Renewable Energy Research Intitutes

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the only national laboratory solely dedicated to advancing renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies from concept to commercial application. For 35 years, NREL innovations, analysis, and expertise have enabled the emergence of a U.S. clean energy industry and led to numerous success stories from across the laboratory. NREL's 327-acre main campus in Golden, Colorado, is a living model of sustainable energy. The laboratory also operates the National Wind Technology Center on 305 acres located 13 miles north of its main campus.

NREL develops renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices, advances related science and engineering, and transfers knowledge and innovations to address the nation's energy and environmental goals.

NREL's research and development achievements have helped shape clean-energy alternatives for powering our homes and businesses, and the nation's transportation infrastructure. The laboratory's science and technology teams span the full spectrum of innovation, from fundamental science and market-relevant research to systems integration, and testing and validation." ... more

"The Renewable Resource Data Center (RReDC) provides access to an extensive collection of renewable energy resource data, maps, and tools. Biomass, geothermal, solar, and wind resource data for locations throughout the United States can be found through the RReDC.

Almost every area of the country can take advantage of renewable energy technologies, but some technologies are better suited for particular areas than others. Knowing the resources of a region, state, city, or neighborhood is therefore critical to renewable energy planning and siting." ... more

;Midwest research Institute

"MRI is an independent, not-for-profit, contract research organization.

Established in Kansas City in 1944 to provide research and development for industry, MRI performs research in the areas of National Defense, Health Sciences, Agriculture & Food Safety, Engineering, Environment, Information Technology, Energy, Biological Sciences and Analytical Chemistry.

MRI Mission: Providing solutions through scientific research, technology development, and technical services for the benefit of government, industry, and the public.

MRI's staff totals about 1,700 technical and support personnel, with 350 based in Kansas City and more than 200 staff members at MRI operations in Florida, and Rockville and Frederick, Maryland, and other locations. Some 1,100 MRI staff are located at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colorado, which the Institute operates and manages for the Department of Energy." more

"Battelle is the world's largest, independent research and development organization, working to advance scientific discovery and application.

We're accelerating innovation by bringing people, science and technology together."

"At Battelle, our experts are working in leading edge facilities, partnering with experts at the national laboratories, universities, and utilizing best instruments and best practices to address the world's most pressing problems.

Battelle Memorial Institute (Battelle) is a 501(c)(3) charitable trust headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Our 22,000 employees in more than 130 locations worldwide are dedicated to scientific, educational, technology and community endeavors and investments for a safer, healthier, and more productive tomorrow.

We're committed to using science and technology as a positive force for change, delivering innovations that enhance people’s lives while helping solve some of the world's most pressing issues.

Through contract R&D, managing the world's leading national laboratories, and giving back to communities, Battelle seeks to create greater value for its customers, the nation, and the world.

Our major focuses include:
  - Energy, Environment and Material Sciences
  - Health and Life Sciences
  - National Security and Defense
  - Laboratory Management
  - Community and Education" ... more

REPP's Mission

"REPP's goal is to accelerate the use of renewable energy by providing credible information, insightful policy analysis, and innovative strategies amid changing energy markets and mounting environmental needs by researching, publishing, and disseminating information, creating policy tools, and hosting highly active, on-line, renewable energy discussion groups.

What REPP Does

REPP supports the advancement of renewable energy technology through policy research. REPP seeks to define growth strategies for renewables that respond to competitive energy markets and environmental needs. Since its inception in 1995, REPP has investigated the relationship among policy, markets and public demand in accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, which include biomass, hydropower, geothermal, photovoltaic, solar thermal, wind and renewable hydrogen. The organization offers a platform from which experts in the field can examine issues of medium-to long-term importance to policy makers, green energy entrepreneurs, and environmental advocates." more

The Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES)
"The Institute for Environment and Sustainability (IES) is one of the seven scientific institutes of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC). Its mission is to provide scientific and technical support to EU policies for the protection of the European and global environment.

Located in Ispra, Italy, the IES carries out research to understand the complex interactions between human activity and the physical environment, and how to manage strategic resources (water, land, forests, food, minerals, etc.) in a more sustainable manner. Together with other JRC institutes, the IES provides the scientific basis for the conception, development, implementation and evaluation of EU policies that promote the greening of Europe and the global sustainable management of natural resources. It also works in partnership with other Directorates General to support the strategic priorities of the European Commission.

The Institute brings together multi-disciplinary teams who work with observations and numerical analyses, and develops the ICT infrastructures necessary to share observations and data. It combines this in-house expertise with its role as a scientific catalyst in order to provide the knowledge base necessary to assess the social, environmental and economic aspects of policy options.

