The Energy Systems Integration Facility (or ESIF) is the nation's premier facility for research, development, and demonstration of the components and strategies needed to optimize our entire energy system. It was established in 2013 by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, on the campus of its National Renewable Energy Laboratory and is a designated U.S. Department of Energy user facility.
"Our laboratories are national treasures that help America's entrepreneurs and innovators accelerate the development of new technologies. This new facility will allow for an even stronger partnership with manufactures, utilities, and researchers to help integrate clean, renewable energy into a smarter, more reliable, and more resilient power grid." — Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz
The Energy Systems Integration Facility was strategically designed to meet crucial research objectives for integrating clean energy technologies into the grid in a way that is safe, efficient, cost-effective, and respectful to the surrounding environment. The ESIF also has unique capabilities to support the integration of energy carriers such as electricity, thermal, fuels, and water with infrastructure such as transportation and communications.
The ESIF's ultra-efficient design includes energy efficiency features such as natural ventilation through operable windows, daylighting, open-air cubicles, and radiant heating and cooling. It was designed in accordance with U.S. Green Building Council standards and has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification while housing the world's most energy-efficient data center. It has been recognized with numerous awards as a result.
Download the 2015 ESIF Annual Report to learn more about what NREL and partners accomplished at the ESIF last year—and how you can join us in solving the big challenges facing our energy system.
Also available for download is the 2014 ESIF Annual Report, which highlights research highlights and achievements for the facility in its first year of operation.
