  • Careers
  • Events
  • Research
    • Scientific Discovery
      • Biology
        • Ecosystem Science
        • Human Health
          • Cancer Biology
        • Integrative Omics
          • Advanced Metabolomics
          • Instrument Development & Deployment
          • Nanoscale Proteomics
        • Microbiome Science
          • Human Microbiome
          • Soil Microbiome
      • Chemistry
        • Catalysis
        • Chemical Physics
      • Computational Research
        • Artificial Intelligence
        • Computational Mathematics & Statistics
        • Graph and Data Analytics
        • High-Performance Computing
        • Software Engineering
        • Visual Analytics
      • Earth & Coastal Sciences
        • Atmospheric Science
        • Coastal Science
        • Ecosystem Science
        • Plant Science
        • Subsurface Science
        • Terrestrial Aquatics
      • Materials Science
        • Solid Phase Processing
        • Science of Interfaces
        • Precision Materials by Design
        • Materials in Extreme Environments
      • Nuclear & Particle Physics
        • Dark Matter
        • Neutrino Physics
        • Flavor Physics
        • Fusion Energy Science
      • Quantum Information Science
    • Energy Resiliency
      • Electric Grid Modernization
        • Distribution
        • Transmission
        • Grid Architecture
        • Grid Analytics
          • AGM Program
        • Grid Cybersecurity
        • Emergency Response
      • Energy Efficiency
        • Building Technologies
          • Advanced Building Controls
          • Building-Grid Integration
          • Advanced Lighting
        • Residential Buildings
          • Energy Efficient Technology Integration
          • Home Energy Score
          • Building America Solution Center
        • Commercial Buildings
        • Federal Buildings
          • Federal Performance Optimization
          • Resilience and Security
        • Building Energy Codes
        • Appliance and Equipment Standards
      • Energy Storage
        • Grid Energy Storage
        • Vehicle Energy Storage
      • Environmental Management
        • Environmental Remediation
        • Waste Processing
        • Radiation Measurement
      • Fossil Energy
        • Carbon Management
          • Carbon Capture
          • Carbon Storage
          • Carbon Utilization
        • Subsurface Energy Systems
        • Advanced Hydrocarbon Conversion
      • Nuclear Energy
        • Reactor Licensing
        • Reactor Operations
        • Fuel Cycle Research
        • Advanced Reactors
      • Renewable Energy
        • Hydropower
          • Environmental Performance of Hydropower
          • Hydropower and the Electric Grid
          • Hydropower Cybersecurity and Digitalization
          • Materials Science for Hydropower
          • Water + Hydropower Planning
        • Marine Energy
          • Environmental Monitoring for Marine Energy
          • Marine Biofouling and Corrosion
          • Marine Energy Resource Characterization
          • Testing for Marine Energy
          • The Blue Economy
        • Wind Energy
          • Distributed Wind
          • Offshore Wind
          • Uncertainty Quantification
          • Wildlife and Wind
          • Wind Data Archive and Portal
          • Wind Resource Characterization
        • Geothermal Energy
        • Solar Energy
      • Transportation
        • Vehicle Technologies
          • Emission Control
          • Energy-Efficient Mobility Systems
          • Lightweight Materials
          • Vehicle Electrification
        • Bioenergy Technologies
          • Algal Biofuels
          • Aviation Biofuels
          • Waste-to-Energy and Products
        • Hydrogen & Fuel Cells
    • National Security
      • Computing & Analytics
        • Artificial Intelligence
        • Computational Mathematics & Statistics
        • Graph and Data Analytics
        • High-Performance Computing
        • Software Engineering
        • Visual Analytics
      • Cybersecurity
        • Discovery and Insight
        • Proactive Defense
        • Trusted Systems
      • Nuclear Nonproliferation
        • Stakeholder Engagement
        • Technical Training
      • Weapons of Mass Effect
        • Explosives Detection
        • Chemical & Biological Signatures Science
        • Radiological & Nuclear Detection
    • Publications & Reports
    • S&T Capabilities
  • People
    • Inventors
    • Diversity
    • Lab Leadership
    • Lab Fellows
    • Staff Accomplishments
  • Partner with PNNL
    • Academia
      • Distinguished Graduate Research Programs
      • Internships
      • Visiting Faculty Program
      • Joint Appointments
      • Joint Institutes
      • Linus Pauling Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship
    • Community
      • STEM Education
        • Resources
        • STEM Ambassadors in the Classroom
      • Philanthropy
      • Volunteering
      • Economic Impact
    • Industry
      • Available Technologies
      • Industry
      • Industry Partnerships
      • Licensing & Technology Transfer
      • Entrepreneurial Leave
  • Facilities & Centers
    • All Facilities
      • Atmospheric Radiation Measurement User Facility
      • Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Lab
      • Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory
      • Institute for Integrated Catalysis
      • Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory
      • Radiochemical Processing Laboratory
      • Shallow Underground Laboratory
      • Systems Engineering Building
      • Wasteform Development Laboratory
      • PNNL Seattle Research Center
      • PNNL 5G Innovation Studio

