Modeling and Tools for Impacts Analysis

NREL develops (and partners in the development of) models and tools that can be used to evaluate the impacts of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The following is a list of tools that can assist in this area.

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Clean Energy and Air Quality Integration Initiative

NREL and the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) have published a series of fact sheets for the Clean Energy and Air Quality Integration Initiative. This fact sheet series outlines how renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies can and are being used to reduce air emissions and meet environmental goals, showcasing case studies and technology-specific topics. The primary fact sheet (PDF 274 KB) highlights examples of DOE-EERE pilot projects that partnered with states to use renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) technologies to improve air quality in their regions. The Illinois project (PDF 277 KB) illustrates how detailed electric-sector modeling can quantify benefits from statewide RE and EE portfolio standards. The New Jersey project (PDF 355 KB) refines a method for calculating summer NOx emissions reductions that could be used in other states. And the Texas project (PDF 310 KB) illustrates innovative quantification of the statewide legislation to promote large-scale RE and EE use.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for State Implementation Plans

This handout (PDF 406 KB) outlines State Implementation Plans (SIPs) and how states can use renewable energy, energy efficiency, advanced-vehicle, and alternative fuels projects to meet air quality goals.

Wind Power Purchases for State Implementation Plans

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has developed model SIP documentation to assist in the development of State Implementation Plans (SIPs), which allow states and municipalities to receive emission reduction credit for wind power purchases. More information is available on the Wind Powering America Web site.

Supplemental Environmental Projects Using Renewable Energy: A New Approach to Addressing Air-Quality Violation Penalties

This document (PDF 135 KB) provides information on Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs), which are environmentally beneficial projects that offer pollution prevention, energy efficiency, green energy, and community-based programs, which may include investment in cost-effective alternative-energy technologies.

A Toolkit for States: Using Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPS) to Promote Energy Efficiency (EE) and Renewable Energy (RE)

This EPA toolkit provides information to states regarding the use of supplemental environmental projects (PDF 1.9 MB).

More Information

For more information, see our models and tools publications. You also can find more models and tools on NREL's Energy Analysis Web Site.