Our Customers
PNNL's energy research supports a number of clients within the Department of Energy, contributing to DOE's mission to deliver secure, reliable and affordable energy. These include:
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Office of Fossil Energy
- Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
- Office of Science
- Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology
- Climate Change Technology Program
Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
PNNL supports the Department of Energy's efforts to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and develop energy efficient technologies for buildings, homes, transportation, power systems and industry. Go to PNNL's EERE web site (for more information about PNNL's EERE Programs, or go directly to one of the specific program areas listed below.- Biomass
- Buildings Technologies
- Federal Energy Management
- FreedomCAR and Vehicle Technologies
- Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and Infrastructure Technologies
- Industrial Technologies
- Wind and Hydropower Technologies
Office of Fossil Energy
Today, more than half of the electricity generated in the United States comes from coal—and coal will continue to be a dominant fuel used to produce electricity for the foreseeable future. PNNL's research and development for the DOE's Office of Fossil Energy's FutureGen concept and focuses on new technologies to make fossil fuel energy plants more efficient while minimizing their impact on the environment. Specifically, this work includes:
- Fuel Cells, including the Solid State Energy Conversion Alliance
- Carbon Management and Sequestration
- High Temperature Electrochemistry Center
Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability
PNNL is a resource in the national effort to safely, efficiently and reliably meet the electricity needs of the U.S. In support of the Office of Electric Transmission and Distribution, which was established in 2003 to help improve and expand our electricity delivery system, we apply applies multidisciplinary capabilities to all aspects of the energy system, from generation, to transmission, distribution and the end use of electricity. Our involvement includes:
- Electricity Infrastructure Operations Center
- Eastern Interconnect Phasor Project
- Electric Power Systems
- Energy System Transformation
- Transmission Reliability
Office of Science
PNNL is an Office of Science laboratory; however, most of the energy-related work we do is funded by other portions of the Department of Energy described above. The Office of Science manages fundamental research programs in basic energy sciences, biological and environmental sciences, and computational science. Some of our materials science projects are part of Office of Science programs.
Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology
PNNL's nuclear research and technology portfolio addresses concerns related to national security, legacy environmental challenges, and options for energy generation that reduce both dependence on energy imports and greenhouse gas emissions. With a long history of nuclear science and technology expertise and a national reputation in radiation detection, nuclear fuels, and materials, our integrated nuclear strategy focuses on identifying areas where capabilities are needed to ensure that we can continue supporting DOE in the future.
Climate Change Technology Program
PNNL supports the Climate Change Technology Program, a multi-agency research and development coordination activity that focuses R&D activities more effectively on the President's climate change goals, near- and long-term. Our efforts in this area include scientific research in areas such as carbon management, carbon sequestration and climate change, as well as policy analysis
Industry
PNNL works with industry clients and partners in a variety of ways—including collaborative research, licensing technologies, and conducting proprietary research and development. To learn more about working with PNNL or read about technologies developed at PNNL that are available for licensing.

