The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the only national laboratory solely dedicated to advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies from concept to commercial application. For 35 years, NREL innovations, analysis, and expertise have enabled the emergence of a U.S. clean energy industry and led to numerous success stories from across the laboratory. NREL's 327-acre main campus in Golden, Colorado, is a living model of sustainable energy. The laboratory also operates the National Wind Technology Center on 305 acres located 13 miles north of its main campus.
NREL's Mission
NREL develops renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices, advances related science and engineering, and transfers knowledge and innovations to address the nation's energy and environmental goals.
Science and Technology
NREL's research and development achievements have helped shape clean-energy alternatives for powering our homes and businesses, and the nation's transportation infrastructure. The laboratory's science and technology teams span the full spectrum of innovation, from fundamental science and market-relevant research to systems integration, and testing and validation.
NREL's Capabilities
NREL's areas of expertise include:
Renewable Fuels — Biomass, hydrogen and fuel cells, and vehicle technologies
Renewable Electricity — Solar, wind, water, geothermal, smart-grid technology, and building technology and efficiency
Energy Science — Chemical and biosciences, scientific computing, and materials science
Strategic Energy Analysis — Technology, markets, public policy, security, and government programs
Commercialization and Technology Transfer — Sponsored research and development agreements and licenses with private industry to develop commercial products
Deployment — Information and tools to help communities, industry, and government select the most impactful technologies to reduce their fossil energy use
Governance and Funding
NREL, led by Director Dan E. Arvizu, is the principal research laboratory for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). NREL also conducts research for the Office of Science and the Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability. The laboratory is managed for EERE by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC, a partnership between Battelle and MRIGlobal.
Annual Funding (in millions per fiscal year)
