LEAP Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System Volume 2

The LEAP system is a computer-based simulation tool for energy policy analysis. It uses a modular structure consisting of Energy Scenario programs (Demand, Transformation, Biomass, Environment, and Evaluation), an Aggregation program for multi-spatial planning, and an Environmental Data Base (EDB) for emission coefficients. The system allows users to create a 'base case' and develop alternative policy scenarios to assess physical, economic, and environmental impacts.

• LEAP is designed as a "computer-based accounting and simulation tool" to help policy makers evaluate energy policies and develop "sustainable energy plans" by projecting supply and demand patterns.
• The system utilizes scenario analysis, starting with a "business-as-usual" scenario known as the "base case," which users can then modify to create alternative policy scenarios to answer "what if" questions.
• The Demand program employs a hierarchical four-level data structure consisting of Sector, Subsector, End Use, and Device to calculate energy requirements.
• Demand projections can be calculated using three methods: Interpolation, Growth Rate, or by linking to Macro-Drivers (with optional elasticities).
• The Transformation program simulates the conversion of primary energy resources to final fuels through modules, which can be categorized as Simple, Transmission and Distribution, Detailed, or Electricity Type.
• Electricity modules in the Transformation program can simulate plant dispatching by "merit order" to meet both annual energy requirements and instantaneous peak loads using either a default or user-defined load curve.
• The Biomass program provides a physical inventory of biomass sources based on a three-tier land structure: Subareas, Zones, and Landtypes.
• The Environment program estimates emissions by linking Demand and Transformation data to the Environmental Data Base (EDB), which contains coefficients for air, water, and land emissions and health and safety impacts.
• The Evaluation program performs a social cost-benefit analysis by comparing a 'Reference case' and an 'Alternative case,' focusing on social costs rather than project financial viability.
• The Aggregation program enables coordinated planning across multiple spatial levels, allowing data to be aggregated from the county or district level up to the "multinational or global level."
• The Environmental Data Base (EDB) is structured as a matrix where rows are 'Source categories' (technologies/processes) and columns are 'Effects categories' (emissions/impacts).

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (1992). LEAP Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System Volume 2. https://leap.sei.org/documents/LEAPManual_1992.pdf

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. LEAP Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System Volume 2. 1992. https://leap.sei.org/documents/LEAPManual_1992.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=LEAP Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System Volume 2 |date=March 1992 |url=https://leap.sei.org/documents/LEAPManual_1992.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute1992leap, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{LEAP Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning System Volume 2}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {1992}, month = mar, url = {https://leap.sei.org/documents/LEAPManual_1992.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }