AVoided Emissions and geneRation Tool (AVERT)

A tool that estimates the emission benefits of energy efficiency (EE) and
renewable energy (RE) policies and programs

What is AVERT?

AVERT is a free tool with a simple user interface designed to meet the
needs of state air quality planners and other interested stakeholders.
Non-experts can use AVERT to evaluate county-level emissions displaced
at electric power plants by EE/RE policies and programs. AVERT uses
public data that are accessible and auditable. Users can choose between
AVERT's Excel-based tool and a web-based version. Visit
www.epa.gov/avert to use AVERT's web-based Main Module.

Why use AVERT?

Organizations interested in the emission benefits of EE/RE policies and
programs can use AVERT to:

•	Quantify the fine particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen oxides
(NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon dioxide (CO2) emission
benefits of state and multi-state EE/RE policies or programs.

•	Use AVERT-calculated emission impacts of EE/RE policies in air
quality modeling and Clean Air Act plans to meet the National
Ambient Air Quality Standards.

•	Analyze the regional, state, and county-level emission impacts of
different EE/RE programs based on their temporal energy savings
and hourly generation profiles.

•	Compare the emission impacts of different types of EE/RE
programs, such as the impacts of wind versus solar installations.

•	Understand the emission impacts of different EE/RE policies and
programs during high electric demand days.

•	Present information about location-specific emission benefits in
easy-to-interpret tables and maps.

•	Use AVERT-generated emission factors to quickly estimate the
magnitude of emission impacts within an AVERT region.

Cost-effective ways to
reduce air pollution arid
enhance public health

Many states are adopting,
implementing, and expanding
cost-effective EE/RE policies
and programs. States are
investing in EE/RE policies and
programs to achieve many
benefits;

•	Lower customer costs

•	Improve electric supply
reliability

•	Diversify their energy
supply portfolios

•	Reduce pollution of
criteria air pollutants
and greenhouse gases

EPA is committed to helping
state and local governments
enhance public health.
Decision-makers and analysts
can use the AVERT tool to
quantify emission reductions
from EE/RE policies and
programs as an early step in
calculating air quality changes
and localized health impacts.

£1E	&EPA

Stale and Local Energy

and Environment Program	epa.gov/statelocalenergy

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When should AVERT not be used?

AVERT's Excel-based modules should riot be used to examine the emission impacts of major fleet
adjustments. Users who wish to conduct analyses more than five years from the baseline must use AVERT's
statistical module and future year scenario template.

Who should use AVERT?

•	Analysts looking to improve their understanding of the emission benefits of state-wide or multi-state
EE/RE policies and programs.

•	Environmental agency staff and air quality planners interested in assessing emission benefits and
including them in Clean Air Act plans to meet the National Ambient Air Quality Standards or other
clean air goals.

•	Energy office or public utility commission staff looking to estimate or promote the air benefits of
existing or planned energy efficiency or renewable energy policies.

How do I run a scenario in AVERT?

AVERT's web-based Main Module runs in any
major web browser and estimates the displaced
emissions likely to result from EE/RE programs
using the most recent year of data. Users select
one of 10 AVERT regions and input data on the
EE/RE programs they want to analyze. For EE
policies and programs, users should have EE
savings annual impacts (in MWh) or an
understanding of the policies' or programs'
temporal profiles (e.g., would the EE program
save energy during peak periods or the same
amount through the year). For RE programs,
users will need to know the capacity of the solar

or wind resource they want to analyze. For more information on using the Excel-based Main Module, with
additional functionality including different data years, custom load profiles, future regional data files, and
additional output formats, see the AVERT Main Module Quick Start Guide.

For more information

•	Visit the AVERT website, download AVERT, download avoided emission factors generated from AVERT,
and take online training at www.epa.gov/avert

•	Contact us at avert@epa.gov

SERA

State and Local Energy

and Environment Program	epa.gov/statelocalenergy

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