Breadcrumb

  1. Research
  2. Energy Resiliency
  3. Renewable Energy

Renewable
Energy

Integrating renewable
energy into the power grid

PNNL researchers are working to better integrate renewables onto the power grid.

  • Electric Grid Modernization
  • Energy Efficiency
  • Energy Storage
  • Environmental Management
  • Fossil Energy
  • Nuclear Energy
  • Renewable Energy
    • Hydropower
    • Marine Energy
    • Wind Energy
    • Geothermal Energy
    • Solar Energy
  • Transportation
  • News & Updates
  • Attend a Renewable Energy Event
  • Publications
  • Projects

Throughout the modern age, fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas have powered homes and businesses. But the world is increasingly seeking to add renewable sources of power into the generating mix. These renewable resources have traditionally included hydropower, terrestrial wind, and solar photovoltaic, and we envision newer resources—such as marine energy, wind energy, and geothermal—enabling a sustainable energy future for our nation. 

But there are challenges to overcome. Integrating renewables into the grid is a complex issue, and we also need to understand and mitigate potential environmental impacts. With newer technologies, such as marine energy, there is a great deal of research and development to be done to make the most of these resources. 

We tap our strong base of atmospheric sciences, grid operations and controls, and our engineering and analytical capabilities to help overcome these challenges. Our research encompasses a wide range of renewables, drawing on resources below ground, on the surface, and in the sky. Our partnerships with other national laboratories, industry, and universities are bringing renewable energy closer to an everyday reality. 

We’re driving for an energy future that accommodates new sources. These sources introduce real cost savings and improved performance, as well as new jobs. 

Recent News

APRIL 21, 2021
Web Feature

Preparing for Climate’s Impact on Renewables

Read
forest1
APRIL 19, 2021
Web Feature

Design Teams Advance in Ocean Observing Prize

Read
Underwater autonomous vehicles
APRIL 13, 2021
News Release

Houston Partnership Selected to Design, Construct New $75 Million Grid Storage Launchpad at PNNL

Read
Picture of a scientist working on a flow battery design in one of PNNL’s prototyping labs.
SEE MORE RELATED NEWS

Facilities

Aquatic Research Laboratory Systems Engineering Building Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory Marine and Coastal Research Laboratory Bio-Acoustics and Flow Laboratory Advanced Battery Facility Applied Process Engineering Laboratory

Related Divisions

Coastal Sciences Division
Electricity Infrastructure and Buildings Division
Earth Systems Science Division
Energy Processes & Materials Division

Contacts

Dennis Stiles
Sector Lead, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
dennis.stiles@pnnl.gov
Shannon Bates
Communications Lead
shannon.bates@pnnl.gov

PNNL

  • Get in Touch
    • Contact
    • Careers
    • Doing Business
    • Environmental Reports
    • Security & Privacy
  • Research
    • Scientific Discovery
    • Energy Resiliency
    • National Security
Subscribe to PNNL News
Department of Energy Logo Battelle Logo
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is managed and operated by Battelle for the Department of Energy
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn