Facilities access the Inputs Verifier module for fuel-specific emissions from the Equation Summary page for each unit at the facility. At the bottom of the page, you will see the fuels you entered for the unit in the table in the FUEL EMISSIONS INFORMATION section. Click on "Open" for the fuel for which you wish to enter information to open the Fuel-Specific Emissions page for that fuel. You will find a data entry cell for CO₂ in the EQUATION SUMMARY AND RESULT section of the page. (The labels for this section vary by identifying the specific equation used to calculate emissions.)  Immediately below this data entry cell you will see a block labeled "Use Input Verifier to calculate" and a green "Go" box.  Click "Go" to open IVT module for the fuel.

Entering Data Using IVT

If you have previously entered these inputs and saved your inputs file locally you should import your locally saved inputs file. (You will be prompted to load data from an existing inputs file when you open subpart AA on the Facility Overview page.) If you are having trouble locating your inputs file or would like to "Reset" and recreate you inputs file, please review our help content reviewing these processes at Saving and Reloading a Inputs Verifier File or Resetting your Facility To Create a New Inputs Verifier file.

Once you enter the Inputs Verifier module you will note that these screens are formatted with a grey background and an Inputs Verifier header.  Here you are asked to provide emissions inputs to allow the IVT to calculate emissions. The information collected for fuel-specific emissions will depend on the tier methodology used to calculate emissions. The example below shows a screenshot of the IVT module for entering equation inputs for natural gas using the Tier 1 methodology.

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The information you are required to enter in the fuel emissions IVT module for subpart AA units not monitored by CEMS depends on the type of fuel and calculation methodology used. These data entry requirements are summarized below:

Tier 1 – Fuel-Specific Emissions Information

Enter the following inputs to Equations C-1, C-1a, C-1b and C-8:

• For gaseous fuels, enter volume (or usage for natural gas) of gaseous fuel combusted in scf (or therms per year or mmBtu per year for natural gas)
• For liquid fuels, enter the volume of gaseous fuel combusted in gallons per year
• For solid fuels, enter the mass of solid fuel combusted in tons per year

Tier 2 - Fuel-Specific Emissions Information

For gaseous fuels, enter the following inputs to Equations C-2a and C-9a:

• Volume of gaseous fuel combusted (scf/year)
• High heat value of the fuel used (mmBtu/scf)
  • Enter Annual Average High Heat Value
  • Use Equation C-2b to calculate a weighted annual average high heat value of the fuel

For liquid fuels, enter the following inputs to Equations C-2a and C-9a:

• Volume of liquid fuel combusted (Input to Equation C-2a AND C-9a) (gallons/year)
• High heat value of the fuel used (Input to Equation C-2a AND C-9a)  (mmBtu/gallon)
  • Enter Annual Average High Heat Value
  • Use Equation C-2b to calculate a weighted annual average high heat value of the fuel

For solid fuels, enter the following inputs to Equations C-2a and C-9a:

• Mass of solid fuel combusted (Input to Equation C-2a AND C-9a) (tons/year)
• High heat value of the fuel used (Input to Equation C-2a AND C-9a)  (mmBtu/ton)
  • -Enter Annual Average High Heat Value
  • -Use Equation C-2b to calculate a weighted annual average high heat value of the fuel

For solid fuels using Equations C-2c and C-9b, an IVT module is not available. Use the Equation C-2c/C-9b spreadsheet to calculate emissions.

Tier 3 - Fuel-Specific Emissions Information

For gaseous fuels, enter the following inputs to Equations C-5 and C-8:

• Annual volume of the gaseous fuel combusted in scf per year
• Annual average carbon content of the gaseous fuel in kg C per kg fuel
• Annual average molecular weight of the gaseous fuel in kg per kg-mole
• High heat value of the fuel used (mmBtu/scf):
  • Weighted annual average high heat value of the fuel calculated using the Equation C-2b spreadsheet*

• Default high heat value of the fuel from Table C-1

For liquid fuels, enter the following inputs to Equations C-4 and C-8:

• Annual volume of liquid fuel combusted (gallons/year)
• Annual average carbon content of the liquid fuel (Kg C per gallon of fuel)
• High heat value of the fuel used (mmBtu/gallon)
  • Weighted annual average high heat value of the fuel calculated using the Equation C-2b spreadsheet*

• Default high heat value of the fuel from Table C-1 (0.138 mmBtu/gallon)

For solid fuels, enter the following inputs to Equations C-3 and C-8:

• Annual mass of solid fuel combusted (ton/year)
• Annual average carbon content of the solid fuel (Kg C per ton of fuel)
• High heat value of the fuel used (mmBtu/ton)
  • Default high heat value of the fuel from Table C-1 (mmBtu/short ton)
  • Weighted annual average high heat value of the fuel calculated using the Equation C-2b spreadsheet*

 

Note that none of the data entered into IVT is stored by EPA.

