Sustainability Report

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 2004–2005
Introduction

 he National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the U.S. Department of Energy’s

 (DOE) preeminent laboratory for energy leadership. It is NREL’s strategic intent to create 

clean technology options for securing our energy future. 

By 2020, a significant part of the nation’s new energy needs will be met by energy efficiency and renewable energy. A diverse, indigenous resource base—integrated with a new 

generation of more efficient energy systems—will support strong economic growth and a 

cleaner environment. Fifty areas of scientific investigation at NREL include photovoltaics, 

wind energy, biomass-derived fuels and chemicals, energy-efficient buildings, advanced 

vehicles, solar manufacturing, industrial processes, solar-thermal systems, hydrogen fuel 

cells, superconductivity, geothermal, distributed energy generation, and waste-to-energy 

technologies. R&D, Discover, and Popular Science magazines have ranked many of NREL’s 

research achievements among the nation’s most significant technical innovations. 

NREL was established as the Solar Energy Research Institute (SERI) in 1974, and opened 

its doors in Golden, Colorado, in 1977. SERI became NREL in 1991 when President 

George H.W. Bush designated it a national laboratory.

Sustainability is an integral part of NREL’s mission. The Laboratory believes in the balanced 

pursuit of economic viability, environmental stewardship, and public responsibility. We 

are pleased to present the second of our annual reports, the 2004-2005 Sustainability Report. 

 

To serve as paradigm

Now of what a plausible Future might be

Is what we’re here for. –W. H. Auden

T

Cover: NREL/PIX03370

Intro: NREL/PIX05325
Contents

Message from the Director....................................................................................2

About Sustainable NREL .........................................................................................3

Environmental Footprint........................................................................................4

Energy Use...................................................................................................................5

Renewable Energy Solutions................................................................................6

Greenhouse Gas Emissions....................................................................................7

Transportation............................................................................................................8

Water Use ..................................................................................................................10

Recycling...................................................................................................................11

Green Purchasing...................................................................................................12

Environmental Management.............................................................................13

Green Buildings ......................................................................................................14

Public Responsibility/Community Outreach ...............................................15

Message from Sustainable NREL ......................................................................16

Memberships and Awards..................................................................................17

Acknowledgments

The Sustainable NREL Master Plan implementation is managed by Robert Westby, Sustainable NREL lead; 

and Susan Huffnagle, Sustainable NREL coordinator. 

The following staff members implement the master plan through collaborations of their individual work 

areas: NREL Executive Management (Lab economic viability); Nancy Carlisle (environmental stewardship 

activities—site planning and new buildings); Chandra Shah (water and green power purchasing); Otto 

VanGeet and Anna Hoenmans (electricity and natural gas use); Dan Bilello (GHG reductions); Don Reed, 

Henri Hubenka, and Computer Power Management Committee (computer power management); Tim 

Peele (transportation); Karri Bottom and the Recycling Advisory Committee (materials); Maureen 

Jordan (environmental management systems—including sustainability); Michelle Kubik (communications); Laura Michael (policies and procedures); Lee Boughey (public responsibility); and Darren Legge

(Sustainable NREL intern).

Editorial and graphic support for this report were provided by Susan Huffnagle, Robert Westby, Michelle 

Kubik, and Jim Miller.

1
Message from the Director Since becoming NREL’s director in January 2005, I have been pleased with 

 the Laboratory’s response at instituting a more strategic management 

 approach. This approach is synthesized in the NREL Strategic Roadmap, 

 now under development. One of the roadmap priorities is that NREL have 

 a “showcase campus.” In support of this priority, I believe it’s important

 that we incorporate sustainability into NREL’s operations and practices.

Building on the successful launch of the Sustainable NREL Initiative, I am moving forward 

with an assessment of our sustainability efforts through the use of a Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Reporting Guideline. This assessment will help us identify opportunities 

to improve our sustainability operations and practices. We will balance the decisions to 

implement identified opportunities with the considerations of good business practice and 

organizational efficiency.

