NREL conducts high-impact research and development of technologies and strategies to modernize the nation's electrical infrastructure, making it more flexible, resilient, and sustainable.

The 21st century needs a 21st-century grid. As part of the U.S. Department of Energy's Grid Modernization Initiative, NREL researchers work with industry, government, and academia to solve the challenges of integrating renewable power sources and emerging energy-efficiency technologies with the electric grid at all scales—while ensuring that the grid is resilient and secure in the face of growing cybersecurity and climate concerns. With our partners, we are pioneering the technologies, methods, tools, and demonstrations that will help the grid deliver reliable, affordable, and clean electricity to consumers where, when, and how they want it.

NREL grid modernization research is led by the Power Systems Engineering Center under the direction of Ben Kroposki. The center is part of the Energy Systems Integration directorate, led by Associate Laboratory Director Bryan Hannegan.