a brief nrel overview

NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

A brief NREL overview

for NRECA

by Robert A. (Bob) Hawsey Associate Laboratory Director for Renewable Electricity and End Use Systems

May 18, 2010

Innovation for Our Energy Future

Innovation for Our Energy Future

NREL is one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s 12 “large” national laboratories

Innovation for Our Energy Future

Alliance for Sustainable Energy—Partnering for Excellence

Innovation for Our Energy Future

Two Primary Lines of Innovation

Underpinned with ScienceSystems Biology Computational Science Photoconversion

From

Con

cept

to C

onsu

mer

• Renewable Fuels• Efficient and Flexible

Vehicles

Fuels

Biomass

Transportation

Hydrogen

• Renewable Electricity • Electric Systems Integration• Net-Zero Energy Buildings

Electricity

Solar

Wind

Geothermal

Buildings

Electricity

Ocean

Innovation for Our Energy Future

NREL FY2010 Program Funding Portfolio$390.8 million*

*EstimatedUpdated 5/13/10

Construction and Infrastructure = $65M

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Innovation for Our Energy Future

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Energy Efficiency in Buildings

Innovation for Our Energy Future

Building efficiency is a key towards reducing carbon emissions by 80%

Status U.S. Buildings:• 39% of primary energy• 71% of electricity• 38% of carbon emissions

DOE Goal:• Cost effective, marketable zero energy buildings

by 2025• Value of energy savings exceeds cost of energy

features on a cash flow basis

NREL Research Thrusts• Whole building systems integration of efficiency

and renewable features• Computerized building energy optimization tools• Advanced HVAC and envelope technologies• Building integrated PV• Solid-state (LED) lighting

Innovation for Our Energy Future

Energy Efficiency in Sustainable Transportation

Innovation for Our Energy Future

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV)

Status:• PHEV-only conversion

vehicles available• OEMS building prototypes• NREL PHEV Test Bed

Key Challenges• Energy storage – life and cost• Utility impacts• Vehicle cost• Recharging locations• Tailpipe emissions/cold starts• Cabin heating/cooling• ~33% put cars in garageNREL Research Thrusts

• Energy storage• Advanced power electronics• Vehicle ancillary loads reduction• Vehicle thermal management• Utility interconnection• Vehicle-to-grid

Innovation for Our Energy Future

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Renewable Electricity Supply

Innovation for Our Energy Future

Wind is America’s most rapidly growing renewable electricity resource

Today’s Status in U.S.• >35,000 MW installed capacity• Cost 6-9¢/kWh at good wind sites*

DOE Cost Goals• 3.6¢/kWh, onshore at low wind sites by

2012• 7¢/kWh, offshore in shallow water by

2014

Long Term Potential20% of the nation’s electricity supply

See DOE’s “20% Wind Energy by 2030” report (May 2008)

* With no Production Tax CreditUpdated January 2010Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, American Wind Energy Association

Innovation for Our Energy Future

Multi-MW Turbines at the NWTC

Siemens 2.3 MW

DOE 1.5 MW DOE 1.5 MW GE Turbine:

• Model: GE 1.5SLE• Tower Height: 80 m• Rotor Diameter: 77 m• DOE owned; used for long-term research• Multi-year research plan in place• Turbine instrumentation in FY2010

Siemens 2.3 MW Turbine:

• Model: SWT-2.3-101• Tower Height: 80 m• Rotor Diameter: 101 m• Siemens owned and operated• Multi-year R&D CRADA; aerodynamics and rotor

performance

Innovation for Our Energy Future

• 2.5 MW Dynamometer– Commissioned 1999

– Steady use by industry

– Used in R&D activities

– Key facility for Gearbox

Reliability Collaborative

– Basic shaft load capability added

in FY2010

• Dynamometer Upgrade– $10M Recovery Act funding

– New 5 MW driveline

– Robust shaft loading system

– Commissioning in 2012

Drivetrain Testing

Innovation for Our Energy Future

• NWTC blade test facilities– Regular use by industry– Static and fatigue testing– Base for test technology

development

• Large Blade Test Facility– Supports 70+ m blades– Partnership between Mass CEC and

NREL– Key technical staff are NWTC

employees

• Resonant fatigue testing technology development

– Innovative new approaches– Reduce time for fatigue tests

Blade Testing

Innovation for Our Energy Future

• Modular blades and drivetrains• Advanced drivetrain configurations• Flexible downwind turbines• Active controls for load reduction• Superconducting direct drive

generators• Airborne wind power systems• Offshore wind cost reductions• Floating Offshore

Innovative New Technologies

Innovation for Our Energy Future

Solar – Photovoltaics and Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP)

Status in U.S.

