An energy analysis tool that helps educators and individuals determine future energy use scenarios has been created by the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). NREL, the primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development, is operated for DOE by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
The interactive software, Buildings, Industry, Transportation, Electricity, and Transportation Scenarios, otherwise known as BITES, is designed so that users can determine how fluctuations in energy demand and supply impact carbon dioxide emissions. BITES is web-based so anyone can run various scenarios for the US energy economy.
BITES scenarios can be shared with analysts for discussion or can remain private. Students and educators can also use the tool didactically, demonstrating the combined impacts of research, policy, or action. A college-level workshop now exists, and the DOE is calling on educators to help develop and refine the curriculum and pilot the workshop.
By using the software to run various scenarios, users can understand the complex issues that affect US energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. These what if scenarios afford users a greater understanding of current conditions, potential future conditions, and arm the user with knowledge for changing the current trajectory.