Discover NREL Newsletter
Discover NREL is published by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). This newsletter brings you news and information about the Laboratory.
December 2007
In this Issue
Research Highlights
NREL to Dramatically Increase Use of Clean, Renewable Energy
(From left) Director Dan Arvizu, Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman, Under Secretary Bud Albright and Assistant Secretary Andy Karsner broke ground on NREL's new Research Support Facility on Oct. 30.
NREL recently broke ground on a highly efficient Research Support Facility (RSF) and announced two major renewable power projects in support of President George W. Bush's goal of increasing the use of clean, renewable energy and maximizing energy efficiency across the federal government.
NREL's new RSF promises to be one of the most "green" buildings ever constructed; the new Renewable Fuel Heating Plant will use biomass to cut NREL's future natural gas use by 75 percent; and the Mesa Top PV Project — a new five-acre photovoltaic array, and one of the largest solar power systems in Colorado — will help power the Laboratory's main campus in Golden, Colo. NREL's 210,000 square-foot Research Support Facility is designed to be a model for sustainable, high-performance design, and will provide DOE-owned work space for administrative staff who currently occupy leased space. It will make substantial use of daylighting, dramatically reducing energy use and providing a pleasant and productive working environment. The RSF has been designed to achieve a LEED® (Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design) Platinum designation - the highest benchmark awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council.
NREL's Renewable Fuel Heating Plant will provide heat to the RSF and other research buildings on the Laboratory's South Table Mountain campus by using biomass such as wood chips from forest thinning along Colorado's Front Range. It is expected to be completed in May 2008.
The Mesa Top PV Project will be located near the NREL Solar Radiation Research Laboratory, and will produce an estimated 750 kilowatt hours of clean, renewable electric power from solar energy that will be used on site. This five-acre span of solar panels is expected to be completed in May 2008. Read More
Energy Lab Sets Aggressive Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goal
NREL has pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent from 2005 to 2009 with the construction of the Renewable Fuel Heating Plant and Mesa Top PV Project. The new goal is part of NREL's participation in the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Leaders program.
NREL is planning to make its buildings more energy efficient through a site-wide energy savings performance contract and will purchase renewable energy certificates (RECs) to offset all of its indirect emissions from electricity use, employee commuting and business travel. NREL reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 10 percent per square foot from 2000 to 2005 and was one of seven original Climate Leaders participants to set and meet goals.
NREL's participation in Climate Leaders is a key part of the environmental stewardship activities of its Sustainable NREL program, which is responsible for leading the planning, development and implementation of the Laboratory's comprehensive suite of sustainability activities. NREL actively shares its experiences with federal and state agencies and stakeholders. Read More
NREL Helps Greensburg Rebuild and Renew
The "renew" in renewable takes on different meaning when it comes to recent disaster recovery efforts. To the City of Greensburg, Kan., it means resolving to start over — and go green in the process — after a devastating tornado leveled the small community on May 4. NREL is working with DOE and other federal, state and local agencies to help Greensburg define its vision to rebuild as a green city.
NREL's team includes staff and contractors across many technical areas including buildings, wind, solar and analysis. Assistance to Greensburg includes designing strategies for energy efficient commercial buildings, schools and homes; evaluating options for renewable generation and fuels; and developing sustainable community strategies. Already, the team has provided expertise through a wide range of activities — from identifying big picture efficiency and renewable opportunities to leading daily on-the-ground rebuilding efforts and offering energy efficiency training and other support to builders.
NREL Tests Thermal Loads in Heavy Trucks
NREL's Fleet Test and Evaluation team is conducting a series of thermal-load tests on an International ProStar truck. The on-site evaluation falls under the CoolCab project.
NREL's Fleet Test and Evaluation (FTE) team is testing the thermal loads of two heavy-duty truck cabs to identify ways to reduce fuel consumption. The evaluation is part of the CoolCab project which was created to address issues identified in idle reduction studies on heavy trucks. Previous testing of idle reduction systems found a lack of capacity to keep drivers comfortable during resting periods without idling the main engine.
The FTE team is partnering with International Truck to identify design opportunities to reduce the load of the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system and effectively increase its capacity. Reducing the heating and cooling load can decrease the size, cost and weight of idle reduction technologies. International Truck is working with Wal-Mart to test a battery-powered HVAC system in its latest generation of sleeper trucks early next year. A battery-powered system with sufficient capacity would eliminate the need to idle the truck's main engine.
