The laboratory was established in the Old Fort Collins Power Plant in June 1992.
In the years since then, the laboratory has grown to become one of the more known engine research programs in the United States.
The EECL's earliest work with natural gas pipeline engines produced a series of market-driven environmental solutions that improved the industry.
[clarification needed] In the last five years, the lab has done the same thing but has expanded its scope to encompass areas both upstream (fuels) and downstream (power grids) of its core engine Research and Intelligence.
In addition, the EECL has applied this research in energy conversion technology and product development to the creation of solutions with an impact on energy production, conversion, and consumption globally – testing new energy technologies around the world including India, The Philippines, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Nepal.