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Energy Systems Integration Facility

NREL's multistory Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) will provide laboratory and office space for approximately 200 NREL researchers and support staff. The 182,500-ft2 building will house research to overcome challenges related to the interconnection of distributed energy systems and the integration of renewable energy technologies into the electrical grid.

Artist's rendition of NREL's future Energy System Integration Facility. The three-story building has solar panels on the roof.

NREL's new Energy Systems Integration Facility is slated to open fall 2012.

ESIF researchers will engineer, design, test, and analyze components and systems to enable economic, reliable integration of renewable electricity, fuel production, storage, and building efficiency technologies with the U.S. electricity delivery infrastructure.

The ESIF will also include a state-of-the-art, high-performance computing data center that will improve and expand capabilities in modeling and simulation of renewable energy and energy-efficiency technologies and their integration into the existing energy infrastructure.

Working with Us

Learn about working with NREL on electric infrastructure systems research and development to transfer technologies into the marketplace.

ESIF Snapshot

  • Cost: $135M
  • Square feet: 182,500
  • Occupants: ~200
  • Super computer: one-half petaflop scale; planned to be expanded to petaflop
  • State-of-the-art electric systems simulation and visualization
  • Component and systems testing at MW-scale power
  • Integration of functioning systems with utility system simulations for real-time, real-power evaluation of high penetration scenarios
  • Construction start: early spring 2011
  • Construction complete: fall 2012

ESIF Workshops

NREL sponsors ESIF workshops to solicit insight from energy stakeholders and potential partners on the design and functionality of the facility, to identify priority R&D needs related to transforming our nation’s energy system, and to raise awareness of the ESIF’s innovative capabilities and partnering opportunities.

News and Media Contacts

Find ESIF news and information for the media in the Energy Systems Integration Facility newsroom.

More Information

To learn more about the Energy Systems Integration Facility, contact Ben Kroposki by e-mail or by phone at 303-275-2979.