Science and Technology Organization
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Science and Technology Organization consists of four directorates and multiple centers focused on scientific research, technological development, and market acceptance of renewable fuels and electricity. The four directorates are:
- Energy Sciences
- Renewable Electricity Science and Technology
- Renewable Fuels Science and Technology
- Strategic Development and Analysis
NREL scientists are working on a novel way to use green algae to produce hydrogen directly from water and sunlight, that, when recombined with oxygen in a fuel cell, produces clean energy without pollutants.
Energy Sciences
Under the leadership of NREL's Associate Director, Ray Stults, scientists and researchers in the Energy Sciences directorate develop new knowledge and fundamental understanding in the chemical, biological, materials and computer sciences. The directorate conducts the foundational scientific research that underpins NREL's technological research and development (R&D), including theoretical and fundamental research in basic sciences, and basic and applied research in computational sciences. Scientists in the directorate partner with universities, other national laboratories, and industry to bring additional capabilities to ongoing R&D programs at NREL. The three centers that make up the Energy Sciences directorate are:
- Chemical and Biosciences Center
- James Brainard, Director
- Materials and Scientific Computing Center
- Steven Hammond, Director
NREL researchers work to lower costs and improve performance of solar parabolic troughs, a solar electric generating system.
Renewable Electricity Science and Technology
Bobi Garrett is the Acting Associate Director leading the Renewable Electricity Science and Technology directorate. This directorate partners with industry, universities, and other research laboratories to perform analysis, develop strategies, conduct R&D, and accelerate market growth for multiple programs in the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE/EERE). Researchers in the directorate conduct research and technology development in:
- Generation of renewable electricity from wind, solar, geothermal, and ocean resources
- System integration, delivery, storage, and efficient use of renewable electricity
- Efficient use of electricity and thermal energy in buildings and industry.
The four centers that make up the Renewable Electricity Science and Development directorate at NREL are:
- National Center for Photovoltaics (NCPV)
- L.L. Kazmerski, Director
- National Wind Technology Center (NWTC)
- Robert Thresher, Director
- Buildings and Thermal Systems Center
- Ronald Judkoff, Director
- Electric Systems Center
- Tom Stoffel, Acting Director
Five Technology Managers lead the programs in these centers:
- Mary Colvin, Building Technologies
- Dick DeBlasio, Distributed Energy and Electric Reliability
- Gerry Nix, Geothermal and Industrial Technologies
- Roland Hulstrom, Solar Energy Technologies
- Brian Smith, Wind and Hydropower Technologies
NREL researchers in the National Bioenergy Center have developed substantial expertise in limiting tar build up from biomass syngas, which interferes with generating equipment operation.
Renewable Fuels Science and Technology
Under the leadership of Associate Director, Dale Gardner, this directorate performs applied research and analysis in biomass, hydrogen, and transportation technologies. The directorate's work supports multiple EERE/DOE programs. The directorate develops technical strategies to address national fuel and transportation challenges. In partnership with national laboratories, industry, and academia the directorate promotes market acceptance of renewable fuels and vehicle technologies. The three centers that make up NREL's Renewable Fuels Science and Technology directorate are:
- National Bioenergy Center
- Mike Cleary, Director
- Hydrogen Technologies and Systems Center
- Robert Remick, Director
- Transportation Technologies and Systems Center
- Barbara Goodman, Director
Three Technology Managers lead the programs in these centers:
- Tom Foust, Biomass
- George Sverdrup, Hydrogen, Fuel Cells, and Infrastructure Technologies
- Terry Penny, Vehicle Technologies
NREL's scientists conduct the foundational scientific research that underpins the lab's R&D.
Strategic Development and Analysis
The Strategic Development and Analysis directorate supports NREL's scientific and technological development in several key areas. The directorate conducts critical energy and economic analyses, provides technical assistance for energy projects, and works to transfer technologies and expertise developed by NREL into the marketplace. The directorate also facilitates the development of laboratory facilities and resources. The four centers and offices that make up the Strategic Development and Analysis directorate are:
- Strategic Energy Analysis & Applications Center
- Doug Arent, Director
- Laboratory Development Office
- Susan Hock, Director
- Technology Transfer Office
- Tom Williams, Director
Two Technology Managers lead the programs in these offices and centers:
