User’s Guide for States Using the Greenhouse Gas Synthesis Tool January 2023


User's Guide for States Using
the Greenhouse Gas Synthesis
Tool

January 2023

Prepared by:
ICF

Prepared for:

State Energy and Environment Program,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

This section of the User's Guide provides instruction on using the Synthesis Tool module of
the State Inventory Tool (SIT).

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents	1

1.1	Getting Started	1

1.2	Synthesis Tool Overview	2

1.2.1	Data Requirements	3

1.2.2	Tool Layout	3

1.3	Methodology	3

1.4	Conclusion	6

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The Synthesis Tool

January 2023

1.1 Getting Started

The Synthesis Tool was developed using Microsoft® Excel 2000. While the module will
operate with older versions of Excel, it functions best with Excel 2000 or later. Some of the
Excel basics are outlined in the steps below. Before you use the Synthesis Tool, make sure
your computer meets the system requirements. In order to install and run the Synthesis
Tool, you must have:

• IBM-PC compatible computer with the Windows 95 operating system or later;

• Microsoft® Excel 1997 or later, with calculation set to automatic and macros
enabled;

• Hard drive with at least 20MB free; and

• Monitor display setting of 800 x 600 or greater.

Microsoft Excel Settings

Excel 2003 and Earlier: For the SIT modules to function properly, Excel must be set to
automatic calculation. To check this setting, launch Microsoft Excel before opening the
Synthesis module. Go to the Tools menu and select "Options..." Click on the "Calculations"
tab and make sure that the radio button next to "Automatic" is selected, and then click on
"OK" to close the window. The security settings (discussed next) can also be adjusted at
this time.

Excel 2007 and Later: For the SIT modules to function properly, Excel must be set to
automatic calculation. Go to the Formulas ribbon and select "Calculation Options." Make
sure that the box next to the "Automatic" option is checked from the pop-up menu.

Microsoft Excel Security

Excel 2003 and Earlier: Because the SIT employs macros, you must have Excel security
set to medium (recommended) or low (not recommended). To change this setting, launch
Microsoft Excel before opening the Synthesis module. Once in Excel, go to the Tools menu,
click on the Macro sub-menu, and then select "Security" (see Figure 1). The Security pop-
up box will appear. Click on the "Security Level" tab and select medium. When set to high,
macros are automatically disabled; when set to medium, Excel will give you the choice to
enable macros; when set to low, macros are always enabled.

When Excel security is set to medium, users are asked upon opening the module whether to
enable macros. Macros must be enabled in order for the Synthesis module to work. Once
they are enabled, the module will open to the control worksheet. A message box will
appear welcoming the user to the module. Clicking on the "x" in the upper-right-hand
corner of the message box will close it.

Excel 2007 and Later: If Excel's security settings are set at the default level a Security
Warning appears above the formula box in Excel when the Synthesis module is initially
opened. The Security Warning lets the user know that some active content from the
spreadsheet has been disabled, meaning that Excel has prevented the macros in the
spreadsheet from functioning. Because SIT needs macros in order to function properly, the
user must click the "Options" button in the security message and then select, "Enable this
content" in the pop-up box. Enabling the macro content for the SIT in this way only enables
macros temporarily in Excel but does not change the macro security settings. Once macros

State Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool User's Guide for the Synthesis Tool 1.1

-------
The Synthesis Tool

January 2023

are enabled, a message box will appear welcoming the user to module. Click on the "x" in
the upper right-hand corner to close the message box.

If the Security Warning does not appear when the module is first opened, it may be
necessary to change the security settings for macros. To change the setting, first exit out
of the Synthesis module and re-launch Microsoft Excel before opening the Synthesis
module. Next, click on the Microsoft Excel icon in the top left of the screen. Scroll to the
bottom of the menu and select the "Excel Options" button to the right of the main menu.
When the Excel Options box appears, select "Trust Center" in left-hand menu of the box.
Next, click the grey "Trust Center Settings" button. When the Trust Center options box
appears, click "Macro Settings" in the left-hand menu and select "Disable all macros with
notification." Once the security level has been adjusted, open the Synthesis module and
enable macros in the manner described in the preceding paragraph.

