News Archive

Browse all Athena news updates including presentations, publications, and media mentions.

electric car charging at charging station

Athena ZEV Takes Up Challenge of Electrifying Airports and De-Risking Investment

Oct. 2, 2023
NREL met with stakeholders and partners at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to launch Athena ZEV—the next phase of Athena—which aims to electrify transportation and de-risk airport investments, with an initial focus on rental cars.
A highway overpass at dusk

Athena Papers Accepted to Transportation Review Board Meeting

Jan. 25, 2022
Two Athena papers were accepted to the 2021 virtual Transportation Review Board Annual Meeting that will bring together government, industry, academia, and research organizations to discuss topics within the theme of Launching a New Century of Mobility and Quality of Life.
Airport Arrivals drop off

Multiyear NREL Study Uses Digital Twin of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Inform Long-Term Investments at Major Transportation Hubs

July 5, 2021
Now in the third year of the Athena project, the team has published a series of three journal articles sharing key results on shuttle bus route optimization and expanded parking choices to improve energy use and reduce operational costs at airports.
Screenshot of a video interview with Sean Donohue

DFW International Airport CEO Highlights Athena

Sep. 24, 2020
In an interview for the Air Transport Advisory Group, DFW International Airport CEO Sean Donohue acknowledged the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Athena project as key factors for reducing emissions, improving efficiency, and enhancing energy systems at the airport.
Business people riding escalator in airport

Sharing Athena Insights Across the Department of Energy Complex

Feb. 25, 2020
Athena's Lindy Williams presented at the 2020 Conference on Data Analysis about using machine-learning-enhanced modeling to accurately forecast airport traffic and congestion.
Airport logo for Digital Twin

Monte Lunacek Educates About the Value of Digital Twins

Feb. 25, 2020
Athena's lead researcher Monte Lunacek presented on how digital twins can optimize airport operations during an Engineering News-Record webinar.
airplane attached to jetway at gate

Sharing about Supercomputing Models in Washington, D.C.

Jan. 13, 2020
Athena's Caleb Phillips is attending the ACRP Airport Terminals and Ground Access Committee meeting, where he's been invited to present about supercomputing models for advanced airport ground mobility.
speakers panel at conference

Touchdown in Chicago for Airports Going Green presentation

Dec. 19, 2019
We were excited to visit Chicago and participate in the Airports Going Green 2019 conference panel on Sustainability and Asset Management with our collaborators at LAX and DFW. Looking forward to next year's event!
UPS trucks

UPS, SLC Airport, and Port of Seattle join Athena team

Dec. 15, 2019
We're thrilled to share that the United Parcel Service (UPS) is now an Athena industry advisor, and Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and Port of Seattle have joined our technical advisory board.
busy airline gate

Get to know Athena in our new video

Nov. 26, 2019
Curious about how we're transforming transportation hubs like DFW? Check out our new video to learn about the innovative analysis and personalities behind our project.