National Renewable Energy Laboratory 2005 Research Review

Abstract

i feature departments PerspectiveThe President has told the nation that we are "…addicted to oil… [and] the best way to break this addiction is through technology." NREL's R&D in sustainable, domestic energy technologies is leading the way to a long-term solution to this problem. NREL in FocusNREL has a new deputy director/chief operating officer, has partnered with others to form a fuel-cell research center, has expanded its computing capabilities beyond the 1-teraflop milestone, and is about to open a major new facility. The Science and Technology Facility will greatly facilitate the transfer of renewable energy technology to industry. Awards & HonorsDuring 2005, NREL received two R&D 100 Awards and two technology transfer awards. In addition, several of our scientists were recognized for their special service and expertise.The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is operated by Midwest Research Institute and Battelle for the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. NREL is the nation's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. The Research Review is published yearly and describes the Laboratory's accomplishments in science and technology to a wide audience. The purpose is not simply to describe the progress being made, but also to show the promise and value of NREL's R&D to people, industry, the nation, and the world. This year's NREL Research Review staff includes Howard Brown, Don Gwinner, Molly Miller, and Paula Pitchford, writers, and Ray David and Al Hicks, graphic designers. On the Road to Future Fuels & VehiclesAmerica's dependence on imported petroleum can be reduced by using clean, domestic transportation fuels and advanced vehicles. NREL is developing the science and technology to allow us to move from corn ethanol, biodiesel, and flexible-fuel and hybrid-electric vehicles in the near term to cellulosic ethanol, green diesel, and plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles in the mid term to renewable-source hydrogen and fuelcell vehicles in the long term. Performing Commercial BuildingsNREL's R&D shows that it is possible to design and construct attractive residential and commercial buildings that are much more energy efficient than current standard practice. Take a look at six such "high-performing" buildings. Closing the GapsHigh-efficiency solar cells are one of many areas of solar research at NREL. Read about the basic rationale of multijunction cells and some innovative design twists that are boosting their efficiencies. Securing Energy for the Future Through Science and TechnologyScience and technology. They are at the heart of everything we do at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, as we pursue innovative, robust, and sustainable ways to produce energyand as we seek to understand and illuminate the physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering behind alternative energy technologies.Although our nation is learning to use energy more wisely-for example, by producing and buying more energyefficient vehicles and a...