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NREL and its industry partners will work together to overcome the challenges of integrating renewable energy into the electrical grid in a facility that is safe, e!cient, and respectful to its surrounding environment. The ultra-e!cient ESIF building design includes many energy conservation strategies:

energy

laboratories

windows

The ESIF is designed in accordance with the

certification.More information about the ESIF can be found

www.nrel.gov/eis/facilities_esif.html.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing at least 50% wastepaper, including 10% post consumer waste.

Unique Capabilites Hardware-in-the-Loop at Megawatt-scale Power

Megawatt-scale power-in-the-loop allows researchers and manufacturers to conduct integration tests at full power and actual load levels in real-time simulation and evaluate component and system performance before going to market.

High Performance Computing Data Center (HPCDC)

Petascale computing at the HPCDC enables unprecedented large-scale modeling and simulation of material properties, processes, and fully integrated systems that would otherwise be too expensive, too dangerous, or even impossible to study by direct experimentation.

Research Electrical Distribution Bus (REDB)

The ultimate power integration circuit, made up of two

of energy and interconnects “plug-and-play” testing components in all the labs.

A Smart, Energy-E!cient Facility

systems integration R&D facility.

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems

operations and safety and gathers real-time, high-resolution data for collaboration and visualization.

Data Analysis and Visualization

beyond what is found in a typical utility operations center. Fully integrated with hardware-in-the-loop at power capabilities, an electrical distribution bus, a

allows researchers and NREL partners to visualize complex systems simulations and operations in a completely virtual environment.

Participation from utilities, equipment manufacturers, renewable systems integrators, universities, and other national labs and related

dramatically accelerate the research required to transform the energy system to one that is cleaner, more secure, and more reliable.

Several options exist for partners interested in partnering with NREL on utility-scale projects

integration of renewable energy and other e!ciency technologies.

Please contact us to explore these collaborative opportunities.

Smart Power, Smart People Partnerships are Key

The Energy Systems Integration Facility provides NREL with the transformative capabilities needed to

The state-of-the-art facility, with its unprecedented integrated megawatt-scale testing and real-time

world-renowned integration experts to work with a wide range of energy stakeholders to help develop, evaluate, and test their individual technologies before going to market greatly reducing the risks associated with early market penetration.

114 9 14 10 16 2

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OUTDOOR TEST AREA480V Low Voltage

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7

1312

53

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OUTDOOR TEST AREA13.2 kV Medium Voltage

1 Power Systems Integration

2 Smart Power

3 Energy Storage

4 Electrical Characterization

5 Energy Systems Integration

6 Thermal Storage Process and Components

7 Thermal Storage Materials

8 Optical Characterization

9 Energy Systems Fabrication

10 Manufacturing

11 Materials Characterization

12 Electrochemical Characterization

13 Energy Systems Sensor

14 Fuel Cell Development and Test

15 Energy Systems High Pressure Test

16 ESIF Control Room

17 Energy Integration Visualization Room

18 Secure Data Center

19 High Performance Computing Data Center

20 Insight Center Visualization Room

21 Insight Center Collaboration Room

Fuel Systems Laboratories

Thermal Systems Laboratories

Electrical Systems Laboratories

High Performance Computing, Data Analysis, and Visualization

The Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) is a unique new national asset for energy systems integration research, development, testing, and analysis. Located on the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory campus in Golden, Colorado, the 182,500 sq. ft. facility contains approximately 200 o!ce and collaboration spaces, 15 state-of-the-art laboratories, and several outdoor test areas.

Uniquely equipped with megawatt-scale test capabilities; integrated electrical, thermal and fuel infrastructures; advanced data analysis and visualization capabilities; hardware-in-the-loop simulation; and a high performance computing data center, the ESIF stands in a class of its own.

NREL and its industry partners will work together to overcome the challenges of integrating renewable energy into the electrical grid in a facility that is safe, e!cient, and respectful to its surrounding environment. The ultra-e!cient ESIF building design includes many energy conservation strategies:

energy

laboratories

windows

The ESIF is designed in accordance with the

certification.More information about the ESIF can be found

www.nrel.gov/eis/facilities_esif.html.



