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A brief NREL overview

Innovation for Our Energy Future. A brief NREL overview. for NRECA by Robert A. (Bob) Hawsey Associate Laboratory Director for Renewable Electricity and End Use Systems May 18, 2010. NREL is one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s 12 “large” national laboratories.

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A brief NREL overview

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  1. Innovation for Our Energy Future A brief NREL overview for NRECA by Robert A. (Bob) Hawsey Associate Laboratory Director for Renewable Electricity and End Use Systems May 18, 2010

  2. NREL is one of the U.S. Department of Energy’s 12 “large” national laboratories

  3. Alliance for Sustainable Energy—Partnering for Excellence

  4. Two Primary Lines of Innovation Fuels Electricity Solar Biomass Geothermal Electricity Hydrogen From Concept to Consumer Wind Ocean Transportation Buildings • Renewable Electricity • Electric Systems Integration • Net-Zero Energy Buildings • Renewable Fuels • Efficient and Flexible Vehicles Underpinned with Science Systems Biology Computational Science Photoconversion

  5. NREL FY2010 Program Funding Portfolio$390.8 million* Construction and Infrastructure = $65M *Estimated Updated 5/13/10

  6. Energy Efficiency in Buildings 6

  7. Building efficiency is a key towards reducing carbon emissions by 80% • Status U.S. Buildings: • 39% of primary energy • 71% of electricity • 38% of carbon emissions • DOE Goal: • Cost effective, marketable zero energy buildings by 2025 • Value of energy savings exceeds cost of energy features on a cash flow basis • NREL Research Thrusts • Whole building systems integration of efficiency and renewable features • Computerized building energy optimization tools • Advanced HVAC and envelope technologies • Building integrated PV • Solid-state (LED) lighting

  8. Energy Efficiency in Sustainable Transportation

  9. Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) • Key Challenges • Energy storage – life and cost • Utility impacts • Vehicle cost • Recharging locations • Tailpipe emissions/cold starts • Cabin heating/cooling • ~33% put cars in garage • Status: • PHEV-only conversion vehicles available • OEMS building prototypes • NREL PHEV Test Bed • NREL Research Thrusts • Energy storage • Advanced power electronics • Vehicle ancillary loads reduction • Vehicle thermal management • Utility interconnection • Vehicle-to-grid

  10. Renewable Electricity Supply 10

  11. Wind is America’s most rapidly growing renewable electricity resource Today’s Status in U.S. • >35,000 MW installed capacity • Cost 6-9¢/kWh at good wind sites* DOE Cost Goals • 3.6¢/kWh, onshore at low wind sites by 2012 • 7¢/kWh, offshore in shallow water by 2014 Long Term Potential 20% of the nation’s electricity supply See DOE’s “20% Wind Energy by 2030” report (May 2008) * With no Production Tax Credit Updated January 2010 Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, American Wind Energy Association

  12. Multi-MW Turbines at the NWTC • DOE 1.5 MW GE Turbine: • Model: GE 1.5SLE • Tower Height: 80 m • Rotor Diameter: 77 m • DOE owned; used for long-term research • Multi-year research plan in place • Turbine instrumentation in FY2010 • Siemens 2.3 MW Turbine: • Model: SWT-2.3-101 • Tower Height: 80 m • Rotor Diameter: 101 m • Siemens owned and operated • Multi-year R&D CRADA; aerodynamics and rotor performance DOE 1.5 MW Siemens 2.3 MW

  13. Drivetrain Testing • 2.5 MW Dynamometer • Commissioned 1999 • Steady use by industry • Used in R&D activities • Key facility for Gearbox Reliability Collaborative • Basic shaft load capability added in FY2010 • Dynamometer Upgrade • $10M Recovery Act funding • New 5 MW driveline • Robust shaft loading system • Commissioning in 2012

  14. Blade Testing • NWTC blade test facilities • Regular use by industry • Static and fatigue testing • Base for test technology development • Large Blade Test Facility • Supports 70+ m blades • Partnership between Mass CEC and NREL • Key technical staff are NWTC employees • Resonant fatigue testing technology development • Innovative new approaches • Reduce time for fatigue tests

  15. Innovative New Technologies • Modular blades and drivetrains • Advanced drivetrain configurations • Flexible downwind turbines • Active controls for load reduction • Superconducting direct drive generators • Airborne wind power systems • Offshore wind cost reductions • Floating Offshore

