GLOBAL CHALLENGES

'Zero-Energy' Research Lab to Open

Rebecca Kutzer-Rice | Date: 07-15-10 | Comments

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has just finished a state-of-the-art research facility that combines renewable energy with innovative design to have a net zero-energy use.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the Office of Energy's center for environmentally friendly technology. The lab recently built a new research facility in Golden, Colo. Set to open in August, this innovative facility will be the nation's largest net zero-energy building, as it generates more energy than it uses.

The office building, which can hold 800 occupants, combines architecture with passive energy strategies and renewable resources to be incredibly efficient. The building's east-west orientation is an important feature of its design, as it allows for natural daylight in all workspaces. Because the building is narrow�only 60 feet wide�daylight can reach all corners and ventilation naturally occurs.

Completed in June 2010, the new research facility will be the country's largest zero-energy building.

Temperature in the building is controlled using radiant heating and cooling, in which water�rather than air�flows throughout floors and ceilings in over 40 miles of pipes. Thick concrete walls and triple-glazed windows ensure proper insulation. For cooling and airflow, occupants can open specific windows along the building's perimeter.

Many renewable resources have gone into the construction and future of the research facility. To provide power for the building, roofs and parking lots contain an on-site solar energy collection system. All construction materials were either recyclable or regional�from within 500 miles of Golden. For example, recycled runway material from a closed regional airport was used in the building's foundation.

Even the office supplies are green. Once occupied, the building will only contain machines like high-efficiency laptops and monitors and all-in-one print/fax/scan devices that lower energy usage.

The facility cost about $259 per square foot, a price comparable to other large government office buildings, which are usually more expensive than privately owned buildings because they require special safety features. The building will likely save thousands of dollars in energy costs. The NREL hopes its design will inspire the construction of future green buildings.

For more information, visit the NREL's fact sheet about its newest facility.