Tools to assist local governments with their renewable energy activities
There are a variety of tools that can assist local governments in developing renewable energy resources in their jurisdictions. These tools have been selected based upon relevance for local governments. We do not promote specific tools, rather we attempt to describe the options that are available.
Assessment Tools
The understanding and visualization of renewable energy potential can galvanize public and private sector interest in and support for renewable energy applications at the city level. Assessments are vital for knowing where a city stands now, and identifying the best path forward. Below are a number of tools to assist local governments in uncovering the potential for various renewable energy sources in their jurisdictions.
Carbonn-- presenting a Compendium of Local Greenhouse Gas Accounting Tools
The Carbonn-- bonn center for local climate action and reporting website has compiled a list of software tools useful for local governments to record their emissions.
Individuals from cities worldwide can access this summary of the different software available. The Compendium will soon present local officials with a brief overview of each system so they can choose the software best suited to their city.
Click here to access the Compendium...
Natural Resources Canada, CanMET Energy: RETScreen International
Description from the website:"The RETScreen Clean Energy Project Analysis Software is a unique decision support tool developed with the contribution of numerous experts from government, industry, and academia. The software, provided free-of-charge, can be used worldwide to evaluate the energy production and savings, costs, emission reductions, financial viability and risk for various types of Renewable-energy and Energy-efficient Technologies (RETs). The software (available in multiple languages) also includes product, project, hydrology and climate databases, a detailed user manual, and a case study based college/university-level training course, including an engineering e-textbook."
Download descriptions and interactive examples of use from the website.
Download this software for free from www.retscreen.net/ang/home.php
From a private company:
3TIER
Summary: 3TIER is a Seattle, Washington based company that provides solar, wind and hydro energy assessment and power forecasting around the globe. FirstLook is one of their products that may be useable by local governments for mapping local renewable resources, and is a free web-based tool. The company also has FirstLook Assessment Reports that are even more in depth and location specific, available by purchase.Website: www.3tiergroup.com
From a private company:
The Carbon Trust
Summary: The Carbon Trust is a non-profit UK based company that provides support to businesses and the public sector as they cut down their carbon footprint. The Carbon Trust seeks to popularize low-carbon technology and help businesses to minimize their energy usage. Their website offers diverse types of information, including details on workshops, on-line action plan tools and advice and information on funding possibilities in the UK.Website: www.carbontrust.co.uk/Pages/Default.aspx
The Green Playbook
The Green Playbook offers local government elected officials information, strategies and tools to integrate green buildings, neighborhoods and infrastructure into their development. It includes background information to educate officials and staff on the important issues involved with green development, as well as tips on how to streamline the process of building green. It is a useful tool for not only decision makers, but also citizens concerned about their community's future.
Visit the Green Playbook at www.greenplaybook.org
Sustainable Energy Action Plan (SEAP)
The Covenant of Mayors has released a SEAP template, with a set of instructions. This template is not only designed to structure the actions and measures (and follow up with implementation) the Covenant signatories undertake, but it will also be used to collect the information provided. Some of these actions will be highlighted on the Covenant of Mayors website. The Covenant of Mayors plan on making this a web based tool.
As part of the Sustainble Now Project at ICLEI, the SEAP template will factor into the development of LEAP - Local Energy Action Plan tool.
Gender & Energy for Sustainable Development: A Toolkit and Resource Guide
The differing roles of women and men are rarely considered, or at least not explicitly, in the development of energy projects, policies, and programmes. To act on this disparity, the authors, the United Nations Development Programme, ENERGIA, and the Swedish International Development Agency, present a set of tools to engage energy planners, development practitioners, and community groups to think critically about gender and energy, and to introduce a series of questions in planning. The authors hope the guidebook will result in enhanced sustainability of energy services and an increase in human development opportunities, for both women and men.