Renewable Energy

Image of large solar mirror at the National Solar Thermal test Facility in Albuquerque, NM

Renewable Energy

Research that advances renewable energy technologies

Sandia National Laboratories has performed advanced research in renewable energy since the 1970s. The more than 100 researchers in our program:

  • Reduce the cost,
  • Improve the resilience and reliability, and
  • Reduce the barriers to the deployment of renewable energy.

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Our research builds on many of Sandia’s core strengths including high-fidelity modeling; materials development, analysis, and testing; advanced controls systems; high-temperature and high-pressure systems; cyber security; verification and validation/uncertainty quantification; subsurface access and sensing and large-scale performance, safety, and reliability testing. Using these strengths, our research has made major contributions to the nation’s energy security and resilience, economic viability, and environmental sustainability. We are helping the nation tackle climate change by making the decarbonization of the power sector achievable.

Research Focus Areas

Recent News

Sandia’s National Solar Thermal Test Facility welcomes Greg Mehos, director of Greg Mehos & Associates LLC, for the...

Sandia researchers are advancing algae flow-way systems that screen out pollutants from the environment. Designed to...

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller recently honored Sandia solar researcher Ken Armijo for his outstanding community service...

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Resources

  • Access journal articles, technical reports, presentations, books, and multimedia.

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  • Explore downloadable fact sheets, featuring key research and development areas, facilities, tools, and projects.

    View fact sheets

  • Learn more about our state-of-the-art facilities.

    Explore facilities

  • Discover and contact experts through the Earth, Energy, and Environmental Science directory.

    Browse and locate an expert 

  • Discover and browse success stories through the Lab Partnering Service.

    Browse success stories 

  • Browse select computational codes, data sets, models, software, tools, and toolkits.

    View tools

  • Researchers in our program are reducing the cost, improving the resilience and reliability, and decreasing the regulatory burden of renewable energy.

    Learn more about what we do and how we help the nation.

    Watch videos

  • Tour the Applied Biosciences Laboratory
    In the Applied Bioscience Laboratory at Sandia California, the bioscience research focus is two-pronged: energy security and biosecurity.

    Tour the National Solar Thermal Test Facility
    The tower and the surrounding facilities are one of the only places in the world where the power of the sun is harnessed to test advanced materials, perform research, and bake cookies. Industry partners and other national labs come here to explore cutting-edge technologies for electricity, processing heat, energy storage, materials testing, and to find large scale solutions for the adoption of Concentrating Solar Power as a viable source of renewable energy.

    Tour the Scaled Wind Farm Technology Facility
    At the SWiFT facility in Lubbock, Texas, Sandians partner with other researchers to study the interaction of multiple wind turbines in a wind farm.

  • Work with Us

    We partner with large and small businesses, universities, and government agencies. With multiple agreement types to select from, partners can access world-class science, engineering, experts, and infrastructure.

    Contact

    Abraham Ellis
    (505) 206-6807
    aellis@sandia.gov