Unique Capabilites Hardware-in-the-Loop at Megawatt-scale Power

Megawatt-scale power-in-the-loop allows researchers and manufacturers to conduct integration tests at full power and actual load levels in real-time simulation and evaluate component and system performance before going to market.

High Performance Computing Data Center (HPCDC)

Petascale computing at the HPCDC enables unprecedented large-scale modeling and simulation of material properties, processes, and fully integrated systems that would otherwise be too expensive, too dangerous, or even impossible to study by direct experimentation.

Research Electrical Distribution Bus (REDB)

The ultimate power integration circuit, made up of two

of energy and interconnects “plug-and-play” testing components in all the labs.

A Smart, Energy-E!cient Facility

systems integration R&D facility.

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) Systems

operations and safety and gathers real-time, high-resolution data for collaboration and visualization.

Data Analysis and Visualization

beyond what is found in a typical utility operations center. Fully integrated with hardware-in-the-loop at power capabilities, an electrical distribution bus, a

allows researchers and NREL partners to visualize complex systems simulations and operations in a completely virtual environment.

Participation from utilities, equipment manufacturers, renewable systems integrators, universities, and other national labs and related

dramatically accelerate the research required to transform the energy system to one that is cleaner, more secure, and more reliable.

Several options exist for partners interested in partnering with NREL on utility-scale projects

integration of renewable energy and other e!ciency technologies.

Please contact us to explore these collaborative opportunities.

Smart Power, Smart People Partnerships are Key

The Energy Systems Integration Facility provides NREL with the transformative capabilities needed to

The state-of-the-art facility, with its unprecedented integrated megawatt-scale testing and real-time

world-renowned integration experts to work with a wide range of energy stakeholders to help develop, evaluate, and test their individual technologies before going to market greatly reducing the risks associated with early market penetration.

Transforming our Nation’s Energy SystemWith all the benefits associated with renewable energy, why hasn’t the grid already been modernized to accommodate these clean sources of energy? The short answer is: Megawatt-scale integration is hard to find.

Our nation’s existing power grid is crucial to our way of life and cannot be shut down, overhauled, and started back up again. Yet, critical to moving clean energy technologies onto the electrical grid is the ability to carry out research, development, and megawatt-scale testing of the complex integrated systems, devices, and concepts of future electric supply and demand systems. The Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) on the campus of the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, will soon be the na-tion’s first facility that can conduct integrated megawatt-scale research and development of the components and strategies needed in order to safely move clean energy technologies onto the electrical grid “in-flight” at the speed and scale required to meet national goals.A Unique Partnering FacilityThis state-of-the-art facility will enable NREL and industry to work together to develop and evaluate their individual technolo-gies on a controlled integrated energy system platform. Test-ing and optimization at megawatt scale will help reduce risks associated with early market penetration. Participation from utilities, equipment manufacturers, renewable systems integra-tors, universities, and other national labs and related industries that fully utilize ESIF’s capabilities will dramatically accelerate the research required to transform the energy system to one that is cleaner, more secure, and more reliable. Major electric system manufacturers and companies have already demonstrated inter-est in conducting their own research and development at the ESIF, once the facility is completed.

NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, O!ce of Energy E!ciency and Renewable Energy,operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

The ESIF is expected to be the nation’s only megawatt-scale research and development facility.ESIF Snapshot

Energy Integration Research FocusResearch and development conducted in the ESIF will aim to overcome the challenges of integrating renewable energy into the electrical grid. These application and technology chal-lenges span the entire electric power system — from generation to transmission, to distribution, and to end-use applications. Of particular focus are electric systems, buildings and facility systems, community power generation and microgrids, utility generation, thermal and hydrogen systems, energy efficient and advanced grid technologies, electricity system architectures, interoperability, and utility generation and grids that incorpo-rate renewable energy (solar, wind, hydrogen, and advanced vehicles).Labs and EquipmentTo support these areas of research, the 182,500-sq. ft. ESIF will house approximately 200 scientists and engineers and a wide range of fully equipped, state-of-the-art laboratories and out-door test areas, including:

