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Low Carbon Analysis

TIMES has been developed under the auspice of the IEA-ETSAP as the evolutionary successor to MARKAL. It is an advanced modeling paradigm that melds the core concepts embodied in both its MARKAL and EFOM (Energy Flow Optimization Model), and moves beyond them to provide enhanced representation of the power sector, simplified yet more flexible process definition, decoupling of data years from model run years, hieratical handling of sub-annual timeslices, support for sophisticated dynamic user-defined constraint, multi-objective optimization, and more. TIMES is a comprehensive modeling platform comprising: · The model - a set of data that fully describes the underlying energy system (resources, technologies, commodities, and energy service demands) in a format compatible with the associated model generator (MARKAL or TIMES); · A "shell" is a user interface which oversees all aspects of working with a model including management of the input data, running the model, and examining results. Current shells include ANSWER (http://www.iea-etsap.org/web/Answer.asp) and VEDA ( http://www.iea-etsap.org/web/Veda.asp). The MARKAL and TIMES Model Generators are the source codes, which process each set of data files (the model) and generate a matrix with all the coefficients that specify the economic equilibrium model of the energy system as a mathematical programming problem, and post-process the results. · General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) is the computer programming language in which the MARKAL and TIMES Model Generators are written. GAMS is the property of GAMS Development Corporation, Washington D.C. Information on GAMS may be found at www.gams.com. · A solver is a software package integrated with GAMS which solves the mathematical programming problem produced by the Model Generator for a particular instance of the MARKAL or TIMES model. Information on solvers may be found at http://www.gams.com/solvers/index.htm.
TIMES (The Integrated MARKAL/EFOM System) energy planning modeling platform
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VEDA is a powerful yet user friendly set of tools geared to facilitate the creation, maintenance, browsing, and modification of the large data bases required by complex mathematical and economic models. VEDA also support exploration of the results created by such models and the creation of user-designed tables and reports. The VEDA system is composed of two major subsystems - VEDA Front-End (VEDA_FE) and VEDA Back-End VEDA_BE). Data and assumptions are fed into VEDA_FE that manages the information in an interactive database and provides the data as input to the TIMES model generator. VEDA_FE accepts input from a variety of Excel files with different (flexible) structures that are tailored to work efficiently with data intensive models. The modular design of VEDA_FE has facilities to manage the numerous Excel templates, browse data in dynamic cubes spreadsheets, draw RES diagrams, interrogate the model's data efficiently, and submit model runs. The TIMES code works in the GAMS environment and produces text output that is read by VEDA_BE. VEDA_BE produces numerical and graphical (mainly via Excel) output for the user. VEDA_BE permits user-defined Sets and Tables to enable the specification of custom tables and reports. The Sets built in VEDA_BE may be used in VEDA_FE to view the processes/commodities data and define user constraints. VEDA is under continuous development, driven by a very strong desire to keep increasing the efficiency and transparency of managing input (and output) of data-intensive models. The vision statement of VEDA applications is to take the drudgery out of modeling. The developer being its first user is a very special feature of VEDA, where his intimate domain knowledge of the domain has obvious advantages for software development. The system is fundamentally biased towards large-scale multi-region models. It can certainly support small single-region models, but its real power comes into play when modeling several regions together. The primary focus of this system has been on expanding the envelope of possibilities. VEDA uses a support site and a forum to support its users.
VErsatile Data Analyst (VEDA) model management platform for TIMES
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The Green Economy Toolbox is a searchable database of resources to help countries transition to a green economy. The tools and resources are organized according to the following categories: 'by recipient', 'by purpose', 'by sector' or 'by category.' Find tools directed to you, pertaining to different green economy goals, addressing different sectors or serving different roles you are interested in. Developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the Green Economy Toolbox is a part of wider initiative created in response to the request of the Rio+20 Conference to provide toolboxes and good practices for policies on greening the economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication. The Green Economy website also includes information about future and past UNECE green economy events.
Green Economy Toolbox
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The Green LECRDS guidance manuals and toolkits provide project managers and developing country government decision-makers with low-carbon approaches to support their development agenda. Green LECRDS means Green, Low-Emission and Climate-Resilient Development Strategies. UNDP has been producing a series of manuals, guidebooks and toolkits that draw upon the experience and information generated by UNDP’s support for climate change adaptation and mitigation projects and National Communications to the UNFCCC in some 140 countries over the past decade. In a flexible and non-prescriptive manner, they offer detailed step-by-step guidance for the identification of key stakeholders and establishment of participatory planning and coordination frameworks; generation of climate change profiles and vulnerability scenarios; and identification and prioritization of mitigation and adaptation options. These steps serve as the basis for envisioning development trajectories resilient to possible climate outcomes; assessment of financing requirements; and development of green, low-emission and climate-resilient roadmaps for project development, policy instruments, and financial flows. The Green LECRDS preparation process involves multiple sectors, stakeholders, and levels of government, including high-level public and private authorities with decision-making powers
Green, Low-Emission and Climate-Resilient Development Strategies (LECRDS) - Guidance Manuals and Toolkits
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The Long Range Energy Alternatives Planning system is a widely-used software tool for energy policy scenario analysis and climate change mitigation assessment used in 190 countries. LEAP is an integrated modeling tool that can be used to track energy consumption, production and resource extraction in all sectors of an economy. It can be used to account for both energy sector and non-energy sector greenhouse gas (GHG) emission sources and sinks. In addition to tracking GHGs, LEAP can also be used to analyze emissions of local and regional air pollutants, making it well-suited to studies of the climate co-benefits of local air pollution reduction. LEAP is not a model of a particular energy system, but rather a tool that can be used to create models of different energy systems, where each requires its own unique data structures. LEAP supports a wide range of different modeling methodologies: on the demand side these range from bottom-up, end-use accounting techniques to top-down macroeconomic modeling. LEAP also includes a range of optional specialized methodologies including stock-turnover modeling for areas such as transport planning. On the supply side, LEAP provides a range of accounting and simulation methodologies that are powerful enough for modeling electric sector generation and capacity expansion planning, but which are also sufficiently flexible and transparent to allow LEAP to easily incorporate data and results from other more specialized models. LEAP’s modeling capabilities operate at two basic conceptual levels. At one level, LEAP's built-in calculations handle all of the "non controversial" energy, emissions and cost-benefit accounting calculations. At the second level, users enter spreadsheet-like expressions that can be used to specify time-varying data or to create a wide variety of sophisticated multi-variable models, thus enabling econometric and simulation approaches to be embedded within LEAP’s overall accounting framework. The newest versions of LEAP also support optimization modeling: allowing for the construction of least cost models of electric system capacity expansion and dispatch, potentially under various constraints such as limits of CO2 or local air pollution. LEAP is intended as a medium to long-term modeling tool. Most of its calculations occur on an annual time-step, and the time horizon can extend for an unlimited number of years. Studies typically include both a historical period known as the Current Accounts, in which the model is run to test its ability to replicate known statistical data, as well as multiple forward looking scenarios.LEAP is designed around the concept of long-range scenario analysis. Scenarios are self-consistent storylines of how an energy system might evolve over time. Using LEAP, policy analysts can create and then evaluate alternative scenarios by comparing their energy requirements, their social costs and benefits and their environmental impacts.
Long Range Energy Alternatives Planning System (LEAP) Tool
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This gateway supports the creation and implementation of country-driven, analytically rigorous low emission development strategies (LEDS). Low Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) Gateway will enable countries to transition to low carbon economic development resulting in sustained growth in employment and investment, increased financial flows through carbon markets, reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and other social, economic, and environmental benefits. The resources here are designed to help you create your own LEDS. We've assembled several toolkits and resources and a sample process for developing a LEDS based on proven best practices. The resources include: Transportation Greenhouse Gas Inventory Clean Energy Bioenergy Energy Modeling Land Use Financing
Low Emission Development Strategies Gateway (LEDS) Tool
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The EC-LEDS program makes a range of tools and toolkits available to help countries create and implement a low emission development strategy (LEDS). These tools help partner countries assess and monitor greenhouse gases, deploy clean energy, manage natural resources, and assess the development impacts of LEDS implementation.
Low-Emission Development Strategies (LEDS) Tool
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Toolkit featuring work on modelling, developing assumptions to account for shortcomings in data, simplifying industrial-economic systems, and understanding implications of climate policies.