Viewing and Printing Data and Results

The Synthesis Tool contains some features to allow users to adjust the screen view and the
appearance of the worksheets when they are printed. Once the tool has been opened, you
can adjust the zoom by going to the Module Options Menu, and either typing in a zoom
percentage or selecting one from the drop-down menu. In addition, data may not all
appear on a single screen within each worksheet; if not, you may need to scroll up or down
to view additional information.

You may also adjust the print margins of the worksheets to ensure that desired portions of
the Synthesis Tool are printed. To do so, go to the File menu, and then select "Print
Preview." Click on "Page Break Preview" and drag the blue lines to the desired positions
(see Figure 2). To print this view, go to the File menu, and click "Print." To return to the
normal view, go to the File menu, click "Print Preview," and then click "Normal View."

Figure 1. Changing Security Settings

£3 Microsoft Excel - Bookl

1:0 File Edit

View Insert

Format I

Tools | Data Window Help I

Spelling... F7

I I

A I

I c

Research... Alt+Click

1 |

J 1

K 1

Error Checking,..

Speech ~

Shared Workspace...

Share Workbook...

Irack Changes ~

Compare and Merge Workbooks.,,

Protection >

Online Collaboration ~

Goal Seek...

Scenarios,..

Formula Auditing ~

| Macro ~ |

Macros...

Alt+F8

Add-Ins...

Rprnrrl New M^rrn .

AutoCorrect Options...

Security...

Customize...

| Visual Basic Editor

Alt+Fll

Options.,,

• Microsoft Script Editor

Alt+Shift+Fll

Figure 2. Adjusting Print Margins

ge Edit Module Option

State Inventory Tool - Synthesis Module

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Drag cursor
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in conducting a&H$ inventory for y

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Agriculture

Forest Management ond Land-Use Change

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1.2 Synthesis Tool Overview

The Synthesis Tool was designed as a companion to EPA's State Inventory Tool (SIT), which
estimates state-level emissions for 1990-2020. Users who have completed the historical

State Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool User's Guide for the Synthesis Tool

1.2

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The Synthesis Tool

January 2023

emission estimation process using the SIT modules can import the historical emissions into
the Synthesis Tool to compile the time series for all modules from 1990 through 2020.

1.2.1 Data Requirements

Before using this module, the user should conduct greenhouse gas inventories for all
applicable sources using the individual sector modules. The individual sector modules
include the following: CO2 from Fossil Fuel Combustion, Electricity Consumption, Stationary
Combustion, Mobile Combustion, Coal Mining, Natural Gas and Oil Systems, Industrial
Processes, Agriculture, Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry, Municipal Solid Waste,
and Wastewater.

After completing each sector inventory, the user should export the data using the "Export
Data" button provided in the final step of each sector module. The modules will then create
an output file using a default file name. Please do not change the file names or alter the
output files in any way. Once the output files have been generated, the Synthesis module
can then be used.

1.2.2 Tool Layout

Because there are multiple steps to complete within the Synthesis Tool, it is important to
understand the Tool's overall design. The layout of the Synthesis Tool is presented in Figure
3.

Figure 3. Flow of Information in the Synthesis Tool

Control Worksheet



Module Worksheets (for Reviewing Data)

1. Choose a State





2. Locate Output File, Import, and Review Data for Each Module:

C02 from Fossil Fuel Combustion



/¦^~C02 from Fossil Fuel Combustion

Indirect C02 from Electricity Consumption



Indirect C02 from Electricity Consumption

Stationary Combustion



Stationary Combustion

Mobile Combustion



Mobile Combustion

Coal Mining

I J

Coal Mining

Natural Gas and Oil Systems

^ C J ^

Natural Gas and Oil Systems

Industrial Processes



Industrial Processes

Agriculture



Agriculture

Land-Use Change and Forestry



Forest Management and Land-Use Change

Municipal Solid Waste



Municipal Solid Waste

Wastewater



^Wastewater

3. Select Units and View Summary Worksheets <	5

~ Summary Data





t By Sector: presented in table and graphical formats





I By Gas: presented in table and graphical formats





t By Intensity: presented in table and graphical formats

1.3 Methodology

This section provides a guide to using the Synthesis Tool to import emission estimates from
completed modules of the SIT. The following three steps describe how to import and view
the estimates provided by the eleven SIT modules: (1) select a state on the control
worksheet; (2) locate output file, import, and review data for each module; (3) select units
and view summary information.

State Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool User's Guide for the Synthesis Tool

1.3

-------
The Synthesis Tool

January 2023

Step (1): Select a State on the Control Worksheet

To begin, select the state you are interested in evaluating. By selecting a state, the rest of
the tool will automatically reset to reflect the appropriate state default data and
assumptions for use in subsequent steps of the tool.

Step (2): Locate Output File, Import, and Review Data for Each Module

This step involves importing the output files containing emission estimates from the
individual modules. While the CO2 from Fossil Fuel Combustion (CO2FFC) module will be
used as an example of how to import and review data, the importing process is identical
across for all eleven SIT modules.

On the control worksheet, select the "Get CO2 from Fossil Fuel Combustion Data" button.
Once this button is selected, you will be prompted to locate the summary file exported from
the CO2FFC module (called "C02FFC_Summary") as shown in Figure 4.

E3 State Inventory Tool - Synthesis Module

: Sj File Edit Module Options

State Inventory Tool - Synthesis TooI

This too/ will coiled data from the individual sector modules and combine them, the final step in conducting a SHS inventory for your state.

Before using this module, the user should conduct greenhouse gas inventories for all applicable sources using the individual sector modules. After completing each sector
inventory, the user should export the data using the button provided in the final step of each sector module. The modules will then create an output f i le using a default f i le
name. Please do not change the f i le names or alter the output f i les in any way. Once all ten output f i les have been generated, the user of this Synthesis module should then
begin here by choosin2_astateiInsteg_2iwyhenJhe_user clicks on the buttons to get the data, the user will be prompted to locate the output files. This module will then open

to attain correct results, please be sure to choose the proper files when prompted. Please see the User's Suide for

the specified fi le an
the Synthesis Tool f

Select State

2. Locate Output File Import and Review Data for Each Module

Prompt to
Locate File

| Consult User's guide |

COi from Fossil Fuel Combustion
COz from Electricity Consumption
Stationary Combustion
Mobile Combustion
Coal Mining

Natural 6as and Oil Systems
Industrial Processes
Agriculture

Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry
Municipal Solid Waste
Wastewater
3. View the Summary Sheets:

Set COZ from FF Combustion Data
Set COZ from ElectricityConsumption Data
Set Stationary Corrbust ion Data
Set Mobile Combustion Data

1/ Data
u Data
v Data ^>>

Set Coal Data

Natural Sas end Oil Data

Please locate the si

J file named C02FFC_Summary.xls

Set Industrial Processes Data

Set Agriculture Data
Set Forestry Data

Set Waste Data

Set Wastewater Data

Review Data

>
>
>
>

So to Summary by
Sector

So to Summary by
Sas

So to Summary by
Intensity

If the file is imported successfully, the current date and time will appear in the column titled
"Summary File Imported on". This timestamp is useful to have if you are completing an
inventory on an annual basis and would like to know the last time data was imported into
the Synthesis Tool.

To review the data that was imported for a given module, click on the gray navigational
arrow to the right of the module you would like to review. The summary data worksheet by
sector for the CO2 from Fossil Fuel Combustion is shown in Figure 5. In each sector
summary worksheet, you have the option to enter total emissions data by gas (in

State Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool User's Guide for the Synthesis Tool 1.4

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The Synthesis Tool

January 2023

MMTCO2E) from 'Additional Emissions Source(s)' if you have emission sources that are not
already covered by the sector module that you would like to include. Any additional
emissions are pulled into the Summary by Sector and Summary by Gas worksheets. To
return to the control worksheet, click on the gray navigational arrow.

Figure 5. Example of CO2FFC Summary Worksheet

Summary of COZ Emissions from Fossil Fuel
Combustion in Florida (MMTC02E)

Return to
Control

This tab surrmarizes emissions from fossil fuel combustion in million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCC-.E) using emissiorts results smJwt

Errissions from an additional emissions source can be entered (in MMTCO2E) in the 'Additional Emssrans Source' row if your state has emission sources that are not already included
in the sector module. Any additional emissions are pulted into the Summary by Sector and Summary by Gas worksheets.

Emissions (HHTCO, Eq.)

