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

Federal Energy Management Program

Renewable Energy Project Planning

FEMP provides project planning assistance to Federal agencies through DOE national laboratories.

Planning renewable energy projects can be complex. The project planning process for Federal on-site renewable energy systems currently encompasses the following steps:

1. Initial project research and planning: Answers initial questions such as the type of energy needed, peak load requirements, and other energy demand and facility characteristic issues.

2. Resource assessments: Evaluates available natural resources to determine which renewable energy technologies are the most appropriate.

3. Funding coordination: Explores financing mechanisms to fund the renewable energy project, including energy savings performance contracts, utility energy service contracts, power purchase agreements, and energy incentive programs.

4. Implementation: Encompasses everything from physical project planning to construction to going on-line with the final project technology.

5. Tracking and reporting: Applies advanced metering to track energy production and consumption and includes reporting end results for accountability and Federal requirement metrics.

Questions and Considerations

The following questions and considerations simplify data collection for Federal renewable energy project planning. Federal agencies should ask these questions before planning projects. FEMP is in the process of developing a resource guide to help Federal agencies answer these questions. Please check back to this page in the coming months for more details.

Energy Goals and Requirements

• What are my energy goals?
• What kind of energy do I use?
• How much electricity do I use and when do I need it?
• How much thermal energy do I use and when do I need it?
• How much mechanical energy do I use and when do I need it?

Facility Characteristics

• Where am I located?
• What are my site's physical characteristics?
• What are the building characteristics?
• What scale is the project?
• What type of project is this?

Project Financing and Operations

• What is my budget?
• What resources are available for system upkeep?
• How am I going to pay for the project?

Taking Credit

• How do I take credit for my project?

Next Steps

The Renewable Resources and Technologies section further explores these questions to help Federal agencies determine which renewable system is best for their application. Resource maps and screening tools are also available to determine the availability of renewable resources across the U.S.

Training

FEMP offers regular training on renewable energy resources and technologies. The FEMP events calendar holds a complete list of current training opportunities. For additional opportunities or information, contact Anne Crawley at anne.crawley@ee.doe.gov or 202-586-1505.