This report provides a summary of the Sustainable NREL activities for 2004–2005. I am 

pleased to share that we have made considerable progress. Here are a few highlights:

❂	NREL was the first national laboratory to meet and exceed its 2005 EPA Climate Leaders 

Partnership GHG reduction goal of 10% over a 2000 baseline. With the inclusion of 

renewable energy certificates (RECs), NREL achieved a reduction of 63% from the 2000 

baseline. 

❂	The Laboratory energy consumption was 23% lower than our 1990 baseline and 61% 

lower when accounting for renewable energy credits. This reduction was achieved almost 

exclusively through investment in cost-effective energy retrofit measures. Although we have 

met and exceeded current federal energy use-reduction goals, NREL continues to support 

these expenditures. 

❂	The Laboratory fleet petroleum use was reduced by 3% to 7,448 gallons as compared to 

FY 2004. Forty-three percent of the fleet was fueled by E85 (85% ethanol and 15% gasoline) and biodiesel, representing nearly 73% of the total fleet use. 

❂	In FY 2005, we purchased renewable energy certificates equivalent to 100% of our annual 

electrical use in DOE-owned buildings. 

I am convinced that our mission objectives are both enabled and enhanced by our leadership 

in sustainability. The employees of NREL and I are committed to incorporating sustainable 

principles in our efforts, and we encourage both engagement and participation by our 

stakeholder community. Through our actions, we can establish a new benchmark for what 

is possible. I look forward to continuing to position the Laboratory as a national leader in 

sustainability. 

Dan Arvizu

Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory

January 2006

NREL/PIX13724

2
AboutSustainable NREL

3

 ustainable NREL is the internal pro-

 gram responsible for leading the planning, development, and implementation 

of the Laboratory’s comprehensive suite 

of sustainability activities. 

While the Management Framework remains 

consistent, the Sustainable NREL Master 

Plan is updated annually to reflect Labwide goals to be achieved that year. 

For more information on Sustainable NREL 

or the Master Plan, visit our Web site: 

http://www.nrel.gov/sustainable_nrel/.

S

NREL Sustainability

Management Framework

Economic Viability

Environmental Stewardship

❂ Campus

❂ Water

❂ Electricity/Natural Gas

❂ Transportation

❂ Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, Rebuy

❂ Environmental Management

❂ Education/Communications

Public Responsibility

NREL Sustainability Vision

NREL will exemplify sustainability in an R&D organization by maximizing 

efficient use of all resources; minimizing waste and pollution; and serving 

as a positive force in economic, environmental, and community responsibility. NREL/PIX00241
4

EnvironmentalFootprint

FY05 CO2 Emission Breakdown

*Sources have negligible emissions

REL completed its first comprehensive 

life-cycle assessment-based “environmental” footprint in 2003. This CO2

 footprint is a representation of overall sustainability performance at the Laboratory.

N The use of the common CO2

 metric allows 

NREL to better understand the relative 

impacts of its decisions; measure progress; 

benchmark performance; and, in general, 

take responsibility for its actions. 

 Source Kg CO2 Eq.

 Electricity 22,017,060

Natural gas 3,397,564

 Commuter vehicle emissions 1,475,949

 Domestic air travel emissions 1,470,328

 International air travel emissions 437,352

 *Fleet vehicle emissions 99,073 

 *Solid waste disposal 51,000

 *Water (electricity consumed) 10,185

 *Water (natural gas consumed) 7,760

 Totals 28,966,271

76%

2% 5% 12% 5%
Energy Use

NREL Energy-Use Reduction Progress

(Electricity/Natural Gas*) BTU/ft2

1990 Baseline FY01 FY02 FY03

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

FY05 Goal FY10 Goal

FY04 FY05

5

REL manages its energy-use reduction 

activities through a comprehensive 

Energy Management Plan. The primary 

activities include energy efficiency retrofits; 

sustainable, energy-efficient, new-building 

construction; use of on-site renewable 

energy; extensive use of site-metering, 

energy-management control systems; 

peak demand management; and energy 

education. 

