The Component CO2 Factor
Component Template
The CO2_Factor.e-ctpl component template is located in the Component template library folder Key Figures.
How the Component Works
The key figure CO2 factor indicates the mass of CO2 produced in relation to the amount of energy generated or used, e.g., in g/kWh, and thus enables an assessment of climate friendliness. The CO2 emission factor is given as a measure of the ecological quality of electricity generation: the production of one kilowatt-hour of lignite-based electricity produces 0,364 kg CO2, the CO2 emission factor is 364 g/kWh; a gas-fired power plant, with approximately 0,202 kg CO2 emissions per kilowatt-hour, has a CO2 factor of 202 g/kWh. Emission-free electricity generated from renewable sources, for example, is included in this key figure if it is fed into the grid. The associated compensation extends the value range of the key figure CO2 factor to the negative numbers.
The key figure CO2 factor is calculated by default according to the following formula, in which \( i \) is the running index.
\( K_{CO2\ emission\ factor} = \frac {\sum {m_{CO2\ emission,i}}} {\sum {P_{reference\ value,i}}} \)
The range of values of the primary energy factor is between + infinity and − infinity with the uniquely definable target:
\( K_{CO2\ emission\ factor} ≤ 0 \), i.e., \( m_{CO2} ≤ 0 \).
Input Data
Output Data
Scenarios
A process with \( K_{CO2\ emission\ factor} = 0 \) is considered as climate neutral. A CO2 emission factor of 0 is achieved when the amount of power generated from renewables and fed into the grid is equal to the amount of power withdrawn from the grid.
If the amount of power generated from renewable energy and fed into the grid exceeds the power output from the grid, a climate-positive balance is created: \( K_{CO2\ emission\ factor} < 0 \) .
If there is no energy generation and therefore no feed-in, the key figure CO2 factor can only assume values ≥ 1. In this case, the focus is on reducing losses and achieving a value close to 1.
For further information on parameterization and reformulation of the component, see the article on key figures and the tutorial 90–key figures.
