:RETScreen
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Short description|Energy Management Software}}
{{Infobox software
| name = RETScreen
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| developer = Government of Canada {{!}} Multiple
| released = {{Start date and age|1998|04|30}}
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| latest release version = RETScreen Expert Version 9.0
| latest release date = {{Start date and age|2022|09|29|df=yes/no}}
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| operating system = Windows
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| size = 358 MB
| language = Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Farsi, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Macedonian, Mongolian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Tagalog, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu, Vietnamese
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| website = {{URL|www.retscreen.net}}
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The RETScreen Clean Energy Management Software (usually shortened to RETScreen Expert) is a software package developed by the Government of Canada. RETScreen Expert was highlighted at the 2016 Clean Energy Ministerial held in San Francisco.{{cite web|
url=http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?crtr.sj1D=&crtr.mnthndVl=9&mthd=advSrch&crtr.dpt1D=6683&nid=1079429&crtr.lc1D=&crtr.tp1D=&crtr.yrStrtVl=2014&crtr.kw=&crtr.dyStrtVl=1&crtr.aud1D=&crtr.mnthStrtVl=1&crtr.page=3&crtr.yrndVl=2020&crtr.dyndVl=4 |title=Canada, Mexico and the United States Show Progress on North American Energy Collaboration |website=News.gc.ca |date=2016-06-03 |accessdate=2016-10-20}} The Government of Canada's Treasury Board Secretariat uses RETScreen Expert as its greenhouse gas reporting tool for all federal departments and agencies required to report emissions.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=19 October 2017|title=Government of Canada's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory|url=https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/innovation/greening-government/government-canada-greenhouse-gas-emissions-inventory.html|access-date=|website=}}
RETScreen Expert is the current version of the software and was released to the public on September 19, 2016. The software allows for the comprehensive identification, assessment and optimization of the technical and financial viability of potential renewable energy, energy efficiency and cogeneration projects; the measurement and verification of the actual performance of facilities; the identification of energy savings/production opportunities; and portfolio management of multiple facilities.{{cite web|author=|first=|date=|title=RETScreen eLearning|url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyFMjG_OXXGtRVnsiTim0IQ|accessdate=|website=YouTube|format=}} "Viewer mode" in RETScreen Expert is free and permits access to significant functionality of the software. Unlike past versions of RETScreen, however, a new "Professional mode" (which allows users to save and print, as well as to access premium features) is now available on an annual subscription basis.
Unlike the previous RETScreen Suite, RETScreen Expert is one integrated software platform; utilizes detailed and comprehensive archetypes for assessing projects; and includes portfolio analysis capability. RETScreen Expert integrates a number of databases to assist the user, including a global database of climatic conditions obtained from 6,700 ground-based stations and NASA satellite data; benchmark database; cost database; project database; hydrology database and product database.{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/researchernews/rn_RETscreen.html |title=NASA - NASA Collaboration Benefits International Priorities of Energy Management |website=Nasa.gov |date=2010-02-24 |accessdate=2016-07-15 |archive-date=7 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607121213/https://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/researchernews/rn_RETscreen.html |url-status=dead }} The software contains extensive integrated training material, including an electronic textbook.{{cite web |url=http://publications.gc.ca/site/eng/9.690261/publication.html |format=PDF |title = Clean Energy Project Analysis, RETScreen® Engineering & Cases Textbook: M154-13/2005E-PDF - Government of Canada Publications |
website=Publications.gc.ca |date=July 2002 |accessdate=2016-02-24}}
History