MAPS Modelling
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The MARKAL and TIMES Model Generators are the source codes, which process each set of data files (the model) and generate a matrix with all the coefficients that specify the economic equilibrium model of the energy system as a mathematical programming problem. The Model Generators also post-process the optimization results. General Algebraic Modeling System (GAMS) is the computer programming language in which the MARKAL and TIMES Model Generators are written. GAMS is the property of GAMS Development Corporation, Washington D.C. Information on GAMS may be found at www.gams.com. A solver is a software package integrated with GAMS which solves the mathematical programming problem produced by the Model Generator for a particular instance of the MARKAL or TIMES model. Information on solvers may be found at http://www.gams.com/solvers/index.htm. The platform: Encompasses an entire energy system from resource extraction through to end-use demands (thus “well-to-wheels”), as represented by a Reference Energy System (RES) network; Employs least-cost optimization; Identifies the most cost-effective pattern of resource use and technology deployment over time; Provides a framework for the evaluation of mid-to-long-term policies and programs that can impact the evolution of an energy system; Quantifies the costs and technology choices that result from imposition of the policies and programs, and associated emissions
MARKAL (MARKet ALlocation)
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The NAMA-Tool consists in a methodological guidance that provides developers and implementers of NAMA with brief step-by-step instructions on how to develop a NAMA. The tool navigates users to the relevant information, knowledge, instruments, and publications available. The process is structured into ten steps. The 10-step approach is designed to supply users with more data and accessible instruments for certain aspects of the NAMA development. Even though this tool helps prepare for the implementation of NAMAs, it is first and foremost a navigation tool, guiding practitioners through the process of developing a NAMA. It is not an instrument for the implementation of NAMAs itself.
Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA) Tool
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PMR Technical Note 5, Options and Guidance for the Development of Baselines, is designed to support PMR “Implementing Countries” that are considering the establishment of new mechanisms for climate change mitigation. It may also assist other policy makers and policy analysts involved in mechanism design or review, practitioners developing baseline methodologies, and actors implementing mitigation initiatives whose impact needs to be quantified. Emissions baselines form the basis for the quantification of the greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation impact of activities and are thus fundamental to market-based climate policy instruments, as well as to non-market-based ones such as results-based payments. For crediting mechanisms, they set the reference level that is used to determine the quantity of credits that will be awarded for a given mitigation action or effort for the associated emission reductions achieved. For trading mechanisms, baselines can help to establish the emissions target and to distribute emissions allowances to covered entities. For non-market mechanisms, baselines can be used to calculate the emission reductions associated with specific policies and actions and, in the case of results-based finance, as the basis to allocate financial payments.
Options and Guidance for the Development of Baselines
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RETScreen is a Clean Energy Management Software system for energy efficiency, renewable energy and cogeneration project feasibility analysis as well as ongoing energy performance analysis. RETScreen Expert, an advanced premium version of the software, is available in Viewer mode completely free-of-charge. RETScreen empowers professionals and decision-makers to rapidly identify, assess and optimize the technical and financial viability of potential clean energy projects. This decision intelligence software platform also allows managers to easily measure and verify the actual performance of their facilities and helps find additional energy savings/production opportunities.
RETScreen Clean Energy Management Software
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While CCaLC is a calculator tool, CCaLC Optimiser is an optimisation tool, which enables reduction of carbon footprints at minimum cost, subject to system constraints. CCaLC Optimiser can be used either coupled with CCaLC or on its own.
CCaLC Optimiser (Carbon Calculations over the Life Cycle)
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CCaLC PVC is a CCaLC tool tailored specifically to estimate lifetime emissions for the PVC sector. The tool has the same features and capabilities as the CCaLC tool, but the in-built case studies are specific to PVC and include windows, floors and pipes. The following are the main features and capabilities of CCaLC: Carbon footprinting CCaLC enables calculations of carbon footprints from 'cradle to grave' and helps to identify carbon 'hot spots' as well as carbon reduction opportunities.Water footprinting CCaLC also enables estimates of water footprint, taking into account water scarcity in different countries.Other environmental impacts CCaLC also calculates other environmental impacts such as acidification, eutrophication, ozone layer depletion, photochemical (summer) smog and human toxicity.Economic impacts CCaLC enables estimation of economic costs and value added, to show the trade-offs between 'carbon added' and 'value added'.Databases and Case studies There are over 5500 data items in the CCaLC databases, including the Ecoinvent database. They include carbon footprint data on materials, energy, transport, packaging and waste. There are also over 50 case studies, including chemicals and related products, food and drink, bio-feedstocks, biofuels and packaging.