Once you have completed the fuel emissions inputs for each unit in IVT, click on "Save" at the bottom of the page to return to the Fuel-Specific Emissions page where the results of the IVT calculations of CO₂, CH₄ and N₂O will be displayed in the appropriate data entry cell. The CO₂e emissions of CH₄ and N₂O will be calculated and displayed in the CO₂ EQUIVALENT EMISSIONS section at the bottom of the page.

Click "Save" to return to the Equation Summary page for the unit to view the result in the cell labeled “Result (CO₂ from biomass)" in the EQUATION AA-1 SUMMARY AND RESULT section for chemical recovery furnaces and in the EQUATION AA-2 SUMMARY AND RESULT section for chemical recovery combustion units. Note that the emissions of CH₄ and N₂O will also be calculated and displayed in their respective data entry cells. Check the “Enter/Report Alternate Result” boxes if you wish to report results that differ from the ones calculated by IVT.

Click here to return to "Step 4: Calculate the Required Emissions Information for Each Fuel Using IVT (if applicable)" on the Subpart AA Emissions Information for Units NOT Monitored By CEMS for RY2014 and Later  page.

Saving and Reloading Your Inputs Verifier File

As you enter data into the Inputs Verifier Tool (IVT), the system creates and "inputs file" that contains all the data that you entered into IVT.  You must save your inputs file to your computer or other location that you designate. On each subsequent log in, you will be prompted to temporarily upload the latest version of the inputs file to e-GGRT.  e-GGRT will not save data entered into the IVT. Users are responsible for saving their facility’s inputs file. This page shows how the IVT assists users with this task.

The following example demonstrates how the inputs to equations are 1) entered, 2) saved locally, 3) temporarily loaded at a later session, 4) the screen errors you may receive, and 5) error messages you may receive if you attempt to open an inputs file that is not the most recent one saved for your facility.

To access the inputs verifier tool, users would log in to e-GGRT with their username and password, select their facility, and navigate to the "Data Reporting" section of e-GGRT.

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On the Data Reporting tab for the selected subpart, immediately below a reported emissions value, the user will find a button labeled "Use Inputs Verifier to calculate| GO". Clicking GO will open the inputs verifier tool for that reported emissions value. Please note that screens in the inputs verifier tool are clearly marked with a unique header indicating that you are using the IVT (shown below with red outline).

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Entering Data Using the IVT

Once in the IVT, the user will be able to enter inputs to equations data. An example of an inputs to equations field is outlined with red in the screen shot below. Please note that every field for inputs to equations states that the data "will not be stored by EPA". Unless you save you input files, you will need to manually re-enter this data during future data entry sessions.

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Saving Data Entered in the IVT

Data entered into the inputs verifier module are NOT saved in e-GGRT.  Only the output values from the inputs verifier module are saved in e-GGRT. Therefore, each user/facility will have to save their inputs verifier file to their local hard drive and keep track of the file for future use.  On the top of each IVT screen, immediately below the grey box, IVT will present the save status of your FACILITY'S INPUTS VERIFIER FILE (File History), which contains the data entered into the inputs verifier module. To use e-GGRT in the future for your facility, you must save this file in a place where you can access it. This status box is also available on the Facility Overview page. Prior to saving your inputs verifier file, this section of the screen will state "Inputs Data Not Saved" in red letters and will provide the "Last Saved File" field. Click "Save Inputs Data" to save the inputs verifier file to your computer. This status box appears on many pages throughout e-GGRT and IVT so that it is easy for you to save inputs. However, you only need to save inputs at the completion of each data entry session.

