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Conversions Editor

Overview

The Conversions Editor (CE) allows users to define and manage conversion technologies such as boilers, engines, and turbines—used in resource processing and combustion. Each conversion serves as a mathematical bridge between a fuel input and its resulting environmental outputs.

A conversion is defined by two primary components:

  • Associated Resource: The specific input resource the conversion is relevant to (e.g., Natural Gas or Residual Oil).
  • Emissions Table: A matrix of emission factors organized by species and year.

Emissions are typically entered as time-series data per functional unit of the input resource (e.g., grams of pollutant per Joule of Natural Gas). In instances where time-series data is unavailable, the default value is used.

The Conversion Editor has two bottom tabs:

  • General Information
  • Usage Tab

The functionality of the usage tab is explained within the relevant section within the Tab Navigation Section.

General Information Tab

The General Information tab has two sections:

  1. Top information section
  2. Emissions table

Top Information Section

Allows the user to set:

  • Name
  • Notes
  • Resource the conversion is relevant to
  • Dimensionality basis to express the emission factors

The General Information section for the Conversion Editor
Figure 1: The General Information section for the Conversion Editor

Important

All conversions must have a resource chosen for them.

Per Dimensionality

Dimensionality awareness is important to ensure data integrity and avoid calculation errors in cases where converting between dimensionalities is not possible.

Emissions Table

The emissions table serves as the primary data for the conversion. The table consists of:

  • Rows: Individual emissions
  • Columns: Years

Default Column

Every emissions table has a "default" column, which serves as the data chosen for non-time series emissions.

Adding Data

  • New emissions: Click the + icon visible by hovering over the Emissions subsection title
  • New years: Choose from the Add Year dropdown on the leftmost column

Data Entry

Most emissions have data entered normally.

Note

Because the emissions table itself holds the time series data, the formula editor does not show the time series table for emissions cells.

Special Emissions: CO2 and SOx

CO2 and SOx emissions can either be:

  • Entered manually
  • Automatically calculated
  • A combination of the two

Choose the method with the dropdown in the leftmost column of the row.

An information icon can be hovered over to explain the calculations.

The Emissions Table for the Conversion Editor
Figure 2: The Emissions Table for the Conversion Editor

Calculated Emissions

If an emission is calculated, the calculated value for the emission will be shown, but the cell will not be editable.

Implementation and Balancing

Conversions are applied whenever a resource is combusted, most commonly within the inputs of a stationary process or within transportation modes (e.g., locomotive engines or ocean tankers). While users can manually define factors, the software frequently automates CO2 and SOx calculations. This balancing act utilizes the carbon and sulfur ratios of the input resource alongside those of the resulting emissions to ensure mass conservation.

Legacy Nomenclature

In the GREET.net legacy platform, Conversions were previously referred to as Technologies. Ensure this distinction is noted when migrating datasets or referencing older documentation.