Renewable Energy
NREL's goal is to maximize the use of on-site renewable energy and to purchase the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to offset the remaining greenhouse gas emissions necessary to achieve laboratory "carbon neutrality."
In FY 2007, NREL's renewable energy use was 100% of annual electric consumption achieved primarily through the utilization of on-site renewable energy projects and the purchase of RECs. One hundred percent of the renewable energy consumed was from "new" renewable resources.
Exceeding Federal Government Goals
These results significantly exceed the renewable energy generation and use goals called for by:
EPACT 2005 — Consumption of renewable energy shall be 3% for each year from FY 2007 through FY 2009, 5% from FY 2010 through FY 2012; and 7.5% from FY 2013 forward of annual electric consumption.
E.O.13423 adopts the EPACT 2005 goal and provides that at least half of the required renewable energy consumed each fiscal year shall come from "new" (post Jan. 1, 1999) renewable resources. The TEAM Initiative Goal is to Exceed the E.O. Goal.
Existing wind and PV (multiple on/off-grid systems) sources generated approximately 130 MWh. Renewable energy thermal sources including solar hot water systems, ventilation air preheat systems, Trombe walls, etc. produced approximately 10 MMBtu.
Two new on-site renewable energy projects were approved in FY 2007 for operation during FY 2008. Both of these projects are being installed using innovative private sector financing arrangements.
On-site Renewable Energy Projects
Existing and planned on-site renewable energy projects include:
The Mesa Top Photovoltaic PV Project (PDF 410 KB) is a 750 kW photovoltaic (PV) system, which will displace approximately 7% of the laboratory's electrical use. Download Adobe Reader.
Grid-connected PV panels which generate about 53,000 kWh of electricity each year. These panels are at the Solar Energy Research Facility, the Site Entrance Building, the Outdoor Test Facility, the National Wind Technology Center, and the Distributed Energy Research Test Facility. There are also remote applications including signs, and walkway and parking lighting.
A new Renewable Fuel Heating Plant (RFHP) (PDF 345 KB), a wood-fired combustion boiler that utilizes forest thinnings and wood waste will displace nearly 75% of NREL's South Table Mountain natural gas use. The RFHP will displace nearly 75% of NREL's natural gas use. Download Adobe Reader.
Wind turbines at the National Wind Technology Center have approximately 1,600 kW of installed capacity. The turbines produce more than 60,000 kWh per year, most of which is used to offset simultaneous site energy use.
Solar thermal energy sources include solar hot water systems, ventilation air preheating systems, and Trombe walls. These combined projects represent an annual thermal output of nearly 10.2 billion Btu. There is also extensive use of passive solar and daylighting.
Planned PV Projects. Three new photovoltaic projects also using an innovative private sector financing arrangement have been approved:
- A 1.16 MW ground mount system at the National Wind Technology Center and on the South Table Mountain campus;
- A 382 kW ground mount system near the Field Test Laboratory Building; and
- A 118 kW Science and Technology Facility roof mount system.
Learn more about NREL's Campus of the Future (PDF 5.5 MB). Download Adobe Reader.
