Secretary Moniz was on hand at NREL yesterday for the grand opening of the Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF). This unique facility brings together researchers from industry and government to scale-up promising clean energy technologies so they can be better integrated into our electricity grid.

During his visit, the Secretary toured the new site’s experimental labs and outdoor test beds -- including a system that lets researchers and manufacturers test their clean energy technologies at full power and real grid load levels. ESIF also houses one of the most energy efficient data centers in the world -- the home of Peregrine, the Energy Department’s newest supercomputer. Along with NREL Director Dan Arvisu, Secretary Moniz switched on and signed Peregrine, which can support large-scale modeling and simulation at one quadrillion operations per second (currently the world’s largest computing capability dedicated solely to renewable energy and energy efficiency research).

In order to face the challenges of a changing climate, we’ll need the smartest scientists, brightest engineers and the most innovative policy makers working toward clean energy solutions. This new center will be a critical part of this transformation as we adjust from an energy economy dependent on carbon to one that’s dependent on innovation.

Watch Secretary Moniz deliver remarks at the ESIF opening ceremony in the video above.