(University of Arizona: Tucson, AZ) -- University of Arizona researchers and a group of partners have developed a tool that will help utility companies better understand the long-term effects of renewable energy on the power grid and provide insight on how to eventually integrate these resources in the most cost-efficient and reliable way for consumers.

The tool, a web portal, gathers, analyzes, and displays real-time data from eight Southwestern utility companies, painting a broad picture of energy sources and use across the region. The information will help companies determine what actions to take for backup power planning over the next several years as the percentage of renewable energy usage grows.

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