A $39 million research-support facility — funded with federal stimulus money — is set to be built at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden.
The 137,000-square-foot addition will support a 222,000-square- foot research complex that was completed last summer.
Haselden Construction, RNL Design and engineering consultant Stantec Inc., the team that built the research complex, will also build the addition.
The research facility, which houses about 800 workers, uses one- third of the energy of a conventional office building and exceeds the requirements for LEED Platinum status, the highest designation by the U.S. Green Building Council.
The new wing is expected to achieve a 19 percent savings in overall energy performance, compared with the original building, according to Haselden officials.
The expansion is scheduled for completion next October and will offer space for 500 additional NREL and Energy Department staff.
The improved energy performance in the new wing is the result of technological upgrades, including:
• Six percent more efficient rooftop photovoltaic panels.
• Improved thermal performance.
• Improved window systems and upgraded lighting-control systems.
• Increased flexibility in mechanical-systems integration.
Haselden is based in Centennial. RNL’s headquarters are in Denver, and Stantec’s are in Edmonton, Alberta.
Mark Jaffe: 303-954-1912 or mjaffe@denverpost.com
