Economics

Tools by Topic

HOMER

This computer model from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) simplifies the task of evaluating design options for both off-grid and grid-connected power systems for remote, stand-alone, and distributed generation (DG) applications. HOMER's optimization and sensitivity analysis algorithms allow you to evaluate the economic and technical feasibility of a large number of technology options and to account for variation in technology costs and energy resource availability.

http://www.nrel.gov/homer/

Target Finder

This Web-based tool helps commercial users manage energy during the design phase of building construction. Target Finder allows planners to set an aggressive energy performance target for building design and compare estimated energy consumption to the established target. This provides direction for energy decisions throughout the design process, and facilitates the evaluation of a range of energy efficiency measures to achieve energy and cost goals. The total annual energy use intensity for the target is based on the energy sources typical in the region specified by ZIP code.

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=new_bldg_design.bus_target_finder

Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator

The Cash Flow Opportunity Calculator, developed for the ENERGY STAR program, uses building-specific data to help decision-makers quantify the financial benefits of energy efficient investments. The calculator estimates how much new energy efficiency equipment can be purchased with anticipated savings, compares financing options for energy efficiency purchases, and evaluates project economics under different interest rates.

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/business/cfo_calculator.xls (XLS) (415K, About MS Excel )

State Carbon Intensity Database

The State Carbon Intensity Database measures carbon emissions in relation to the value of the production activities that generate them. The tool helps states understand the factors that contribute to changes in carbon emissions economic efficiency over time, as well as differences across states. States can use the database to analyze trends in their carbon intensity, compare their situation to other states (and the U.S. as a whole), and to target programs and policies that lower emissions and grow their economy.

Contact Art Diem (diem.art@epa.gov)

Landfill Gas Energy Cost Model (LFGcost-Web)

This software model evaluates the economic feasibility of landfill gas energy projects. LFGcost-Web is currently available to Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) Partners and Endorsers only. For information on becoming a Partner or Endorser, join LMOP.

http://www.epa.gov/lmop/res/index.htm#5

The Building Life Cycle Cost (BLCC) Programs

The BLCC computer programs conduct economic analyses by evaluating the relative cost-effectiveness of alternative buildings and building-related systems or components. Typically, BLCC software is used to evaluate alternative designs that have higher initial costs but lower operating-related costs over the project life than the lowest-initial-cost design. It is especially useful for evaluating the costs and benefits of energy and water conservation and renewable energy projects. BLCC also calculates comparative economic measures for alternative designs, including Net Savings, Savings-to-Investment Ratio, Adjusted Internal Rate of Return, and Years to Payback.

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/information/download_blcc.html

COBRA - Co-Benefits Risk Assessment Tool

The COBRA model is a screening tool used to: 1) approximate the impact of emission changes on ambient air pollution; 2) translate this into health effect impacts; and 3) monetize these impacts. COBRA enables policy analysts to obtain a first-order approximation of the costs and benefits of different mitigation policies under consideration. The software quickly compares outcomes in terms of air quality or health effects. COBRA presents results in tabular as well as geographic form to facilitate the visualization of the changes.

Contact Denise Mulholland (mulholland.denise@epa.gov)

Environmental Benefits Mapping and Analysis Program (BenMAP)

BenMAP is a peer-reviewed tool for estimating the health and economic benefits of air pollution reduction strategies. It combines air pollution monitoring data, air quality modeling data, census information, and population projections to calculate a population’s potential exposure to ambient air pollution. BenMAP is used primarily to estimate benefits from changes in particulate matter and ozone concentrations, but it can also be adapted for other pollutants. Most Windows-based computers run BenMAP.

http://www.epa.gov/air/benmap/

The National Energy Modeling System (NEMS)

NEMS is a general equilibrium energy-economic model of the United States. It projects the production, import, conversion, consumption, and prices of energy, subject to assumptions on macroeconomic and financial factors, world energy markets, resource availability and costs, behavioral and technological choice criteria, cost and performance characteristics of energy technologies, and demographics. There are three classes of modules in NEMS: Supply, Demand, and Conversion. This makes the modeling system unique in its comprehensive treatment of supply-side technologies (particularly in the electricity sector) and its detailed treatment of energy demand at the end-use level.

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/overview/

Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System (LEAP)

The LEAP model is a scenario-based modeling tool designed to project energy supply and demand and evaluate energy policy options. The tool evaluates the physical, economic, and environmental impacts of alternative scenarios to help guide the selection of appropriate energy policies. LEAP includes a Technology and Environmental Database (TED) that provides extensive information describing the technical characteristics, costs, and environmental impacts of a wide range of energy technologies, including existing technologies, current best practices, and next generation devices.

http://www.energycommunity.org/default.asp?action=47

RMI Community Energy Opportunity Finder

This interactive Web site from Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) calculates the benefits of implementing energy efficiency across a community. RMI’s Community Energy Opportunity Finder helps municipalities collect energy use data and then calculate potential energy savings, dollar savings, emission reductions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide, and jobs creation that could be achieved through energy efficiency programs. In addition, the online tool includes valuable information to help a community get started with its own energy projects, including case studies of similar initiatives, data sources, and ideas for funding.

http://www.energyfinder.org/

Top of page