Scientists and engineers at the new Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) at NREL and NREL’s Vehicle Testing and Integration Facility will use 20 Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicles from Toyota to develop and explore ways to prepare grid operators and energy infrastructure that accommodate the growing US electric vehicle fleet.

The Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) is one of the only megawatt-scale test facilities in the United States that integrates electricity, thermal, and fuel systems with high performance modeling and simulation capabilities. NREL scientists and engineers at the ESIF research and test integrated energy systems, devices, and concepts for electric supply and demand systems.

NREL is also working with the US Army to develop the Consolidated Utility Base Energy (CUBE) System—a solar, battery and generator hybrid power system that provides electricity to forward operating bases. Under a research agreement with Wyle Labs, the Army’s Rapid Equipping Force is funding NREL to complete a prototype CUBE system and validate its performance, reliability, and projected fuel savings through a fully integrated test at ESIF.