The first version of RETScreen was released on April 30, 1998. RETScreen Version 4 was launched on December 11, 2007, at Bali, Indonesia by Canada's Minister of the Environment.{{cite web |url=http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?crtr.sj1D=&mthd=advSrch&crtr.mnthndVl=12&nid=367259&crtr.dpt1D=&crtr.tp1D=&crtr.lc1D=&crtr.yrStrtVl=2007&crtr.kw=&crtr.dyStrtVl=10&crtr.aud1D=&crtr.mnthStrtVl=12&crtr.yrndVl=2007&crtr.dyndVl=11 |title=Archived - CANADA LAUNCHES CLEAN ENERGY SOFTWARE - Canada News Centre |website=News.gc.ca |date=2007-12-11 |accessdate=2016-07-15}} RETScreen Plus was released in 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.reeep.org/news/retscreen-adds-energy-performance-analysis-module |title=RETScreen adds energy performance analysis module |website=REEEP.org |accessdate=2016-07-15 |archive-date=23 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180623033039/https://www.reeep.org/news/retscreen-adds-energy-performance-analysis-module |url-status=dead }} RETScreen Suite (integrating RETScreen 4 and RETScreen Plus with numerous additional upgrades), was released in 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news_20120605_major_upgrade_to_retscreen_software.php |title=Archived - RETScreen International Newsletter - 2012-06-05: Major Upgrade to RETScreen Software |date=2012-06-05 |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715020812/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news_20120605_major_upgrade_to_retscreen_software.php |archivedate=2015-07-15 }} RETScreen Expert was released to the public on September 19, 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/coming_soon_retscreen_expert_software.php |title=Archived - RETScreen International Newsletter - Coming Soon: RETScreen Expert Software |date=2015-01-30 |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702003434/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/coming_soon_retscreen_expert_software.php |archivedate=2015-07-02 }} RETScreen Expert Version 8.1 was released on September 21, 2021.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=RETScreen Version 8.1 Release|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/boverview-retscreen-version-81-gregory-j-leng/?trackingId=FPtV9owOm0EsXEXeU1Ya7g%3D%3D|access-date=|website=}}
Program requirements
This program requires Microsoft® Windows 7 SP1, Windows 8.1 or Windows 10; and Microsoft® [https://dotnet.microsoft.com/download/dotnet-framework-runtime/net472 .NET] Framework 4.7.2 or higher.{{cite web |url=http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/software-tools/7465 |title=RETScreen, Natural Resources Canada |website=Nrcan.gc.ca |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112221923/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news.php |archivedate=2016-01-12 }} It is possible for the program to work on Apple computers using Parallels or VirtualBox for Mac.{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/general.php |title=Archived - RETScreen International - FAQ - Windows/Excel & other |date=2015-04-24 |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714225457/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/general.php |archivedate=2015-07-14 }}
==Partners==
RETScreen is managed under the leadership and ongoing financial support of the CanmetENERGY Varennes Research Centre of Natural Resources Canada, a department of the Government of Canada. The core team{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/core_team.php |title=Archived - RETScreen International Core Team |accessdate=2018-02-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929091649/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/core_team.php |archivedate=2015-09-29 }} leverages collaboration with a number of other government and multilateral organisations, with technical support from a large network of experts from industry, government and academia.