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Minnesota Energy Policy Simulator

The Minnesota Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) is a free and open-source computer model created by Energy Innovation LLC and RMI. It is adapted from software originally created by Energy Innovation LLC.

Model Download​

The Minnesota Energy Policy Simulator may be used on this website through your web browser, or the full version may be downloaded to your computer by clicking the button below. Note that you will need to go through the steps explained on the EPS download page in order to install the required software and make use of the downloadable version of the model.

Download the Minnesota Energy Policy Simulator

Click here for access to the previous version of the public model, including access to saved scenarios.

U.S. State EPS Methodology​

The U.S. State EPS Methodology page details our basic modeling assumptions, data sources, and methodology by sector. Additionally, we include information on the business-as-usual (BAU) and nationally determined contribution (NDC) scenario assumptions.

Acknowledgement of Contributors and Reviewers​

We would like to acknowledge the following people who helped adapt the Energy Policy Simulator. Individuals are listed alphabetically.

  • Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
  • Matthew Anderson, Energy Foundation
  • Ben Passer, Allen Gleckner, Margaret Cherne-Hendrick, Fresh Energy
  • Audrey Partridge and Mike Bull, MN Center for Energy and Environment
  • Ashna Aggarwal, RMI
  • Olivia Ashmoore, Energy Innovation LLC
  • Kyle Clark-Sutton, RMI
  • Rachel Goldstein, Energy Innovation LLC
  • Nathan Iyer, RMI
  • Wendy Jaglom, RMI
  • Megan Mahajan, Energy Innovation LLC
  • Robbie Orvis, Energy Innovation LLC
  • Kayleigh Rubin, RMI
  • Addy Sonaike, RMI

Version History​

4.0.4 - April 1, 2025​

  • New Features
    • Updated to 4.0.4 EPS model platform
    • Adds a 'Federal Policy Repeal and Rollback' scenario to model the repeal of the Inflation Reduction Act and select EPA rules affecting greenhouse gas emissions
  • Data updates
    • Updates calculations for BAU vehicle tax credits
    • Fixes to BAU clean electricity tax credit calculations and CCS tax credit calculations
    • Updates all policy implementation schedules to start in 2025
    • Updates output currency year to 2024
    • Recalibrates the share of costs that to be covered to be considered profitable and capacity supply curves for the electricity sector
    • Updates BAU planned capacity additions to use latest EIA data on plants that have received regulatory approval
    • Updates natural gas prices based on latest gas futures data
    • Updates government revenue accounting settings to use deficit spending for all government cash flow types
    • Updates to capacity factors for new onshore wind
    • Changes the repayment period for capacity market changes to 3 years
    • Updates transmission construction costs to exlucde spur line costs, which are captured separately
    • Updates input-output data to use values from the Economic Census for some states and sectors
    • Fixes mistake in process emissions file to calculate methane emissions

4.0.2 - September 17, 2024​

  • Updated to 4.0.2 EPS model platform
  • Data Updates
    • Updated BAU to reflect components of the Inflation Reduction Act and latest EPA rules (see documentation)
    • Updated input data to the latest available version from data sources, including the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

3.4.3.3 - June 9, 2023​

  • Bug fix
    • Prevent rare Vensim error caused by negative ppriority values in ALLOCATE AVAILABLE function

3.4.3.2 - May 19, 2023​

  • Bug fix
    • Allow changes in capacity construction subsidies to affect electricity prices

3.4.3.1 - February 6, 2023​

  • Update model to version 3.4.3

3.1.1 - Dec 18, 2020​

  • Official launch of the Minnesota EPS

Software License​

The Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) is released under the GNU General Public License version 3 (GPLv3) or any later version and is free and open-source software. Refer to the Software License page for full details.

Image Credits​

Waterfall at Beaver Bay, Minnesota
Andrew Ling
https://unsplash.com/photos/_6yj0U-Ty1M
License: Unsplash License
Changes: Image has been cropped and a fade has been applied to the left side.