The Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, CO, recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. The laboratory was launched in 1977 as the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI). It is now a leading research facility for wind, solar, and biomass power; biofuels; geothermal energy; hydrogen; fuel cells; distributed power; hybrid vehicles; advanced vehicle design; fuels utilization; and building energy technologies.

In honor of the anniversary, NREL volunteers are helping build an energy-efficient Habitat for Humanity home in the Denver area. Features include a sun-tempered living and dining area, advanced windows, sprayed-foam wall insulation, enhanced floor insulation, solar hot water, a grid-tied solar power system, and energy-efficient appliances.

— Greg Mazurkiewicz

Publication date: 08/05/2002