{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/g_con_dte.php |title=Archived - RETScreen International Network of experts |accessdate=2018-02-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929082657/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/g_con_dte.php |archivedate=2015-09-29 }} Principal external partners include NASA's Langley Research Center,{{cite web |url=http://power.larc.nasa.gov/ |title= NASA - POWER |website=Nasa.gov |accessdate=2018-02-13}} Ontario's Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO),{{cite web|title=IESO|url=http://www.ieso.ca|accessdate=2018-02-13|website=IESO.ca}} the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP),{{cite web |url=http://www.reeep.org/ |title=Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) |website=REEP.org |accessdate=2018-02-13}} UNEP's Energy Unit of the Division of Technology, Industry and Economics,{{cite web |url=http://www.uneptie.org/division/dtie/about.htm |title=About DTIE |website=Uneptie.org |accessdate=2018-02-13 |archive-date=2018-04-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408151634/http://www.uneptie.org/division/dtie/about.htm |url-status=dead }} the Global Environment Facility (GEF),{{cite web |url=https://www.thegef.org/gef/ |title=Global Environment Facility |website=Thegef.org |accessdate=2018-02-13 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313201952/https://www.thegef.org/gef/ |archivedate=2016-03-13 }} the World Bank's Prototype Carbon Fund,{{cite web |url=https://wbcarbonfinance.org/Router.cfm?Page=PCF&ItemID=9707&FID=9707 |title=Carbon Finance at the World Bank: Prototype Carbon Fund |website=Wbcarbonfinance.org |accessdate=2018-02-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170415172720/https://wbcarbonfinance.org/Router.cfm?Page=PCF&FID=9707&ItemID=9707 |archive-date=2017-04-15 |url-status=dead }} and York University's Sustainable Energy Initiative.{{cite web |url=http://sei.info.yorku.ca/ |title=Sustainable Energy Initiative |website=Yorku.ca |accessdate=2018-02-13}}
Examples of use
As of August 2021, the RETScreen software had more than 750,000 users in every country and territory of the world.{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/popup.php?id=10248&tcopy=&alt=RETScreen+Software:+Cumulative+Growth+of+User+Base&titre= |title=Archived - RETScreen International - RETScreen Software: Cumulative Growth of User Base |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920024148/http://www.retscreen.net/popup.php?id=10248&tcopy=&alt=RETScreen+Software:+Cumulative+Growth+of+User+Base&titre= |archivedate=2015-09-20 }}
An independent impact study {{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/fichier.php/623/Rapport_Impact.pdf |title=Archived - RETScreen International: Results & impacts 1996-2012 |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926214355/http://www.retscreen.net/fichier.php/623/Rapport_Impact.pdf |archivedate=2015-09-26 }} estimated that by 2013, the use of the RETScreen software had been responsible, worldwide, for over $8 billion in user transaction cost savings, 20 MT per year of greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and has enabled at least 24 GW of installed clean energy capacity.
RETScreen is widely used to facilitate and implement clean energy projects. For example, RETScreen has been used:
- to retrofit the Empire State Building with energy efficiency measures{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/fichier.php/2009/Energy%20Performance%20Contracting.pdf |title=Archived - RETScreen International - Energy Performance Contracting |date=10 March 2010 |accessdate=2016-07-15}}{{dead link|date=April 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
- at the manufacturing facilities of 3M Canada{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3m-canada-deploys-retscreen-software-gregory-j-leng/|title=3M Canada Deploys RETScreen Software|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408151720/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/3m%2Dcanada%2Ddeploys%2Dretscreen%2Dsoftware%2Dgregory%2Dj%2Dleng/|archive-date=2018-04-08|url-status=dead}}
- extensively by the Irish wind industry to analyze potential new projects{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/fichier.php/2007/Wind%20Power%20%26%20Biomass%20District%20Heating%20Projects.pdf |title=Archived - RETScreen International - Wind Power and Biomass Heating Projects Seamus Hoyne, TEA and Tipperary Institute |date=10 March 2010 |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=bot: unknown |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140806110237/http://www.retscreen.net/fichier.php/2007/Wind%20Power%20%26%20Biomass%20District%20Heating%20Projects.pdf |archivedate=2014-08-06 }}
- to monitor the performance of hundreds of schools in Ontario{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/school-board-energy-managers-lead-way-gregory-j-leng/|title=School Board Energy Managers Lead Way|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408151727/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/school%2Dboard%2Denergy%2Dmanagers%2Dlead%2Dway%2Dgregory%2Dj%2Dleng/|archive-date=2018-04-08|url-status=dead}}
