LEAP, the Long range Energy Alternatives Planning System, is a powerful, widely used software tool for energy policy analysis and climate change mitigation assessment developed in SEI's U.S. Center.
LEAP has been adopted by thousands of organizations in more than 190 countries worldwide, including government agencies, academics, non-governmental organizations, consulting companies and energy utilities. It can be used at a wide range of scales, from cities and states to national, regional and even global applications. LEAP is fast becoming the de facto standard for countries undertaking integrated resource planning and greenhouse gas mitigation assessments, especially in the developing world.
LEAP and its associated training materials and documentation are available free of charge to qualified academic, governmental and not-for-profit organizations based in the developing world and to students worldwide. Consulting companies, utilities and other businesses can also get access to LEAP through affordably priced licensing arrangements.
LEAP is distributed and supported through SEI's COMMEND program, an online initiative to foster a community among developing country energy analysts.
SEI releases major new version of LEAP system
SEI has released a major new version of LEAP that adds significant new capabilities and is also more streamlined and easier to use than previous versions. LEAP2011 includes optimization modeling, for example – a technique that automatically calculates least-cost configurations of future energy systems under different conditions, such as specific greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
"The new version of LEAP targets energy analysts who need more sophisticated analytical tools but who find existing software much too difficult and much too expensive to be practically useful," said Charles Heaps, Ph.D., lead developer of LEAP.
LEAP2011 also includes more powerful tools for modeling seasonal and time-of-day variations in energy demand and supply, a crucial feature as energy planners seek to dramatically increase the share of power generated from renewable sources. The intermittent nature of solar and wind power, especially, will require such systems to be able to cope with much greater supply variability.
In addition, LEAP's code has been substantially reengineered, making it faster and more robust, allowing it to fully support any language. LEAP2011 also has a simplified, easier-to-use interface, with wizards that provide step-by-step assistance to users.
Recent applications of LEAP include planning by the State of Massachusetts to cut GHG emissions 80% by 2050 and the development of a long-term climate agenda for Mexico through a partnership between the World Bank and the government of Mexico. Friends of the Earth also used LEAP in a study that showed how Europe could be a leader in addressing climate change by making rapid GHG emissions reductions.
To learn more or to download LEAP2011, visit www.energycommunity.org.