With broad support from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and leveraging knowledge from local partners and stakeholders, NREL meets communities where they are to provide energy expertise and solutions to develop efficient, affordable, equitable, and resilient energy systems.
NREL provides many forms of technical support that enable states, local jurisdictions, tribes, utilities, industry, and other stakeholders to make informed energy transition decisions that address local priorities and challenges—including economic and workforce development, infrastructure planning, energy justice, and climate change.
Leveraging deep cross-disciplinary expertise throughout its world-class facilities, NREL applies decades of experience in leading-edge technologies, social sciences, policy, and finance to inform everything from energy system design to comprehensive community energy transitions.
"Energy transition is inherently complex. Addressing challenges requires integrated, applied research across interdependent social systems, physical infrastructure, and technology development. As such, NREL's State, Local, and Tribal Program is much more than site-specific technical assistance–it encompasses the holistic nature of systems thinking. This can include workforce development, utilities and technology integration, the complexities of social science and energy justice, and addressing local challenges."
Sherry Stout
State, Local, and Tribal Program Laboratory Program Manager
"NREL's approach to applied energy transition science and engineering supports the evolution of groundbreaking new technologies by matching the complexity of the modern energy system and conducting integrated social and technology research, demonstration, and deployment."
Johney Green
NREL Associate Laboratory Director, Mechanical and Thermal Engineering Sciences
"NREL's vision is a clean energy future for the world. We strive to achieve this vision through energy research spanning from basic sciences to systems engineering and analysis that solve market-relevant problems resulting in deployable solutions. Those solutions touch every aspect of energy, from generation, to transport and storage, to end use for consumers and communities of all varieties."
Juan Torres
Associate Laboratory Director, Energy Systems Integration
Awards
NREL received two R&D 100 Awards for research innovations in August 2023. Among the winning technologies was the Simulation and Emulation for Advanced Systems (SEAS), which is the only software that simulates and validates energy transmission and distribution solutions across the grid and building, transportation, and renewables sectors.
To learn how NREL used SEAS technology to support a utility, read NREL Supports Alaska Utility Amid Coal Plant Retirement Through DOE's Clean Energy to Communities Program.
Applied Research Highlights
Technical Assistance
NREL provides technical assistance to empower and enable community-driven energy solutions that meet local needs and priorities.
In FY 2023, NREL provided technical assistance through the following programs.
Clean Energy to Communities
NREL helped nearly 130 communities meet their clean energy goals through DOE's Clean Energy to Communities (C2C) program. C2C is an innovative DOE program, administered and supported by NREL, offering three unique types of support.
Expert Match
NREL helped more than 50 communities work toward their clean energy goals through C2C's Expert Match program, which connects local governments, electric utilities, and community-based organizations with DOE’s national lab complex to help address near-term energy goals through 40–60 hours of no-cost technical assistance.
To learn how NREL supported Cohoes, New York, through C2C's Expert Match, read NREL Helps Cohoes Community With Floating Solar System and Historic Building Retrofits.
To learn how NREL supported Bealsville, Florida, through C2C's Expert Match, read NREL Partners With Black Farmers' Collaborative To Plan Solar Panels for Florida Farms and Churches.
Peer-Learning Cohorts
NREL helped 77 communities meet their clean energy goals through C2C's Peer-Learning Cohorts program. These cohorts consist of multiple communities that convene regularly for approximately six months to exchange strategies and best practices to overcome challenges around a common clean energy transition topic. The program received 185 applications in the first two cohort cycles.
In-Depth Partnerships
In FY 2023, NREL developed C2C's In-Depth Partnerships program, which established multiyear engagements that help communities develop a realistic, validated plan to put clean energy ambitions into action and address key energy challenges.
In September, NREL selected six community teams to receive up to $25 million in support, including a total of $8 million in award funding and up to $17 million in technical assistance through C2C’s in-depth technical partnerships.
To learn how NREL supported an Alaska utility through C2C's In-Depth Partnerships, read NREL Supports Alaska Utility Amid Coal Plant Retirement Through Clean Energy to Communities Program.
