Events

Unless otherwise notified, events listed here will be held at the NREL Visitors Center, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO. The Visitors Center phone number is 303-384-6565.

What does NREL do?

Researchers at NREL are helping industry reduce energy use in buildings by conducting research on residential buildings, commercial buildings, technologies and analysis and evaluation. Our research accelerates industry adoption of advanced energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies.

What will you learn at the NREL Visitors Center?

Where does your household energy go? How does low-energy design and high-performance power systems work together? Can certain appliances help you reduce your energy consumption? Come get some helpful tips. A list of helpful Websites will be also available. Our staff and volunteers will be happy to answer any questions you may have and will help you navigate our interactive exhibit hall.

To book a tour of the Visitors Center or for field trip program information, call 303-384-6565. We are looking forward to seeing you soon!

February 2012

NREL Visitors Center Saturday Open House

February 11, 2012, 9:00 - 4:00 MST

Golden, CO
Contact: NREL Visitors Center 303-384-6565

Visitors of all ages are invited to a Saturday Open House at the NREL Visitors Center on Saturday, February 11, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. You are welcome to explore our interactive exhibit hall, take virtual tours of our facilities, and engage in hands-on activities.

Then, join us for a special consumer-oriented workshop from 1:00 – 2:30 p.m.!

From Townhouse to Green House

Kevin Donovan from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory will show you how he took an ordinary townhouse and outfitted it for sustainable living.

Seating is limited, so call 303-384-6565 in advance to sign up.

Maps, directions and security requirements

Open to the Public
Free
NREL-sponsored

Power Lunch Lecture Series: Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation By NREL Fellow Dr. Helena Chum

February 29, 2012, 12:00 - 1:30 MST

Golden, CO
Contact: NREL Visitors Cener 303.384.6565

Last May, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change issued the Special Report on Renewable Energy Sources and Climate Change Mitigation at http://srren.ipcc-wg3.de/, released as a publication in November.

The report assesses existing literature on the current and future potential of renewable energy for the mitigation of climate change. It covers the six most important renewable energy technologies, as well as their integration into present and future energy systems. It also takes into consideration the environmental and social consequences associated with these technologies, the cost and strategies to overcome technical as well as non-technical obstacles to their application and diffusion. More than 130 scientists contributed to the report, including several from NREL. The Director of NREL was a coordinating lead author for direct solar energy conversion.

NREL Fellow Dr. Helena Chum, www.nrel.gov/research_fellows/chum.html, was a coordinating lead author for the Bioenergy Chapter of the report. Join Helena for an overview of the report and its conclusions during a special Power Lunch Lecture Series presentation on Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at the NREL Visitors Center.

NREL Visitors Center

15013 Denver West Parkway

Golden, CO 80401

303-384-6565

Bring your lunch to enjoy during the presentation. Call 303-384-6565 to make a reservation for this free public program.

Parking is limited at the Visitors Center. If you are using the NREL shuttle, allow extra time to reach the Visitors Center by noon for the beginning of the presentation.

Maps, directions and security requirements

Open to the Public
Free
NREL-sponsored

March 2012

NREL Visitors Center Closed March 7, 2012

March 7, 2012, 8:00 - 5:00 MST

Golden, CO
Contact: NREL Visitros Center 303.384.6565

The NREL Visitors Center will be closed on March 7, 2012 for a private event. We will reopen on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at 9 a.m.

We apologise for the inconvenience.

Maps, directions and security requirements

Open to the Public
Free
NREL-sponsored

Power Lunch Lecture Series: Integrating Variable Renewable Generation in the Electricity Grid By NREL’ Lori Bird and Debbie Lew, NREL

March 8, 2012, 12:00 - 1:00 MST

Golden, CO
Contact: NREL Visitors Center 303.384.6565

Variable renewable energy generators such as wind and solar can have output that varies over the course of the day or season and can be uncertain due to challenges in predicting the weather. The integration of variable generation into the electric grid requires additional operational flexibility.

How predictable is wind and solar generation? What are the impacts of integrating variable generation sources on the grid? How much variable renewable energy generation can the grid handle? How can the additional variability be managed? What operational changes can help accommodate higher penetrations of variable generation? What are the costs of integrating variable renewable energy generation? What is the state of experience integrating high penetrations of variable renewable energy generating sources internationally? Join Lori Bird and Debbie Lew as they explore these questions on during a special Power Lunch Lecture Series presentation on Thursday, March 8, 2012 at the NREL Visitors Center.

NREL Visitors Center

15013 Denver West Parkway

Golden, CO 80401

303-384-6565

Bring your lunch to enjoy during the presentation. Call 303-384-6565 to make a reservation for this free public program.

Parking is limited at the Visitors Center. If you are using the NREL shuttle, allow extra time to reach the Visitors Center by noon for the beginning of the presentation.

Maps, directions and security requirements

Open to the Public
Free
NREL-sponsored

April 2012

NREL Visitors Center Saturday Open House April 21, 2012

April 21, 2012, 9:00 - 4:00 MDT

Golden, CO
Contact: NREL Visitors Center 303.384.6565

Visitors of all ages are invited to a Saturday Open House at the NREL Visitors Center on Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. You are welcome to explore our interactive exhibit hall, take virtual tours of our facilities, and engage in hands-on activities.

Maps, directions and security requirements

Open to the Public
Free
NREL-sponsored

July 2012

NREL Visitors Center Saturday Open House July 21, 2012

July 21, 2012, 9:00 - 4:00 MDT

Golden, CO
Contact: NREL Visitors Center 303.384.6565

Maps, directions and security requirements

Open to the Public
Free
NREL-sponsored

September 2012

NREL Visitors Center Saturday Open House September 29, 2012

September 29, 2012, 9:00 - 4:00 MDT

Golden, CO
Contact: NREL Visitors Center 303.384.6565

Maps, directions and security requirements

Open to the Public
Free
NREL-sponsored

Other

2012 Saturday Open House

2012

Golden, CO
Contact: NREL Visitors Center 303.384.6565

Visitors of all ages are invited to a Saturday Open House at the NREL Visitors Center on selected Saturdays this year. You are welcome to explore our interactive exhibit hall, enjoy special presentations, take virtual tours of our facilities and engage in hands-on activities.

Mark Your Calendars!

February 11, 2012

April 21, 2012

July 21, 2012

September, 2012 TBD, partnering with the Green and Solar Homes Tour

Maps, directions and security requirements

Open to the Public
Free
NREL-sponsored

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