Technology and Economic Analysis

  • Energy, Environment, Water Resources
  • Management Consulting
  • International Development

The Garnet Group and its staff have a long history and proven reputation in technical and economic analyses related to energy, the environment, and water resources.

Our energy expertise is in the research, management, deployment and commercialization of conventional and renewable energy conversion technologies including coal, solar thermal, photovoltaic, biomass, geothermal, wind, and ocean energy.  We also have considerable experience in electric utility demand-side management and consumer energy conservation programs.  We have conducted projects for Federal and State agencies, electric utilities, energy trade organizations and consumer groups, as well as private and international clients.

Our environmental services focus on air, water, and solid waste issues related to energy production and use, and community environmental management programs.  Past projects have included environmental impacts and assessments, pollution control technology R,D &D, and economic impacts and modeling.

Our water related expertise is seen in our projects on desalination technology R,D,&D, water treatment systems, and community water supply planning.

The Garnet Group also has an extensive experience base in program development and management (including R,D,&D programs, community resource management, and international projects), organizational management, program metrics, and consensus building exercises.

 The Garnet Group corporate and staff projects include numerous technology application, economic development, training, program development and technology transfer projects worldwide.  Our work on four continents have included projects for host governments, international funding institutions, non-governmental organizations, and private sector ventures.  Project countries include Indonesia, Jordan, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Thailand, The Philippines, Norway, Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, Slovak Republic, India, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, The Netherlands, China, Haiti, Mexico, Costa Rica, Australia, and Canada.

Selected corporate and staff projects:

  • National Earth Comfort Program: Technology Demonstration and Market Mobilization for Geothermal Heat Pump Technology – Edison Electric Institute

    Worked with over twenty major electric utility companies to develop a six-year, $100 million program to accelerate and expand the use of geothermal heat pumps into the domestic space conditioning market.  The resulting strategy and plan became the basis of the creation of a non-profit industry trade organization as well as a successful $35 million proposal to DOE and a $1.8 million proposal to EPA for cost-sharing.  Primary activities included the development of the overall program framework, development of projection for energy and emissions savings, and the preparation of specific program plans for reducing first costs, building technology confidence, and strengthening the design, engineering, sales, and service infrastructure.  The Garnet Group staff received special recognition and commendation from both EEI and DOE for the effort.
  • Compliance with Marine Plastic Pollution Research and Control Act – U. S. Coast Guard

    Performed technical and scientific analysis in support of developing baseline information to assess the U.S. compliance of the International Protocol on Marine Plastic Pollution (MARPOL – Annex V), which lead to the adoption of the MPPRCA.  Identified and evaluated sources and quantities of marine plastic pollution  and identified mechanisms to monitor and control pollution.  Drafted pertinent sections of mandated Report to Congress.
  • Desk Study Report on CSFR Power Transmission System – U.S. Trade and Development Administration

    Conducted Desk Study to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of proposed changes and additions to power transmission system necessitated by new coal and nuclear generation capacity within the Slovak Republic.  Evaluated the technical benefits of five specific proposed scenarios and assessed the potential for U.S. exports for this project.
  • Engineering and Economic Analysis of Rebuilding Drinking Water Systems in Port-au-Prince, Haiti – International Action

    Led mission to Port-au-Prince, Haiti after the magnitude 7.2 earthquake of January 12, 2010 to inspect and evaluate damage done to the city’s public  drinking water system.  Performed field inspection of the damaged water "kiosks" in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding neighborhoods of Jalousie, Cite Soleil, Delmas, and Mont Jolly.  Developed damage and cost estimates for repairing/rehabilitating damaged public water distribution “kiosks” and evaluated potential to install new 2000 gallon plastic tanks as replacements for damaged fiber-glass tanks.  Assessed opportunities and effectiveness of using gravity flow chlorine technology to disinfect drinking water at community water "kiosks." As part of the overall effort, met with local engineers/technicians, locally-elected Water Board members and government officials to explore options to supply clean drinking water to refugee camps around the city and to rural encampments.  Prepared report and recommendations for Board of Directors of the non-profit humanitarian aid organization.
  • Technical & Economic Feasibility Assessment of Micro-Geothermal Power Production in Sulawesi, Indonesia – U.S. Department of Energy/ PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara's (PLN)

Conducted field evaluation of hydrothermal resource on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi and assessed the technical feasibility of installing a micro-geothermal generator to meet local power needs.  Collected economic data on current power generation cost of diesel-powered generator and conducted a benefit-cost analysis.  As part of evaluation process, held discussions with local government officials to determine potential technical contribution of Indonesian engineers and technicians.