"Local governments, utilities, and community-based organizations know the nuances of their communities' energy challenges and priorities. C2C is designed to help these stakeholders access the research and development capabilities at DOE's national labs, including NREL, that they need to unlock practical pathways that achieve their goals."
Jenny Sumner
C2C project lead, NREL
"The breadth of our work has been a reminder of the complexity of the clean energy transition, and a reminder of the depth of expertise at national labs and our technical assistance delivery partner organizations."
Sika Gadzanku
C2C Expert Match lead, NREL
Clean Energy Demonstration on Mine Land Technical Assistance
NREL supported application review and delivery of technical assistance for 16 clean energy development projects on current and former mine land through DOE's Clean Energy on Mine Land program.
Learn about NREL's clean energy demonstration on mine land technical assistance.
Communities Local Energy Action Program
In FY 2023, NREL directly supported 22 community coalitions in their clean energy transition efforts through DOE's Communities LEAP (Local Energy Action Program) Pilot.
More than 30 researchers and technical experts across NREL's various technology programs provided customized assistance through community engagement, project scoping, research and analysis, and project planning.
All NREL technical assistance activities are expected to be complete with pilot communities during the winter of 2023.
Community Engagement
Through dozens of community meetings, reports, and presentations, NREL's technical analysis provided communities with resources to make informed decisions about investments in clean energy, energy efficiency, energy resiliency, and clean transportation. NREL also developed 24 community-focused webpages and a monthly newsletter to keep Communities LEAP participants updated on related federal opportunities and progress throughout the program, and to help other communities learn and benefit from this work.
Energy Justice
NREL's energy justice work supported DOE's Communities LEAP program, which is specifically open to low-income, energy-burdened communities that are experiencing environmental injustice or direct economic impacts from a shift away from historical reliance on the fossil fuel industry.
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants
In partnership with DOE's State and Community Energy Program, NREL assisted 122 community, county, tribal, and state grant recipients through the DOE Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program. NREL assists with review of communities' Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy documents, provides targeted analysis or feedback on technical questions that push forward the strategy or its implementation, helps communities identify other funding to leverage, and more.
Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas
On behalf of DOE's Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations (OCED), NREL provides technical assistance for the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas (ERA) program.
"NREL is providing technical assistance through ERA's funding and prize opportunities that are lowering barriers and making funding opportunities more accessible for historically underserved rural and remote communities."
Sean Esterly
Project Manager, NREL
Technical Support
In the spring 2023, the ERA program issued two funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) for projects that increase energy affordability and promote climate resilience. For each FOA, NREL is providing two rounds of technical assistance to support applicants through the FOA application process as well as in-depth technical assistance for FOA awardees.
Prize Support
NREL is also administering the ERA’s $15 million Energizing Rural Communities Prize. In July 2023, ERA announced 67 prize winners. NREL is providing in-kind mentorship for prize winners as they implement their partnership and finance plans in preparation to apply for phase two of the prize in July 2024.
Educational Workshops
Starting in the fall of 2022, NREL helped organize three workshops—one at NREL in Golden, Colorado; one in Little Rock, Arkansas; and one virtual —to inform the ERA program in preparation for future funding opportunity announcements. The workshops were designed to educate potential applicants about the program and provide an opportunity for local governments, utilities, private sector project developers, and others in rural and remote communities to share more about their energy challenges and the types of projects that can improve their energy systems.
Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project
Through the DOE's Energy Transitions Initiative Partnership Project (ETIPP), NREL organized tailored support to meet communities' energy needs, regardless of where they were in their energy transition.
"I'm just absolutely amazed at the span of projects that are out there that are covered by the ETIPP program. I am humbled for our project to be included."
C.P. Smith
Executive Director of Cooperativa Hidroeléctrica de la Montaña, ETIPP cohort 2 community
member
Watch a video about the annual meeting. DOE text version.
Annual Meeting
In FY 2023, NREL supported the first-ever ETIPP annual meeting to strengthen connections between its communities, celebrate successes, and chart the program’s path forward based on learnings from its first few years. The meeting was held in Golden, Colorado, and brought together roughly 80 program stakeholders, including representatives from communities in the first two ETIPP cohorts, DOE, NREL, other supporting national laboratories, and regional partner organizations.
Strategic Energy Planning Support
NREL supported the selection of nine island and remote communities in FY 2023 to receive strategic energy planning support to improve their energy resilience. These communities join 23 island and remote communities already receiving ETIPP technical assistance to combat the challenges of local climate and weather impacts, reduce energy costs, and find feasible pathways to a cleaner energy future.
Indian Energy Technical Support
In partnership with DOE's Office of Indian Energy, NREL worked with 38 tribal communities in FY 2023 to support their journey toward a clean energy future.
Learn more about NREL's decision support for tribes.
"NREL has partnered with tribes for decades providing resources, decision support, and direct technical assistance to support their self-defined energy goals and sovereignty."
Liz Weber
Tribal Energy Lead, NREL
Customized Technical Support Services
Through its technical support services, NREL matched direct inquiries with customized guidance and technical expertise to support renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transportation projects.
Tools and Resources
With broad support from DOE, NREL supports development of–and equips decision makers with–tools, data, and knowledge to set—and achieve—their energy goals.
Addressing Regulatory Challenges to Tribal Solar Deployment Guidebook
Through extensive engagement with tribes, utilities, regulators, and other interested stakeholders, NREL and the Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association developed a three-part publication and guidebook to offer potential solutions to solar energy deployment on tribal lands.
Read the blog post, Guidebook Explores Regulatory Barriers and Potential Solutions for Tribal Solar Projects.
Improving Accessibility and Workforce Development for Home Energy Professionals
NREL's weatherization team provided technical assistance and research to support DOE's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).
Improved Spanish-Language Accessibility
In FY 2023, NREL supported the launch of the Spanish version of DOE's Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) website to improve accessibility for communities and WAP’s network of Spanish-speaking weatherization professionals.
NREL also facilitated the Spanish translation of DOE's Weatherization Job Aids. These step-by-step visual guides assist home energy professionals with effective, durable, and safe energy efficiency upgrades.
Professional Development
In 2023, NREL facilitated an in-person workshop on subcontractor engagement and multifamily weatherization, and a virtual workshop on innovation and partnership.
The workshops build on a series of Continuous Improvement Workshops supported by NREL since 2019, which provide a venue for WAP professional development.
Home Energy Professional Resources
In FY 2023, to support the home energy workforce across the United States, NREL's weatherization team supported the development of new resources and tools on the Standard Work Specifications website:
Image gallery – Helps weatherization professionals find photos of energy retrofit measure installations, mechanical equipment, and materials to support training and marketing for workforce recruitment.
Future Resources
In FY 2023, NREL supported DOE in moving the Installer Badges Toolkit to a digital badging platform to expand accessibility and broaden adoption. The project is expected to be completed in fiscal year 2024.
Resource repository – Helps energy auditors quickly locate existing resources for accurate data collection and analysis of residential buildings. The project is expected to be completed in fiscal year 2024.
State and Local Planning for Energy Platform Expands Equity and Jobs Data
The State and Local Planning for Energy (SLOPE) Platform released new data layers in FY 2023 to help energy planners make more informed and data-driven decisions. SLOPE's clean energy job estimates layer allows users to gain insight on job growth potential by state in four areas. SLOPE also released six new equity-focused layers on the Data Viewer, as well as an equity filter for seven existing layers, allowing users to explore energy burden and social vulnerabilities by census tract.
Success Stories
NREL has supported thousands of communities on their clean energy journey. In FY 2023, NREL supported many communities through both direct partnerships and DOE technical assistance programs.
Partners and Collaborations
NREL continues to deepen relationships across the national laboratory complex. By working together, we can bring the full capabilities of the complex to address the most challenging issues in energy transition at the subnational scale. NREL is also expanding its on-the-ground partnerships to better collaborate with local and regional groups who directly support implementation of energy transition.
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Fossil Energy and Carbon Management
Geothermal Technologies Office
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office
Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations
Office of Economic Impact and Diversity
Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs
Office of State and Community Energy Programs
Solar Energy Technologies Office
The following national laboratories directly contributed to the programs and projects in this report. Learn more about DOE national laboratories.
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
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