Multi-Laboratory Collaborations for Advanced Global Energy Systems

NREL is partnering with other U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories to create and implement tailored strategies for countries to deploy advanced energy systems.

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NREL is part of a multi-national laboratory team that supports countries in achieving their energy goals. This work involves deep technical collaboration to accelerate country-specific objectives while ensuring energy security and resilience. Much of this work takes the form of developing energy roadmaps, implementing specific measures, and piloting new projects.

By bringing together expertise from across the national laboratories, the team helps to increase the deployment of advanced energy solutions, strengthen local capacity for decision-making and implementation, and accelerate energy pathways that align with country priorities. Additionally, these cross-laboratory collaborations drive investment in advanced energy technologies and generate successes that can inspire neighboring countries—positioning partner countries as regional leaders.

Capabilities

NREL leverages a range of expertise in partnership with other national laboratories to accelerate country-driven energy plans:

Five priority focus areas that include: targeted action plans, modeling and analysis, transformative policies and projects, investment mobilization, capacity building and peer learning.
  • Technical expertise and modeling: Developing tailored modeling tools, data analysis, and energy roadmaps, including resource assessments, as well as grid integration and modernization strategies

  • Project implementation and demonstration: Supporting the design and implementation of pilot projects, such as microgrids and distributed energy systems, to enhance energy resilience and renewable energy adoption

  • Capacity building and training: Providing technical training, workshops, and peer-to-peer learning to equip local energy professionals for long-term energy transitions

  • Collaboration with national and global partners: Working with U.S. government agencies, national laboratories, businesses, universities, and international stakeholders to drive investment, foster innovation, and support policy development.

Featured Work

Photo of Tocopilla, Chile, where you can see a mountainous region abutting the ocean.

Workforce in Chile

Chile is advancing its workforce and economic opportunities alongside the development of advanced energy systems. A multi-laboratory team conducted an analysis of workforce and economic opportunities in Tocopilla, Chile, including those in industries besides energy. The team collaborated with key stakeholders and fostered a Sister City relationship between Lawrence, Kansas, and Tocopilla to facilitate information exchanges between Tocopilla and other U.S. cities undergoing similar energy transitions.

Related Publications

Leadership and Community Engagement in Chile, NREL Technical Report (2024) 

Aerial photo of Indonesian islands in the middle of the ocean.

Hybrid Minigrids in Indonesia

Hybrid minigrids—small-scale energy systems that integrate various power sources to deliver electricity to specific areas—present promising opportunities in Indonesia, where many remote islands lack access to a centralized power grid and rely on costly diesel generators. A cross-laboratory team is partnering with Texas-based TQ Automation to conduct feasibility studies for these hybrid minigrids. This work supports energy resilience, affordability, and local economic development in isolated regions of Indonesia.

Related Publications

Supplying Clean Energy for Battery-to-Electric Vehicles Supply Chain, NREL Technical Report (2025)

Cost Benefit Analysis for Indonesia Buildings Sector: Whole Building Cooling Solutions, Argonne National Laboratory Technical Report (2024)

Photo of a busy street in Lagos, Nigeria, with lots of markets and people walking.

Methane Capture in Nigeria

Nigeria is interested in opportunities to implement and commercialize methane capture from oil and gas operations. The multi-laboratory team is partnering with oil and gas companies in Nigeria on three activities:

  1. Providing training and technical assistance on monitoring methane emissions

  2. Delivery of technical assistance on methods for methane capture and commercial use

  3. Review of opportunities for the Nigerian government to strengthen guidelines on methane monitoring, capture, and commercial use.

Benefits of a Multi-Laboratory Approach

A multi-national laboratory approach offers significant benefits in supporting partner countries to achieve their energy goals by fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and the deployment of advanced technologies. NREL and other DOE national laboratories have worked together to support Argentina, Chile, Egypt, Indonesia, Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand, and Ukraine.

Through these collaborations, partner countries gain access to cutting-edge energy modeling, technical expertise, and tailored support for implementing advanced energy technologies. Learn more about NREL’s work in countries in:

Africa

Asia

Latin America and the Caribbean

Europe.

Contact

Ron Benioff

Laboratory Program Manager

[email protected]

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Last Updated Feb. 5, 2025