After clicking "Save Inputs Data ", you will be able to save the inputs verifier file to your computer. Please note that different browsers may allow the user to set file-saving preferences and default locations. The example shown below uses the Firefox browser. Each user’s save dialog box and defaults may appear differently, depending on the browser used.  For information on browser-specific behaviors please refer to Browser-specific issues and behaviors.

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Once you have saved the file, the inputs verifier file status box will display “Inputs Data Saved” in green text and the "Saved By (Date):" field that shows the name of the user who most recently saved an inputs verifier file and the date and time.” Each time you click “Save Inputs Data Locally”, the IVT will record that you have saved your inputs verifier file. The IVT does not record where you save your inputs verifier file or whether you elect to cancel this action.

Reloading an Inputs Verifier File

When you come back to e-GGRT in a later session, you will return to the FACILITY or SUPPLIER OVERVIEW web form. Here you will see the box for the FACILITY'S INPUTS VERIFIER FILE (File History), with the message that “Inputs Data Not Loaded” in red text. To load an inputs verifier file that has been previously saved, click the link labeled "Temporarily Load Inputs Data". Then browse to and select the inputs verifier file saved locally (to your local computer or local network drive). The IVT will accept the ZIP file or XML file previously downloaded by the user or a copy of that file (note: this file may be renamed but its contents must be identical). Finally, click the IMPORT button to load the file to the inputs verifier tool.

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If the user attempts to reload an inputs verifier file that is not the one most recently saved for the facility, the user will receive the following warning message. The system prevents the user from accidentally loading an outdated file and thus losing the most recent data. Note that you may elect to choose "I Would Like to Upload this File" and the system will attempt to reconcile all validation messages and IVT calculations (which are based on the most recently-saved file) based on the inputs contained in the old file that you are electing to load. If you elect to proceed to upload an old file, it is highly recommended that you review all equation inputs and calculations to ensure your annual report is complete and accurate.

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Screen Errors You May Receive

When attempting to save inputs data during the IVT data entry process, the user may receive screen errors that indicate the user has not completely entered required data to the Inputs Verifier Tool. Screen errors must be corrected before you will be permitted to complete a save action. Once you have corrected these errors, IVT will be able to calculate the equation result and you will be able to save your inputs verifier file locally.

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If the user inputs and saves data in IVT, then adds, deletes, or updates one or more inputs to an equation in IVT without saving the inputs file locally and subsequently attempts to log out of e-GGRT, the following warning message will be displayed.

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The user has three options:

• SAVE INPUTS AND LOGOUT - after clicking this button, the user is prompted to save the inputs file locally. Once the file has been saved, the user is logged out of e-GGRT.
• LOGOUT - DISCARD EQUATION INPUTS DATA - the most recent changes to the inputs data are discarded and the user is automatically logged out of e-GGRT. The inputs file is NOT saved.
• CANCEL - the user is returned to e-GGRT. The inputs file is NOT saved. Note that if the user clicks CANCEL and does not save the inputs file locally and later attempts to logout, the warning message will be displayed again).

If the user clicked the LOGOUT - DISCARD EQUATION INPUTS DATA button in a previous session, the following message will be displayed the next time the user logs in.

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To load an inputs verifier file that has been previously saved (as would occur if you logged off and came back to e-GGRT in a later session), the user would click the link labeled "Temporarily Load Inputs Data". The user would browse to and select the inputs verifier file saved locally (to their local computer or local network drive). The IVT will accept the ZIP file or XML file previously downloaded by the user or a copy of that file (note: this file may be renamed but its contents must be identical) . The user would then click the IMPORT button to load the file to the inputs verifier tool.

 

If you attempt to reload an inputs verifier file that is not the one most recently saved for the facility, the user will receive the following warning message. The system prevents the user from accidentally loading an outdated file and thus losing the most recent data. Note that you may elect to choose "I Would Like to Upload this File" and the system will attempt to reconcile all validation messages and IVT calculations (which are based on the most recently-saved file) based on the inputs contained in the old file that you are electing to load. If you elect to proceed to upload an old file, it is highly recommended that you review all equation inputs and calculations to ensure your annual report is complete and accurate.

 

Click here to return to "Step 4: Calculate the Required Emissions Information for Each Fuel Using IVT (if applicable)" on the Subpart AA Emissions Information for Units NOT Monitored CEMS for RY2014 and Later page.