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New Distribution Process for NREL's HOMER Model
To meet the renewable energy industry’s system analysis and optimization needs , NREL started developing HOMER in 1993.
Since then it has been downloaded free of charge by more than 30,000 individuals, corporations, NGOs, government agencies, and universities worldwide.
HOMER is a computer model that simplifies the task of evaluating design options
for both off-grid and grid-connected power systems for remote, stand-alone, and
distributed generation (DG) applications. HOMER's optimization and sensitivity
analysis algorithms allow the user to evaluate the economic and technical feasibility
of a large number of technology options and to account for uncertainty in technology
costs, energy resource availability, and other variables. HOMER models both conventional and renewable
energy technologies:
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| Power sources: |
| • | solar photovoltaic (PV) |
| • | wind turbine |
| • | run-of-river hydro power |
| • | generator: diesel, gasoline, biogas, alternative and custom fuels, cofired |
| • | electric utility grid |
| • | microturbine |
| • | fuel cell |
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| Storage: |
| • | battery bank |
| • | hydrogen |
| • | flow batteries |
| • | flywheels |
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| Loads: |
| • | daily profiles with seasonal variation |
| • | deferrable (water pumping, refrigeration) |
| • | thermal (space heating, crop drying) |
| • | efficiency measures |
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In 2009 NREL granted a license to distribute and enhance HOMER to HOMER Energy.
HOMER Energy provides a highly visible commercial outlet for NREL's renewable energy simulation tools, with the goal of enhancing the use of
HOMER by industry and decision makers. HOMER Energy will distribute HOMER worldwide through its affiliates and will
provide customization, training, and technical support for its global user base.
NREL retains ownership of the licensed software, and retains the right to use HOMER on government projects. In addition, users will always be able
to download version 2.68 Beta free of charge from HOMER Energy. For more information about NREL's development and application of this simulation tool,
see our publications on HOMER.
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