Working with Us
NREL's electric infrastructure systems research involves industry, academia, other national laboratories, and various standards organizations. There are several ways to become involved.
Collaborative Work
To engage in collaborative work for NREL's electric infrastructure systems, you can:
Work with NREL through Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)
This is the most widely used means of industrial collaboration.Participate in subcontracted research
More than half of NREL's budget supports DOE-directed research conducted by large and small private companies, universities, research institutes, and consultants.Pay NREL to conduct research without your collaboration through Work for Others (WFOs) or Sponsored Research
This is an effective way for industry to take advantage of NREL's expertise and unique research facilities.Work with NREL researchers through mentored research internships and fellowships for undergraduate and graduate students.
Using Our Facilities
NREL, through the support of the U.S. Department of Energy, has two state-of-the-art facilities for electric infrastructure systems research. Standards associations and industry have taken advantage of NREL's distributed energy capabilities to evaluate and validate their products and processes.
The Distributed Energy Resources Test Facility (DERTF) can be used to characterize, test, and evaluate distributed generators, interconnection systems, controls, and procedures. Standards associations and industry have taken advantage of NREL's distributed energy capabilities to evaluate and validate their products and processes.
The Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF), planned to open in fall 2012, can be used to 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.
Contact Us
Please contact us if you would like to explore collaboration opportunities in NREL's electric infrastructure systems research.
Ben Kroposki (303) 275-2979