In addition, the ESIF will include other key service and support features, such as:

Outdoor test areas

Laboratories

Illustrations courtesy of SmithGroup

Uniquely Tied TogetherIntegrated throughout the ESIF, the Research Electrical Distri-bution Bus (REDB) will function as the ultimate power integra-tion “circuit” capable of utilizing multiple AC and DC buses that connect multiple sources of energy and interconnecting laboratories and experiments to test and simulate equipment. Running parallel with the REDB is a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that monitors and controls facility-based processes and gathers and disseminates real time data for collaboration and visualization.Parallel with the REDB are the thermal and fuel infrastructures built into the ESIF that all together provide a variety of electric-ity, thermal power, and fuel type connections. Hardware-in-the-Loop at Power Hardware-in-the-loop simulation is not a new concept, but adding megawatt-scale power takes research to another level. Equipped with hardware-in-the loop simulators, the ESIF’s Smart Power Lab is the test lab for research and development of the power electronics components, circuits, and controls used in clean and sustainable energy integration. It will allow research-ers and manufacturers to conduct integration tests at full power and actual load levels in real-time simulation, and evaluate com-ponent and system performance before going to market.High Performance Computing CapabilitiesIn addition to high-tech collaboration and visualization rooms, the ESIF will include a high-performance computing data center (HPCDC) that will serve the breadth of NREL, expanding the laboratory’s capabilities in modeling and simulation of renew-able energy technologies and their integration into the existing energy infrastructure. The one-half petaflop scale (planned to be expanded to petaflop scale) will enable large-scale modeling and simulation of material properties, processes and fully inte-grated systems that would be too expensive, or even impossible, to study by direct experimentation.Not only will the HPCDC house the fastest computing system dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy technolo-gies in the world, it will also be one of the most energy efficient data centers in the world, operating at a power usage effective-ness (PUE) rating of 1.06 or better.

National Renewable Energy Laboratory1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado 80401-3305303-275-3000 www.nrel.gov

NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of EnergyOf!ce of Energy Ef!ciency and Renewable Energy Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC


Walking the TalkThe Energy Systems Integration Facility will not only meet the nation’s crucial research objectives for integrating clean and sus-tainable energy technologies into the grid, but will do it in a way that is safe, efficient, and respectful to its surrounding environ-ment. The ESIF will be built in accordance with the U.S. Green Buildings Council’s standards and is expected, at minimum, to achieve LEED Gold Certification. Energy Conservation Strategies

use of data center and High Bay laboratory waste energy to maximize building/campus heating

between laboratories for simultaneous use/reuse-

tion; outside air economizer

-mal comfort range

-tion shafts

2 PM)

For More Information More information about the ESIF can be found on NREL’s Web site: http://www.nrel.gov/eis/facilities_esif.html or by calling NREL’s Public Affairs Office at (303) 275-4084.

O!ce of the Future



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ESIF Manager

Power Systems Integration Laboratory

Photo from iStock/03364509. Illustration courtesy of SmithGroup.

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National Renewable Energy Laboratory15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401 O!ce of Energy E!ciency and Renewable Energy

– Process cooling water– Process heating water– Research cooling water (chilled water)– Natural gas– Compressed Air– 480 / 277 Vac– 208 / 120 Vac– 240 Split-phase Vac

Hardware-in-the-loop experiments:

Power system integration:

Prototype testing:

Major Laboratory

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ESIF Manager

Smart Power Laboratory


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National Renewable Energy Laboratory15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden, CO 80401

Major Laboratory

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Energy Storage Laboratory


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– Floor space equivalent to up to two 20 ft. ISO containers

– Large commercial vehicles up to city-bus size– Large battery systems, power electronics

packages, and integrated system tests

The following types of tests:

Performed on the following equipment types:

Major Laboratory

Partner with UsWork with NREL experts and take advantage of the state-of-the-art capabilities at the ESIF to make progress on your projects, which may range from fundamental research to applications engineering. Partners at the ESIF’s Electrical Characterization Laboratory may include:

Contact UsIf you are interested in working with NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Laboratory, please contact:

ESIF ManagerCarolyn [email protected]

Electrical Characterization LaboratoryElectrical Characterization Laboratory at NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) focuses on the detailed electrical characterization of components and systems. This laboratory allows researchers to test

standard and advanced fuels such as hydrogen.