NREL is performing on-site testing on a ProStar truck on loan from International Truck. So far, the evaluation has included tests to quantify heat transfer and solar soak tests to quantify solar gain. Testing was performed in four configurations: base case, sleeper curtain closed, arctic curtain closed and windows insulated. The team also completed infrared imaging to examine high heat loss areas or hot spots and conducted air exchange rate measurements.
Clean Cities Program saves 375 million gallons of gas in 2006
A recent NREL report concluded Clean Cities coalitions around the nation displaced the equivalent of 375 million gallons of gasoline in 2006, 50 percent more than the 250 million gallons displaced in 2005. The study was compiled from voluntary reports that represent a subset of the activities going on throughout the nation and indicates the impact of the coalitions and their priorities. Clean Cities coalitions are on track to reach 3.2 billion gallons of gasoline displaced in 2020, exceeding their established goal by 700 million gallons. Read More
Web Sites Show Petroleum Reduction Options
Handy new tools on DOE's redesigned Web sites for the Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center (AFDC) and the Clean Cities Program allow fleet managers and communities to make informed choices among strategies for reducing petroleum use. The Web sites provide a one-stop resource for valuable information about alternative fuels and vehicles, hybrid vehicles, idle reduction and other strategies. The AFDC and is a comprehensive resource for information on alternative fuels and vehicles. Read More
Cleary Joins NREL as New Biomass Center Director
Mike Cleary
NREL has selected Mike Cleary as Center Director for the National Bioenergy Center. Cleary has more than 25 years of experience in research and management in the life sciences and industrial biotechnology fields.
He received his bachelor's degree in biology from Stanford University and his doctorate in molecular biology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Before coming to NREL, Cleary was Executive Division Director of Sciences R&D at the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) at UC San Diego. As SDSC, he initiated interdisciplinary research projects for life science programs with biomedical and biology researchers at university, government and independent research institutions, including one recent project with NREL on the molecular dynamic modeling of cellulose.
His prior industry experience includes 20 years in biotechnology research and management at CP Kelco, Inc., Merck and Monsanto. While at CP Kelco, Cleary worked with a team of researchers and life scientists who made a significant contribution to science by genetically engineering microbes for commercial production of an industrial product.
Awards and Recognition
Federal Agencies Honored for Saving Taxpayers Money with Efficiency Measures
NREL researchers Nancy Carlisle and Otto Van Geet recently accepted a Presidential Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management on behalf of the Laboratories for the 21st Century (Labs21) program. Labs21, co-sponsored by DOE and the Environmental Protection Agency, is a voluntary partnership dedicated to improving the energy and environmental performance of laboratories, which are five to 10 times more energy intensive than office buildings. Labs21 public-private partnerships are comprised of approximately 80 facilities — more than half of which are federal. NREL's team was recognized for leadership in the management of its facilities and operations energy use.
NREL Researchers Accept IEEE "Best Paper" Award
Michael O'Keefe (left) and Kevin Bennion were honored with the Best Paper award at the 2007 IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) honored NREL researchers Michael O'Keefe and Kevin Bennion with the "Best Paper" award at the 2007 Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference in Arlington, Texas, Sept. 9-12. Titled "A Comparison of Hybrid Electric Vehicle Power Electronics Cooling Options," the winning report outlines an NREL study assessing the tradeoffs of using various thermal-control technologies to meet certain cost, weight and volume targets by eliminating a dedicated power-electronics cooling loop. O'Keefe and Bennion's paper will be published in a future issue of IEEE's Vehicular Technology Magazine.
Patent Awarded for Novel Power Electronics Cooling Concept
NREL researchers Vahab Hassani, Desikan Bharathan and Andreas Vlahinos recently received a U.S. patent for a new technology that cools power electronic components. This novel concept enhances heat transfer from power electronic components by allowing forced liquid jets to cool the backside of the electronics while sealing semiconductors from coming in contact with the coolant. By transferring heat more effectively than existing methods, the weight and cost of power electronic devices can be reduced. Read More
Technische Universität Darmstadt Wins 2007 Solar Decathlon
The Technische Universität Darmstadt Solar Decathlon team took the concept of "Made in Germany" to another level after taking overall honors at the 2007 Solar Decathlon. The house showcased German technologies and materials and team members collaborated with German companies and manufacturers to build an award winning house. NREL staff managed the 2007 Solar Decathlon and the Laboratory was one of the event's sponsors. Read More
Working with NREL
DOE Supports, Expands NREL's Commercialization Efforts
DOE has provided NREL with funds to start two new programs for commercializing NREL innovations: a pilot program through DOE's Technology Commercialization Development Fund (TCDF) and an Entrepreneur in Residence (EIR) Program.
