Lab Description

The energy laboratory is research-centered, looking at applications of renewable energy in the desert southwestern US. The primary focus of the laboratory is on the development and application of renewable resources including electricity and hydrogen. Laboratory equipment currently includes 2 kW of photovoltaic panels (with passive solar trackers), 3 kW of wind generators (two 1.5 kW generators on 50' towers), a Stuart electrolyzer to produce hydrogen, trace power inverters to produce 110V power, and several fuel cells. In addition, there are two para-transit vehicles that have been converted to operate on alternative fuels, along with an emissions test bench and vehicle efficiency software to evaluate performance characteristics. We are evaluating the performance of the vehicles operating on CNG and HCNG. The laboratory has been developing an integrated renewable power system for off-grid applications that includes an internal combustion generator that can run on both hydrogen and LPG to provide power during periods of time when renewable sources are not available.

For more information about the research involved, please visit the Clean Technologies and Renewable Energy Center: www.dri.edu/ctrec