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The Electrical Characterization Laboratory is 1,500

entrance to the building. It is designed as a safe and secure environment that can survive destructive

provides a safe location for researchers with video links into the main test area. This room also has a separate ventilation system. The electrical service and testing area is designed to be Class 1, approved. The laboratory is outfitted with natural gas, hydrogen gas, nitrogen, and compressed air service. Facility

storage are present.

capabilities. This type of application tests the ability

on the main grid. These are often specified in IEEE standards such as IEEE Std. 1547. In addition, this lab provides a space for testing new, unproven, or

assessment prior to use in other labs at ESIF. The Electric Characterization Laboratory is in a location

can be evaluated behind closed doors.

Major Laboratory

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ESIF Manager

Energy Systems Integration Laboratory


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Research activities are targeted to improve the technical readiness of the following:

Examples of experiments include:

Major Laboratory

Partner with UsWork with NREL experts and take advantage of the state-of-the-art capabilities at the ESIF to make progress on your projects, which may range from fundamental research to applications engineering. Partners at the ESIF’s Thermal Systems Process and Components Laboratory may include:

Contact UsIf you are interested in working with NREL’s Thermal Systems Process and Components Laboratory, please contact:


Thermal Systems Process and Components LaboratoryThe focus of the Thermal Systems Process and Components Laboratory at NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) is to research, develop, test, and evaluate new techniques for thermal energy storage systems that are relevant to utility-scale concentrating solar power plants. The laboratory holds test systems that can provide heat transfer fluids for the evaluation of heat exchangers and thermal energy storage devices. The existing system provides molten salt at temperatures up to 800°C. This unit is charged with nitrate salt rated to 600°C, but is capable of handling other heat transfer fluid compositions. Three additional test bays are available for future deployment of alternative heat transfer fluids such as hot air, carbon dioxide, or steam systems.


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Laboratory Specifications

The 950 sq. ft. laboratory features four test bays, each capable of supporting a 30kW test system.

so articles containing nanofluids can be tested.

mounted blower and hot air can be exhausted through the ceiling.

The laboratory contains 30kW test systems designed to provide hot heat transfer fluid to pilot-scale thermal energy storage systems. Storage systems can be cycled through multiple charge and discharge cycles to evaluate performance and storage e!ciency.

Application ScenariosThe Thermal Systems Process and Components Laboratory performs pilot-scale thermal energy storage system testing through multiple charge and discharge cycles to evaluate heat exchanger performance and storage e!ciency. The laboratory equipment can also be utilized to test instrument and sensor compatibility with hot heat transfer fluids.

Future applications in the laboratory may include the evaluation of thermal energy storage systems designed to operate with supercritical heat transfer fluids such as steam or carbon dioxide. These tests will require the installation of test systems capable of providing supercritical fluids at temperatures up to 700°C.

Major Laboratory Equipment

bays for evaluation of 30kW thermal systems

provide hot salt or molten metal heat transfer fluid to the test device

interface for unit control and data acquisition

process test loops

exhaust for system cooling

for testing systems containing nanomaterials

Partner with UsWork with NREL experts and take advantage of the state-of-the-art capabilities at the ESIF to make progress on your projects, which may range from fundamental research to applications engineering. Partners at the ESIF’s Thermal Storage Materials Laboratory may include:

Contact UsIf you are interested in working with NREL’s Thermal Storage Materials Laboratory, please contact:

ESIF Manager

303-275-3036

Thermal Storage Materials LaboratoryThe Thermal Storage Materials Laboratory at NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) investigates materials that can be used as high-temperature heat transfer fluids or thermal energy storage media

of fusion, density, viscosity, thermal stability are essential for understanding how candidate materials could


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Within the 950 sq. ft. laboratory samples can be evaluated for melting point, heat capacity, heat of fusion, viscosity, density, thermal stability, and other physical properties using state-of-the-art analytical equipment. The laboratory contains a controlled-environment glovebox for preparation of materials that are sensitive to moisture, oxygen, or trace gases such as carbon dioxide. The lab glovebox and

nanofluids and nanomaterial containing samples.

