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NREL boasts five state-of-the-art transportation focused laboratories. Our location in the Colorado foothills lends itself to unique capabilities. The ReFUEL and Fuel Chemistry labs, for example, are renowned for the study of the effects of high altitude on fuel formulation, quality, and use. The Energy Storage Laboratory houses a one-of-a-kind calorimeter that measures battery performance over a wide range of temperatures and battery sizes. The Ancillary Loads Reduction Laboratory uses several unique tools, including a human manikin, to balance the benefits of reducing ancillary loads with improving passenger comfort.
 ReFUEL (Renewable Fuels and Lubricants) Laboratory
 This high-altitude, heavy-duty engine and vehicle laboratory is the first in the United States dedicated to researching and developing renewable and synthetic fuels and lubricants for heavy-duty transportation applications. Partnering with industry, engineers are developing pathways to increase the use of renewable and synthetic motor fuels and lubricants by improving fuel formulation, quality, and use. Because renewable fuels can displace imported petroleum, they can have a positive impact on our national energy security. In addition, research at the ReFUEL Laboratory will help engine manufacturers meet the increasingly stringent heavy-duty emission standards that will be required beginning in 2007.
This unique laboratory houses one of six heavy-duty chassis dynamometer emission laboratories in the nation, as well as other specialized testing and measurement equipment, including an engine test cell, and a fully equipped emission test bench.
Fuel Chemistry Laboratory
 The Fuel Chemistry Laboratory supports NREL's fuels performance work in its efforts to test and evaluate renewable and synthetic fuels and lubricants. Work focuses on characterizing the effect of molecular structure on the ignition properties of various fuel molecules. To support this research, an Ignition Quality TesterTM (IQT) is used to measure the ignition qualities of diesel fuels as functions of their molecular structure. Additionally, the laboratory will be used to investigate the formation of organic acids and peroxides in fuels as well as the stability of fuel blends. Data obtained will lead to improved models of renewable fuel performance in conventional engines and advanced combustion concepts.
 An efficient and affordable energy storage device is critical to an electric, hybrid-electric, or fuel cell vehicle. The performance and cost of such a vehicle depend on the performance and life of its battery pack.
Research at this state-of-the-art Energy Storage Laboratory helps battery developers and automobile manufacturers improve battery module and pack designs by enhancing performance and extending battery life. Researchers focus on battery thermal management systems—from the cell level to the battery pack—for electric, hybrid-electric, and fuel cell vehicles, using cutting edge modeling and analysis tools.
The laboratory houses a unique calorimeter that measures battery performance over a wide range of temperatures and battery sizes. Engineers use thermal imaging equipment to capture a battery's infrared fingerprint to diagnose its behavior. Thermal and moisture management properties of fuel cell systems are also assessed. Our capabilities enable world-class research in battery thermal management, battery and vehicle modeling, energy storage from a vehicle systems perspective, and hydrogen storage system analysis and management.
Ancillary Loads Reduction Laboratory
Research in the ancillary loads reduction laboratory focuses on improving fuel economy and reducing emissions by decreasing vehicle auxiliary loads, such as air conditioning, while maintaining passenger comfort. Engineers conduct vehicle tests and develop integrated models to evaluate the impacts of advanced window glazings; cooling heat-pipe systems; parked car ventilation; heated, cooled, and ventilated seats; and direct energy recovery and adsorption cooling systems. A life-size thermal manikin uses advanced climate control concepts to evaluate passenger comfort.
Electrical Systems Laboratory
 The electric drive system is the technology foundation for hybrid-electric and fuel cell vehicles. The research conducted at the lab is intended to improve these systems by developing and testing power management components and systems that significantly reduce cost, weight, and volume, and increase efficiency and reliability.
Researchers collaborate with industry to develop and evaluate subsystems, including interactions among a vehicle's motor, controller, inverter, energy storage subsystem, load, and thermal management systems. These researchers have extensive expertise in electronic components and control system design and optimization, thermal management, and energy storage and modeling.
Research Expertise
Modeling & Analysis Capabilities
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