National Renewable Energy Laboratory

Electric Infrastructure Systems Research

Energy Analysis and Tools

The role of analysis in NREL's electric infrastructure systems research is to ensure that federal R&D investments in distributed energy generation, interconnection, and grid-enhancement technologies will provide maximum return. In addition, analysis activities translate complex research into easily accessible information.

Analysis

Technology characterizations describe the technical and economic status of major distributed energy options for electricity supply. These characterizations represent DOE's best estimates of current and future performance and cost for these technologies.

Tools

HOMER

HOMER is a computer model that simplifies the task of evaluating design options for off-grid and grid-connected power systems for remote, standalone, and distributed generation applications.

VIPOR

ViPOR is an optimization model for designing village electrification systems.

In My Backyard (IMBY)

IMBY is a new Web-based tool that calculates estimated production of hypothetical solar and wind renewable energy installations based on geographical location.