Instrumentation in the laboratory can determine the thermophysical properties of materials at

The laboratory runs high-temperature instruments for the analysis of thermophysical properties. Small samples of candidate materials are prepared and characterized using di!erential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and other specialized analytical methods.

Instrumentation capabilities are being expanded to

temperature operation is one method to increase the

Major Laboratory

and general chemistry supplies

Partner with UsWork with NREL experts and take advantage of the state-of-the-art capabilities at the ESIF to make progress on your projects, which may range from fundamental research to applications engineering. Partners at the ESIF’s Optical Characterization Laboratory may include:

Contact UsIf you are interested in working with NREL’s Optical Characterization Laboratory, please contact:


Optical Characterization LaboratoryThe Optical Characterization Laboratory at NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) conducts optical characterization of large solar concentration devices. Concentration solar power (CSP) mirror panels and concentrating solar systems are tested with an emphasis is on measurement of parabolic trough mirror panels.


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The Optical Characterization Laboratory provides state-of-the-art characterization and testing capabilities for assessing the optical surface quality and optical performance for various CSP technologies including parabolic troughs, linear Fresnel, dishes, and heliostats.

In the near-future, capabilities beyond troughs will be implemented and will address linear Fresnel, dish, and heliostat options. In addition, structural analysis and testing will be added to support detailed design of CSP concentrator systems.

Major Laboratory

Tool)

Chamber (future)

Partner with UsWork with NREL experts and take advantage of the state-of-the-art capabilities at the ESIF to make progress on your projects, which may range from fundamental research to applications engineering. Partners at the ESIF’s Energy Systems Fabrication Laboratory may include:

Contact UsIf you are interested in working with NREL’s Energy Systems Fabrication Laboratory, please contact:

ESIF Manager

303-275-3036

Energy Systems Fabrication LaboratoryThe Energy Systems Fabrication Laboratory at NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) manufactures components for fuel cells and electrochemical cells using a variety of manufacturing

cell related research.


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2 electrode area

2 electrode area

handpainting, knife spreading, and spray coating

fabrication method and application

material preparation

materials and device components

The main focus of the laboratory is to provide support for fuel cell research that is performed in adjacent laboratories. The laboratory enables NREL to manufacture fuel cells in-house using, for example, experimental catalyst developed at NREL.

of in-house and externally developed quality control diagnostics for high volume production of fuel cell. Experiments performed in the laboratory focus mainly on the development of alternative fuel cell manufacturing methods.

Major Laboratory

spray systems

planned 50 ton hot press

gel dryer

Partner with UsWork with NREL experts and take advantage of the state-of-the-art capabilities at the ESIF to make progress on your projects, which may range from fundamental research to applications engineering. Partners at the ESIF’s Manufacturing Laboratory may include:

and high temperature fuel cells

technologies using and/or exploring roll-to-roll processing

devices

Contact UsIf you are interested in working with NREL’s Manufacturing Laboratory, please contact:

ESIF Manager

303-275-3036

Manufacturing LaboratoryThe Manufacturing Laboratory at NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) focuses on developing methods and technologies that will assist manufacturers of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, as well as other renewable energy technologies, to scale up their manufacturing capabilities to volumes that meet

initial proof-of-concept studies through prototype system development and in-line validation. Existing


10 15


This laboratory includes continuous web processing

measurement platforms. The lab will be used for internal development, evaluation of commercial diagnostics, and as a flexible development platform (user facility) for industry partner R&D.

Work leading to the development of non-contact,

dimensional and functional properties of fuel cell and

on the continuous processing line. This work will be supported by materials provided by our partners.

processing capabilities such as coating, casting, and deposition of functional layers, as well as associated processes such as drying or curing. In addition, continuous processes are used for components of

as battery technologies, so synergies with these important areas will be explored.