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000



Residential

1.54



1.58

1.75

1.67

1.57

1.49

1.66

1.37

1.45

1.42

1.52



Coal

0.00



0.00

0.01

0.01

0.01

0.00

0.00



0.00

0.00

0.00



Petroleum

0.79



0.83

0.90

0.86

0.74

0.67

0.69

0.63

0.66

0.65

0.63



Natural Gas

0.74



0.75

0.84

0.81

0.83

0.82

0.96

0.73

0.79

0.76

0.89



Other



























Commercial

6.26



5.98

5.97

4.78

4.36

4.34

4.17

3.64

3.56

3.64

4.81



Coal

0.01



0.00

0.03

0.03

0.04

0.00

0.00



0.01

0.01

0.02



Petroleum

4.17



3.70

3.51

2.36

1.93

2.05

1.70

1.59

1.45

1.62

1.98



Natural Gas

2.08



2.28

2.43

2.39

2.38

2.28

2.47

2.05

2.10

2.01

2.81



Other



























Industrial

11.96

11.29

12.90

14.15

14.95

16.19

16.04

15.11

15.29

15.39

14.47



Coal

2.81



2.65

3.11

3.03

3.02

3.10

2.97

3.14

2.97

2.76

2.98



Petroleum

4.28



3.67

4.67

5.31

4.90

5.95

5.39

4.99

5.56

5.26

5.38



Natural Gas

4.87



4.97

5.13

5.81

7.03

7.13

7.68

6.98

6.75

7.37

6.12



Other



























Transportation

81.49

77.16

79.91

78.73

84.26

86.48

87.41

90.60

92.03

94.78

100.95



Coal



























Petroleum

81.33

76.95

79.65

78.47

83.94

86.05

87.06

90.27

91.80

94.39

100.51



Natural Gas

0.16



0.20

0.26

0.26

0.32

0.43

0.35

0.33

0.23

0.40

0.44



Other



























Electric Utilities

85.19

91.24

89.17

93.35

95.08

97.14

101.88

105.85

116.34

112.66

114.95



Coal

55.94

57.65

57.08

57.66

58.50

60.63

66.25

66.65

66.28

63.19

67.03



Petroleum

19.11

22.79

21.21

25.62

25.21

16.71

17.59

20.51

32.10

29.33

27.95





10.14



nan

m sift

in n7

11 37

19.81

18.04

18.69

17.97

20.14

19.97



Other





Enter optional
Additional





International Bunker Fuels
Petroleum





0.02
0.02

0.03
0.03

0.02
0.02

0.04
0.04

0.02
0.02

0.02
0.02



TOTAL

186.43

187



Emissions Source

205.66

211.19

216.59

228.70

227.90

236.72

2





























Petroleum

109.67^

^0

7.98

109.97

112.64

116.74

111.45

112.46

118.02

131.60

131.27

136.46



Natural Gas .



19.00

19.53

19.35

21.94

30.48

29.50

28.78

27.83

30.67

30.22



Additional Emissions Source

Step (3): View Summary Information

Once the data from all of the modules has been imported, you can view estimates in
MMTCO2E on the final summary worksheet. A summary of the modules by sector, gas, or
intensity (per capita and by gross state product) is provided within the Synthesis module.
An example of the sector summary worksheet is shown in Figure 6. In addition, the results
are displayed in graphical format at the bottom of the summary worksheets.

State Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool User's Guide for the Synthesis Tool

1.5

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The Synthesis Tool

January 2023

E State Inventory Tool - Synthesis Module

Figure 6. Example of Summary Worksheet by Sector

: Sj File Edit Module Options

Summary of &H& Emissions by Sector in Colorado
(MMTCQ2E)	

Go to Summary bys*

So to Summary by
Intensity >¦

* Emissions from Electricity Consumption are not included in totals in order to avoid double counting with Fossil Fuel Combustion estimates.

Energy

COj from Fossil Fuel Combustion
Stationary Combustion
Mobile Combustion
Coal Mining

Natural Gas and Oil Systems
Industrial Processes
Agriculture

Enteric Fermentation
Manure Management
Rice Cultivation
Agricultural Soil Management
Burning of Agricultural Crop Waste
LULUCF
Waste

Municipal Solid Waste
Wastewater
Indirect COj from Electricity Consumption*

1.4 Conclusion

Once the results of all eleven modules are imported into the Synthesis Tool, you will have a
complete inventory for your state. These results may be used to create an inventory
document, if you so desire. In addition, you may use these historical estimates as the basis
for emission projections in EPA's Projection Tool. For instructions on using the Projection
Tool, please consult the Projection Tool User's Guide.

State Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool User's Guide for the Synthesis Tool

1.6

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