The IES plays an active role in partnerships within the EU and global scientific communities, which are a prerequisite for finding sustainable solutions to today's global environmental challenges." ... more

"Renewable energy comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides and waves, and geothermal heat, which are naturally replenished.

In 2008, about 19% of global final energy consumption came from renewables, with 13% coming from traditional biomass, which is mainly used for heating, and 3.2% from hydroelectricity. New renewables (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar, geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for another 2.7% and are growing very rapidly. The share of renewables in electricity generation is around 18%, with 15% of global electricity coming from hydroelectricity and 3% from new renewables (Renewables 2010 Global Status Report, 2010, pp. 15-16).

While many renewable-energy projects are large scale, renewable technologies are also suited to rural and remote areas, where energy is often crucial in human development. Climate change concerns, coupled with high oil prices and increasing government support, are driving increasing renewable energy legislation, incentives, and the commercialization of renewable technologies.

Sandia National Laboratories has maintained research programs in solar, wind, and geothermal energy science and technologies since the 1970s. In recent decades, we have added research programs in biofuels and biomass to our renewable-energy portfolio. Use the menu to the right to explore our research programs and learn about our recent progress." ... more

ASCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND ENGINEERING (ST&E)

"Committed to science with the mission in mind, Sandia creates innovative, science-based, systems-engineering solutions to our Nation's most challenging national security problems. Sandia's guiding principals for ST&E ensure that the fundamental science and engineering core is vibrant and pushing the forefront of knowledge. Enabling our programs by effective application of that science base allows us to respond to current needs as well as anticipate the future.

Our Science, Technology and Engineering strategy is to create, integrate and apply capabilities to address national security challenges through investments in six research foundations:
  - Bioscience
  - Computers and Information Science
  - Engineering Sciences
  - Materials Science and Technology
  - Microelectronics & Microsystems
  - Pulsed Power" ... more

EUREC Agency

EUREC Agency, created in 1991, is a Brussels-based European association connecting the leading research centres and university departments active in the field of renewable energy technology.

EUREC Agency is the voice of renewable energy research in Europe, representing European Research Centres active in renewable energy.

Our members are prominent research and development (R&D) groups spread across Europe, operating in all renewable energy technologies (wind, biomass, small hydro, marine, geothermal, photovoltaics, solar thermal electricity, and solar thermal heating and cooling). Our members also conduct research into supporting technologies such as energy efficiency, storage, distribution and integration, and undertake studies to evaluate the social and economic aspects surrounding renewable energy.

EUREC Agency's mission is based around three objectives:

  - To act as a communication hub for renewable energy research issues for EUREC members and other interest groups or influential bodies like the EU decision-takers, European Technology Platforms, etc.
  - To create strong links with the renewable energy industry, fostering contacts and cooperation between members and their counterparts in the industry. These links contribute to define comprehensive R&D strategies, and should facilitate innovation and technology transfer through the promotion of R&D results.
  - To take an active part in educating renewable energy engineers. EUREC Agency manages the European Master in Renewable Energy. " ... more

The Department of Energy's overarching mission is to advance the national, economic, and energy security of the United States; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that mission; and to ensure the environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex. The Department's strategic goals to achieve the mission are designed to deliver results along five strategic themes:

• Energy Security: Promoting America s energy security through reliable, clean, and affordable energy
• Nuclear Security: Ensuring America s nuclear security
• Scientific Discovery and Innovation: Strengthening U.S. scientific discovery, economic competitiveness, and improving quality of life through innovations in science and technology
• Environmental Responsibility: Protecting the environment by providing a responsible resolution to the environmental legacy of nuclear weapons production
• Management Excellence: Enabling the mission through sound management...

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) works to strengthen the United States' energy security, environmental quality, and economic vitality in public-private partnerships. It supports this goal through:

• Enhancing energy efficiency and productivity;
• Bringing clean, reliable and affordable energy technologies to the marketplace; and
• Making a difference in the everyday lives of Americans by enhancing their energy choices and their quality of life.

"One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security.

Brookhaven Lab also builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE’s Office of Science by Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by Stony Brook University, the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science and technology organization." more

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC)

is recognized as one of the world's leading developers of cleaner, more efficient energy and environmental technologies to protect and clean our air, water, and soil. The EERC is a high-tech, nonprofit branch of the University of North Dakota (UND).

The EERC operates like a business; conducts research, development, demonstration, and commercialization activities; and is dedicated to moving promising technologies out of the laboratory and into the commercial marketplace.

The EERC provides practical, cost-effective solutions to today's most critical energy and environmental issues and challenges.

