Congressmen Visit NREL for Firsthand Look at New Energy Research
March 8, 2004
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"ADAM" — a thermal comfort manikin in NREL's Vehicle Climate Control Laboratory |
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(From left) Rep. Zach Wamp, Buildings and Thermal Systems Center Director Ron Judkoff, Rep. Mike Doyle, Rep. Mark Udall, Rep. Bob Beauprez, and Midwest Research Institute President Jim Spigarelli tour the Thermal Test Facility at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. |
Members of the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Renewable Energy Caucus visited the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) on February 18, 2004, to get a firsthand look at NREL's research. During the visit, caucus co-chairs Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) were joined by Rep. Bob Beauprez (R-Colo.) and Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.).
The group toured several NREL facilities; including the Vehicle Ancillary Load Reduction Laboratories. At the Vehicle Climate Control Laboratory, they met "ADAM," the recently completed, most advanced thermal comfort manikin in the world, with 126 heating and sweating segments and physiological model control. ADAM's objective is to help the U.S. Department of Energy and NREL develop more efficient climate control technologies. The group also learned about other cutting-edge research techniques to reduce a vehicle's ancillary loads and improve waste heat utilization.
Rep. Beauprez represents Colorado's 7th Congressional District, in which NREL is located. Rep. Wamp, whose district includes Oak Ridge National Laboratory, said his interest in renewable energy began when he started to address air quality issues in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. He became co-chair of the House caucus two years ago.
Rep. Udall praised his fellow lawmakers and said, "The more energy options we have, the more freedom we have." Beauprez, who has visited NREL four times since his election in 2002, said talking to constituents -- researchers, engineers, and managers at NREL -- is how he gains the perspective to do his job.