Major Laboratory

tinuous processing line

- Suitable for 6” - 18” wide webs

minute line speed

- 0.5 – 5.0 pounds per lineal inch tension range

platform:

- IR camera detector with various optics

strategies

- Sample hardware for various static measurements

- Benchtop roller prototype

processing software

platform:

sources, and lenses

- In-house developed

processing software

- Motion stage

- Dual laser thickness instrument

pneumatic caliper

Partner with UsWork with NREL experts and take advantage of the state-of-the-art capabilities at the ESIF to make progress on your projects, which may range from fundamental research to applications engineering. Partners at the ESIF’s Materials Characterization Laboratory may include:

Contact UsIf you are interested in working with NREL’s Materials Characterization Laboratory, please contact:


Materials Characterization LaboratoryThe Materials Characterization Laboratory at NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) research focus is the physical and photoelectrochemical characterization of novel materials. In this laboratory unknown samples are characterized by identifying and quantifying molecular species present through the implementation of a suite of analytical instrumentation and techniques. This leads to the ability to deconvolute decomposition routes and elucidate reaction mechanisms of materials through thermal and evolved gas analysis. This aids in the synthesis of next generation materials that are tailored to optimize stability and performance.

stable and conductive tetherable cations for use as membrane materials in anion exchange membrane fuel cells. Another is to understand the leachant contaminants derived from balance of plant materials

and ionic species are dosed as contaminants into ex/in-situ fuel cell tests, to determine the e!ect on durability and performance.

This laboratory also acts in support of fuel cell catalysis, manufacturing, and other related projects.


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instrumentation to perform novel evolved gas analysis experimentation.

and evolved with the expert operators and ventilated instrument enclosures.

The Materials Characterization Laboratory will cover multiple analytical operations, with the overall goal of troubleshooting synthetic materials or process streams to improve performance. Having novel evolved gas analysis and other analytical capabilities; this laboratory provides a viable location to analyze small batch samples, whereas setting up these types of capabilities and expertise would be cost and time prohibitive for most institutions.

Experiments that can be performed include:

mechanisms and decoupling chemical reactions

Major Laboratory

mass spectrometer with liquids, headspace, and SPME autosampler and direct insertion probe

analyzer

experiments

spectrometer with ATR, DRIFTS, and gas cell accessories to sample liquids, powders, solids, and gases

analyzers with autosamplers (5% and <50ppm sensitivities)

software and accessories

techniques

residual gas analyzer

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ESIF Manager

Electrochemical Characterization Laboratory


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Experiments that can be performed include:

Major Laboratory

Application Scenarios

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ESIF Manager

Energy Systems Sensor Laboratory


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Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC



Partner with UsWork with NREL experts and take advantage of the state-of-the-art capabilities at the ESIF to make progress on your projects, which may range from fundamental research to applications engineering. Partners at the ESIF’s Fuel Cell Development and Test Laboratory may include:

Contact UsIf you are interested in working with NREL’s Fuel Cell Development and Test Laboratory, please contact:


Fuel Cell Development and Test LaboratoryNREL’s state-of-the-art Fuel Cell Development and Test Laboratory in the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) supports NREL’s fuel cell research and development projects through in-situ fuel cell testing. Current projects include various catalyst development projects, a system contaminant project, and the manufacturing project. Testing capabilities include but are not limited to single cell fuel cells and fuel cell stacks.


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diagnostics

50cm2 segmented cell system or multi-channel potentiostat

Diagnostics will include, but are not limited to:

determination,

surface area determination


Single cell fuel cell test stations

2

backpressure control

- Fully calibrated

- Script execution

- Remote access

test station

- 50cm2

cm2 each

- Script execution

galvanostat

Flowmeter

- Traceable Temperature Sensors and Pressure

Planned:

- chromatography

test station

fuel cell test stations

Partner with UsWork with NREL experts and take advantage of the state-of-the-art capabilities at the ESIF to make progress on your projects, which may range from fundamental research to applications engineering. Partners at the ESIF’s Energy Systems High Pressure Test Laboratory may include:

Contact UsIf you are interested in working with NREL’s Energy Systems High Pressure Test Laboratory, please contact:

