Energy
Global Climate Change—Why all the fuss?
Managing the risks posed by climate change, while ensuring that economic growth continues, is a critical challenge facing governments and businesses worldwide. PNNL is a leader in defining the magnitude of the issue, as well as in developing the scientific basis for practical solutions. For example our scientists are recognized internationally for their efforts to link atmospheric, ocean system, ecosystem, and technology models that reveal the complex interactions and feedback between the climate system and human activity. Insights gained through these activities are shaping climate strategies worldwide, helping government and industry make decisions about technological investments that are most likely to minimize costs while maximizing benefits. To learn more, schedule a PNNL Global Climate Change presentation for your group today.
Atmospheric Research—What's happening up there?
PNNL is one of the nation's foremost atmospheric science research centers. The laboratory has a lead role in the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program (ARM), largest global change research program supported by the U.S. Department of Energy; is home to the department's only research aircraft; and with the University of Maryland, founded the Joint Institute for Global Change Research. Our staff can share with you how national and human-caused sources affect air quality and climate change on local, regional and global scales—as well as some of the tools and strategies they are developing to understand and mitigate the negative effects of human activity on the air we breathe.
Carbon Management—Can it really help?
Scientists know with certainty that since the start of the industrial revolution atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide have risen more than 30% and that this rise is contributing to climate change. PNNL researchers are part of a global effort to stabilize human-caused emissions of carbon dioxide. Achieving stabilization will have profound implications for nations, businesses, communities and individuals. Yet there is no "silver bullet" technology to solve the problem. The laboratory is active on many fronts, including sequestration or storing carbon in soils, plants and geologic formations, capturing carbon from emission streams such as power plants and refineries, energy efficiency, biomass research, fuel cell development and the exploration of ice-like gas hydrates as a new low-carbon energy resource.
FuturePower—Energy systems and the grid of the future
The 21st century will see fundamental change in the ways we produce and consume energy—from fuel source to generation, transmission, distribution, and end-use. PNNL has earned a leadership role in a new national program that will develop the tools, technologies, policies, and market mechanisms to deliver substantive increases in energy system performance. Without such solutions, the nation will invest $450 billion in the next twenty years in a century-old electric architecture that is, at best, 50% effective in its use of assets and unable to benefit from new technologies. A PNNL speaker will bring your audience up-to-date on research that is producing such breakthroughs as the first integrated, real-time simulation of the entire electric grid, as well as a host of power-management tools for home and industry.
Fuel Cells—Building the science foundation for clean, affordable power
Fuel cells will play an important role in securing our energy future by providing efficient, environmentally friendly electrical energy while extending the capacity of our fossil fuel supply. However, fuel cells will only come into broad public use when their cost is significantly reduced. That can't happen until they are available for a wide variety of applications, including stationary power, transportation and military uses. PNNL is building the science foundation necessary to accelerate high-efficiency, low-cost fuel cell technologies. We are teaming with industry, academia and other government laboratories to address the challenges to the widespread use of fuel cells. Discover what's new in fuel cell research and how it may impact your future.
Nuclear Science &Technology—Balancing the power picture
What happens when the lights go out and the coffee maker no longer works? There's only so much natural gas, coal and oil to go around, and it would take thousands of miles of wind turbine farms to power the future energy needs of the United States. Experts say the nation will have to call upon all of its power resources—including nuclear—to meet energy demands. PNNL is responding to the challenges of bringing nuclear science into the 21st century. Our researchers are leading efforts to maximize current plant operations, develop advanced nuclear power generation options, safely dispose of nuclear waste and educate the next-generation nuclear workforce. Discover what's new in nuclear science and technology and what it means to you.
Energy Efficiency—Making power go farther
In addition to providing a place to work and live, buildings must provide a healthy and safe indoor environment. PNNL focuses on multidisciplinary solutions to improve building energy and systems efficiency, as well as improving the comfort and health of building occupants. We play a critical role in new model energy codes and standards. We work with industry and other partners to create intelligent building capabilities, improve manufacturing processes and increase the use of renewable resources. Award-winning PNNL technologies are reducing life cycle operations and maintenance costs, extending equipment life and reducing energy consumption and emissions. We've even invented a device that lets appliances communicate with the power grid—a technology aimed at cutting customer costs and increasing grid stability.
Transportation and Vehicle Technologies—Meet the car of the future
We love our cars, especially those minivans and SUVs. Heavy trucks are a backbone of our economy. But with the more than 200 million cars and trucks registered in the United States come many challenges relating to vehicle fuel efficiency, emissions, petroleum imports, and global warming. PNNL researchers are leaders in advancing knowledge of the effects of vehicle emissions on the environment and human health. We're working on lightweight materials, emission reduction technologies, fuel cells and auxiliary power units. From fundamental science and applied research to pilot demonstration, manufacturing requirements, a presentation on PNNL vehicle technologies takes your audience on a road trip to the future.
