VOA标准英语2010-Website of the Week - National Renewable（在线收听）

Researching wind, solar, biofuel, and more

Art Chimes | Washington, DC 16 April 2010

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National Renewable Energy Lab

Time again for our Website of the Week, when we showcase interesting and innovative online destinations.

This time, and just in time for Earth Day on April 22, we feature a U.S. government facility that focuses on wind, solar power and other forms of sustainable energy.

"The National Renewable Energy Laboratory [NREL] is the U.S. Department of Energy's national laboratory that's dedicated to research into renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency technologies," explains spokesman George Douglas. At nrel.gov, everyone from consumers to research scientists can learn about green buildings, geothermal energy and advanced vehicles and the fuels that power them.

"You can find the basics of how renewable energy technologies work," Douglas says. "Consumers can find advice on how to be more efficient in their use of energy, and research papers are published. For example, nanotechnologies that might lead to better materials for solar cells."

The National Renewable Energy Lab does both basic and applied research, and Douglas says its work is aimed at better stewardship of our resources on planet Earth.

"We're trying to help people become better informed as they make energy choices. As we think about Earth Day, one of the largest impacts that human beings have on the planet is the use of energy. And by using energy more thoughtfully, we can all reduce that impact."

Wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and more at nrel.gov, or visit our site, voanews.com, for the link to this and hundreds of other Websites of the Week.