Research Areas
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's Energy Science and Technology Directorate conducts research and development that considers different aspects of the energy system, including technologies to:
- Use existing resources more efficiently
- Reduce our dependence on imported oil
- Minimize environmental effects of generating and using energy
- Modernize the electric grid to improve its reliability, security and affordability
Our research areas include:
- Biobased Products
- Building Technologies, Codes and Standards
- Carbon Management
- Electric Power Systems
- Electricity Infrastructure Operations Center
- Emissions
- Energy Efficiency Programs
- Fuel Cells
- High Temperature Electrochemistry Center (HiTEC)
- Hydrogen
- Industrial Technologies
- Materials
- Northwest Center for Electric Power Technologies
- Power Transmission and Distribution
- Robotics
- Solid State Lighting
- Vehicle and Transportation Technologies
- Biobased Products: PNNL applies unique chemical and biological capabilities to develop breakthrough processes for bio-based products and fuels. These efforts support two key priorities of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - reducing the nation's requirements for imported petroleum and advancing the economic viability of a U.S. bio-products industry. The hallmark of PNNL's research has been novel thermal, chemical and biological processes that produce higher-value chemical intermediates from synthesis gases, sugars, and oils.
- Building Technologies, Codes and Standards: PNNL Buildings program areas play a significant role in improving building energy efficiency by supporting stronger building energy codes, including their adoption, implementation, and enforcement. In addition we support market transformation projects as well as technology demonstrations and deployment. Through a suite of projects, PNNL helps speed the adoption and implementation of building energy codes and the deployment of energy efficient technologies to a wide range of customers and stakeholders including federal and international agencies and state and local governments.
- Carbon Management: PNNL is developing the science, technology, and policy required to stabilize the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Our research is contributing to the understanding of climate change and climate change solutions. In addition, we're exploring approaches to carbon sequestration, which involves harnessing carbon dioxide and storing it deep underground rather than releasing it into the atmosphere.
- Electric Power Systems: With a focus on systems engineering to enhance reliability and security for large interconnected power systems, we develop, assess, and deploy advanced technologies for power grid operation and control. Specific areas of emphasis include measurement, analysis, simulation, and modeling of power system dynamic responses, analysis of energy storage benefits and distributed generation interconnection issues, power quality and reliability inputs of distributed generation, and energy infrastructure information security and vulnerability.
- Gridwise
- Eastern Interconnection Phasor Project (EIPP)
- Northwest Center for Electric Power Technologies (NCEPT)
- Electricity Infrastructure Operations Center: The Electricity Infrastructure Operations Center is available to utilities, vendors, government agencies and universities interested in research, development or training. Building upon our expertise in electricity transmission and distribution, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has invested in bringing together industry software, real-time grid data and advanced computation into a functional control room. This unique integrated energy operations capability was shaped with input from utilities and researchers across the Northwest. The results and new technologies developed here will be transferable across the industry and address the national need to better manage and control the grid.
- Emissions: PNNL is applying its knowledge in surface chemistry, catalyst mechanisms, modeling of multiphase flow and chemical processes, material synthesis, and aerosols to address abatement of diesel engine exhaust emissions, helping meet upcoming emissions standards for cars and heavy trucks.
- Energy Efficiency: PNNL supports the Federal Energy Management Program, which works to reduce the cost and environmental impact of the federal government, the largest single consumer of energy in the United States. We also provide innovative technology demonstration, deployment and technical assistance services to the Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program Office to accelerate the adoption of building energy codes and the deployment of energy-efficient technologies
- Fuel Cells: Building on a foundation in materials chemistry and ceramic processing, PNNL is advancing the underlying chemical, electrical and electrochemical mechanisms of solid-oxide fuel cell stacks to improve their efficiency and reduce their cost. Our fuel cell programs receive funding from by both the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the Office of Fossil Energy. We are part of the Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance, a collaboration with industry and universities focused on developing efficient, cost-effiective solid oxide fuel cells.
- High-Temperature Electrochemistry Center: The High Temperature Electrochemistry Center (HiTEC) is a research collaboration focused on technical breakthroughs needed to accomplish the Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy's vision for energy plants of the future. Its mission is to provide crosscutting, multidisciplinary research that leads to advanced electrochemical technologies for minimizing the environmental consequences of using fossil fuel in energy generation. This collaborative effort is managed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory and PNNL. As part of this program, researchers are delivering the technical foundation necessary to bring together components of future fossil energy plants, including fuel cells, turbines, and hybrid energy generation systems. See the HiTEC brochure for more information. (pdf - 401kb)
- Hydrogen Science and Technology: Hydrogen is a potentially limitless clean energy source that could play a major role in meeting the nation's growing need for energy while decreasing our reliance on foreign oil. PNNL is applying capabilities in three key areas-chemistry, catalysis and materials-to explore innovative chemical storage mechanisms to ensure hydrogen storage systems can be reused and recharged safety and effectively. We also play a key role in DOE's hydrogen safety program.
- PNNL's support to DOE's Hydrogen, Fuel Cell and Infrastructure program
- Industrial Technologies The Department of Energy's Industrial Technologies Program at PNNL partners with U.S. industry to boost productivity and efficiency through innovative technology R&D and energy management practices. In 2000 alone, technologies developed with ITP assistance saved industry more than 168 trillion Btu and yielded even greater benefits in terms of increased productivity and reduced waste and emissions. ITP tracks the energy savings and other benefits associated with successfully commercialized technologies resulting from its cost-shared research partnerships.
- Materials: PNNL's materials researchers are building a fundamental understanding of materials including their properties, how they interact, and how they behave in different environments. With this knowledge, we can model materials, optimize material performance, and design or synthesize new materials and manufacturing techniques for use in energy systems and a variety of other uses.
- Northwest Center for Electric Power Technologies: PNNL has embarked upon an initiative that seeks to drive the transformation of the Northwest's energy system into the country's first "smart" energy system. The Northwest Center for Electric Power Technologies (NCEPT) is focused on developing a regional research and development and training partnership. The partnership will promote regional smart energy technology leadership and economic growth, bringing together key resources to develop technologies and competencies for reliable, efficient and secure electric power in the Northwest.
- Robotics: PNNL's work in the area of robotics and mechanical systems is focused on replacing humans in dangerous and/or inaccessible environments through the effective use of robotics and remote systems. We deliver and operate remote fieldable deployment platforms for inspection, characterization, and reconnaissance.
- Solid State Lighting: PNNL has the capabilities and laboratory facilities necessary to develop organic light emitting diode (OLED) technology as part of EERE's Solid State Lighting Program. Our research in this area includes materials design and synthesis, thin film deposition and modeling, and molecular structure testing. OLED technology has the potential to transform lighting practices in homes and buildings, and because of its distributed nature, could lead to a 50 percent reduction in energy used for lighting.
- Vehicle and Transportation Technologies: PNNL works with industry to develop and deploy advanced transportation technologies that reduce the nation's use of imported oil and improve air quality. Our projects cover a wide range of transportation issues, including developing technologies to reduce emissions, exploring lightweight materials and advanced manufacturing processes for cars and trucks, and optimizing fuel cell performance and reliability.
- PNNL's support to the Office of FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies
- Emissions research
- Fuel Cell research
- Materials research at PNNL