Through our Sustainable NREL program, we are committed to "walking the talk" by minimizing our use of resources (energy, materials, and water) while receiving the maximum value from resources used — along with balancing environmental, economic, and human impacts.
The goal of our Sustainable NREL Program is to institutionalize sustainability at the laboratory and make NREL a global model for sustainability. As a sustainable organization, NREL manages:
- Economic viability — efficient operations, prudent investments, and maximum value
- Environmental stewardship — minimal resource use, minimal waste/pollution, natural processes, renewable resources, and restoration
- Public responsibility — good neighbor, safe working environment, and education.
Examples of NREL's Sustainability Efforts
NREL recently launched several new on-site renewable energy projects, all using innovative private-sector financing. The following documents are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.
- The Renewable Fuel Heating Plant (PDF 345 KB)
- The Mesa Top Photovoltaic (PV) Project (PDF 410 KB)
- A 1.16 MW ground mount system at the National Wind Technology Center (NWTC).
- A 382 kW ground mount system near the Field Test Laboratory Building.
- A 118 kW roof mount system on the Science and Technology Facility.
In addition to implementing on-site renewable energy projects, NREL's progress toward institutionalizing sustainability in all its operations includes:
- Meeting and exceeding greenhouse gas emission goals
- Reducing energy and water use
- Building laboratory facilities that win awards for sustainability and energy efficiency
- Maintaining an environmental management program that fully integrates sustainability, green purchasing and a recycling program
- Using alternative-fueled NREL vehicles
- Purchasing renewable energy certificates that offset the laboratory's environmental footprint.
View NREL's policies on sustainability (PDF 34 KB) and recycling (PDF 214 KB).
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