Navigating Utility-Scale Energy Procurement Just Got Easier – NREL (.gov)

A New NREL Tool Supports Sustainable Electricity Procurement Aligned with SDGs

Introduction

On June 24, 2025, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) introduced the Procurement Analysis Tool (PAT), a web-based platform designed to assist commercial, industrial, academic, and public-sector organizations in making informed, cost-effective electricity procurement decisions. This tool directly contributes to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Overview of the Procurement Analysis Tool (PAT)

PAT simplifies the complex process of large-scale electricity procurement by providing data-driven insights tailored to user needs. It enables early-stage planning and screening for off-site electricity procurement across the United States through an accessible, guided interface that requires no prior energy expertise.

With NREL’s new Procurement Analysis Tool, energy buyers can explore customized, utility-scale electricity options. Graphic by NREL

Key Features of PAT

• Scenario Planning: Simulate and compare energy solutions across multiple sites to optimize procurement strategies.
• Procurement Options: Explore options based on preferred load-serving entities to align with organizational goals.
• Technology Insights: Access comprehensive data on renewable energy technologies and resource regions, with future capacity to include all energy technologies.
• Personalized Results: Customize energy procurement options through filter questions that reflect specific operational priorities.
• Downloadable Resources: Export detailed technology information to support decision-making and implementation.

Enhancing Sustainable Development Through Informed Energy Procurement

Addressing Market Challenges

Large-scale electricity procurement is often a complex challenge, especially for local governments, public institutions, and commercial buyers lacking in-house expertise. PAT addresses this gap by providing a user-friendly platform to evaluate off-site procurement options, supporting SDG 7 by promoting access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.

Target Users

PAT’s flexible design supports a broad range of stakeholders, including:

1. Commercial and industrial energy buyers
2. Federal, state, and local government agencies
3. Colleges, universities, and campus facilities
4. Electric service providers
5. Regulators and public utility commissions

Technical Foundation Supporting SDG Innovation

PAT integrates NREL’s advanced datasets and modeling platforms such as the Annual Technology Baseline, Renewable Energy Supply Curves, Cambium, and the System Advisor Model. These resources provide robust regional cost estimates, resource assessments, and performance modeling, fostering innovation in energy infrastructure (SDG 9) and enabling climate action (SDG 13).

Practical Applications for Sustainable Energy Decisions

• Regional Procurement Options: Identifies available power purchase agreements (PPAs) and utility programs based on location and market structure.
• Alignment with Organizational Objectives: Matches energy procurement options to user priorities such as cost efficiency, sustainability targets, and technology preferences.
• Comparative Analysis: Evaluates costs and impacts across different procurement strategies to support transparent and informed decision-making.

Next Steps and Engagement Opportunities

Organizations are encouraged to leverage PAT to advance their sustainable energy procurement strategies aligned with the SDGs. The tool is freely accessible at https://pat.nrel.gov/, where users can create accounts and begin exploring options immediately.

For further information on NREL’s energy analysis research supporting sustainable development, visit NREL Energy Analysis and subscribe to their energy analysis newsletter.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article focuses on electricity procurement, renewable energy technologies, and cost-effective energy solutions, directly relating to ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The development and use of the Procurement Analysis Tool (PAT) supports innovation in energy procurement and infrastructure planning.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The tool is used by local governments and public institutions to make informed energy decisions, contributing to sustainable urban development.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • By promoting renewable energy procurement and cost-effective strategies, the tool supports efforts to combat climate change and its impacts.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 7 Indicators
   • Proportion of population with access to electricity (implied by focus on energy procurement options).
   • Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption (implied through renewable energy technology options in PAT).
   • Energy intensity measured in terms of primary energy and GDP (implied through cost and efficiency comparisons in the tool).
2. SDG 9 Indicators
   • Proportion of the population using the internet and digital tools (implied by the use of web-based PAT platform).
   • Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of value added (implied by cost and impact comparisons of procurement strategies).
3. SDG 11 Indicators
   • Air quality levels (implied through the promotion of renewable energy reducing pollution).
   • Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge (implied by sustainable city goals).
4. SDG 13 Indicators
   • Number of countries that have communicated the establishment or operationalization of an integrated policy/strategy/plan which increases resilience to climate hazards (implied by planning and scenario analysis features of PAT).
   • Greenhouse gas emissions per capita (implied through evaluation of procurement strategies’ impact).

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: nrel.gov