Company provides exhaustive renewable power dataset to model grid expansion scenarios for a continent-wide study across Central and South America

NORTHBROOK, Ill. and ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- AWS Truepower, a ULcompany and expert in renewable energy consulting and engineering services, participated in a continent-wide study that examined the viability of a low-carbon interconnected electricity system from Mexico to Argentina. The work was performed by employees of AWS Truepower, LLC which has since been acquired by UL.

On behalf of the Inter-American Development Bank, AWS Truepower, - along with fellow study participants Energy Exemplar, Quantum, and the Energy Center of Chile (University of Chile) - modeled capacity expansion scenarios for the 15 year period from 2016-2030. The purpose of these scenarios was to evaluate cost-effective and technically viable paths forward for renewable energy and inter-regional electricity transmission projects.

"To be associated with a project of this scale is both an honor and a testament to the high standard of work we deliver," said, Michael Brower, Director of Energy Project Services at UL. "This study is the first to estimate the potential capacity of renewable energy across the project area using a consistent methodology. Understanding what is possible will be of great value to the region as it looks to expand and diversify its energy mix."

AWS Truepower conducted a systematic evaluation of potential energy capacity utilizing a GIS-based approach to estimate wind and solar power capacity by country and resource zones. These estimates provided the upper boundary for the transmission expansion model. In addition, over 500 hourly power profiles were created using modeled atmospheric variables and AWS Truepower's power conversion models to simulate wind and solar generation across the resource zones.

About AWS Truepower, a UL company
AWS Truepower, recently acquired by UL, is a renewable energy consulting firm focused on providing quality, innovative energy engineering and advisory services to project developers, utilities, project operators, manufacturers and investors. Together with UL, AWS Truepower is a global powerhouse in renewable energy. For more information, visit http://www.awstruepower.com.

About UL
UL fosters safe living and working conditions for people everywhere through the application of science to solve safety, security and sustainability challenges. The UL Mark engenders trust enabling the safe adoption of innovative new products and technologies. Everyone at UL shares a passion to make the world a safer place. We test, inspect, audit, certify, validate, verify, advise and train and we support these efforts with software solutions for safety and sustainability. To learn more about us, visit UL.com.