NREL Benefits From Large-Scale Smart EV Charging While Managing Operational Costs

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in clean energy research and innovation, dedicated to advancing sustainable solutions for the nation’s energy future. With two campuses in Colorado, NREL supports a vibrant community of researchers, staff, and visitors who are committed to driving progress in renewable energy and energy efficiency. As part of its mission to foster sustainable commuting and campus operations, NREL continually seeks advanced technologies that optimize energy use, reduce costs, and support the growing adoption of electric vehicles.

The Challenge

Supporting Sustainable Commuting With Scalable Infrastructure

As electric vehicle adoption increased among staff and visitors, NREL faced the challenge of providing reliable, accessible charging infrastructure across its campuses. The laboratory needed a solution that could accommodate a growing number of EVs without overburdening existing electrical systems or incurring high operational costs. At the same time, NREL aimed to meet regulatory requirements, recover costs, and ensure a seamless user experience for its research-driven community. Developing a scalable, smart charging network was essential to supporting sustainable commuting and advancing NREL’s broader mission of energy innovation.

PowerFlex’s Solution

Adaptive Load Management for Campus-Wide EV Charging

INSTALLATION TYPE

EV Charging

INSTALLATION SIZE

100 Level 2 Chargers
2 DC Fast Chargers

LOCATIONS

Golden, CO
Arvada, CO

To address the need for scalable and efficient EV charging, NREL partnered with PowerFlex to deploy a network of smart charging stations across its South Table Mountain and Flatirons campuses. Leveraging PowerFlex’s Adaptive Load Management® (ALM) technology, the system dynamically monitors building load, onsite generation, and driver preferences to optimize the delivery of energy to each charging station in real time. This approach enables NREL to support a large number of chargers without costly electrical upgrades or risk of overloading the grid. The technology also helps reduce peak demand charges and operational costs, while providing a seamless experience for users through the PowerFlex mobile app. By integrating ALM, NREL has created a flexible, future-ready charging infrastructure that aligns with its mission of advancing clean energy solutions.

“PowerFlex offered the best value with the technology that met our energy management requirements for load sharing and peak demand management, and a at competitive price.”

Lissa Myers

Intelligent Campus Project Leader, The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

Driving Research and Innovation in Campus Mobility

The partnership with PowerFlex has also enabled NREL to collect valuable data from its charging stations, supporting ongoing research and analysis into EV charging patterns and energy management strategies. With a fully automated, self-service system and transparent pricing, NREL ensures both driver satisfaction and cost recovery. This “living laboratory” approach not only benefits the campus community but also contributes to broader industry knowledge, helping to shape the future of smart, sustainable mobility solutions nationwide.