The TCDF supports collaboration between researchers and companies to develop commercial products based on NREL innovations. Commercial partners will share 50 percent or more of project development costs, which will typically range from $150,000 to $1 million. Both NREL researchers and outside industry can submit proposals for commercially beneficial projects. Projects will be selected based on their fit with the program, the value of NREL's intellectual property position and the potential for near-term commercial impacts.
"This program gives us some wonderful tools to address the commercialization 'valley of death' that exists between technologies in the laboratory and products in the private sector," says Tom Williams, NREL's technology transfer director. "We expect the program to increase the market impact of NREL's technologies and support faster, more nimble partnering with industry."
With the EIR program, a venture capitalist will have an opportunity to establish an entrepreneur in residence at NREL. The entrepreneur will work alongside researchers to identify promising clean energy technologies and build a business case for commercializing innovation.
DOE issued a funding opportunity announcement in October seeking bids from venture capitalists to establish entrepreneur in residence positions. Read More
Chevron, NREL Collaboration to Produce Transportation Fuels Using Algae
Chevron Corporation and NREL announced they have entered into a collaborative research and development agreement to study and advance technology to produce liquid transportation fuels using algae.
Chevron and NREL scientists will collaborate to identify and develop algae strains that can be economically harvested and processed into finished transportation fuels such as jet fuel. Chevron Technology Ventures, a division of Chevron U.S.A. Inc., will fund the initiative.
This research project is the second under a five-year strategic biofuels research alliance between Chevron and NREL announced in October 2006. The first involves bio-oil reforming, a process by which bio-oils derived from the decomposition of biological feedstocks are then converted into hydrogen and biofuels. Read More
Wakonda Technologies is the Clean Energy Entrepreneur of the Year
A small company commercializing a novel solar energy technology was named the Clean Energy Entrepreneur of the Year at the 20th Industry Growth Forum sponsored by NREL. Wakonda Technologies Inc., a New York based company, beat out 31 competitors to be named Entrepreneur of the Year and take the top prize of $10,000. Wakonda Technologies is commercializing a Virtual Single Crystal (VSC) photovoltaic technology that can be aesthetically integrated into buildings, infrastructure and personal power applications. The technology promises to bring lower costs because of its higher efficiency, lighter weight and flexibility. Participants in the competition were selected from hundreds of applicants to present their business plans to energy executives and potential investors. Outstanding Presentation Awards of $5,000 cash each went to Albeo Technologies Inc. and Bandgap Engineering. Read More
Technology Transfer
NREL's Technology Transfer team routinely works with private and public sector agencies to move NREL-developed technologies and expertise into commercially viable products and businesses. The Laboratory offers research and technology development opportunities with industry partners, utilities, state agencies, universities, and economic development organizations to foster the transfer and application of NREL's research expertise and technology. NREL does not, however, provide funding assistance to potential research partners under these types of partnerships. For more information about our industry partnership opportunities to move NREL-developed technologies into the marketplace, visit Technology Transfer.
Spotlight On...
NREL's Wanlass Seeks to Create a Better Solar Cell
Mark Wanlass
Mark Wanlass' twist on the design of multi-layered solar cells created a new type of device capable of out performing all others in efficiency.
By using several layers of semiconductor, multi-junction solar cells are capable of record-breaking efficiency in converting sunlight to electricity and maintaining a high efficiency under great concentrations of solar energy. Wanlass, a researcher at DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), has been working on multi-junction solar cells since 1980.
Conventional multi-junction cells are grown from the bottom up, starting with germanium and transitioning to higher-band-gap III-V materials for the top layers, leaving the cell bound to the thick, heavy germanium substrate it grew out of. Wanlass suggested the cell be grown upside down so the germanium substrate can be removed, reducing thickness, weight and cost.
Wanlass' design also incorporates lattice-mismatched materials, which he developed extensively while researching thermophotovoltaic (electricity directly from heat) technology for nearly 15 years. Typically the atoms in a multi-junction cell are evenly spaced, which generally results in superior electrical performance. But with mismatched materials, the atoms are unevenly spaced, giving designers more materials to choose from to create even higher-efficiency solar cells. The overall result is a better multi-junction solar cell with higher performance.
