Potential Analysis and Initial Program Planning
Optimal provides technical and economic assessments of the potential for energy savings and distributed renewable energy generation. This helps to quantify cost-effective energy efficiency resources and opportunities for savings.
Such studies represent an important first step in launching clean energy initiatives. They provide vital data needed to evaluate efficiency as an alternative to supply side resources. They help set goals and funding levels, and help drive design of programs and policies.

Optimal’s potential assessments typically involve:
- Technical, economic, and feasibility estimates of efficiency opportunities
- Characterize costs and performance of efficiency and renewable technologies
- Forecast market penetration and savings levels
- Integrate efficiency and renewable resources in long term plans
Optimal Energy also provides independent critique of previous potential studies, to help clients understand their value and/or shortcomings.
Our economic modeling tools are based on latest industry standards, and have been refined and improved over many years. We employ state-of-the-art programming tools and techniques, such as software developed by the R-Project.
Recent studies include:
- New Jersey Board of Public Utilities – statewide; ten year; electric and natural gas efficiency, demand response, CHP. Link to completed study.
- City Council of the City of New Orleans – citywide; twenty year; electric efficiency and demand response. Link to completed study.
- Minnesota Division of Energy Resources – statewide, ten year; electric and natural gas efficiency; carbon reduction. Link to completed study.