DRI Renewable Energy Center

1. DRI Renewable Energy Center Desert Research Institute S. Kent Hoekman Roger Jacobson August 15, 2006

2. 2 Center Description/Background Background: Prior to NSWEP, DRI had been involved in energy-related work through several separate, distinct research projects The NSWEP Program offers the opportunity to establish greater coordination of projects, and develop longer-term plans for a sustainable and collaborative program Focus of DRI�s REC is on applied R&D that will lead to deployment of renewable energy applications in Nevada Description: Two aspects of DRI�s REC Administrative center to identify and address opportunities, and coordinate DRI�s energy-related RDD&D activities Physical laboratory and research areas, combining existing space at DRI with new space at Redfield

3. 3 Center Objectives(As defined/approved by DRI-REC Steering Committee) Goal 1: Serve as a leader in Nevada for renewable energy science and engineering Goal 2: Establish active partnerships and collaborations, as part of Nevada�s REC Network Goal 3: Foster science and engineering talent within Nevada Goal 4: Provide educational and outreach opportunities Goal 5: Develop successful, sustainable funding mechanisms

4. 4 Phase I Activities Update Established DRI-REC Steering Committee Completed Strategic Design for DRI-REC Working with UNR to develop A&E REC Conceptual Design Developing Draft Strategic Plan for DRI-REC Done in collaboration with UNR Plan outlines co-located RECs at Redfield Campus Working with UNR and Contractor to develop preliminary construction design report

5. 5 Phase I Activities Update (cont.) Strategic design calls for development of a geothermal-equipped laboratory in UNR�s Redfield Building, along with an Annex Structure Current cost estimates for a geothermal pipeline to the Redfield Lab are much higher than originally anticipated NSWEP funding is not sufficient to build pipeline No other funding sources have yet been identified

6. 6 Phase I Activities Update (cont.) Planned Annex Structure is an important component of DRI�s REC. It will: Serve as base of operation for vehicular projects Demonstrate successful �off-grid� operation Serve as control center for renewably-generated H2 system Provide space for scale-up of promising laboratory operations Many difficulties in siting of Annex Structure Explored sites at Redfield, near Redfield, and on DRI�s Dandini Campus Still exploring options of co-locating with other functions/organizations Proceeding with REC design without Annex Structure

7. 7 Plans for Phase II Center Technology Areas of Focus Wind Energy Assessment Monitoring and Modeling Resource forecasting Hydrogen Systems Off-grid distributed power Transportation applications Biomass Utilization Waste-to-energy Environmental impacts assessment

8. 8 Plans for Phase II (cont.) Current Technical Projects (Projects discussed yesterday)

9. 9 Plans for Phase II (cont.) Possible Future Technical Projects Proposals in the following areas were submitted in response to the recent NREL solicitation: Wind energy assessments Hydrogen transportation applications Off-grid renewable hydrogen deployment Residential energy monitoring system Biomass utilization

10. 10 Plans for Phase II (cont.) REC Facilities Existing space at DRI�s NNSC Lab facility at Redfield Options for Annex structure are still being explored

11. 11 Plans for Phase II (cont.) Timing and Costs for Completion of REC Original budget and timeline are no longer valid Redfield lab buildout project should go out to bid this fall Timing of Annex structure is still unknown

12. 12 Next Steps Re-convene DRI-REC Steering Committee Complete Redfield Lab buildout Establish presence at Redfield Resolve issues with Annex Structure Identify optimum siting location Obtain necessary permits and erect structure Move renewably-generated H2 equipment Identify local site for erection of tall tower Begin using NSWEP Program as leverage to attract other renewable energy related RDD&D projects