  • Potential Application of Photovoltaic, Biofuel, Wind, Geothermal, and Hydropower Technology in The Philippines – U.S. Government

    Performed multi-faceted analysis of the potential for U.S. support in the application of renewable energy technologies in The Philippines.  Study included consideration not only of energy resource, technical, and economic factors, but also social, cultural, political, and institutional factors.  Prepared final report and presented briefing to high-level managers at the U.S. Government.
  • Program Support to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy – Department of Energy

    Provided technical, planning and management support to DOE office under multi-year contract.  Renewable energy technologies addressed included wind, biomass, photovoltaic, solar, geothermal, hydropower, ocean thermal energy conversion.  Support included development of multi-year program plans, R&D program evaluations, economic analyses, R&D project evaluations, technology deployment strategies, development of topical technical analyses, and technology transfer/technology utilization initiatives.
  • Renewable Energy Field Testing Project – U.S. Agency for International Development/Government of Egypt (Egyptian Electricity Authority).

    Managed multi-year, multi-task, $1.4 million subcontract.  Conducted technical and economic analyses of renewable energy application options within host country context.  Provided technical and financial quality control for all engineering and design tasks, computerized information management system, field-testing RFPs, and host-country training activities.  Performed in-country field data collection and analyses and technical training of host-country counterpart engineers.  Technologies/applications included PV refrigeration, wind village electrification, PV desalination, wind desalination, solar process heat for industrial application, passive solar building heating and cooling, PV water pumping, and hybrid systems.  Developed “Technology Reference Notebooks” on PV, WECS, geothermal, biomass, solar thermal, and passive heating and cooling. 
  • Alternate Energy Assessment – U.S. Department of Navy

    Performed technical analyses through open-ended A&E contract for NAVFAC/Desalination.  Assessed technical and economic feasibility study of alternate energy technologies (PV, wind, biomass, solar, tidal, and geothermal heat pumps) at nine naval installations.  Condusted tasks on ice storage/chillers at ten buildings at Quantico Marine Base.  Developed ECIP and ETAP documentation for selected projects. 
  • Energy-Efficient Purchasing Practices of Municipal Governments – Consortium for Energy Efficiency

    Project identified and assessed purchasing practices for energy-efficient equipment by municipal governments as part of CEE’s effort in state and municipal market transformation strategies.  In particular, interviewed key purchasing and product specifying agencies at Bexar County, TX, the City of San Antonio, TX, and the Harlandale Independent School District, San Antonio, TX.  For each organization TGG staff evaluated opportunities and constraints to increased purchases of energy efficient technologies, and developed case studies for CEE use.  As part of effort, also assessed the perceived interest and usability of EPA’s Energy Star Purchasing Toolkit and made appropriate recommendations. 
  • Modeling Energy and Emissions Savings from Accelerated Market Penetration of Geothermal Heat Pumps – Princeton Energy Research, Inc.

    Developed projections of potential energy savings and attendant carbon emission reductions from the accelerated market penetration of geothermal heat pump technology into the US space-conditioning market segment.  Results of analysis were used by the US Department of Energy and the electric utility industry in developing and funding a public-private market transformation partnership.
  • Energy Technology/Energy Efficiency Upgrades for Koniag/Chugach Indian Villages in Alaska - ICRC

    Provided technical and planning support to develop and conduct a Feasibility Study and Infrastructure Development Analysis to assess the potential energy and costs savings from selected conventional and renewable energy technology upgrades and energy efficiency measures at villages of the Koniag and Chugach Indians in Alaska.  Technical support included primary and secondary data collection, energy use modeling, technology assessments, and infrastructure/training needs analysis. 
  • Electricity Restructuring Workshops for Rural Cooperative Utility Stakeholders &  Customers – EnerVision, Inc.

    As part of DOE’s initiatives in electric utility restructuring, conducted a series of workshops with rural cooperative stakeholders and customers to understand their understanding and perceptions of electric utility deregulation, and to identify informational needs of the rural constituents.  Workshops were held with elected officials, large industrial and commercial customers, residential customers, and state regulation agencies.
  • Economic Assessment of Palm Oil Production for Biodiesel Applications in Indonesia – Private Client

Collected economic and financial information on the potential production of palm oil for use in biodiesel-powered electricity production on a small island in eastern Indonesia.  Also investigated the technical potential of using production wastes to generate power and steam for local consumption.  Analysis included the development of an Excel-based economic model.

  • Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) – National Electric Manufacturers Association/Edison Electric Institute

    Managed multi-company Task Force of BEPS impact on NEMA members.  Developed computer model to project revenue and employment impact of BEPS on a regional basis.  Assessed impact of BEPS on use of gas, oil, and electricity (electric resistance heating and electric heat pumps) by region. 
  • SERDP Program Oversight Committee Support - Sandia National Laboratories

    Provided total support to the interagency DOE-DOD-EPA Geothermal Heat Pump Oversight Committee established under the aegis of the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP).  Developed three-year Work Plan for coordinated program to address critical needs in Education/Awareness, Technology Demonstrations, Technical Assistance/ Training, and Procurement Streamlining.  Planned, coordinated, and managed all aspects of quarterly Oversight Committee meetings.