Step 3: Compile Public Data Sources for ETL

This document outlines Step 3 in the evaluation process for Supplier-Specific Scope 2 (SSS) reporting under GHG Protocol discussions. Following Step 1 (compiling a list of unique supplier-region pairs from the spreadsheet) and Step 2 (assigning SSS resource categories: Regulated Cost Recovery, Non-Bypassable Charges, and/or Customer Funding), Step 3 focuses exclusively on pairs that qualify for at least one category. For these qualifying pairs, analysts will systematically gather and document publicly available data on three key metrics: (1) Resource Mix (generation sources and emissions factors), (2) EAC Retirements (Energy Attribute Certificates, including RECs, GOs, and I-RECs), and (3) Sales Volume (electricity delivered/sold). This data supports granular SSS emissions calculations, such as supplier-specific allocation and temporal/deliverability matching, aligning with Scope 2 updates (e.g., Technical Working Group proposals as of August 2025).

Analysts should compile data for the most recent available years (e.g., 2023–2025), prioritizing supplier-specific granularity over aggregates. Use a standardized template for each pair (e.g., Supplier: [Name], Region: [State/Country], Qualifying Categories: [List], Resource Mix: [Table/Data], EAC Retirements: [Summary], Sales Volume: [Figures], Sources: [List with URLs], Uncertainties: [Notes]). Aggregate data into a master dashboard (e.g., Excel with pivot tables) for cross-pair analysis. Re-verify data quarterly, as energy markets evolve (e.g., post-IRA extensions or EU RED III implementations).

Key principles:

  • Public Data Only: Restrict to freely accessible sources; avoid paywalls or proprietary APIs (use open datasets or public reports).

  • Granularity and Relevance: Seek supplier-level data; fallback to regional averages if unavailable, noting the downgrade (e.g., <50% supplier-specific = flag as partial).

  • Multi-Angle Verification: For each metric, cross-check with at least three independent sources (e.g., government, NGO, industry). Challenge assumptions (e.g., assume data staleness in emerging markets; test via sensitivity analysis on emissions impacts).

  • Uncertainties Documentation: Explicitly note gaps (e.g., incomplete EAC tracking in Asia), regulatory risks (e.g., pending CSRD reporting mandates), and alternatives (e.g., satellite-derived mix vs. self-reported).

  • Threshold for Completeness: Require data covering >70% of the supplier's operations in the region; otherwise, classify as "insufficient" and recommend further investigation.

1. Resource Mix

Definition: The composition of the supplier's electricity generation sources (e.g., % from coal, natural gas, nuclear, renewables) and associated emissions factors (e.g., gCO2e/kWh). Include breakdowns by fuel type, renewable subcategories (e.g., wind vs. solar), and any SSS-specific allocations (e.g., pro-rata for regulated resources).

What to Collect:

  • Annual generation mix percentages (e.g., 40% coal, 30% renewables).

  • Emissions intensity (location-based and market-based, if available).

  • Temporal data if granular (e.g., hourly mix for 2024–2025).

  • Verification of ties to SSS categories (e.g., RPS-funded renewables under Non-Bypassable Charges).

Verification Steps:

  • Start with supplier-specific reports (e.g., sustainability disclosures or IRPs).

  • Cross-verify with aggregate datasets (e.g., compare supplier data to national averages; flag discrepancies >10%).

  • Use mathematical checks: Calculate weighted averages (e.g., via Python: import pandas; df.groupby('fuel').sum()) and compare to independent benchmarks (e.g., IEA vs. Ember).

  • Challenge assumptions: Test for underreporting renewables (e.g., search for audits); consider improbable angles like unreported imports (verify via trade data).

  • Triple-check: Browse primary source PDFs, run web searches for "[Supplier] resource mix [Region] 2025 audit", and use code execution for emissions modeling (e.g., factor * generation = total emissions; validate against EDGAR database).

