Energy-Efficient Buildings and Transportation
ORNL's work in pursuit of energy and environmental sustainability of buildings and transportation is wide ranging, addressing issues of national significance. Its programs directly contribute to national goals that form the foundation of a secure energy and environmental future.
Much more information about the energy efficiency research conducted at ORNL can be found on the web sites for the following ORNL organizations:
Building Technologies Research and Integration Center
ORNL's work in pursuit of energy and environmental sustainability of the built environment is broad-based, addressing residential and commercial, and new and existing buildings. The research in building technologies supports DOE’s goals of achieving zero energy homes by 2020 and zero energy buildings of all kinds by 2025. (Zero energy implies buildings that annually produce as much energy as they consume.) The components and integration techniques used in such buildings need to be commercially available at affordable prices so zero energy is feasible for the private sector to implement.
Transportation Research Program
ORNL’s transportation program in the Energy & Transportation Science Division comprises research and development primarily for DOE’s FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies Program. Major research areas are fuels and engines, materials, power electronics, electric machines, and policy analysis. ORNL’s research addresses issues of national significance—such as air quality and dependence on foreign oil—with technology innovations that manufacturers can use to provide the kinds of vehicles that Americans need and want.
Energy and Engineering Sciences Directorate
The Energy and Engineering Sciences Directorate conducts applied research and development programs that directly contribute to national goals of increasing and diversifying energy production, improving energy transmission, and reducing energy consumption. These goals form the foundation of a secure energy and environmental future. For example, insight from ORNL led to the commercialization of a lightweight urban transit bus with double the fuel efficiency of conventional hybrid buses. |