  16. Solar – Photovoltaics and Concentrating Solar Thermal Power (CSP) • Status in U.S. • PV • ~1,100 MW installed capacity • Cost 16-32¢/kWh* • CSP • ~420 MW installed capacity • Cost 10-14¢/kWh* • Potential: • PV • 6-13 ¢/kWh by 2015 • 6-15 ¢/kWh by 2030** • CSP • 8-11 ¢/kWh by 2015* • 7-11 ¢/kWh by 2030** Sources: U.S. Department of Energy, IEA Updated January 2010 * with 30% ITC ** with 10% ITC

  17. Science & Technology Facility Solar Energy Research Facility Solar Technology Research at NREL is broad-based • Technical Integration and Analysis • Solar Resource Assessment • Photovoltaics • Predictive Solid StateTheory • Materials and High-Efficiency Devices • Advanced Manufacturing • Measurement and Characterization • Reliability • Concentrating Solar Power • Reflective Materials • Trough System Analysis • Market Transformation Support Solar Radiation Research Lab Outdoor Test Facility

  18. Geothermal • Today’s Status in U.S. • 2,800 MWe installed, 500 MWe new contracts, 3000 MWe under development • Cost 5-8¢/kWh with no PTC • Capacity factor typically > 90%, base load power • DOE Cost Goals: • <5¢/kWh, for typical hydrothermal sites • 5¢/kWh, for enhanced geothermal systems with mature technology • Long Term Potential: • Recent MIT Analysis shows • potential for 100,000 MW installed • Enhanced Geothermal Power systems • by 2050, cost-competitive with coal- • powered generation • NREL Research Thrusts: • Analysis to define the technology path to commercialization of Enhanced Geothermal Systems • Low temperature conversion cycles • Better performing, lower cost components • Innovative materials April 10, 2008

  19. Biofuels 19

  20. Biofuels Current Biofuels Status in U.S. • Biodiesel – 171 companies; 2.2 billion gallons/yr capacity1 • Corn ethanol • 174 commercial plants2 • 10.8 billion gal/yr. capacity2 • Additional 2.4 billion gal/yr planned or under construction • Cellulosic ethanol (current technology) • Projected commercial cost ~$3.50/gge Key DOE Goals • 2012 goal: cellulosic ethanol $1.33/ETOH gallon or ~$1.99/gge • 2022 goal: 36B gal Renewable Fuel; 21B gal “Advanced Renewable Fuel”– 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act • 2030 goal: 60 billion gal ethanol (30% of 2004 gasoline) NREL Research Thrusts • The biorefinery and cellulosic ethanol • Solutions to under-utilized waste residues • Energy crops • New biofuels Updated February 2009 Sources: 1- National Biodiesel Board 2 - Renewable Fuels Association, all other information based on DOE and USDA sources

  21. NREL’s leading energy analysis competencies inform our electricity and renewables RD&D portfolio

  22. New integration and transmission studies led by NREL and partners are the seeds for further renewable electricity integration research with the 3 interconnection regions

  23. NREL’s strategy for wind will be informed by the Renewable Electricity Futures Study Purpose:Examine high penetration scenarios for renewable energy to more fully understand the limits (technical, economic, environmental, and policy constraints) in rapidly scaling up to address national energy and climate challenges. Builds on Other NREL-Led Studies • Eastern and Western Interconnect Studies • 20% Wind Scenario Report and 30% Solar Vision Study Status: • 2nd review meeting held with Federal sponsors, steering committee, and technical review panel • March meeting held with utility executives/30 participants • Draft Report: May 2010

  24. Electricity Delivery & Renewables Integration 24

  25. Smart Grid Activities at NREL • Development of Interoperability Standards (IEEE P2030) • R&D to Enable High Penetration of Renewables and Distributed Generation (Grid Integration) • Advanced Distribution System Operations (Microgrids) • Allow dispatchable load and storage (Vehicle-to-Grid Interconnection Testing) • Development of Conformance Test Protocol for Smart Grid Technologies

  26. NREL is Engaged with Utilities Across the USA in Smart Grid / Vehicle-to-Grid RD&D

  27. NREL leads technology deployment programs Weatherization Integrated Deployment (states and municipalities) “…the Department of Energy will help Hawaii lead America in utilizing clean, renewable energy technologies.” Governor Lingle Federal Energy Management Program

  28. NREL has ~2,000 talented staff, with a track record of accomplishment, who are passionate about delivering the President’s energy efficiency and renewable energy objectives.

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