Tampa Bay Water 2017: Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

This report assesses the methods used for calculating kilowatt-hours (kWh) per production point and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per electricity used at Tampa Bay Water sites. It finds that the kWh calculations lacked consideration for previous water year consumption, impacting reliability. The GHG emission calculations, based on energy consumption data, fossil fuel mix research, and operating statistics, are deemed generally correct but with minor approximations. The report suggests alternative standardized data sources for electric consumption data and GHG emissions data if EPA data is unavailable, including general electricity supply data, auto-generators surveys, and data from other agencies. It emphasizes observing environmental changes over time and considering the role of electric companies in controlling emissions. The report also mentions the possibility of using previous data and trend analysis to predict future GHG emissions.

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Running head: Water Resources
Water Resources
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Institutional affiliation

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Are our methods for creating kWh used per production point being transformed correctly?
The documentation on how the data was transformed was an incomplete process. The
calculations involved at each stage did not consider the average consumption from the previous
water year and hence the transformation was not effective and reliable (United States
Environmental Protection Agency, 2017). The kWh here is determined by the calculation of the
Green House Gas emissions produced as a result of the production of electricity. The production
starts from the progress energy where the kWh/MG pumped is multiplied by the gallons
produced or the gallons pumped. The result is averaged and the production of kWh per year is
recorded. A lot of approximations are done when determining the quantity of the electricity
produced which results in more emissions to the environment (Zhou, 2014). This proves
ineffective and hence the methods are not properly transformed to achieve the desired efficiency.
There exists Green House Gas emissions, an evidence that the transformation of electricity is not
according to the designated standards. These emissions emerge from the production of electricity
to its consumption. More emissions eventually affect the production cycle of electricity hence the
transformation becomes faulty.
Are our methods for determining Green House Gas emissions per electricity used at sites
being calculated correctly?
The calculation in determining the Green House Gas emissions for the electricity used in
sites passes through a number of stages and determinations. In the first stage, collection of data
relevant to calculation of the emission is done. The data collected include the energy
consumption collected from the Energy Consumption Manager, power billed commercially

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provided by the recognized public power providers’ agencies and the operating statistics
retrieved from all supervisory control agencies’ facilities. A research on fossil fuel mix is also
done for each utility basing the research on various EPA data (United States Environmental
Protection Agency, 2017). The overall calculation done uses the above collected data including
the amount of water produced and pumped. The methods involved in the calculations are correct
and accurate since they show feasible reduction in emissions through the reduction of water
demand and electrical usage (Shailesh, 2013). However, in some instances, there are minor
assumptions and approximations that may mislead the overall results. The approximations never
alter much the final determination from the calculations. Green House Gases determination can
also be made through the analysis of the collected data and information plotted in graphs which
will help to predict future occurrences of the emissions. According to the article the
determination of the calculations was made correctly since it gives out accurate information on
the Green House Gas emissions.
What standardized or averaging could we use if electric consumption data isn’t available
from local sources?
There are many standardized sources that could be used in place of the electric
consumption data. In this case, the TECO data did not get processed in time for the use in
coming up with the results for Water Year (WY) 2017. In case of such an incident, we could
instead use the data obtained from the general supply which is the used electricity as measured
from the grid without consideration of controlled load (Management Association, Information
Resources, 2015). Off peak controlled residential hot water data can also be used, mainly

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obtained from hot water storage systems. Data could also be obtained from small-medium, non-
residential sites for instance those nonresidential consumers with low voltage use over a larger
period of time usually approximated to be using below 160 MWh annually. Considerations
could also be made for the nonresidential consumers with an average of 160 MWh or higher. In
addition, data from the nonresidential high voltage consumers, like big industries large hospitals
and universities and transport infrastructure, would be used in the overall calculations. Weather
variations should also be included since the consumptions are strongly weather influenced
(Santamouris, 2010).
Auto-generators surveys could also provide substantial information regarding the electric
consumptions. The surveys could be undertaken by a group or an interested party performing
statistics about the consumption and usage of electricity. Also, auto generators could play a great
role in providing data since it provides the summary of the distribution of units and percentage
losses involved during the whole process of transmission of electricity. Single electricity market
operators provide information about the export and import of electricity in every half of an hour.
Exelon provides monthly data regarding the transmission and loses of electricity in the main
National Grid. The British energy yearly provides the Nuclear electricity’s thermal efficiency on
an average level.

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What standardized GHG emissions data can be substituted for data sets created by EPA if
they are not updating that data?
Some of the standardized Green House Gas emissions data that could be used include the
environmental changes to be observed for a longer period of time, approximately two years or
more (National Research Council, Division on Earth and Life Studies, Board on Atmospheric
Sciences and Climate, Committee on Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 2010).
Also, the production of electricity from its initial stages to the supply and usage of it should be
observed and how it affects the environment in relation to the emissions of gases to the
environment. The number of electric companies should also be taken into consideration while
determining the emissions of the Green House Gases since they play a great role in the
conservation of the environment through the controlled emission of the gases that could last
longer in the atmosphere for approximately 2 to 10 years (Smick, 2006). Data from relevant
agencies could also be utilized since they are majorly tasked with the observation and control of
Green House Gas emissions. The data given would help in the analysis and determination of the
gases and hence EPA would not be totally relied on.
Equivalently, calculations could be made based on the previous experiences to help
predict the future occurrences of the Green House Gas emissions. This is achievable through
construction of graphs to show trends. However, these calculations may not give accurate
information required but can give close estimates that could be relied on. Information can also be
gotten from the power grid concerning the consumption of electricity and possible effects to be
encountered by the Green House Gases as a result of the production and usage of electricity.

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References
Management Association, Information Resources. (2015). Standards and Standardization:
Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and Applications: Concepts, Methodologies, Tools, and
Applications. Heyshire: IGI Global.
National Research Council, Division on Earth and Life Studies, Board on Atmospheric Sciences
and Climate, Committee on Methods for Estimating Greenhouse Gas Emissions. (2010).
Verifying Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Methods to Support International Climate
Agreements. Washington D.C: National Academies Press.
Santamouris, M. (2010). Energy Performance of Residential Buildings: A Practical Guide for
Energy Rating and Efficiency. Abingdon: Taylor & Francis.
Shailesh. (2013, October 12). How to calculate GHG emission for electricity consumption from
the grid? Retrieved from Green Clean Guide: http://greencleanguide.com/how-to-
calculate-ghg-emission-for-electricity-consumption-from-the-grid/
Smick, E. (2006, September 14). U.S. Companies and Greenhouse Gas Regulations. Retrieved
from Council on foreign Relations: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/us-companies-and-
greenhouse-gas-regulations
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2017, May 8). 2016 Greenhouse Gas
Emissions from Large Facilities. Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection
Agency: https://ghgdata.epa.gov/ghgp/main.do#
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2017, April 13). Global Greenhouse Gas
Emissions Data. Retrieved from United States Environmental Protection Agency:
https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data

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Zhou, Y. (2014). Combined Production of Electric Power and Heat: Proceedings of a Seminar
Organized by the Committee on Electric Power of the United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe, Hamburg, Federal Republic of Germany, 6-9 November 1978.
New York: Elsevier.