Research lab · United States
National Laboratory of the Rockies
HQ Golden
The National Laboratory of the Rockies, formerly the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, is a DOE national laboratory based in Golden, Colorado.
About National Laboratory of the Rockies
National Laboratory of the Rockies researches renewable energy, energy efficiency, buildings, transportation, grid integration, and clean energy systems. Its facilities support laboratory and field testing of energy technologies. DOE sponsors the laboratory; Alliance for Sustainable Energy, a joint venture of Battelle and MRIGlobal, operates it under contract. The laboratory adopted the National Laboratory of the Rockies name in 2025. Its portfolio includes renewable energy, energy efficiency, transportation, buildings, manufacturing, grid reliability, and energy systems integration. The Flatirons Campus supports wind-energy testing and field validation, while other laboratory locations provide research, engineering, and demonstration capabilities. DOE’s 2025 name change reflects a broader applied energy mission beyond the former renewable-energy name.
- Institution
- DOE national laboratory
- Sponsor
- U.S. Department of Energy
- Operator
- Alliance for Energy Innovation, LLC
Operating contracts
Alliance for Energy Innovation, LLC · DE-AC36-08GO28308
- Current term ends
- Sep 30, 2028
- Maximum if options exercised
- Sep 30, 2028
DOE’s October roster lists the previous Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC name; NLR’s Prime Contract page and Mod 1492 identify the amended contractor name as Alliance for Energy Innovation, LLC. Mod 1519 is effective September 28, 2026. The roster lists the same current and ultimate end date.
Prime Contract | NLR ↗Capabilities1
| Technology | Role | Maturity | TRL | Notes | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Microgrids and distributed energy systems | Researcher | — | — | Laboratory research capability; not a claim of a commercial product or fielded system. | Reported |
- ResearcherLaboratory research capability; not a claim of a commercial product or fielded system.—Reported
Maturity and TRL describe this organization's work; the field-wide maturity is on each technology's page.
Supply Chain1 facility
Facilities1
| Facility | Kind | Location | Status | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flatirons Campus | Lab | Arvada, Colorado, United States | Operating | Reported |
- Flatirons CampusLab · Arvada, Colorado, United StatesOperatingReported
Hiring Observations
Use the official careers site for current openings and application requirements.
Sources11
Show all 11 sources and supporting evidence
Profile9
- 1Government recordCareers | NLR
Supports Organization
- 2Government recordPrime Contract | NLR
Supports Organization
- 3Government record# 1492 | Prime Contract | NLR
Supports Organization
- 4Government record# 1519 | Prime Contract | NLR
Supports Organization
- 5Government recordEnergy Department Renames NREL “National Lab of the Rockies”
U.S. Department of Energy · Supports Organization, Organization · name
“The U.S. Department of Energy today renamed the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR).”
- 6Government recordNational Laboratories | Department of Energy
U.S. Department of Energy · Supports Organization · description, Organization · institution.operator
“The National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), formerly known as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratory”
- 7Government recordDOE/NNSA Site Facility Management Contracts - October 2026
Supports Organization
- 8Government recordNational Laboratory of the Rockies
Supports Organization
- 9
Supports Organization, Organization · research
“Our research explores energy systems and technologies—and the science behind them—for a future powered by affordable, abundant, and reliable energy.”
Technologies1
- 10
National Renewable Energy Laboratory · Supports Organization technology · research
“Study of Seamless Microgrid Transition Operation Using Grid-Forming Inverters”
Supply chain1
- 11
National Laboratory of the Rockies · Supports Facility · facility
“NLR's Flatirons Campus, home of the National Wind Technology Center, is approximately 25 miles north of the main NLR facility in Golden, Colorado.”
Each fact on this page is attached to the sources that support it. Archived copies are linked when we keep one.