ESIF Manager

303-275-3036

Energy Systems High Pressure Test LaboratoryThe purpose of the Energy Systems High Pressure Test Laboratory at NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) is to provide space where high pressure hydrogen components can be safely tested. High pressure hydrogen storage is an integral part of energy storage technology for use in fuel cell and in other

sources. The high pressure storage laboratory is co-located with energy storage activities such as ultra-capacitors, super conducting magnetic flywheel and mechanical energy storage systems laboratories for an integrated approach to system development and demonstration.

with burst failure modes. A critical understanding of component failure modes is essential in developing

protocol for accelerated life testing to accurately scale to real world operating conditions is essential for developing regulations, codes and standards required for safe operation.

NREL works closely with industry partners in providing support of advanced hydrogen technologies.


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The walls of the Energy Systems High Pressure Test Laboratory are built from concrete, capable of sustaining an overpressure condition or in the case of a component failure during test, and can act as secondary containment. Remote data and remote cameras are used for test observation, providing the added safety mechanisms needed

High pressure tests are performed on hydrogen components, primarily for the validation of developing new codes and standards for high pressure hydrogen applications. The following types of tests can be performed:

Major Laboratory

capable of cyclic loading

recovery capability for extended life testing

systems with safety interlocks

compressors and control system components

vessels for end of life testing

capability for proof testing

acquisition and monitoring equipment

Innovative Cooling DesignTraditional data centers circulate mechanically cooled air (typically 50°F) under pressurized raised floors up through grated floor tiles in front of the compute racks in an attempt to keep vital computer chips from going above 150°F. The new ESIF data center will take advantage of the fact that liquid has approximately 1000 times the cooling capacity of air and pumps circulating liquid cooling are much more efficient than fans circulating air. The primary means for keeping the HPC systems in the data center from overheating is a liquid-cooled approach—warm liquid, that is.

The working fluid will start at approximately 75°F. It will circulate through heat exchangers in the HPC system to efficiently capture waste heat from the HPC system. The liquid will be heated to 95°F or warmer by the HPC system and be utilized as the primary source of heating for laboratory and office spaces in the ESIF. Provisions have been made to export heat beyond the ESIF to the rest of the campus. Data center waste heat will even be circulated through piping under walkways to keep pedestrian areas free of dangerous ice and snow in cold months. Reuse of the data center waste heat also saves water cooling tower water. Data center waste heat not needed by the building can be rejected via efficient evaporative cooling towers serving the HPC data center.

High Performance Computing Data CenterThe new high performance computing (HPC) data center in NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) is designed to be one of the most energy efficient data centers in the world, featuring warm water liquid cooling and waste heat capture and re-use. It’s HPC capabilities will support the breadth of research at NREL, leading to increased efficiency and lower costs for important technologies including solar photovoltaics, wind energy, energy storage, electric vehicles, and the large-scale integration of renewables with the Smart Grid.

With state-of-the-art computational modeling and predictive simulation capabilities, the HPC data center will reduce the risks and uncertainty that are often barriers to industry adopting new and innovative technologies, thereby accelerating the transformation or our nation’s energy system.

Energy Efficient SupercomputingInitially, the HPC data center will house a petascale computing capability (one million billion calculations per second) and provide room for future systems that enable large-scale modeling and simulation of novel materials, biological and chemical processes, and fully integrated systems that would be too expensive, or even impossible, to study by direct experimentation. Not only will NREL’s data center house the fastest HPC system in the world dedicated to advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, it will also be one of the most energy efficient data centers in the world, operating at a power usage effectiveness (PUE) rating of 1.06 or better.

A 2006 study conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimated that data centers account for about 2% of all electricity consumed in the U.S. alone—roughly equivalent to the energy used by the entire airline industry. What’s more, the industry is in the midst of the biggest build-out of new data center capacity in its history, therefore, improving energy efficiency in data center designs is critically important. NREL’s HPC data center in the ESIF will be a showcase data center facility demonstrating best-in-class technologies for a holistic, integrated approach to energy efficient high performance computing.

