Clean Energy Policy Analysis

With RETScreen

Photo Credit: Strong, Steven DOE/NREL

Objectives
Raise awareness of clean
energy policies
Show how RETScreen can be
used throughout the policy
cycle
Introduce the RETScreen
Clean Energy Policy Toolkit

What is RETScreen?
Worlds preeminent clean energy decision-making software
36 languages covering more than 2/3rds of the worlds
population
More than 350,000 users in 222 countries and territories;
over 500 universities and colleges using for teaching and
research
Over $8 billion in user savings as of 2012
Provided free-of-charge by the Government of Canada

Clean Energy Policies - Incentives

Direct Cash Payments
Grants and Rebates
Performance-Based
Payments

Tax Incentives
Tax Credits
Tax Exemptions
Accelerated Depreciation

Loan Programs

Clean Energy Policies - Regulations

Building Code
Mandates
Favourable Permitting
Rules
Interconnection
Standards

Clean Energy Policies - Hybrids

Feed-in Tariffs
Utility Quota Obligations
Net Metering
Emissions &
Environmental
Attributes Trading

RETScreen for Projects and Policy

RETScreen as a tool to demonstrate the viability of

clean energy projects
But also
useful for planning, designing, implementing,
and reviewing the viability of clean energy
policies

The Policy Cycle

Inform
Design
Implement
Monitor
Review

Examples of RETScreen Use for

Policy
International
(UNFCCC)
National (Canada)
Sub-National (Texas)
Municipal (Toronto)
Utility (National Grid)

RETScreen Clean Energy Policy

Toolkit
Developed by RETScreen International
Financially supported by a grant from the
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Partnership (REEEP)
Includes Case Studies/Templates, e-Textbook
Chapter, Training Slides, and Sample Documents
Available on the RETScreen Website and within the
RETScreen User Manual

Case Studies & Templates

Power Photovoltaic Feed-in Tariff Policy / Canada
Power Wind GHG Reduction Income Policy / China
Heating Solar Water Heater Capital Cost Incentive Policy /
USA
User-defined Tax and Finance Measures Policy / Canada
+ many more!

Presentation Slides & e-Textbook

Chapter

See e-Textbook
Clean Energy Project Analysis:
RETScreen Engineering and Cases
Clean Energy Policy Analysis with RETScreen

Softwar
e Demo

Case Study: GHG Reduction Income

Basic information:

100 MW off-shore wind farm

Cost @ $2,500/kW

70% debt @ 6% interest rate

Scenario 1:

Guess at capacity factor of 30%

Assume cost of coal-fired electricity is around

$0.06/kWh

2% annual escalation rate

Scenario 2:

Determine rate ($/CO2) on the carbon market

required to be paid to the project developer (over
21 years) to achieve an 18% pre-tax IRR on equity

Questions?
Clean Energy Policy Toolkit
RETScreen International Clean Energy Project Analysis Course

For further information please visit the RETScreen Website at

www.retscreen.net