Modeling and Tools for Project Engineering

NREL develops models and tools that can be used to evaluate renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies for project engineering. The following is a list of models and tools that apply to this area.

HOMER

HOMER, the micropower optimization model, simplifies the task of evaluating design options for both off-grid and grid-connected power systems. When you design a power system, you must make many decisions about the configuration of the system: What components does it make sense to include in the system design? How many and what size of each component should you use? How do the costs and environmental impacts of different system designs compare? The large number of technology options, range of technology costs, and variable availability of energy resources make these decisions difficult to make. HOMER's optimization and sensitivity analysis algorithms make it easier to evaluate the many possible system configurations. For more information, visit the HOMER Web page. You also can access a fact sheet (PDF 934 KB) about this unique tool. Download Adobe Reader. Contact developer Peter Lilienthal for more information.

Hybrid Power System Simulation Model

Hybrid2-the Hybrid Power System Simulation Model-simulates the performance of various hybrid renewable energy systems. These hybrid systems may include:

• Three types of electrical loads
• Multiple wind turbines of different types
• Photovoltaics
• Multiple diesel generators
• Battery storage
• Four types of power conversion devices.

Hybrid2 also compares the long-term performance of comparable systems.
NREL developed Hybrid2 in collaboration with researchers at the University of Massachusetts.

Download Model

For more information about and to download this model, visit the University of Massachusetts Hybrid2 Web Site.

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.