Use of Models and Facility-Level Data in Greenhouse Gas Inventories

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Use of Models and Facility-Level Data in Greenhouse Gas Inventories 6 Enhancing the use of Models and Facility-Level Data There are a number of practical challenges in the adoption of complex models. For example, access to higher quality and reliable data at suitable resolution is required due to their data intensity. Although requiring a lesser intensity of data than measurement systems, data must still be of relevance and of a high quality. This is a significant challenge even in developed countries where resources are less of a limitation. Even if all the data requirements can be met, there are still additional resource requirements. Sufficient institutional and human capabilities as well as enhanced resources are all needed. Access to model and computing hardware may be an issue, however, more significantly, if the use of a model in national inventories is being considered this implies a long-term commitment in terms of collecting and updating data; developing, improving and adapting models to changing circumstances; as well as using the model itself. Creating long-term dedicated teams to work on modelling can be supported by improving coordination with research bodies and academic institutions. This can be assisted by international networks of researchers and model users, collaborative projects, a forum for exchange of information, and the development of manuals, tutorials and training workshops, to help in the transfer and portability of the model. In addition, help could be provided to address specific issues such as access to models; documentation of the necessary changes required to apply the models in different circumstances; data acquisition; and portability of models. One suggestion was the development of more generic models applicable to a variety of conditions that could then be disseminated widely. Views differed on whether access to model source code would enhance model adaptability and transparency. Some felt that there were advantages to making source code open access, others noted that this could give rise to quality control issues if results from modified versions of models became attributed to the originators. The two main barriers to the use of facility-level data are the need to understand the source of the underlying facility data and the completeness of the facility-level data. First, it is important to build up relationships, trust and understanding between the facilities themselves, the data collectors and the inventory compilers so that the inventory compilers can be assured that the data are appropriate for use in a national greenhouse gas inventory. Issues of concern include how the data will be used, confidentiality and QA/QC (by all parties). A second barrier to overcome is an assessment of the completeness of the facility-level data for use in a national greenhouse gas inventory. Even if facility-level data are not complete, it does not automatically mean they cannot be used in the inventory. However, in these instances, the inventory compiler will have to carefully assess whether alternative data are available to estimate emissions from facilities not covered by the facility-level data. It is important to remember that while in many cases facility-level data can improve the national greenhouse gas inventory, it may also be the case that a country's current estimates are more appropriate and the facility-level data are best used as a source of QA/QC. IPCC Expert Meeting Report 28 TFI
Use of Models and Facility-Level Data in Greenhouse Gas Inventories 7 Conclusions The expert meeting considered the use of models and measurements in inventories. In the light of experience to date the meeting compiled this report on experiences and the lessons learnt, particularly related to transparency so that inventory compilers addressing these issues can benefit from this experience. Measurements underlie both models (where these are for parameterisation, calibration and evaluation), and facility-level data where emissions, fuel quality or other parameters may be measured. Measurements may be made at individual plant. In general models extend information to cover national emissions and removals. The use of both models and facility-level data in inventories can provide significant opportunity to reduce uncertainty in the national inventory; better reflect mitigation activities; improve spatial and temporal resolution of data; enable further disaggregation of categories; improve potential to correctly estimate impact of mitigation on national net emissions and improve the overall quality and accuracy of the inventory. Their use in the national inventory should be encouraged. The key issue identified in the use of this more detailed information is transparency. While lower tier approaches are clearly documented in the IPCC Guidelines and reflect consensus of many scientists, the use of models and measurements is generally higher tier and so clear descriptions of the approaches used to derive national net emissions are needed to ensure the results are credible. The 2006 IPCC Guidelines provide the fundamental approach to transparently documenting and reporting these types of data. The meeting compiled lists of typical items that, when reported, may lead to improved transparency. These include: Models • Basis and type of model • Application and adaptation of the model (1) • Main equations/processes • Key assumptions (2) • Domain of application (3) • How the model parameters were estimated • Description of key inputs and outputs • Details of Calibration & evaluation • Uncertainty and sensitivity analysis • QA/QC procedures adopted • References to peer-reviewed literature Facility-Level Data Institutional Arrangements • Legal basis • Elements covered • Criteria for data selection • QA/QC • Confidentiality (4) Category-specific • Category Emissions (5) • Implied Emission Factor • Uncertainty • How completeness and time series consistency are ensured Note: (1) Description of why and how the model was adapted for conditions outside the originally intended domain of application. (2) Important assumptions made in developing and applying the model. (3) Description of the range of conditions for which the model has been developed to apply. (4) Description of which data are confidential, and why those were labelled as confidential. (5) Including emissions, activity data, and emission factors, as appropriate as well as method used to generate category emissions is also included. The meeting also considered some of the factors inventory compilers need to consider when incorporating models and facility-level data in greenhouse gas inventories. • For models, considerations include: reasons for model selection; interpretation of model results; calibration and parameterisation; evaluation of model, processes and results; comparisons with lower tiers and measurements; uncertainty and sensitivity analysis. • For facility-level data, considerations include: do the facility-level data definitions match those of the inventory and how has this matching been achieved; does the dataset completely cover a reporting category and if not how this gap has been filled; how has time series consistency between the facility-level IPCC Expert Meeting Report 29 TFI
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Use of Models and Facility-Level Data in Greenhouse Gas Inventories

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