NREL is the Department of Energy's premier laboratory for renewable energy research and development and a leading laboratory for energy efficiency R&D.

Golden, Colo., Feb 9, 2004 - Midwest Research Institute (MRI) in Kansas City has received a four-year contract extension to manage and operate the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

The NREL contract was last competed in 1998 and this extends MRI's management for the full 10 years. Midwest Research Institute has managed NREL since the Laboratory's founding as the Solar Energy Research Institute in 1977. MRI is teamed with Battelle Memorial Institute of Columbus, Ohio, to manage and operate the Laboratory.

NREL is the Department of Energy's premier laboratory for renewable energy research and development and a leading laboratory for energy efficiency R&D. "NREL and its sister facilities are truly the crown jewels of the Energy Department, and, I think, of the federal government," Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said during a recent visit to the Laboratory. "The cutting-edge work that is done in this laboratory to bring about some of the remarkable R&D breakthroughs we'vet had is to be commended."

Since its inception, NREL has earned 35 R&D 100 awards, which R&D Magazine announces annually to recognize the year's 100 most significant technological innovations. The Laboratory also was recognized in the Scientific American 50 for developing the world's most efficient land-based solar cell. The Laboratory recently was named systems integrator for DOE's hydrogen program, a vital role in moving the nation toward a hydrogen economy.

"MRI is honored to continue its management role at NREL," MRI President and CEO Jim Spigarelli said. "This action by DOE recognizes the excellent work by Admiral Richard Truly and his management team at NREL. Few national initiatives are considered more important than reducing our country's dependence on foreign oil, and part of the equation involves developing renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. NREL is the nation's leading research laboratory in this area."

MRI is an independent, not-for-profit laboratory that has conducted scientific research for government and industry since 1944. Their programs span the areas of environmental research, health, pharmaceutical product development, agriculture and food safety, national security and defense, and energy. MRI also offers technology commercialization and laboratory management services. Headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, they have additional laboratories in Florida and Maryland. Battelle is a not-for-profit institute that develops new technologies, commercializes products, and provides scientific solutions for clients in government and industry. Battelle provides these services in laboratories and offices worldwide.