"The inverted multi-junction solar cell is really the crown jewel of my career," Wanlass said. "It is very rewarding to have had a hand in something that is having an actual impact on the commercial side of solar."
Albuquerque-based EMCORE Corp. is developing a three-band-gap version of the inverted multi-junction solar cell and has reported a record conversion efficiency in outer space of 32 percent. EMCORE predicts the new cell could reach 44 percent efficiency in terrestrial concentrators.
"This new class of lightweight, high-efficiency solar cells has the potential to provide extremely high specific power for spacecraft and has opened the door for future generations of products for use here on Earth," Wanlass said.
Wanlass has spent his career looking to create a better solar cell. After earning his bachelor's degree at Cornell University in 1979, Wanlass began working as a full-time researcher at NREL. Since then, he has earned his masters in physics from the Colorado School of Mines and his doctorate from the University of Wales.
"I was in it for the long haul," he said.
Wanlass currently is working with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) on a new class of solar module for the military. Commercially available solar panels convert only about a fifth of the energy across the solar spectrum to electricity. The new class of solar cells DARPA hopes to build will split sunlight into three different bins of high, medium and low energy, and direct each onto cells of various light sensitive materials to cover the entire solar spectrum. Fifty percent efficiency is the goal.
DARPA and the U.S. military are pursuing this solar cell technology to help reduce the amount of weight soldiers must carry to power their equipment and to ease the burden of supplying the large number of batteries required by soldiers in the field.
Events
Upcoming Events
For information on events sponsored by NREL, industry partners and universities, visit Meetings and Events.
NREL to Launch 2008 Leadership Program
NREL's popular Executive Energy Leadership program, Energy Execs, will return in 2008. Energy Execs offers community leaders the opportunity to participate in a six-month program to learn about energy efficiency and renewable energy relating to business and industry applications. Participants prepare and present a case study relevant to their work and commit to attending a monthly, full day class from May through October. Energy Execs applications will be available in February. To receive an application, e-mail Janice Rooney.
2008 Wind Energy Institute
February 19 - 20, 2008
Austin, TX
For more information, visit Wind Energy.
WIREC 2008
March 4 - 6, 2008
Washington, DC
For more information, visit Building Energy.
Recent Publications
The following publications and other information products are available online through the NREL Publications Database. The database contains bibliographic information about publications developed or written by NREL staff and subcontractors from 1977 to the present. Many publications are available electronically as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Acrobat Reader.
Energy Tips Process Heating - Preheated Combustion Air (PDF 233 KB)
This fact sheet provides a table that can be used to estimate reductions in energy costs and provides resources to help determine to calculate payback period.
Energy Tips Process Heating - Check Burner Air to Fuel Ratios (PDF 270 KB)
This tip sheet provides a heat chart to estimate the savings obtainable by tuning burner air-gas ratios.
Hydrogen Technology - Photobiological Production of Hydrogen (PDF 549 KB)
This fact sheet describes NREL research activities in photobiological hydrogen production.
Hydrogen Technology - Validation of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle and Infrastructure Technology (PDF 790 KB)
This fact sheet describes validation of hydrogen fuel cell vehicle and infrastructure technology activities at NREL.
CoolCab Truck Testing Project Update (PDF 1.19 MB)
This PowerPoint Presentation describes the CoolCab project, a DOE/NREL initiative to design efficient thermal management systems in heavy trucks to eliminate idling and reduce petroleum consumption.
E85 and Biodiesel Deployment (PDF 1.52 MB)
This PowerPoint presentation outlines industry trends and statistics revolving around the use and production of ethanol and biodiesel.
Process Heating Tip Sheet - Use Lower Flammable Limit Monitoring Equipment to Improve Process Oven Efficiency (PDF 228 KB)
This tip sheet discusses how lower flammable limit (LFL) monitoring equipment can improve the efficiency of the solvent removal process and significantly lower process energy requirements.
Save Energy Now Case Study - Dow Chemical Company: Assessment Leads to Steam System Energy Savings in a Petrochemical Plant (PDF 249 KB)
This case study describes how Dow Chemical Company saves 272,000 MMBtu and $1.9 million annually after increasing the steam system energy efficiency of a plant in Louisiana.
About NREL
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by Midwest Research Institute and Battelle.
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