News | Headlines NREL abandons renewables focus USA R&D
The USA’s Department of Energy has renamed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) the National Laboratory of the Rockies, with immediate effect. The facility will no longer focus its efforts mainly on research concerning renewables, a change that reflects the Trump
administration’s attitude to the value of research into renewable energy sources. Founded in response to the 1973 oil crisis, NREL spearheaded the development and integration of a broad array of technologies for every facet of the energy system, from generation to distribution to end use. The new
name reflects the Trump administration’s ‘broader vision for the lab’s applied energy research’, which historically emphasised alternative and renewable sources of generation.
“The energy crisis we face today is unlike the crisis that gave rise to NREL,” said Assistant Secretary of Energy (EERE) Audrey Robertson. “We are no longer picking and choosing energy sources. Our highest priority is to invest in the scientific capabilities that will restore American manufacturing, drive down costs, and help this country meet its soaring energy demand. The National Lab of the Rockies will play a vital role in those efforts.”
Jud Virden, laboratory director of the National Laboratory of the Rockies, commented: “This new name embraces a broader applied energy mission entrusted to us by the Department of Energy to deliver a more affordable and secure energy future for all.”
TVA awarded grant to advance next-gen nuclear USA Nuclear power
affordable energy at scale.
The Tennessee Valley Authority, the USA’s largest public power supplier, has been selected for a $400 million grant from the US Department of Energy to accelerate deployment of the nation’s first Generation III+ Small Modular Reactor at TVA’s Clinch River nuclear site in East Tennessee. The grant is part of TVA’s broader initiative aimed at strengthening the USA’s domestic nuclear industry and is expected to advance the SMR project, targeting commercial operation in the early 2030s and demonstrating how advanced nuclear power can deliver reliable and
Don Moul, TVA CEO, commented. “With DOE’s support and the strength of our partners, we’re accelerating the deployment of next-generation nuclear – reducing financial risk to consumers and strengthening US energy security.
“TVA is the first utility in the U.S. to have a construction permit application for a BWRX-300 SMR accepted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The Clinch River project will serve as a national model for how to deploy SMRs safely, efficiently, and affordably”. TVA is positioning itself to train a new
generation of nuclear professionals, establish a replicable framework for SMR deployment across the USA and stimulate US manufacturing of critical nuclear components. The DOE grant, established by Congress in 2024, is designed to strengthen America’s domestic nuclear industry and catalyse the deployment of SMRs, compact nuclear reactors that can be built faster and integrated more easily into diverse energy systems. TVA applied for the grant with a coalition of partners in April 2025. As the lead applicant, TVA will now enter further discussion with the DOE on project milestones and co-applicant awards.
Geothermal standards committee launched
China Geothermal energy The International Geothermal Standard Committee, IGSC, was officially established on November 26 in Beijing, with its permanent Secretariat hosted by China Petroleum and Chemical Corp (aka ’Sinopec’), marking a milestone in global geothermal standardisation.
Initiated by the International Geothermal Association, IGA, the IGSC brings together 30 leading experts from 15 countries as its inaugural committee members. The committee has been formed to lead the development and promotion of unified international geothermal standards, accelerate technology deployment, and ensure the healthy, sustainable growth of the global geothermal industry chain. “As the world undergoes a profound energy
transition, geothermal energy … is emerging as a strategic cornerstone of the future energy mix. Unified and mutually recognised standards are the foundation for lowering international co-operation barriers, speeding up technology transfer, and securing a resilient global geothermal supply chain,” commented Mr Niu Shuanwen, senior vp of Sinopec. “Sinopec will spare no effort in supporting the IGSC and translating global consensus into actionable standards that drive real impact.” Going forward, the committee intends to systematically advance a comprehensive geothermal standard system covering the full industry chain, including resource exploration and evaluation, reservoir engineering, drilling and completion, district heating, power generation, and shallow geothermal systems,
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with a focus on processes, methods, equipment, and materials.
“The establishment of the IGSC transforms a long-standing industry consensus into urgent action,” remarked Mr Bjarni Pálsson, president of the International Geothermal Association. “By pooling worldwide expertise in an open and inclusive manner, we will deliver authoritative international standards and guidelines, laying a solid foundation for large-scale, efficient geothermal development and contributing meaningfully to global climate goals.”
Sinopec, China’s largest developer and operator of mid- and deep-geothermal energy, has drafted over 50% of China’s national geothermal standards and led the country’s first IGA international standard.
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