Interpret Results

Motivation

In the previous tutorial, we built out a permitting system and reviewed the results. Indeed, all of the sections of the guide so far have included some use of the built-in visualizations of this tool. However, this tutorial offers an opportunity to take a closer look at that section of the tool.

Opening the Sample

First, be sure to click "save file" at the top of the tool to keep a copy of your existing work. We will return to it later! After that file is in a safe spot on your computer, please click on the "open workshop sample" at the bottom of the page. This simulation continues what we started but adds multiple applications. Note that this will open code. Don't worry too much about that right now. Just click run at the bottom of the page.

Metrics

We will start our tour of the visualization tools by highlighting the three metrics at the top of the screen. We can look at emissions that happen both during the useful lifetime and at the end of life for equipment. However, we can also look at consumption volumes and the size of the equipment fleet. Furthermore, after toggling between different metrics, various "sub-metrics" can be selected. For example, try opening emissions and selecting only recharge which would capture "leakage" given how much of the refrigerant needs to be replaced during servicing.

Dimensions

There are different dimensions at the bottom of the page. For example, you can compare the emissions of all of the simulations or compare the applications under just business as usual. Specifically, you can also filter through your results by selecting different dimension values. In other words, you can look at these metrics across all simulations or just filter into a single simulation's results by selecting the radio button next to that simulation's name. You can do the same for different applications and substances.

As an example, we could compare the outcomes of just commercial refrigeration by selecting com refrig under applications. We could even go further and select the com recycling simulation, the com refrig application, and then go to substances to compare projections of different substances within just that application within just that simulation.

Dropdowns

Finally, before trying out a few questions in this interface, note that there are also dropdowns within the chart region. For instance, on top of the chart it says something like "showing emissions summed by simulation scenario" which would indicate that the graph is showing the total emissions per year (across all applications and substances) per simulation. Modifying these dropdowns will update the rest of the tool's visualization section.

Business as Usual Questions

Now that you have a sense for what is in the visualization section, we can answer some example questions about the business as usual scenario within this example:

• How much emissions in megatons (MtCO2e) are expected at the end of the simulation (year 20) for business as usual?
• How much sales in kilotons (kmt each year) are expected at the end of the simulation (year 20) for business as usual?
• In business as usual, which application had the most sales?
• In business as usual, which substance has the most emissions?

Explore these questions by manipulating the results panel.

Policy Questions

Next, let's compare different policy packages:

• Which individual policy results in the lowest emissions?
• Which individual policy results in the lowest emissions from commercial refrigerants?
• Which substance is that policy mostly acting upon?
• Which policy results in the lowest levels of HFC-134a?

Which policy would you recommend?

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we took a very close look at the visualization part of this tool. Additional tutorials coming in the future.