N 

The federal government has established energy-use reduction goals for federal 

facilities to achieve by 2005 and 2010. NREL has exceeded these goals and continues to actively pursue all cost-effective, energy-use reduction opportunities. NREL/PIX03517

*Includes renewable energy credits
Renewable Energy Solutions

16,000

12,000

8,000

4,000

0

Electricity (MWh)

FY04 electrical use FY04 purchased RECs FY05 electrical use FY05 purchased RECs

13%

offset

100%

offset

A portion of NREL’s on-site 

generated “green power” 

has been designated as 

the power source for the 

nrel.gov Web site.

6

REL makes extensive use of on-site 

renewable energy sources. On-site 

electricity generation sources include 

photovoltaics and wind. On-site renewable 

thermal energy sources include solar hot 

water systems, ventilation air preheat systems, and extensive use of passive solar 

heating and daylighting. At the National 

Wind Technology Center (NWTC), wind 

turbines used during research and development activities generate the electrical 

energy that simultaneously offsets on-site 

electrical load. 

N Photovoltaics also decrease the Laboratory 

electrical load. In FY05, approximately 

52.2 MWh of electricity was generated by 

photovoltaics and 80 MWh from wind.

In FY04, NREL purchased 13% of its DOEowned building annual electric load in 

renewable energy certificates (RECs). In 

FY05, NREL purchased 100% of its electric 

use in RECs. These purchases help support 

the DOE FY05 interim goal of 3% of electrical use from green power sources. 

REC Purchase Offsets of Laboratory Electrical Use

NREL/PIX07235
Greenhouse Gas Emissions

7

 reenhouse gas emission reductions

are a focal point of NREL sustainability activities. Through the EPA Climate 

Leaders Partnership Program, NREL has 

made a voluntary commitment to reduce 

GHG emissions by 10% by 2005, compared 

to a year 2000 baseline. The Lab met and 

exceeded this goal in 2005. 

G

0.04000

0.03000

0.02000

0.01000

0.00000

GHG/ft2

EPA Climate Leaders Program

target reduction goal is 10%

by FY05 vs. FY00 baseline use.

Total GHG/ft2 With offsets Baseline

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

NREL was the first federal pilot partner in the EPA Climate Leaders 

Partnership Program and was one of seven members to initially 

establish a target reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

GHG Emissions Reductions

NREL/PIX02228
Transportation

8

 ince 1997, the Laboratory has made a

major commitment to the use of biobased fuels in its fleet. Forty-three percent 

(or 20) of the 47 fleet vehicles are fueled 

by E85. The fleet used 10,384 gallons 

of E85 in FY05, almost 73% of the total 

fleet use—15,242 gallons of total gas and 

equivalent fuel.

Identifying and supporting employee alternative-transportation opportunities are key 

to achieving sustainability in transportation. 

NREL provides free bus passes to full-time 

employees, supplies shower facilities and 

bike lockers, and provides a free shuttle 

service using alternative-fueled vehicles 

S

There were 384 employee respondents to 

NREL’s Commuter Survey distributed in 

June 2005. The table above shows approximate percentages of employees who opt 

for alternative modes of transportation at 

least one time per week. 

 Walk 4%

 Carpool 10%

 Bike 15%

 Bus 17%

(AFVs) for travel between buildings 

on campus. NREL also surveys its employees 

annually to collect metrics on alternative 

forms of employee commuting and guide 

the development of Laboratory transportation programs. 

NREL also works with the Denver Regional 

Council of Governments (DRCOG) to 

improve commuting options for employees. 

For example, many NREL employees are 

part of DRCOG’s carpooling programs. In 

addition, NREL hosts a booth at DRCOG’s 

Annual Bike to Work Day Event—a statewide campaign promoting bike-riding as a 

viable commuting option.

Mark Heitz-TRC/PIX06075
9

NREL FY04/FY05 Transportation Highlights

❂	NREL’s vehicle fleet includes a variety of alternative-fuel vehicles (AFVs). Thirty-seven of the 

47 fleet vehicles are AFVs.

