Golden, CO
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Energy Systems Integration Facility
Scope/Solutions
Recognizing a growing need for clean energy, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) embarked on an Energy Systems Integration initiative to promote research and improve the technology. Commensurate with their objective to develop high-efficiency energy systems, NREL sought to build an energy-efficient facility to support their comprehensive research and provided space for modeling and testing proposed power systems in a controlled environment. SGH provided building enclosure consulting and commissioning services for the project.
The structure’s blocks each house a different function and feature a different facade. The elevated office block is clad with reflective metal; the smaller, darker data center block links offices to lab spaces; and the lab block’s neutral-colored precast concrete panels help minimize the scale and blend with other campus structures. SGH supported the project team’s goals for developing an energy-efficient structure. Highlights of our work include:
- Assisting with cladding, fenestration, roofing, and waterproofing selections and the design of air, water, vapor, and thermal barrier systems
- Helping establish performance criteria, including the owner’s performance requirements, building enclosure basis of design, and performance testing requirements as part of the BECx plan
- Developing details for transitions between the many enclosure systems
- Performing moisture and thermal analyses to assess condensation resistance of the wall, window, skylight, and roofing assemblies
- Reviewing building enclosure submittals
- Observing mockup testing and construction of the building enclosure to compare with the design intent
Project Summary
2013
Award
LEED
Key team members