- by Manitoba Hydro's combined heat & power (bioenergy optimization) program to screen project applications{{cite web |url=http://www.hydro.mb.ca/your_business/bioenergy_optimization/index.shtml |title=Bioenergy Optimization Program |website=Hydro.mb.ca |accessdate=2016-07-15}}{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/fichier.php/2008/Manitoba%20Hydro%E2%80%99s%20Biomass%20Optimization%20Program.pdf |title=Archived - RETScreen International - Power Smart Bioenergy Optimization Program |date=June 2011 |accessdate=2016-10-24 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150511122318/http://www.retscreen.net/fichier.php/2008/Manitoba%20Hydro%E2%80%99s%20Biomass%20Optimization%20Program.pdf |archivedate=2015-05-11 }}
- to manage energy on university and college campuses{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/universities-colleges-reduce-carbon-gregory-j-leng/|title=Universities and Colleges Reduce Carbon|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408151734/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/universities%2Dcolleges%2Dreduce%2Dcarbon%2Dgregory%2Dj%2Dleng/|archive-date=2018-04-08|url-status=dead}}
- in a multi-year assessment and evaluation of photovoltaic performance in Toronto, Canada{{cite web |url=http://www.explace.on.ca/database/rte/TAF_HorsePalace_web.pdf |title=Solarcity Technology Assessment Partnership |date=June 2009 |website=Explace.on.ca |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033634/http://www.explace.on.ca/database/rte/TAF_HorsePalace_web.pdf |archivedate=2016-03-04 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.solarcitypartnership.ca/solarfiles/HorsePalace-updatereport.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102100601/http://www.solarcitypartnership.ca/solarfiles/HorsePalace-updatereport.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-11-02 |title=Horse Palace Photovoltaic Pilot Project: Update Report |date=January 2012 |website=Solarcitypartnership.ca |accessdate=2016-07-15 }}
- to analyze solar air heating at U.S. Air Force installations{{cite web |url=http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA500580 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130909205651/http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA500580 |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 9, 2013 |title=AN EVALUATION OF SOLAR AIR HEATING AT UNITED STATES AIR FORCE INSTALLATIONS |website=Dtic.mil |accessdate=2016-07-15}}
- for municipal facilities, including identifying opportunities for energy efficiency retrofits in various Ontario municipalities.{{Cite web|url=https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/katelyn-mcfadyen-cristina-guido-municipal-energy-champions-leng/|title=Katelyn McFadyen and Cristina Guido - Municipal Energy Champions|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408151838/https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/katelyn%2Dmcfadyen%2Dcristina%2Dguido%2Dmunicipal%2Denergy%2Dchampions%2Dleng/|archive-date=2018-04-08|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/links/policy_association_of_municipalities_of_ontario_audit_program.html |title=400 Bad Request |access-date=27 October 2016 |archive-date=24 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224065649/http://www.retscreen.net/links/policy_association_of_municipalities_of_ontario_audit_program.html |url-status=dead }}
An extensive collection of posts and articles detailing how RETScreen has been used in different contexts is available on RETScreen's [https://www.linkedin.com/company-beta/11189365/ LinkedIn page] and archived website.{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news.php |title=Archived - RETScreen International Newsletter |date=2015-12-22 |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112221923/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news.php |archivedate=2016-01-12 }}
RETScreen is also used as a teaching and research tool by well-over 1,400 universities and colleges worldwide, and is frequently cited in academic literature.For example, a Google Scholar search for RETScreen on 7 February 2018 yielded over 5,500 results. Examples of RETScreen's use in academia can be found under the “Publications and Reports” and "University and College Courses" sections of the RETScreen newsletter, accessible through the User manual in the downloaded software.