CCaLC PVC (Carbon Calculations over the Life Cycle of Poly Vinyl Chloride)
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The CDM allows emission-reduction projects in developing countries to earn certified emission reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2. These CERs can be traded and sold, and used by industrialized countries to a meet a part of their emission reduction targets under the Kyoto Protocol. This page clearly summarizes, classifies and illustrates the methodologies available under the CDM. Methodologies are classified into 5 main groups: Large scale methodologies Large scale afforestation and reforestation methodologies Small scale methodologies Small scale afforestation and reforestation methodologies; and Carbon capture and storage methodologies
CDM Methodologies
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Tools are used to calculate, determine, demonstrate, estimate, identify and/or test information relating to a CDM project activity and are usually referenced in an approved methodology or a form. When referenced, all or specified components of the tool are required and mandatory. You may also want to reference other CDM-related regulatory documents including: Standards; Approved methodologies; Procedures; Guidelines and Forms.
CDM tools
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This viewer presents selected emission factors and abatement efficiencies included in the EMEP/EEA Guidebook 2019. Information is ordered by the respective Nomenclature For Reporting (NFR) source category code. Not all emission factors included in the Guidebook are included in this viewer, users should always therefore consult the relevant chapter. In case of discrepancies between values appearing in this viewer and the published chapter, the values provided in the chapter are considered the official data.
EMEP/EEA Emission Factor Database
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Energy Forecasting Framework and Emissions Consensus (EFFECT) Tool
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The ETSAP Energy Demand Technology Data Source (E-TechDS) Technology Briefs offer consistent sets of data on energy supply and demand technologies to help analysts to build their own energy system model. To put data in the right context, E-TechDS is conceived as a series of Technology Briefs that provide a basic overview on a process/technology, and its status, performance, costs, potential and barriers for key energy technology clusters. Each Brief consists of typically 5 to 10 pages including Highlights, full text and charts, and a summary data table. The demand-side Briefs cover Residential and Commercial devices, Industrial processes, and Transportation vehicle. The list of demand-side Technology Briefs available, or under preparation, are provided below. The ETSAP Briefs are intended to offer essential, reliable and quantitative information to energy analysts, experts, policymakers, investors and media from both developed and developing countries. The broad set of collaborating institutions contributed to the Technology Briefs are listed later, or may be found on the website.
E-TechDS – Energy Demand Technology Data Source
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This is an Energy Supply Technology Data Source that offers consistent sets of data on energy supply technologies to help analysts build their own MARKAL-TIMES model. To put data in the right context, E-TechDS is conceived as a series of Technology Briefs, which provide basic information on process, status, performance, costs, potential and barriers for key energy technology clusters. Each brief consists of typically 5 to 10 pages including Highlights, full text and charts, and a summary data table. The ETSAP supply-side technology briefs cover primary energy supply (extraction), transportation and distribution, along with electricity and heat production, transmission and distribution. The list of supply-side Technology Briefs available, or under preparation, are provided below. The ETSAP Briefs are intended to offer essential, reliable and quantitative information to energy analysts, experts, policymakers, investors and media from both developed and developing countries. The broad set of collaborating institutions contributed to the Technology Briefs are listed later, or may be found on the website.
E-TechDS – Energy Supply Technology Data Source
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GEMIS is a life cycle analysis-based bottom-up model, designed to determine environmental impacts of energy, material and transport systems. GEMIS consists of an analysis model to determine energy and material flows (including transports), and a related database. The analysis model calculates so-calledlife-cycles for processes and scenarios, i.e. it takes into account all processes from resource extraction (primary energy, raw materials) to final energy or material use. GEMIS can also analyze costs andemployment. GEMIS yields key environmental flows and aggregated values (such as cumulated energy and raw material demands), greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 equivalents), air emissions (SO2 equivalents) and ozone precursor equivalents. All results can be broken down into contributions from each process, and aggregated as sectoral or regional sub-totals.
GEMIS (Global Emissions Model for Integrated Systems)
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Tracking progress in GHG mitigation can be a challenging exercise. Time between data points might be several years in length, the resolution of the data is often coarse, and the task in mitigation action is to manage a dynamic system that is open to many other factors that influence outcomes. In addition, many types of actions are diffuse throughout the community and rely on the individual decisions of many actors. In these types of circumstances, an approach known as “Contribution Analysis” can offer insights to the many factors working for and against the intended outcome. The output of this project is a new toolkit designed to assist communities in the application of these new analysis techniques. The toolkit contains the following resources: GHG Contribution Analysis Excel Tool Guidance Document Quick Start Guide Data Collection Checklist Data Request Templates
GHG Contribution Analysis
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