The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy, in partnership with Western Area Power Administration (Western), will present the next Tribal Renewable Energy Series webinar, Models and Tools for Evaluating Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects, on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mountain time.
Attendees will learn how various models and tools developed by DOE and its partners can help Tribes make informed decisions when evaluating and planning renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Presenters will explore the use of energy data and maps, analysis tools, software, and calculators available to the public.
“There are a number of tools and models available that can be invaluable in helping Tribes determine the best options for allocating limited funds, identify opportunities they may not have considered, and prioritize available options before moving forward with projects and initiatives that support their energy visions,” said presenter Lars Lisell, a mechanical engineer with DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
During the webinar, Lisell will demonstrate the use of the NREL’s System Advisor Model (SAM), a performance and financial model designed to make performance predictions and cost of energy estimates for grid-connected power projects based on inputs about installation and operating costs and system design parameters. In addition, he will introduce other tools and models, including:
- Levelized Cost of Energy Calculator (LCOE), a simple calculator for both utility-scale and distributed generation renewable energy technologies that compares the combination of capital costs, operations and maintenance, performance, and fuel costs to estimate the LCOE in cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
- PVWatts, a tool used to calculate the energy production and cost of energy of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) energy systems so homeowners, small building owners, installers, and manufacturers can easily develop accurate estimates of the performance of proposed PV installations.
- RETScreen, a free, relatively user-friendly online software tool that can help tribal members as well as state and local officials quickly conduct feasibility analyses for clean energy projects, thereby significantly reducing the expense associated with identifying and assessing potential energy projects.
Following the overview of available tools and models, Michael Troge, Environmental Project Manager for the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin, will discuss the energy optimization model he created and how it enabled the Tribe to develop a road map and strategy, including financing, goals, and milestones, for a tribal renewable energy portfolio with a 10-year outlook. Troge will also speak about the technical assistance the Oneida Tribe received from NREL to facilitate their request for proposals process and advance their planned solar project , which was funded by a grant from DOE’s Tribal Energy Program.
Troge recently spoke at the DOE Tribal Energy Program Review in Denver, Colorado, about how the Oneida Tribe has integrated various models to develop a strategic energy portfolio.
There is no charge to attend the webinar, but advance registration is required. Register now.