The EERC's research portfolio consists of a wide array of strategic energy and environmental solutions, including clean coal technologies, CO2 sequestration, energy and water sustainability, hydrogen technologies, air toxics and fine particulate, mercury measurement and control, alternative fuels, wind energy, biomass, water management, flood prevention, global climate change, waste utilization, energy-efficient technologies, and contaminant cleanup. ... more

The Biomass Research and Development

"The Biomass Research and Development Board (Board) coordinates research and development activities concerning biobased fuels, products, and power across federal agencies, and aims to maximize the benefits of federal programs and bring coherence to federal strategic planning. The Board meets quarterly and is currently comprised of members from the Departments of Energy, Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Defense, and the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy." ... more

• Sustainable Energy Europe
• ManagEnergy
• EPBD Buildings Platform

The Biomass Energy Foundation

does research on alternative fuels and ways to produce them that are cleaner, safer, and more sustainable. We use biomass to develop fuels from dried fruit pits, vegetable oil, wood, even coffee grounds. The fuels can be used in diesel automobiles. They also can run generators that will free individuals and families from the electric  grid. The Biomass Energy Foundation is a group of scientists and citizens. It is a private foundation dedicated to perfecting and implementing technical solutions to meet a significant portion of the world s coming fuel needs. BEF focuses on proven technology that will make a difference in the near term. more

Construction of a Wood-Gas Stove pdf

" The BIOCAP Canada Foundation

engages diverse stakeholders in developing integrated solutions to address major challenges of the 21st century: climate change and clean energy. BIOCAP s programs provide solutions to deliver new forms and sources of clean energy, short and long term domestic strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and opportunities via new products and markets for rural economic development across Canada. The Foundation is recognized nationally and internationally as a lead, arm s length organization facilitating Canada s transition to a sustainable bioeconomy. BIOCAP has a proven track record in stimulating innovation, integrating insights and technologies from diverse sources and transferring knowledge to inform policy and investment decisions in government and industry... more "

The SUPERGEN Biomass and Bioenergy Consortium
aims to provide a recognised focus for UK biomass and bioenergy activities that unites key stakeholders and academia through leading edge research in renewable energy "

SUPERGEN Bioenergy will continue to carry out excellent research into all steps in the bioenergy chain from production of biomass to delivery of a useful and valuable energy product, such as power, heat, and transport fuels. Biomass is any plant material which can be used as a fuel, such as energy crops, wood, agricultural waste and vegetable oils. Biomass can be burned directly to generate power, or processed to create gas or liquids to be used as fuel for production of power, transport fuels and chemicals. Biomass currently accounts for just 0.43% of the UK's energy, but it is seen as one route to meeting EU targets for reduction of CO2 emissions and increased use of renewable energy." ... more

At NEF

, our aim and values are to help people and businesses throughout the UK to reduce their carbon emissions through the use of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy sources to help combat climate change. NEF



is encouraging a better use of energy through energy efficiency measures and the use of alternative sources of energy such as renewable energy which are not damaging our environment.Our energy consumption keeps on increasing steadily. This has various detrimental effects on the environment. Today the biggest threat to us is the impact this has on the climate mainly due to the level of carbon emissions we release in the atmosphere through our energy use.NEF work closely with businesses, local authorities and other partners to develop services that will empower people to reduce their carbon emissions. We inform, provide tools and bespoke services to our clients that will have the most impact in terms of CO2 savings. In all our work we ensure there is real action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

"The mission of the Bioenergy Research Centers

will lie at the frontier between basic and applied science, and will maintain a focus on bioenergy applications. These Centers aim to identify real steps toward practical solutions regarding to the challenge of producing renewable, carbon-neutral energy. At the same time, the Centers will be grounded in basic research, pursuing alternative avenues and a range of high-risk, high-return approaches to finding solutions. To some degree, one key to the Centers? success will be their ability to develop the more basic dimensions of their research to a point that can easily transition to applied research. To bring the latest tools of the biotechnology revolution to bear to advance clean energy production, the Centers will be supported by multidisciplinary teams of top scientists. processes to develop new, more efficient methods for converting the cellulose in plant material into ethanol or other biofuels that serve as a substitute for gasoline..." (U.S. Department of Energy)

The European Biomass Association


is a non profit Brussels based international organisation whose mission is to represent bioenergy at EU level. Biomass refers to renewable energy coming from biological material such as trees, plants, manure, and sometimes waste. Using various transformation processes such as combustion, gasification, pyrolysis the biomass is either transformed into biofuels, bioheat or bioelectricity and used for energetic purposes. The main goal of AEBIOM is to promote the production of biomass as well as its application throughout Europe. AEBIOM is spreading a message that a wider use of biomass will bring tangible benefits in the fields of energy, materials, agriculture, forestry, environment and employment... more