NREL Science and Technology Facility

Project Summary

National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Golden, Colorado

Project Type:
Laboratory

Size:
71,000 Square Feet

Year Constructed / Occupied:
2005 / 2006

Project Details

The Science and Technology Facility (STF) is the newest research laboratory on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Golden, Colorado campus. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to allow government and industry to work side-by-side to develop new manufacturing processes for photovoltaic cells, hydrogen fuel cells and other distributed energy technologies. The STF consists of research laboratories, including an 11,500 square foot Process Development and Integration Laboratory, an office area, and a number of associated research and administrative support spaces. In keeping with NREL's commitment to energy efficiency and renewable energy, the STF incorporates many energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable design features, including extensive daylighting in the laboratory and office areas, an evaporative cooling system, building-integrated photovoltaics, and low-environmental impact materials and products. The STF is projected to receive a Gold LEED rating.

Project Highlights

The Science and Technology Facility is an excellent example of an integrated, whole-building sustainable design solution. It combines energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable design features in a functional, attractive and energy and environmentally responsive design.

Optimal levels of wall and roof insulation, and a high albedo roof surface.
High performance glazing tuned by function and orientation.
Aggressive daylighting of all laboratory and office areas, designed to uniformly distribute daylight, eliminate glare and minimize solar heat gain.
High efficiency electric lighting with daylight dimming controls.
Direct/indirect evaporative cooling system.
Low-environmental impact materials and products for all major interior and exterior finishes.