The use of RETScreen is mandated or recommended by clean energy incentive programs at all levels of government worldwide, including the UNFCCC and the EU; Canada, New Zealand and the UK; numerous American states and Canadian provinces; cities and municipalities; and utilities.{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/clean_energy_policy_analysis.php |title=Archived - RETScreen International - Clean Energy Policy Toolkit |date=2012-09-21 |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005075149/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/clean_energy_policy_analysis.php |archivedate=2015-10-05 }} National and regional RETScreen training workshops have been conducted upon the official request of the Governments of Chile,{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news_20140107_cer_chile_implements_retscreen_training_program.php |title=Archived - RETScreen International - CER Chile Implements RETScreen Training Program |date=2014-10-24 |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714213530/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news_20140107_cer_chile_implements_retscreen_training_program.php |archivedate=2015-07-14 }} Saudi Arabia,{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news_20130717_saudi_arabia_builds_clean_energy_capacity.php |title=Archived - RETScreen International - Saudi Arabia Builds Clean Energy Capacity |date=2014-05-02 |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714204723/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news_20130717_saudi_arabia_builds_clean_energy_capacity.php |archivedate=2015-07-14 }} 15 countries in West and Central Africa,{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news_20130808_strengthening_foundations_clean_energy_west_africa.php |title=Archived - RETScreen International - Strengthening the Foundations of Clean Energy in West Africa |date=2014-05-02 |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714225224/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news_20130808_strengthening_foundations_clean_energy_west_africa.php |archivedate=2015-07-14 }} and the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE).
Awards and recognition
In 2010, RETScreen International was awarded the Public Service Award of Excellence,{{cite web |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/pdf/psae-booklet-2010.pdf |title=Public Service Award of Excellence 2010 |website=Ottawacitizen.com |accessdate=2016-07-15 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303205813/http://www.ottawacitizen.com/pdf/psae-booklet-2010.pdf |url-status=dead }} the highest award given by the Canadian government to its civil servants.
RETScreen and the RETScreen team have been nominated for and received numerous other prestigious awards including the Ernst & Young/Euromoney Global Renewable Energy Award, Energy Globe (National Award for Canada), and the GTEC Distinction Award Medal.{{cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/awards.php |title=Archived - RETScreen International - Awards |date=2011-02-03 |accessdate=2016-07-15 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509231104/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/awards.php |archivedate=2015-05-09 }}
Reviews
An International Energy Agency review of the beta release of the hydropower part of the software described it as "very impressive".{{cite web |url=http://www.ieahydro.org/media/c617f800/Assessment%20Methods%20for%20Small-Hydro%20Projects.pdf |title=Assessment Methods for Small-hydro Projects |website=Ieahydro.org |accessdate=2016-10-24}} The European Environment Agency asserts that RETScreen an "extremely useful tool."{{cite web |url=http://www.environmenttools.co.uk/directory/tool/name/retscreen-clean-energy-project-analysis-software/id/563 |title=RETScreen Clean Energy Project Analysis Software | Environmental software tools for accounting, carbon footprinting & sustainability performance |website=Environmenttools.co.uk |accessdate=2016-07-15}} RETScreen has also been called "one of the few software tools, and by far the best, available for evaluating the economics of renewable energy installations" and "a tool to enhance... market coherence" in clean energy worldwide.
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.retscreen.net RETScreen Clean Energy Management Software]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa30PZQRGzw&t=30s Introduction to RETScreen Expert (2-min video)]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcu2iSYJu0A&t=1s Overview of RETScreen Expert Platform (20-min video)]
- [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyFMjG_OXXGtRVnsiTim0IQ RETScreen eLearning]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgGnWDgq-9o RETScreen Expert - Benchmark Analysis (video)]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nX8JN0xkq5A RETScreen Expert - Feasibility Analysis (video)]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idIlCwPNvlI RETScreen Expert - Performance Analysis (video)]
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4HE7GZ8WOQ RETScreen Expert - Portfolio Analysis (video)]
- {{Cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news.php |title=RETScreen Clean Energy Bulletin |access-date=October 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112221923/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/news.php |archive-date=January 12, 2016 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}
- {{Cite web |url=http://www.retscreen.net/ang/what_is_retscreen.php |title=What is RETScreen? |access-date=October 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711192911/http://www.retscreen.net/ang/what_is_retscreen.php |archive-date=July 11, 2015 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}