❂	The Department of Energy establishes petroleum-use goals for all federal fleets. NREL’s 

annual use goal is 9,800 gallons by FY05. The Laboratory met that goal in FY03 by using 

only 8,500 gallons of petroleum. In FY04, petroleum use decreased even further to 7,691 

gallons. In FY05, NREL used only 7,448 gallons of petroleum.

❂	In FY05, NREL won a Department of Energy Pollution Prevention Star Award for “Green Fleet 

Team: Petroleum Reduction through Alternative Fuels,” which recognized the Lab’s reduced 

petroleum use in its fleet for FY04.

NREL Fleet Petroleum Use Gallons used

FY99 FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03

7,000

8,000

9,000

10,000

11,000

12,000

13,000

FY04 FY05

DOE FY05

Goal = 9,800

NREL gallons used 12,250 11,700 9,970 10,540 8,500 7,691 7,448
Water Use

FTLB

Gallons (millions)

5.0 4.8 4.7 4.2

12.6 11.1 10.7 9.6

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

FY00 FY01 FY02 FY03

4.3

8.4

FY04*

4.9

10.2

FY05

*Represents estimate based on NREL sub-meter data—water company main meter was temporarily not operable.

SERF

Other

Total

1.8 1.4 1.1 0.8 1.0 1.1

5.9 4.9 5.0 4.6 3.1 4.2

NREL Water Use

10

REL has made significant progress in 

systematically implementing lifecycle, cost-effective, water-use reduction 

measures. Since 2003, six best management 

practices (BMPs) have been implemented. 

These BMPs include educating staff about 

water conservation, xeriscaping, low-flush 

toilets, waterless urinals, retrofitted faucets 

and showerheads, cooling-tower management and distribution audits, and leak 

detection and repairs. 

In FY04, NREL achieved a minor reduction 

in total water use. This was due, in part, to 

the unplanned outages of two chillers. 

FY05 numbers represent a more accurate 

view of yearly water consumption at the 

Laboratory. 

N 

For more information regarding the FEMP 

best management practices, go to 

http://www.eere.energy.gov/femp/ 

technologies/water_ fedrequire.cfm 

NREL/PIX07994
Recycling

11

ecycling is a priority at NREL. To facil-

 itate recycling, NREL has set up 14 

locations throughout the campus that 

include bins for cardboard, office paper, 

comingled containers, and miscellaneous 

recyclable materials. A Web site dedicated 

to recycling issues explains what materials 

are recyclable, where the recycling centers 

are located, and includes an FAQ section 

on recycling. It can be accessed at http://

www.nrel.gov/sustainable_nrel/

recycling.html

An employee Recycling Advisory Committee 

guides the operation of NREL’s recycling 

program. It also provides a way to communicate more effectively with the janitorial 

staff and building-area engineers to further 

improve NREL’s recycling program. Laboratory-wide recycling metrics effectively 

illustrate how much and what materials 

NREL is recycling and also where the Laboratory can improve recycling efforts. 

R

Recycling Data

300

250

200

150

100

0

FY02 FY03 FY04

Cardboard

Anything

that tears

Comingled

containers

(plastic,

aluminum,

glass)

50

lbs (thousands)

23,400

164,958

22,430

24,300

186,182

25,646

23,400

128,032

29,204

FY02 total:

210,788 lbs

FY03 total:

236,128 lbs

FY04 total:

180,636 lbs

14,580

122,390

27,518

FY05

FY05 total:

164,488 lbs
Green Purchasing

12

$ (thousands)

100

80

60

40

20

0

9

22

59

15

25

60

48

30

30

26

39

*2001 data not available

Represents 100% of purchases made at the Laboratory

Carpet Office paper Toner cartridges

41

29

FY99 FY00 FY02 FY03 FY04

45

18

FY05

n 2004, The Department of Energy implemented the Buy Bio Pilot, a program that 

encourages government agencies to purchase 

bio-based products. NREL actively supports 

the Buy-Bio Program through its Bio-based 

Product Committee. The committee explores 

viable options for future bio-based product 

pilot programs for the Laboratory, in addition to sharing information regarding 

results of prior pilots. 

