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Renewable Energy Resource Maps and Screening Tools

Renewable energy resources are available across the U.S., but vary greatly depending on exact location and micro-climate. This page outlines renewable energy resource maps and screening tools to help Federal agencies assess the viability of on-site renewable energy projects.

Before initiating a project, resources in your area must be measured and verified. Resource maps and screening tools are a good start, but it is important to consult an expert for a professional evaluation before implementing renewable energy projects.

Resource Maps

The Department of Energy (DOE) and its National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) compiled the following renewable energy resource maps:

• FEMP Renewable Energy Resource Maps: Various maps of availability and other data, such as savings to investment ratio (SIR) analysis, for renewable resources across the U.S.

• Biomass Energy Hotspots and Resources: NREL-produced maps of typical biomass energy hotspots and available resources across the U.S.

• Geothermal Energy Hotspots and Resources: NREL-produced maps of typical geothermal energy hotspots and available resources across the U.S.

• Solar Energy Hotspots and Resources: NREL-produced maps of typical solar energy hotspots and available resources across the U.S.

• Wind Energy Hotspots and Resources: NREL-produced maps of typical wind energy hotspots and available resources across the U.S.

• Hydrogen Energy Hotspots and Resources: NREL-produced maps of typical hydrogen energy hotspots and available resources across the U.S.

Screening Tools

DOE and its national laboratories compiled the following renewable energy screening tools for Federal facility use:

• Energy Technology Costs, Performance Data, and LCOE Calculator: Data charts on costs and performance of renewable energy technologies and a life-cycle cost of electricity (LCOE) calculator to determine life-cycle cost effectiveness for both utility and distributed generation (less than 10 MW) scale renewable energy.

• FEMP Solar Hot Water Calculator: Online tool to help Federal agencies meet Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 Section 523 requirements for new Federal buildings and major renovations to meet 30% of hot water demand using solar hot water equipment if life-cycle cost effective.

• FRESA: The Federal Renewable Energy Screening Assistant (FRESA) helps Federal agencies analyze the use of renewable energy technologies for buildings and facilities. Although anyone can use FRESA, the software is targeted for use by the Federal sector.

• HOMER: A model for evaluating design options for both off-grid and grid-connected power systems for remote, standalone, and distributed generation applications.

• In My Backyard (IMBY): Screening tool used to estimate solar photovoltaic (PV) array and wind turbine electricity production based on specifications of system size, location, and other variables using a Google Maps interface.

• Federal Aviation Administration Preliminary Screening Tool: Tool enabling a preliminary review of potential impacts to long range radar, military training routes, and special use airspace caused by construction projects, such as concentrating solar power and wind turbine projects.

• Federal Aviation Administration Obstruction Reporting: Resource for reporting construction projects, such as concentrating solar power and wind turbines, that may impact aviation paths, airport airspace, or other FAA operations.