Configuring location-based emission factors

Location-based emission factors determine the GHG emissions associated with the grid electricity, fuels, and district energy consumed across your portfolio. Scaler provides a default, regularly updated EF set and allows optional regional overrides (e.g., eGRID subregions or Australian state-level factors).

This article explains how to configure location-based emission factors, how to link assets to regional networks, and how Scaler applies these factors across your data.

Overview of the workflow

To configure location-based emission factors in Scaler:

Set up meters

Assign energy networks (U.S. & Australia)

Review or adjust emission factors in the Emission Factor Tool

Choose between CRREM and national datasets (U.S. & Australia)

(Optional) Switch to national datasets or manual overrides

Video: Setting up location-based emission factors

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1. Ensure meters are set up

Before reviewing or adjusting emission factors:

Meters must exist in: Data Collection Portal → Asset → Meters & Consumption

Only energy types with active meters appear in the EF table

Only countries where your portfolio has assets appear in the list

EF values display starting from the first year where consumption exists

2. Assign the correct energy network (Australia & USA only)

Expand for full details

For Australia and United States assets, Scaler can apply regional (state/subregion) emission factors instead of the national factor — but only if the asset has an energy network selected.

If the field is not populated, Scaler defaults to the national EF.

How to set the energy network (single asset)

Go to Data Collection Portal → Asset → Overview

Click the edit (pencil) icon

In Asset details → Location, select the correct Energy network

Save the asset

The energy network dropdown appears only when Country = Australia or United States.

How to update energy networks in bulk

Go to Data Collection Portal → Asset → Overview

Select the relevant assets

Download the Scaler Spreadsheet (Asset details sheet is included by default)

Find the Energy network column and choose the correct item from the dropdown

The dropdown only populates when country is already set.

Save and re-upload

Scaler applies the regional emission factors automatically

Determining your region - Australia

Use the following regional boundary maps:

NEM regional boundaries

WEM (SWIS and NWIS regions)

https://aemo.com.au/energy-systems/electricity/wholesale-electricity-market-wem

Determining your eGRID subregion - United States

Many ZIP codes map cleanly to one subregion, but others require you to select a utility. These tools help you determine the correct region:

EPA Online Power Profiler

https://www.epa.gov/egrid/power-profiler#/

EPA Power Profiler Excel Tool

Download the “Excel version…” from the EPA website.

Enter ZIP codes on the Data Entry sheet to identify subregions.

If multiple subregions are returned, follow the online tool link to select the correct utility.

EPA eGRID Maps

https://www.epa.gov/egrid/maps

3. Review emission factors in the Emission Factor Tool

You can now review which location-based factors Scaler applies:

Go to:

Data Collection Portal → Portfolio → Emission Factors

By default, portfolios use:

Scaler default emission factors, a curated set using:

CRREM

Australian National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA)

U.S. EPA eGRID

Only relevant countries and categories appear based on your meter setup.

Each EF row shows:

Country

Subcategory (Type of energy)

Year

EF value

Reference (exact database used)

You can click references to see every source Scaler used.

4. Choose between CRREM and national datasets (Australia & USA only)

Expand for full details

For United States and Australia, a gear icon appears next to the country row.

Click it to toggle between:

CRREM values

National database values (NGA or eGRID)

This selection affects all assets in that country unless overridden via Energy network.

5. Optional: Switch to manual emission factors

If you need to override values:

Open the dropdown at the top of the EF Tool

Select Manual

Edit EF values directly in the table

Visual cues:

Blue outline → value was manually edited

Yellow outline → EF is zero (intended or unintended)

If you change a value, always update the Reference field for audit trails.

(Automatic) EF updates when CRREM/eGRID releases new versions

When default datasets are updated:

Scaler automatically updates the Default set

Any portfolio using “Default” immediately receives new values

Older EF sets remain selectable in the dropdown

Scaler does not update default EFs during the GRESB reporting window (Jan–1 July).

Download your emission factor table

Use Download table to export a full spreadsheet containing:

All countries relevant to your portfolio

Year-by-year factors

All references for auditing

This export is helpful for:

Sustainability audits

Reporting documentation

Annual methodology notes

References & methodology

Scaler applies a structured and transparent methodology when compiling and projecting location-based emission factors and regularly updates emission factors to align with the latest versions from these data references.

Data References

Electricity sources

Emission factors are sourced as follows:

Australia – National Greenhouse Accounts (NGA) or CRREM

United States – EPA eGRID or CRREM

All other countries – CRREM

Regional granularity

For Australia and the USA:

If energy network is assigned, Scaler uses regional/state/eGRID factors

If not assigned, Scaler uses the national-level default

Other energy sources

District heating & cooling (DHC)

No globally standard database exists

Scaler applies CRREM’s DHC conversion factor (0.876340396)

The factor is applied to the same-year electricity EF (consistent with CRREM v2.06)

Historically, CRREM applied this conversion to the previous-year EF; Scaler applies it to the current year for methodological clarity.

Heat–cold storage (thermal storage)

Heat–cold storage converts electricity into thermal energy.

Scaler calculates a specific EF using:

The relevant location-based electricity EF, and

A fixed Coefficient of Performance (COP) = 4.9 (based on the Netherlands heat-cold storage COP value).

This follows CRREM, GRESB, and GHG Protocol guidance.

Formula

COP is useful energy output ÷ electricity input; higher COP values mean less electricity per unit of heat/cold produced, lowering emissions.

Formula:

Per kWh output:

Where:

EF electricity = relevant location-based electricity EF

COP = 4.9

EF output = heat-cold storage EF in kg CO₂e/kWh

Example: With an electricity EF of 0.300 kg CO₂e/kWh, the heat-cold storage EF per kWh output would be 0.0612 kg CO₂e/kWh.

Fuels & other district energy

Scaler sources factors from:

Energy Star Portfolio Manager (e.g., kerosene, fuel oil 1–3, district hot water, district chilled water)

Methodology

Emission factor projections (through 2050)

Scaler uses CRREM grid decarbonisation rates to interpolate EF values through 2050 for:

Electricity

DHC (derived from electricity)

Heat–cold storage (derived from electricity)

This supports long-term roadmapping and alignment with CRREM pathways.

Version management

Scaler manages EF updates as follows:

Default sets update automatically when CRREM, NGA, or eGRID release new values

Updates are grouped and documented for audit clarity

Default sets never change between January–July 1 during reporting season

Older EF sets remain selectable for consistency

CRREM publishes multiple files:

The Risk Assessment Tool provides region-specific location-based EFs

The Pathways Tool provides decarbonisation rates

Scaler draws from both.

Manual override

At any time, users may:

Switch to the Manual EF set

Adjust factors directly

Update the Reference to maintain audit documentation

Emission Factor Tool Updates

For details on changes to emission factor sets over time, refer to the Release Notes.

Configuring Location-Based Emission Factors