Software and Analytical Tools

Software and analytical tools are available to help Federal agencies evaluate and implement renewable energy, energy efficiency, and water efficiency projects.

Directions for handling self-extracting archives are available.

Analytical Software Tools

The following tools help Federal agencies choose conservation measures that are the most cost effective and environmentally friendly. Used at the facility evaluation and assessment stage of energy project development, the tools compare potential energy conservation measures by performing complex energy consumption analyses and modeling as well as comparative life cycle costing analyses.

• BLCC: The Building Life Cycle Cost (BLCC) program analyzes capital investments in buildings. Also available, EERC 2.0-12, the Energy Escalation Rate Calculator (EERC) that computes an average annual escalation rate based on Energy Information Administration (EIA) energy price forecasts and on EIA projections adjusted by NIST to calculate contract payments in energy savings performance contract (ESPC) and utility energy service contract (UESC) projects. To the extent that EERC allows for adjustment due to potential carbon pricing, calculation of contractor payments in ESPC and UESC projects may include such adjustments only to the extent that the applicable energy rates are impacted by an existing carbon pricing regime. Carbon pricing that is speculative must not be included in the contractor payment calculation.

• Energy and Cost Savings Calculators: These energy and cost calculators allow Federal agencies to enter their own input values (e.g., utility rates, hours of use, etc.) to estimate energy and cost savings for energy-efficient products. Some are Web-based tools; others are Excel spreadsheets provided by ENERGY STAR® for download.

• EnergyPlus: The EnergyPlus Simulation Program helps building designers and owners save money, reduce energy and improve indoor air quality.

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

• FEDS 6.0: The Facility Energy Decision System provides a comprehensive integrated resource planning approach to selecting technologies with a minimum life cycle cost.

• 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.

• Watergy: Watergy has been removed from this website for review and maintenance. Updates will be posted at a later date.

Information on more than 200 software tools is available from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Building Technologies Web site. Some of the software is free and downloadable.