Colorful Colorado Keeps America’s Energy Efficiency Robust, Vibrant, and Innovative

By Dan Brouillette, Secretary of Energy

Upon entering Colorado, signs greet visitors saying, “Welcome to Colorful Colorado.” The state’s majestic beauty and abundant natural resources lend itself to inspiration and discovery. Whether it be the pioneers of old or the researchers and engineers of new, exploration abounds in Colorado’s incredible landscape. One such example is DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) – a facility dedicated to the research, development, commercialization, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

On August 12, I had the honor of visiting NREL in Golden, Colorado, to attend a groundbreaking ceremony for a new facility there and to see firsthand NREL’s research and development in integrated energy systems, renewable energy, and energy efficiency technology.

I discussed with NREL’s experts the important role of innovation in supporting American energy producers and manufacturers as we rebuild from the impact of COVID-19. The post-pandemic come-back will be powered by American energy, and NREL will lead the way.

Energy efficiency measures, like those developed at NREL, are a key component of DOE’s “all-of-the-above” energy strategy. NREL’s work in this field supports the Trump Administration’s policy to produce more clean energy and use it more efficiently, all while supporting our domestic manufacturing base and economic growth.

For example, the DOE-funded Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI) recently announced a five-year manufacturing funding opportunity through DOE’s Advanced Manufacturing Office. NREL was on the winning team that now leads IACMI's wind-turbine technology projects.

Working with colleges and universities, composites companies, and National Laboratories, IACMI and NREL are developing advanced composites manufacturing for turbine components, including blades, hubs, and nacelles.

In turn, NREL’s research and development allows the private sector to innovate and apply this technology commercially, fueling the United States’ continued progress and global energy leadership while maintaining economic competitiveness here at home. This will lead to job creation and lower energy costs, and increase energy reliability for every American as we emerge from the pandemic.

Now, like much of the world, Colorado has not been immune to the ravages of COVID-19. COVID-19 dealt an incredible blow to the nation’s oil and gas industry and hit Colorado’s economy particularly hard.  

During my trip, I discussed this turmoil with Colorado’s industry leaders at a roundtable discussion. Hearing their concerns and insights, I reaffirmed DOE and the Trump Administration’s commitment to investing in the future of the oil and gas industry in Colorado.

We are identifying and supporting opportunities for increased storage capacity for surplus supply and working hard to ensure that global market stability is maintained, better enabling industry to have the sure footing they need to rebuild. We are also extending LNG authorizations through the year 2050, ensuring new export markets for this reliable, cleaner-burning fuel source produced in states like Colorado. And we are supporting improved capabilities for carbon capture, utilization, and storage. These initiatives and others will help drive our economic comeback, provide reliable power to homes and businesses, and advance energy security in Colorado and beyond. 

During the past few years, DOE has provided over $2 billion in funding to our private and public sector partners in the state of Colorado, who play a key role in our national energy strategy. The work done at NREL is crucial for our nation’s energy economy and for ensuring energy efficiency and reliability. NREL will help power our economic comeback, and we are proud to support their efforts. I enjoyed the trip immensely and cannot wait to see what innovations come out of NREL and Colorado.