Coming Soon: LEAP2011

I am working on a major new release of LEAP for 2011. This new version is currently being beta tested by a few users but should be ready for wider testing in a few weeks. This new version will have some significant improvements versus the current version (LEAP 2008).

Here is a list of the main changes you can expect to see:

• Optimization: LEAP 2011 includes a new method for calculating capacity expansion and dispatch in Transformation scenarios using a least-cost optimization approach. This option works with the new Open Source Energy Modeling System (OseMOSYS) which calculates least cost capacity expansion scenarios, with or without emissions constraints. OSeMOSYS has been developed by a coalition of organizations including SEI, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UK Energy Research Center, the Royal Technical University (KTH) in Sweden, an others. See the OSeMOSYS web site: http://osmosys.yolasite.com/
  
  
• New File Format: LEAP 2011 uses a new file format, which is less prone to data corruption, supports running multiple copies of LEAP simultaneously, and allows for development of future new capabilities such as a multi-user/client-server version of LEAP. It will also eliminate LEAP's reliance on the obsolete Borland Database Engine (BDE) and will provide for more reliable installation and improved operation with newer versions of Windows.
  
  
• Improved Modeling of Seasonal and Time-of-day Variations in Demand and Supply: LEAP 2011 will have much greater flexibility in specifying seasonal and time of data load shapes including the ability to import hourly load data.
  
  
• Improved Cost Analysis: LEAP 2011 provides more powerful cost analysis including the ability to specify different methods for annualizing capital costs, better handling of salvage values and decommissioning costs and new reports in Transformation that can compare costs to revenues from sales of energy.
  
  
• Improved Error Reporting: LEAP 2011 displays more detailed source code information should an error occur in LEAP. This will make debugging much easier in future.
  
  
• Cleaner User Interface and new tools to make writing expressions much easier.
  
  
• Improved Scenario Management: making it easier to manage scenario names and abbreviations.
  
  
• More Flexible Dispatch Modeling: Transformation dispatch rules can now be varied between scenarios. Previously you had to choose an approach common to all scenarios.
  

This new version of LEAP installs in a different folder than the existing version. You can continue to use the older version alongside the newer version, and you can also run both simultaneously so you can compare results. The new version of LEAP will also automatically make copies of your existing data sets and upgrade them to the new file format.

Stay tuned for news on a release date!

Change in LEAP Licensing Policy for 2009

We have revised our licensing policy for the new year. We will no longer be charging for the use of LEAP for any students from accredited academic organizations (universities, colleges, or schools). LEAP has always been available at no charge to students based in developing countries but this policy has now been extended to all students, regardless of where they are located.

LEAP use in South Africa

I will be attending a couple of LEAP-related workshops in South Africa on the 25th and 26th of August. The workshop on the 25th will be to discuss with the staff of NERSA (the National Energy Regulator) how LEAP can be used for modeling transport sector fuel use in South Africa.

Then, on the 26th a second workshop is being held at the CSIR Convention Centre, in Pretoria, where the use of the LEAP model scenarios, in conjunction with a proposed set of indicators, will be demonstrated as part of the SANERI project ‘Developing environmental impact assessment tools for selected energy scenarios for South Africa’.

This project is intended to provide a way of assessing how various energy issues in South Africa and globally may unfold in the future. The project is intended toassist the government in developing strategies that would secure the sustainable energy future of South Africa. A workshop, where the LEAP model was used to select the probable energy scenarios previously took place on 22 November 2007. The results were used to populate a LEAP model for the scenarios listed below.

The project now focuses on the strategic environmental impact assessment (SEIA) of energy futures. Discussion at the workshop will focus on the following energy futures:

• Reference scenario (“business as usual”), that includes policy measures already in place. All available government strategies were examined and their impacts on the energy sector were included in themodel where they provided quantifiable targets.
  
  
• Low carbon development path, that represents high development and assumes that South Africa will make a concerted effort to mitigate CO2 emissions in order to avoid the worst effects of climate change. This goes hand in hand with improved energy efficiency and reduction in dependency on fossil fuels. It is assumed that this shift could be achieved in combination with planned economic growth by improved energy efficiency and a shift to cleaner fuel types.
  
  
• Oil depletion future, that assumes a peak for oil production, after which annual oil production from all sources, fossil and non-fossil does not increase.
  
  

New version of LEAP

I just posted a new version of LEAP (2008.024) that fixes a couple of issues with opening areas. You can download the full version of LEAP from here: http://tinyurl.com/2yv3fz or you can use the menu option in LEAP labeled Help: Check for Updates.