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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

About Energy Analysis

The Energy Analysis website is designed to help energy experts and policymakers access energy analysis resources related to renewable energy and energy efficiency. It contains published analyses, energy data and maps, and analysis tools such as models, software, and calculators created by the EERE Strategic Analysis team as well as the broader energy analysis community.

The resources provided on the Analysis website were produced in full, or in part, with funding from DOE and serve as the analytical basis for EERE's planning, programming, and budgeting decisions. Throughout the site, we identify the providers of the recognized resources as either EERE, a collaborator in the DOE national laboratory network, or another partner.

EERE Analysis-driven Program Management

Energy analysis informs EERE decision-making by delivering analytical products in five main areas: Technology Characterization and Data Management, Markets and Systems Intelligence, Energy Systems Modeling, and Impacts Estimation and Verification. These analysis products inform all stages of EERE program management. Technology characterization provides impartial technology evaluations to assess potential impacts as well as development pathways and risks. Data Management involves collecting, maintaining, and strategically sharing data on markets, cost estimates, and technology performance. Markets and systems intelligence identifies market conditions needed to achieve EERE's objectives. Energy systems modeling allows for exploration of long-term pathways for meeting national economic, security, and environmental and energy goals. Impacts estimation and verification determines the effects of EERE's activities on the nation. Together, these efforts provide necessary information for an evidence-based approach to EERE's program planning, budgeting, and executing.

In addition to informing EERE's internal activities, energy analysis also contributes to program management and decision support assets across DOE. These are classified as Energy Program Management Resources or Technology-specific Resources.

Energy Program Management Resources

Effective planning (with a strategic emphasis) and programming (with an implementation emphasis) rely on real-world understanding of energy issues and opportunities. Energy analysis delivers that real-world understanding by studying today's situations and applying that knowledge to tomorrow's scenarios. Budgeting is driven by planning and programming findings, and program evaluation is critical for continuous improvement in program execution and overall management.

The Department's strategic plan and quadrennial technology review are built on information from energy analysis about the current and potential future energy situation in the United States and the world: energy supply, demand, market barriers and enabling opportunities, and integration among these elements.

Examples of analysis supporting each of these areas include:

  • Energy supply considerations: supply-chain analysis, cost analysis, resource availability analysis, and computer tools that help planners investigate and compare energy supply options.

  • Energy demand considerations: quantifying the societal benefits from changing energy use; supply chain analysis for new technologies that save energy; smart grid markets and policies.

  • Market barriers and enabling opportunities: the effects and effectiveness of state and federal policies and financing mechanisms for new energy systems, behavior analysis and social acceptance of new energy solutions, information sharing that helps the United States and other nations learn from best practices for the energy sector.

  • Integration considerations: Geographic information systems applied to energy markets, impacts of electric vehicles on the grid, and computer models that predict electricity transmission and transportation infrastructure requirements.

Technology-Specific Resources

Analysts can find additional technology-specific resources and information on the websites of EERE's energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.

Energy Efficiency Programs

Renewable Energy Programs