Frequently Asked Questions

CRANE is evolving! Through the ongoing partnership between Prime Coalition and Rho Impact, the CRANE tool is now available in a free tier within Koi, supporting you with expanded data and improved workflows.

We developed these FAQs to share with you what’s changing, how to get started on Koi, and how to save or rebuild existing models.

Note: as of February 4, 2026, the standalone CRANE tool will no longer accept new registrations, but existing users can continue using it until December 31, 2026.

About Koi

  • Koi (koi.eco) is a climate‑impact forecasting platform created by Rho Impact. It gives innovators and investors rapid, on‑demand forecasts for avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions using a mix of high‑quality data and AI‑accelerated modeling. 

    Koi offers over 6,000 verified solution models across a wide range of industries and sectors, such as renewable energy, manufacturing, transportation, and many other fields where decarbonization matters.

    The platform combines Project Frame’s consensus-built methodology with fast, scalable tools, such as on-demand model creation, so that users can analyze technologies or portfolios across many sectors and geographies.

  • Comprehensive documentation is available at docs.koi.eco, including more FAQs, use‑cases, and methodology pages. You can also request a demo or ask questions by emailing hello@koi.eco. 

  • Koi’s engine uses AI to construct climate solution models in four stages. It:

    1. Matches a solution to relevant baseline and solution value chains, 

    2. Aligns them with curated GHG‑intensity and market data, 

    3. Fills any data gaps, and 

    4. Produces a customizable forecast. 

    Models are categorized by quality—Rapid, Refined, and Diligence—from the most cursory to the most certain, so users can start quickly and then refine with expert input. Koi’s AI-accelerated engine can both assemble and build an impact model from a simple technology description or company website data. 

    You can learn more about Koi’s engine on docs.koi.eco.

    We recognize the inherent risks of data bias and reliability in AI-constructed models, as well as the environmental impacts of using AI. The rigorous selection of high-quality, trusted sources for Koi's Data Lake (detailed below), platform construction and maintenance by Rho Impact's experts in GHG modeling, and clear labelling of AI-generated models, versus human-verified outputs, lend confidence by ensuring both accuracy and transparency.

  • Like CRANE, Koi sources data from reputable sources such as the International Energy Agency (IEA), Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the U.S. LCA Commons, peer-reviewed articles and industry reports, integrating it into a pre-validated Data Lake. This helps ensure that new and existing forecasts are based on latest research and data, and can be updated automatically as underlying datasets change.

  • Your data remains yours. Koi uses encryption at rest and in transit, and users control who can access their information through organizations, roles, and groups. Koi only requires rights that are essential to run your analyses and may generate anonymized aggregate insights to improve its models.

About CRANE

  • The CRANE tool is a free, open‑access software that allows investors, entrepreneurs and philanthropists to assess forward‑looking GHG reduction potential for early‑stage climate technologies.

    Launched in 2020, it was the first tool to standardize impact assessments using the consensus-driven Project Frame’s methodology. It was developed by Prime Coalition, Rho Impact, Greenometry, and Evergreen Climate Innovations, with the generous support of the MacArthur Foundation, NYSERDA, and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.

  • The CRANE Tier is a dedicated, free option within Koi that brings CRANE’s open-access methodology and data together with Koi’s Data Lake, AI‑accelerated modeling, and advanced features. Users will be able to enjoy Koi’s engine and its dynamic workflow, access to pre-validated model data, and up to three unlocked models for advanced features.

  • The CRANE Tier on Koi builds on the standalone tool’s foundation but integrates Koi’s Data Lake, AI‑accelerated model generation, and collaboration tools. 

    For example, Koi’s Engine automatically constructs Rapid models and allows you to upgrade them to higher quality Refined or Diligence levels, while the standalone CRANE Tool requires users to build models manually. Koi also provides organization management and sharing features not available in the original tool.

  • CRANE Tier allows you to access and preview Koi’s library of impact models, build and edit up to three models for free, collaborate with teammates through Koi’s organization and group tools, and export your results. All models include transparent data inputs, references, and assumptions.

  • Yes, the original CRANE tool remains available for existing users at cranetool.org until December 31, 2026. You can continue using it for free, and any models you’ve already built there will remain accessible. However, new registrations will be disabled as of February 4, 2026.

Using CRANE Tier on Koi

  • No, accessing the CRANE Tier requires a Koi account because Koi and CRANE use separate authentication systems.

    To sign up, go to koi.eco and choose Get Started. Follow the prompts to set your password, basic profile details, and verify your email address. Alternatively, you can also opt to sign up using a Google account or passkey from the same page. Once your email is verified, Koi automatically creates an organization for you (you can rename it and add colleagues later). 

    If you already have a Koi account for other purposes, you will, by default, have access to the CRANE Tier by simply logging in with that account.

  • Your existing data on CRANE will remain confidential and only accessible by you. The standalone tool will continue to operate as an open‑access resource until the end of 2026. Using the CRANE Tier on Koi does not modify or delete any data stored in the original CRANE tool.

    You will no longer be able to access your account or your CRANE models after December 31, 2026. If you’re an existing user, we recommend downloading your CRANE models as soon as possible.

    You can access the models on your CRANE account under “My Solutions”. Then, navigate to the report page and download your CRANE model in “CRANE Input File” (.json), Excel, and PDF formats.

  • There is currently no automatic migration between the original CRANE Tool and CRANE Tier on Koi.

    To transfer your CRANE model into Koi, you can manually recreate them by entering the same data points into an existing and unlocked Koi model (using edit mode). Because Koi’s Engine can rapidly generate models from a brief description, rebuilding an existing CRANE model is often quick. If you need additional support, please contact info@cranetool.org.

  • When browsing CRANE models in Koi, you may preview a model to see a high‑level summary of its data, baseline comparisons, and emissions and market projections. 

    Unlocking a model means copying a model into to your personal workspace so you can edit inputs, see detailed references, and access other advanced features. Each unlocked model counts toward your three free models.

  • Users who need to build more than three models can purchase additional Koi credits or a paid subscription for their organization. 

    Existing models can also be upgraded to higher‑quality Refined or Diligence models through Koi’s services. 

    As a reminder, previewing existing model data is free for all CRANE Tier users.

  • Yes. Koi’s organization feature lets you invite colleagues, assign roles, and create groups to share models. You can also manage seats and licenses at the organization level.

See how CRANE Tier on Koi can help you assess climate impact

Try the CRANE Tier Today