Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to build new energy sciences research facility

The Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) recently said that it would construct a new energy sciences research building on its campus in Richland, Wash.

The facility will be used to conduct research to improve catalysts and enable more efficient energy and transportation technologies.

Construction of the new facility is expected to start later this year or early 2020, and the building is expected to be ready for occupancy in mid- or late 2021. A partnership of Harvey Cleary Builders and Kirksey Architecture was awarded a $64.2 million contract to design and construct the building.

The research facility will be between 110,000 and 145,000 square feet and will house labs and workstations for approximately 175 PNNL and visiting scientists, engineers, and research support staff.

Work conducted in the facility will focus on fundamental research in advanced chemistry, materials science and computing and will contribute to the development of more energy efficient chemical processes and new materials for use in energy and transportation technologies, along with other innovations.

“The energy sciences facility will provide essential capabilities and a collaborative environment that leads to accelerated scientific discovery,” PNNL Director Steven Ashby said. “Breakthrough research conducted here may lead to reduced vehicle emissions, more efficient fertilizer production, and the ability to turn waste into fuels and products more efficiently and economically.”