Rachel Romero

Rachel Romero serves as Researcher IV at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in the Residential Buildings group, bringing over 14 years of progressive experience since joining in 2010. A licensed Professional Engineer in Colorado, she specializes in advancing energy efficiency and renewable energy projects through technical leadership and stakeholder engagement.

Her educational foundation includes:

• Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Hope College
• Master of Architectural Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder
• Professional Engineer license (State of Colorado)

Romero's research drives innovation in high-performance buildings through workforce development competitions and industry partnerships. She focuses on practical integration of energy efficiency with distributed energy generation, applying building physics principles to solar energy systems and laboratory environments. Her work bridges technical solutions with business development to accelerate decarbonization.

Romero's significant contributions are recognized through multiple awards:

• ASHRAE 2016 Youth Excellence and Achievement Award
• ASHRAE Distinguished Service Award (2019)
• ASHRAE New Faces of Engineering (2016)
• Hope College 10 Under 10 Alumni (2019)
• NREL Chairman’s Award (2020)

As a mentor and project leader, she has managed the Solar Decathlon Design Challenge and developed technical solutions for the Federal Energy Management Program. Her current Partnership Development role emphasizes client-centered outcomes through initiatives like the B-Biz network and Home Electrification Prize program.

Romero actively shapes industry standards through leadership in ASHRAE committees and the International Institute for Sustainable Labs, with recent work focusing on grid-interactive efficient buildings and laboratory decarbonization strategies.