PV• ~1,100 MW installed capacity• Cost 16-32¢/kWh*

CSP• ~420 MW installed capacity• Cost 10-14¢/kWh*

Potential:

PV• 6-13 ¢/kWh by 2015• 6-15 ¢/kWh by 2030**

CSP8-11 ¢/kWh by 2015*7-11 ¢/kWh by 2030**

Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, IEAUpdated January 2010 * with 30% ITC ** with 10% ITC

Innovation for Our Energy Future

Solar Technology Research at NREL is broad-based

Technical Integration and Analysis Solar Resource Assessment Photovoltaics

– Predictive Solid StateTheory – Materials and High-Efficiency Devices– Advanced Manufacturing– Measurement and Characterization– Reliability

Concentrating Solar Power– Reflective Materials– Trough System Analysis

Market Transformation Support

Solar Energy Research Facility

Outdoor Test Facility

Solar Radiation Research Lab

Science & Technology Facility

Innovation for Our Energy Future

Geothermal

Today’s Status in U.S.• 2,800 MWe installed, 500 MWe new

contracts, 3000 MWe under development

• Cost 5-8¢/kWh with no PTC• Capacity factor typically > 90%, base

load power

DOE Cost Goals:• <5¢/kWh, for typical hydrothermal

sites • 5¢/kWh, for enhanced geothermal

systems with mature technology

Long Term Potential:• Recent MIT Analysis shows

potential for 100,000 MW installedEnhanced Geothermal Power systemsby 2050, cost-competitive with coal-powered generation

NREL Research Thrusts:• Analysis to define the technology path to

commercialization of Enhanced Geothermal Systems

• Low temperature conversion cycles• Better performing, lower cost components• Innovative materials

April 10, 2008

Innovation for Our Energy Future

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Biofuels

Innovation for Our Energy Future

BiofuelsCurrent Biofuels Status in U.S.Biodiesel – 171 companies; 2.2 billion gallons/yr capacity1Corn ethanol

• 174 commercial plants2• 10.8 billion gal/yr. capacity2• Additional 2.4 billion gal/yr planned or under construction

Cellulosic ethanol (current technology)• Projected commercial cost ~$3.50/gge

Key DOE Goals• 2012 goal: cellulosic ethanol $1.33/ETOH gallon or ~$1.99/gge• 2022 goal: 36B gal Renewable Fuel; 21B gal “Advanced Renewable

Fuel”– 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act• 2030 goal: 60 billion gal ethanol (30% of 2004 gasoline)

NREL Research Thrusts• The biorefinery and cellulosic ethanol • Solutions to under-utilized waste residues• Energy crops• New biofuels

Updated February 2009Sources: 1- National Biodiesel Board2 - Renewable Fuels Association, all other information based on DOE and USDA sources

Innovation for Our Energy Future

NREL’s leading energy analysis competencies inform our electricity and renewables RD&D portfolio

Strategic Planning and Decision Support

• Policy and market expertise• Integrated, technology neutral, analysis• Portfolio of decision support tools

Geospatial Analytics and Visualization

• EE & RE data visualization• Geospatial analytics linked to efficiency and renewables project and policy decisions

EERE Modeling

• Unique EERE models and expertise• Ability to influence EERE characterization in other modeling efforts

Technology Assessment

• Lifecycle Assessment• Technology Characterization

National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future

New integration and transmission studies led by NREL and partners are the seeds for further renewable electricity integration research with the 3 interconnection regions

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National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future

NREL’s strategy for wind will be informed by the Renewable Electricity Futures Study

Purpose: Examine high penetration scenarios for renewable energy to more fully understand the limits (technical, economic, environmental, and policy constraints) in rapidly scaling up to address national energy and climate challenges.

Builds on Other NREL-Led Studieso Eastern and Western Interconnect Studieso 20% Wind Scenario Report and 30% Solar

Vision Study

Status: o 2nd review meeting held with Federal

sponsors, steering committee, and technical review panel

o March meeting held with utility executives/30 participants

o Draft Report: May 2010

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Innovation for Our Energy Future

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Electricity Delivery & Renewables Integration

Innovation for Our Energy Future

Smart Grid Activities at NREL

• Development of Interoperability Standards (IEEE P2030)

• R&D to Enable High Penetration of Renewables and Distributed Generation (Grid Integration)

• Advanced Distribution System Operations (Microgrids)

• Allow dispatchable load and storage (Vehicle-to-Grid Interconnection Testing)

• Development of Conformance Test Protocol for Smart Grid Technologies

Innovation for Our Energy Future

NREL is Engaged with Utilities Across the USA in Smart Grid / Vehicle-to-Grid RD&D

Innovation for Our Energy Future

NREL leads technology deployment programs

Integrated Deployment (states and municipalities)

“…the Department of Energy will help Hawaii lead America in utilizing clean, renewable energy technologies.” Governor Lingle

Weatherization

Federal Energy ManagementProgram

Innovation for Our Energy Future

NREL has ~2,000 talented staff, with a track record of accomplishment, who are passionate about delivering the President’s energy efficiency and renewable energy objectives.

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