# National Laboratory of the Rockies

> United States national renewable energy laboratory

**Wikidata**: [Q1856153](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1856153)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Laboratory_of_the_Rockies)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/national-laboratory-of-the-rockies

## Summary
The National Laboratory of the Rockies (formerly the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, NREL) is a United States national renewable energy laboratory focused on research and development in clean energy technologies. Established in 1977, it is part of the U.S. Department of Energy and operates under the Alliance for Sustainable Energy.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Research institute
- **Founded**: 1977
- **Parent organization**: United States Department of Energy
- **Headquarters**: Golden, Colorado
- **Employees**: 3,675
- **Supercomputer developed**: Eagle (inception: 2018)
- **Name change**: Renamed "National Laboratory of the Rockies" in 2025
- **Awards received**: Silver Anvil Award (1982)
- **Social media presence**: Active on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube

## FAQs
### Q: What is the National Laboratory of the Rockies?
A: The National Laboratory of the Rockies is a U.S. research institute focused on renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, and energy efficiency. It was formerly known as the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and is part of the U.S. Department of Energy.

### Q: Where is the National Laboratory of the Rockies located?
A: The laboratory is headquartered in Golden, Colorado, and operates under the Alliance for Sustainable Energy.

### Q: What supercomputer did the National Laboratory of the Rockies develop?
A: The laboratory developed the Eagle supercomputer in 2018, designed for research purposes.

### Q: When was the National Laboratory of the Rockies renamed?
A: The laboratory was renamed "National Laboratory of the Rockies" in 2025, dropping the "Renewable Energy" designation.

### Q: How many employees does the National Laboratory of the Rockies have?
A: The laboratory employs approximately 3,675 people.

## Why It Matters
The National Laboratory of the Rockies plays a critical role in advancing renewable energy technologies, including solar, wind, and energy efficiency. As part of the U.S. Department of Energy, it conducts cutting-edge research to support the transition to a sustainable energy future. The laboratory’s work includes developing high-performance computing systems like the Eagle supercomputer and promoting energy-efficient solutions. Its research directly impacts national energy policies and global clean energy initiatives.

## Notable For
- **Supercomputer Development**: Developed the Eagle supercomputer in 2018, a high-performance research tool.
- **Renewable Energy Focus**: Specializes in solar, wind, and energy efficiency technologies.
- **Name Change**: Dropped the "Renewable Energy" designation in 2025, reflecting broader energy research.
- **Awards**: Received the Silver Anvil Award in 1982 for its Passive Solar Promotion Program.
- **Social Media Engagement**: Maintains active presence across multiple platforms, including Twitter and YouTube.

## Body
### Overview
The National Laboratory of the Rockies (formerly NREL) is a U.S. research institute focused on renewable energy technologies. Established in 1977, it operates under the U.S. Department of Energy and the Alliance for Sustainable Energy.

### Research Focus
The laboratory conducts research in solar, wind, and energy efficiency technologies. It developed the Eagle supercomputer in 2018, a high-performance research tool.

### Organizational Structure
- **Headquarters**: Golden, Colorado
- **Employees**: 3,675
- **Parent Organization**: U.S. Department of Energy

### Name Change
In 2025, the laboratory was renamed "National Laboratory of the Rockies," dropping the "Renewable Energy" designation. This change reflects a broader focus on energy research beyond renewables.

### Awards and Recognition
- **Silver Anvil Award (1982)**: Received for the Passive Solar Promotion Program.
- **Social Media**: Active on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

### Key Figures
- **Eagle Supercomputer**: Developed in 2018, manufactured by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

### Location and Coordinates
- **Located in**: Colorado
- **Coordinates**: 39.7406° N, 105.156° W

### Digital Presence
- **Website**: [nrel.gov](https://www.nrel.gov/)
- **Social Media**: Twitter (@NREL), Facebook (nationalrenewableenergylab), Instagram (nationalrenewableenergylab), LinkedIn (national-renewable-energy-laboratory), YouTube (National Renewable Energy Laboratory - NREL)

## References

1. [Source](https://apps.prsa.org/Awards/SilverAnvil/Search?sakeyword=6BW-8206B)
2. GRID Release 2017-01-10
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Trump administration changes name of Golden-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory](https://coloradosun.com/2025/12/01/national-renewable-energy-laboratory-name-change-trump-colorado/)
5. [Energy Department Renames NREL “National Lab of the Rockies”](https://www.energy.gov/eere/articles/energy-department-renames-nrel-national-lab-rockies)
6. [Trump Strikes ‘Renewable’ From National Renewable Energy Lab](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2025-12-02/trump-strikes-renewable-from-national-renewable-energy-lab)
7. [‘Renewable’ No More: The Trump Administration Renames the National Renewable Energy Laboratory](https://insideclimatenews.org/news/02122025/renewable-no-more-the-trump-administration-renames-the-national-renewable-energy-laboratory/)
8. [Trump admin renames National Renewable Energy Laboratory](https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5630141-energy-lab-name-change/)
9. [Trump administration renames Colorado’s National Renewable Energy Lab: the National Lab of the Rockies](https://www.cpr.org/2025/12/01/nrel-renamed-national-lab-of-the-rockies-doe-trump/)
10. [Trump administration renames Colorado’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory](https://www.denverpost.com/2025/12/01/nrel-renamed-national-laboratory-rockies-colorado-trump/)
11. [National Renewable Energy Laboratory renamed to fit Trump’s energy policy](https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2025/12/02/national-renewable-energy-laboratory-renamed-to-fit-trumps-energy-policy/)
12. [https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2025/12/01/doe-cuts-renewable-from-golden-laboratory-name.html](https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2025/12/01/doe-cuts-renewable-from-golden-laboratory-name.html)
13. [Energy department renames NREL as 'National Laboratory of the Rockies'](https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/energy-department-renames-nrel-national-laboratory-of-the-rockies/73-8ce981cf-6644-4d98-96c0-54081dceb3d8)
14. [Golden’s NREL renamed National Laboratory of the Rockies](https://www.thegoldentranscript.com/news/golden-s-nrel-renamed-national-laboratory-of-the-rockies/article_41f08ecd-ec54-4a93-9f8d-d57f6f47890b.html)
15. [Bennet Statement on the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Name Change](https://www.bennet.senate.gov/2025/12/01/bennet-statement-on-the-national-renewable-energy-laboratorys-name-change/)
16. GRID Release 2015-12-14
17. GRID Release 2016-12-06
18. Quora
19. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
20. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph
21. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
22. KBpedia
23. YouTube API