Emissions Management with SAP Environmental Compliance

The main capabilities of SAP Environmental Compliance for emissions management include basic functional blocks: 

1. Facilities and process modeling
2. Measuring, monitoring, and controlling emissions
3. Compliance tracking and task management
4. Reporting and documentation

Facilities and process modeling

The existing regulations deal with detailed descriptions of the plant, facilities, and the processes causing emissions. The description dimension differs from the type of emission and the legal basis. Often these descriptions are required before a plant or a process starts (e.g. permit application form). In general these descriptions involve:

1. Name, type, and size of the process and the emission sources, often with numbering required by the authority (it is necessary to structure the plant in multiple hierarchies)
2. Substances, raw materials, materials, and energy that will be used or produced in the named facility/process
3. Emission sources
4. Description of the emissions, the amounts, and the effects on the environment
5. Condition of the plant or facilities (and maintenance processes)
6. Protective or monitoring equipment and facilities.

Emissions measuring, monitoring, and control

The main processes in an emissions management solution are the direct or indirect estimation of emissions. Then measures can be triggered on the basis of the results, the reference values and permits that have been determined. The processes in detail are:

1. Measurement management for all relevant emissions with the planning, taking, analysis, and recording of measurements (details are regulated depending on the processes, emissions, and the specific legal requirements).
2. Measurement calculation for those emissions that could not be measured directly, for example, the amounts of GHG emissions. In most cases, GHG emissions are not only based on real measurements, but also can be estimated using other parameters (for example, consumption/generation of electricity).
3. Auditing measures and the results of technical changes regarding the current and future emissions situation.
4. Scheduling, triggering, and tracking measures based on measurement results (for example, alert function if a reference value is exceeded).

Compliance tracking and task management

One central process in emissions management is defining, monitoring, and controlling all measures to ensure compliance with rules and guidelines as defined in the operation permit. This process integrates and coordinates various roles and functions inside and outside the enterprise organization. The main tasks are: 

1. Process tracking: In order to achieve compliance the permit defines sets of rules and measures that have to be enforced. This includes frequent and periodic processes such as monitoring of emissions values, execution of local inspections, triggering of measurements (off-line and on-line) and generation of reports. Compliance tracking has to ensure the proper and time dependent execution of all these measures often, requiring activities across organizational entities. In addition, any changes in processes as well as non nominal events have to be recorded. Complete tracking records are used to support audit management and inspections.
2. Monitoring: One central task is the frequent monitoring and display of emissions values by given calculation schemes (see also previous section). This comprises the estimation of current emissions from the production process, potential emissions (forecast scenarios) and emissions generated by unexpected events.
3. Notification: managing compliance requires process dependent exchange of information and documents, e.g. aggregating information to generate a report. This requires an event triggered workflow clearly specifying rolls, tasks, responsibilities and timelines for the execution of compliance measures (e.g. inspection of valves). A substantial feature is the display of the current compliance status clearly showing compliance or non-compliance with regulations and permits.

Emissions reporting and documentation

Reporting and documenting relevant emissions is a legal requirement in most countries. To fulfill these aspects, it is necessary to know the company's current permits and the content of the relevant laws and regulations.

1. Depending on legal requirements, different types of reports must be created to inform the authorities. These reports often contain information regarding the processes relevant for emissions and a summary of measurement results over a specific time period.
2. Access to the plant- and process-specific permits must be ensured and also access to the current laws and regulations.
3. Relevant information regarding the authorities involved (addresses and contact persons) are available to improve the contacts.
4. Business information warehouse functions in combination with geographical information systems allow a highly sophisticated evaluation option to demonstrate a company's state-of-the-art approach, and provide the opportunity for forward-looking planning.

By the described scope of functionality SAP Environmental Compliance provides a complete and seamless platform for the successful execution of all emissions processes relevant for industrial corporations of all sizes.