Green purchasing was integral to the Laboratory’s decision to create an electronic purchase card system implemented in FY05. 

This system tracks metrics on green purchases made at the Laboratory and encourages NREL employees to purchase green 

products whenever possible. To support 

this effort, NREL will offer a “recycled content only,” on-line office supply catalog to 

employees to promote the use of recycled 

office products.

Another emerging environmentally preferable industry is “green” 

janitorial products. To support 

this industry, NREL will require

its next janitorial vendor to use 

some type of bio-based cleaning 

products.

Since 1999, 100% percent of all 

carpet, toner cartridges, and office 

paper purchased at NREL have 

some amount of recycled content. 

NREL is testing office paper options, 

including Kenaf (a treeless paper) 

and 100% post-consumer waste 

office paper.

I

Laboratory Purchase of Recycled Products
Environmental Management

ased on direction of “Executive Order 

13148: Greening The Government 

Through Leadership In Environmental 

Management,” federal agencies must establish a system that improves environmental 

performance by addressing environmental 

goals specific to each agency. NREL has 

had a formal Environmental Management 

System (EMS) in place since 2000. Through 

this program, the Laboratory practices the 

principles of pollution prevention and 

maintains open, responsive communication with the public and outside agencies. 

The EMS system at NREL identifies the Laboratory’s activities that impact the environment, audits and reports metrics on these 

impacts, and implements strategies to 

reduce them.

NREL prepares an annual environmental 

management report, summarizing NREL’s 

environmental protection programs and 

activities. These reports include specific 

metrics and any permitting or notification 

efforts that occurred during the reporting 

period. Copies of these reports are available 

at http://www.nrel.gov/sustainable_nrel/

environmental_manage.html

B

13

NREL has made a significant commitment to environmental management. The Laboratory 

was accepted into the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Environmental 

Performance Track (NEPT) in 2003. Each year, the Laboratory sets voluntary goals to enhance 

environmental management, establish stronger compliance, and develop more efficient 

operating processes. 

Innovative Design/PIX11334
Green Buildings

14

he design and construction of the 

Science & Technology Facility (S&TF) 

has provided NREL with a major opportunity in sustainability. At 71,000 square 

feet, the S&TF is the largest new laboratory/

office building to be constructed on NREL’s 

campus since the early 1990s. The S&TF 

is being constructed to qualify for a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design 

(LEED) gold level rating, with a particular 

focus on energy efficiency. It also is being 

constructed in accordance with the principles of Laboratories for the Twenty First 

Century (LF21C) DOE/EPA program.

T

Sustainability Features of the Science and Technology Facility

❂	Site was selected to keep the natural resources around the building 

intact. 

❂	S&TF is located within one-half mile of a public transportation line.

❂	Roof is Energy Star compliant (high reflectivity, low emissivity).

❂	Rainwater will be captured for irrigation purposes.

❂	Building is designed to exceed ASHRAE 90.1-1999 requirements for energy 

efficiency.

❂	Effective use of daylighting.

❂	No CFC-based refrigerants will be used in the heating, refrigerating, and 

air-conditioning (HVAC&R) systems of the building.

❂	At least 50% (by weight) of the construction, demolition, and landclearing waste will be recycled or salvaged.

❂	At least 25% of the total building materials will be composed of 20%

PCW recycled content

❂	At least 20% of the total building materials will be manufactured 

regionally within a radius of 500 miles.

❂	CO2 monitors will be installed to ensure that internal levels do not exceed 

outdoor levels by more than 530 ppm.

The Science and Technology Facility

http://www.

usgbc.org/

http://www.

labs21century.gov/

NREL/PIX01154 NREL/PIX13869
Public Responsibility/Community Outreach

15

 

Key Efforts

❂	NREL participates in numerous 

national and international energy 

conferences each year. 

❂	The Annual Solar Decathlon gives 

children a way to learn about solar 

energy alternatives.

❂	Each year, the Laboratory hosts a

booth at the National Western Stock 

Show that highlights the uses of 

renewable energy in rural applications.