The ESIF HPC data center is approximately 10,000 sf2 of uninterrupted, usable machine room space and is designed to be ultra energy efficient, capturing both the critical bytes of information for scientific research as well as the heat generated by powering multi-megawatts of HPC equipment, then used to heat office and laboratory space in the new facility.

NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy,Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy,operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

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Partner with UsWork with NREL experts and take advantage of the state-of-the-art capabilities at the ESIF to make progress on your innovative research in computational science, mathematics, and scientific computing.

Partners at the ESIF’s High Performance Computing Data Center may include:

Contact UsIf you are interested in working with NREL’s High Performance Data Computing Center, please contact:

Steven W. Hammond, Director Computational Science Center [email protected] 303-275-4121

Innovative Building DesignThe top floor has approximately 10,000 sf2 of uninterrupted, usable machine room space to house HPC and related equipment. The data center ceiling height is 11 feet, with return openings as required for any residual data center heat not captured to the hydronic cooling system. Return air chases on the north and south direct warm air from the ceiling plenum above down to the main fan wall air-handling units below. The middle floor is the mechanical space for pumps and power distribution. The lowest level is a pump room that allows the ESIF to connect to central heating and cooling services as needed for backup or to supply heat to other parts of the NREL campus.

Tour corridors with large viewing window areas are on all three floors. All major components of the mechanical and electrical system will be color coded to identify the role they play in this energy efficient infrastructure and will be viewable from the tour routes. The stacked nature of the data center provides for a very compact design resulting in short run lengths for both electrical and plumbing components. Data center efficiency will be highlighted with LED monitors at the viewing windows reporting instantaneous, season, and cumulative values for PUE and energy re-use.


Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC

The Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) will be one of the only megawatt-scale test facilities in the United States that integrates electricity, thermal, and fuel systems with high performance modeling and simulation capabilities.

NREL scientists and engineers at the ESIF will research and test integrated energy systems, devices, and concepts for electric supply and demand systems.

For more information on the ESIF and to take an online tour of the laboratories of the ESIF, visit www.nrel.gov/esi/esif.html.

Cross section view into the ESIF HPC data center. Illustration from SmithGroupJJR

INFORMATION CIRCULATION COLLABORATION

ELECTRICAL

DATA CENTER

MECHANICAL

SUPPORT

INSIGHT CENTER

CONFERENCING

EMPLOYEE LOUNGE

Illustration from SmithGroupJJRTop front page photo from iStock/03364509. Illustration from SmithGroupJJR

products (CDPs) that show the status and progress of the technology without identifying individual companies or revealing proprietary information.

Since 2004 NREL has produced around 200 CDPs for these hydrogen and fuel cell technology validation projects:

Learning Demonstration

www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/proj_tech_validation.html.

Partner with Us

progress on your projects, which may range from fundamental research to applications engineering.

Contact Us

Data Center, please contact:

NREL’s Technology Validation [email protected]


to efficiently process raw data, complete quarterly analysis, and digest large amounts of time series

Application ScenariosSDC analysts currently generate results for

commercially sensitive and proprietary information,

detailed data products (DDPs) to the partners who supplied the data.


access

for storing and processing data

processing



NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of EnergyO!ce of Energy E!ciency and Renewable EnergyOperated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC


18

Secure Data Center

detailed data and reports on technology status, progress, and technical challenges.

http://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/proj_tech_validation.html

http://www.nrel.gov/hydrogen/proj_tech_validation.html

mailto:techval%40nrel.gov?subject=

NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, O!ce of Energy E!ciency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

17


Uniquely Connected

Viewable Testing

The Display Wall

Illustration by Christina Chase/NREL

| |

ENERGY INTEGRATIONVISUALIZATION ROOM

Energy Integration Visualization Room


Illustration from SmithGroupJJR

Training Environment

Virtual Connections

Partner with Us

Contact Us

Carolyn Elam, ESIF Manager

Photo cover, iStock/03364509 Cover illustration courtesy of SmithGroupJJR

Photo by Dennis Schroeder, NREL/PIX 19335

eople , smart p er w o smart p acility cient f -e gy a ... · with the smart grid. with...

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