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Energy analysis at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) encompasses a broad range of energy analysis in support of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), NREL programs and initiatives, and the energy analysis community. Here is the latest news on energy analysis activities at NREL:
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) held its fifth Energy Analysis Forum in Golden, Colorado, on November 27-28, attracting a diverse group of analysts interested in carbon policy design and its implications.
Participants at this two-day event, sponsored by NREL's Strategic Energy Analysis Center (SEAC), discussed critical analysis needs in the carbon-regulation arena and how they related to energy efficiency and renewable energy. These discussions helped participants identify what analysis, models, and analytic capabilities were necessary to better inform effective decision making in this sector.
The forum sessions were a combination of presentations and group discussions, covering topics related to carbon policy — highlights included regulations and their implications, electric-sector technologies, and transportation and fuel production issues. On the second day, smaller working groups discussed carbon regulations and policies — and identified analytic needs. The final session included a full group discussion on new analytic insights, as well as recommendations for next steps.
Presentations from the forum, as well as background information on the speakers and panelists, are posted on the Energy Analysis Web site. A summary of the two-day event will be posted soon.
Participants also attended a poster session, highlighting some of NREL's models and tools. Those posters are also available on the Web site.
The Technical Assistance Project (TAP) for State and Local Officials will sponsor a Webcast on December 10, highlighting a TAP project with the Los Angeles Unified School District. The presentation, which will be 2-3:30 p.m. (EST), is titled "A Strategic Plan for Sustainable Energy Management and Environmental Stewardship for the Los Angeles United School District."
The Webcast can be accessed via a desktop computer and phone. Although the Webcast is free of charge to attendees, participants must RSVP to obtain an Internet address (URL) and password to connect to the video, and a toll-free phone number to connect to the audio portion of the Webcast.
Contact Misty Conrad via e-mail or by phone at 303-384-7467 for information.
Presenters include:
- Ken Davis, energy manager for the Los Angeles Unified School District
- Arun G. Jhaveri, certified sustainable development professional and the principal at Arun Jhaveri and Associates
- Deb Beattie, senior project leader at NREL; and Andy Walker, senior engineer at NREL.
More information about the presenters, links to background materials and reports, and access to the speaker presentations (available Dec. 10) can be found on the TAP Section of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program Web site.
Upcoming TAP Webcasts
TAP Webcasts are tentatively scheduled bimonthly:
February 13 - NELHA-Hawaii Creates the Green Energy Zone
April 16 - Development of the Texas Renewable Portfolio Standard
About TAP
The Technical Assistance Project (TAP) for State and Local Officials provides state and local officials with quick, short-term access to experts at DOE national laboratories for assistance with their renewable energy and energy efficiency policies and programs. For details and information on how to apply, see the TAP Section of the DOE Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program Web Site.
The Planning, Analysis, and Evaluation (PAE) group at the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) presents weekly seminars every Thursday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. ET. These seminars bring together analysts from all the laboratories in the DOE system, as well as other groups working in energy analysis, to discuss their current projects and results. To find out more about these topics, access the Events page on the Planning, Budget, and Analysis (PBA) Web site.
Doug Arent, director of SEAC, was part of a panel discussion on "New Generation Technologies: What is Feasible and at What Cost?" during a one-day conference titled "Colorado's New Energy Economy: The Path Forward." NREL's Chuck Kutscher was keynote speaker for the event, which was sponsored jointly by the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, the Governor's Energy Office, and the Office of Consumer Counsel partnering with Energy Outreach in Denver, Colorado.
Nancy Carlisle and Otto Van Geet of SEAC received the "2007 Presidential Award for Leadership in Federal Energy Management" in Washington, D.C., on November 2. They were recognized for their work in developing and implementing the Laboratories for the 21st Century program.
A delegation of senior officials from India's Ministry of Power and from selected state governments and utilities visited NREL on November 2. Sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the visit focused on utility best practices, establishing utility-to-utility partnerships, reduction of electrical system losses, and determining methods to electrify rural portions of India using distributed renewable energy resources. The delegation toured the NREL campus and discussions focused on the opportunities to meet rural electrification objectives in India using renewable and hybrid power systems.
On November 5-6, NREL hosted a workshop on Solar Resource Forecasting Needs and Methodologies. The workshop identified specific solar forecast product requirements from the concentrating solar power (CSP) industry and utilities, reviewed current solar forecasting methodologies, and identified key R&D gaps that can be addressed in NREL's CSP Program plans. Participants included representatives from Arizona Public Service (APS), Abengoa, Acciona, California Independent System Operators, NREL's CSP program, and NREL's solar resource assessment team. NREL will continue working with the private sector and initiate solar resource forecasting R&D activities to support the commercial sector as they develop their solar resource forecasting methodologies.
NREL hosted three officials of an Israeli Delegation from the Ministry of National Infrastructures on November 5. The group received an overview of NREL's program and a tour of the solar and biofuels facilities; staff also presented information on buildings, technology transfer, and international programs. The Israeli delegation identified four areas as priorities for collaboration including CSP and concentrating PV, electric vehicle technologies, smart grids, and energy towers.
SEAC staff members Chandra Shah and Alicen Kandt spoke at the USDA Forest Service 2007 Sustainable Operations Summit on November 13-16 in Denver, Colorado. The summit, which included 200 people from the USFS and other federal agencies, officially launched the Forest Service National Sustainable Operations Effort.
Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB) officials visited NREL on November 29, describing Singapore's plans to build a clean energy industry cluster and a solar energy research institute. Singapore is moving forward in establishing a solar energy research institute that will have funding of $35 million and employ 100 staff. EDB invited NREL to send experts to visit this research facility in early 2008, when it becomes fully operational and further explore opportunities for solar R&D collaboration. They are also interested in joint work on renewable energy market development throughout Asia.
For the latest updates on information regarding energy analysis, visit the Energy Analysis Web site.
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