❂	DOE Secretary Samuel Bodman visited 

the first “True Net Zero” Habitat for 

Humanity home in June 2005. The

home was built with technical assistance from NREL and DOE’s Building 

America Program, with financial

assistance from the Laboratory’s 

managing partners (Midwest Research 

Institute and Battelle). 

REL actively pursues education and

community outreach. Two recent 

events that highlight this commitment 

included NREL presentations at the Catamount Institute’s Sustainability Summit 

in Colorado Springs and the University 

of Colorado Sustainability Summit.

In addition to speaking engagements, NREL 

participates in many activities outside of 

the Laboratory, including hosting a booth 

for Denver’s Bike to Work Day. NREL 

sponsors student tours of the Laboratory, 

and our “Renewable Energy Education 

on Wheels” van showcases NREL’s latest 

technologies at various events. 

N 

Virginia Tech/PIX11532

NREL/PIX12838 NREL/PIX05457
Message from Sustainable NREL

We are pleased to be reporting for the second year on the state of sustainability activities at NREL. The first report, Sustainability Report—National 

Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 2003-2004, discussed the program 

(implemented in 2002), which is based on the triple bottom-line foundation of sustainability with clearly defined outcomes and accountabilities.

In 2004-2005, the Laboratory was acknowledged with two awards for its 

sustainability activities. In the area of transportation, NREL received a DOE Energy Pollution 

Prevention Star Award for “Green Fleet: Petroleum Reduction through Alternative Fuels.” For 

overall sustainability activities, NREL received a Federal Energy and Water Management Award 

for the Sustainable NREL program.

Because it has been four years since the inception of Sustainable NREL, in FY05 we have undertaken a review and evaluation of NREL’s sustainability activities. To this end, we are in the 

process of preparing a Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Report for the Laboratory. This report 

will use the Global Reporting Initiative’s 2002 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines and Public Institution Supplement. Our objective is to enhance and fill gaps in our sustainability activities, 

particularly in the economic and social dimensions of our program.

We continue to have a mandate from our DOE sponsors and Laboratory management to proactively demonstrate leadership in sustainability. Part of this mandate is the public responsibility to make available and share our sustainability experiences. Please feel free to contact me, 

if we can be of assistance to you—and thank you for taking the time to read about NREL’s 

sustainability program. At NREL, we feel that it is important to conduct Laboratory operations 

with sustainability as a priority. 

Bob Westby

Director, Energy and Environmental Applications Office

and Sustainable NREL Lead

January 2006

16
Memberships and Awards

17

2005 Department of Energy Pollution Prevention Star award for “Green Fleet Team: 

Petroleum Reduction through Alternative Fuels.” 

Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy and Water Management Award

2004 U.S. Department of Energy Pollution Prevention Best-In-Class Awards:

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)

❂ Sustainable NREL: New Building Program

❂ Sustainable NREL: Recycling Program

❂ Sustainable NREL: Education, Outreach, and Information sharing

EPA National Environmental Performance Track (NEPT)

Colorado Department of Health and Environment 

Environmental Leadership Program

2003 University of Colorado Wirth Chair Award in Environmental and Community 

Development Policy

Department of Energy Departmental Energy Management Achievement Award: 

Effective Program Implementation–Sustainable NREL

2002 EPA Climate Leaders Partnership: first federal laboratory member and one of seven 

members to establish a target GHG emissions reduction

Labs for the 21st Century: one of the first federal-sector labs that joined the program 

as a Pilot Partner in 2002

Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) Energy Saver Showcase Award for the 

Thermal Test Facility (TTF)

2000 EPA Green Power Partnership : made commitment to purchase 10% of annual electric 

use in wind energy and first federal laboratory member 
National Renewable Energy Laboratory

1617 Cole Boulevard, Golden, Colorado 80401-3393

303-275-3000 • www.nrel.gov

Operated for the U.S. Department of Energy 

Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy 

by Midwest Research Institute • Battelle

NREL/MP-710-38487 • January 2006

Printed with a renewable-source ink on paper containing 

100% postconsumer waste

NREL/PIX05296