NREL to Host Range of Activities for Energy Awareness Month
Events devoted to energy savings, environmentally sustainable resources

For more information contact:
Gary Schmitz, 303-275-4050
email: Gary Schmitz

Golden, Colo., Sept. 20, 2000 - Visitors will get an inside look at advanced energy technologies and learn tips for cutting utility bills when the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) opens its doors throughout October for Energy Awareness Month.

Events include tours of key NREL facilities, where visitors can see first hand how leading scientists are developing clean, innovative energy systems. Researchers will also describe the benefits of various renewable energy options during a series of consumer workshops. Special exhibits will demonstrate energy-efficient home design, a sun-to-electricity power system assembled in the shape of a large giant American flag, and a hybrid-electric vehicle.

Each week during October, NREL activities will spotlight a different energy topic:

Wind Power -- Week One

Wed. Oct. 4  National Wind Technology Center tour

Sat. Oct. 7  Harnessing the Wind to Power Your Home, workshop

Passive Solar and Energy Efficiency in Your Home -- Week Two

Wed. Oct. 11  Solar Radiation Research Laboratory tour

Sat. Oct. 14  Passive-solar Home Design

Alternative Fuels and Transportation -- Week Three

Wed. Oct. 18  Alternative Fuel Users Facility tour

Thurs. Oct. 19  Hybrid-electric Vehicles and Alternative Fuels workshop

Solar-Electric Power -- Week Four

Wed. Oct. 25  Photovoltaic Outdoor Test Facility tour

Thurs. Oct. 26  Solar Electricity for the Consumer, workshop

Sat. Oct. 28  Solar Electricity for the Consumer, workshop

Monday through Saturday, throughout the month, interactive displays and educational videos will be featured at the NREL Visitors Center. The Visitors Center will offer expanded hours, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, through October.

On Oct. 14 NREL is a sponsor of the National Solar Home Tour and the Metro Denver Solar Home Tour, and NREL's Solar Energy Research Facility (SERF) will serve as one of the stops along the tour.

Also as part of Energy Awareness Month, NREL is offering three free booklets: "Clean Energy Choices," "Energy Savers," and, "Colorado's Clean Energy Choices." Each is a useful resource for consumers who want to save money, reduce energy consumption or tap into renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and biomass.

The publications are available by visiting NREL during October, or calling the NREL Consumer Hotline at 303-275-4087.

Updated information about Energy Awareness Month at NREL also is available on the Hotline. Workshops throughout the month are free and open to the public. All will be conducted at the Visitors Center. Space at workshops is limited, so call the Hotline at 303-275-4087 for reservations. Tours start every hour at 3 p.m. and leave from the Visitors Center. Tours of the National Wind Technology Center begin at that site's Administration Building, 18200 Colo. Hwy. 128, a mile east of Colo. Hwy. 93.

The Visitors Center is at 15013 Denver West Parkway in Golden. To get there, take I-70 to Denver West Boulevard, Exit 263, and go north to Denver West Parkway. Turn left and continue past the Marriott Hotel to the NREL Visitors Center.

NREL is a national laboratory owned by the U.S. Department of Energy and managed by Midwest Research Institute, Battelle and Bechtel. The lab conducts research into photovoltaics, wind energy, plant-derived fuels and chemicals, energy-efficient buildings, advanced vehicle design, hydrogen fuel cells and waste-to-energy technologies.

NREL's support of Energy Awareness Month is in cooperation with the Colorado Energy Science Center, a non-profit organization. NR-3300

CLEAN ENERGY FOR THE 21st CENTURY

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