Configure the impact factors of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission sources in Energy Expert — either by selecting from a built-in emission factor database or by entering values manually.
Energy Expert quantifies GHG emissions using the emission factor method:
CE = Σ ADi × EFij × GWPj
Where:
CE — total GHG emissions (CO₂ equivalent, CO₂e) for the organization within the accounting period
ADi — activity data of emission source i
EFij — emission factor of the jth GHG type for emission source i
GWPj — global warming potential (GWP) value for converting the jth GHG type to CO₂
The Kyoto Protocol defines seven GHG types: carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and perfluorocarbons (PFCs). Energy Expert supports all seven types. Preset GWP values are sourced from the sixth assessment report (AR6) of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
For each emission source, configure two values per GHG type: the emission factor value and the GWP value.
Select impact factors from an impact factor database
Energy Expert includes mainstream emission factor databases from China and internationally, including UK Government GHG Conversion Factors for Company Reporting (DEFRA), ecoinvent, and others.
Click Add Impact Factor in the Facility/activity configuration panel to open the impact factor selection panel.
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Choose the database type in the upper-left corner:
Databases related to corporate carbon accounting (selected by default): Each factor includes both a comprehensive GHG emission factor value and per-gas-type emission factor values, letting you break down emissions by GHG type.
Databases related to product carbon footprint: Each factor includes only a comprehensive GHG emission factor value. Emissions are calculated and analyzed as CO₂e.
Filter the factor list by database, emission category, sub-category, factor name, or factor category to find the right factor.
Click Details in the Operation column to review a factor before selecting it.
Select a factor and click Confirm selection to apply it to the emission source.
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After selection, the carbon accounting template configuration page reflects the factor's data:
Factor with per-gas-type values: Each GHG type and its emission factor value are shown individually.
Factor with a comprehensive value only: The factor is listed as a single GHG type with its composite emission factor value. Energy Expert treats it as CO₂ (GWP = 1) for calculation.
When selecting from a database, Energy Expert uses the preset AR6-based IPCC GWP values, which cannot be modified.
Manually configure impact factors
To define custom emission factors outside the built-in databases, configure them manually. Specify the GHG type, emission factor value, and GWP value.
Click Manual Configuration Impact factor in the upper-right corner of the Impact Factor Configuration section.
Select a GHG type from the GHG Type drop-down list. The seven available types are: CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, and NF3.
To add more GHG types, click Add gas type. To remove a GHG type, click the Delete icon in its Operation column.
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Enter a value directly in the Emission Factor Value column, or click Calculate factor by formula in the Operation column to compute the value from custom parameters:
Fixed value: Enter the parameter name, value, and unit.
Data item: Select an existing data item or create one.
If the formula references a data item parameter, the emission factor value cannot be resolved immediately. A hyphen (-) is displayed in the Emission Factor Value column until the data item is populated.
After selecting a GHG type, Energy Expert pre-fills the preset AR6-based IPCC GWP value. Unlike database-sourced factors, you can modify this value: hover over the GWP value and click the Edit icon.