Data Sources (Global and Regional):

  • Global: IEA Electricity 2025 Report (iea.org/reports/electricity-2025) and Global Energy Review 2025 Dataset (iea.org/data-and-statistics); Ember Global Electricity Review 2025 (ember-energy.org/latest-insights/global-electricity-review-2025); REN21 GSR 2025 (ren21.net/gsr-2025); Our World in Data (ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-electricity-renewables); Enerdata Global Energy Trends (enerdata.net/publications/reports-presentations/world-energy-trends.html); Energy Institute Statistical Review (energyinst.org/statistical-review).

  • U.S.: EIA eGRID (epa.gov/egrid) for subregional mix; EIA Form 860/861 (eia.gov/electricity/data.php) for utility-specific generation; EEI Industry Data (eei.org/resources-and-media/industry-data).

  • EU: ENTSO-E Transparency Platform (transparency.entsoe.eu) for generation data; Eurostat Energy Balances (ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/energy/data).

  • Asia (e.g., China, India): National Energy Administration (nea.gov.cn) for China; CEA India Reports (cea.nic.in); IRENA Country Profiles (irena.org).

  • Other: World Bank Energy Data (databank.worldbank.org); RFF Global Energy Outlook (rff.org/publications/reports/global-energy-outlook-2025).

  • Tools: Web searches for real-time updates (e.g., " [Supplier] generation mix 2025"); browse PDFs (e.g., Ember report at ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/04/Report-Global-Electricity-Review-2025.pdf); code execution for aggregation.

Uncertainties and Mitigations: Data may lag (e.g., 2024 prelims in 2025 reports)—mitigate by averaging last two years. Regional biases (e.g., overreported renewables in EU)—cross-check with NGOs like Ember. Logical gaps (e.g., excluding T&D losses)—adjust via IEA factors (±5–15%).

2. EAC Retirements

Definition: Records of retired Energy Attribute Certificates (e.g., RECs in U.S., GOs in EU, I-RECs globally), including volume (MWh), type (e.g., solar REC), retirement date, and supplier association. Focus on retirements tied to SSS categories (e.g., for RPS compliance under Non-Bypassable Charges).

What to Collect:

  • Total retired EACs by supplier (e.g., 500,000 MWh RECs in 2024).

  • Breakdown by attribute (e.g., vintage year, generation source).

  • Public claims or audits (e.g., for market-based Scope 2 reporting).

  • Link to resource mix (e.g., % of renewables backed by retired EACs).

Verification Steps:

  • Query public registries for supplier-specific retirements.

  • Cross-verify with compliance reports (e.g., RPS filings) and third-party audits (e.g., RE100 validations).

  • Mathematical validation: Calculate coverage ratio (retired EACs / renewable generation); expect >90% for credible claims.

  • Challenge assumptions: Probe for double-counting (e.g., search for controversies); consider alternatives like unretired EACs (verify via tracking systems).

  • Triple-check: Use semantic searches on X for recent issues (e.g., " [Supplier] REC retirement scandal 2025"); browse registry dashboards; code execution for trend analysis (e.g., SymPy for ratio equations).

Data Sources (Global and Regional):

  • Global: RECS Energy Certificate Association Public Info (recs.org/public-information/); I-REC Standard Registry (irecstandard.org); EPA Energy Attribute Certificates (epa.gov/green-power-markets/energy-attribute-certificates-eacs); RE100 Technical Criteria (there100.org/sites/re100/files/2025-04/RE100%20technical%20criteria%20%2B%20appendices%20%2815%20April%202025%29.pdf).

  • U.S.: Regional registries like M-RETS (mrets.org/public-reports), NAR (nar.recstrack.com), PJM-GATS (gats.pjm-eis.com), WREGIS (wregis.org); EPA eGRID for bundled RECs; CRS Reports (resource-solutions.org).

  • EU: AIB Guarantees of Origin Registry (aib-net.org); ENTSO-E for EAC data; EU ETS Public Reports (ec.europa.eu/clima/eu-action/eu-ets).

  • Asia/Other: APX TIGRs (apx.com/tigrs) for Asia-Pacific; National registries (e.g., India's REC Registry at recregistryindia.nic.in).

  • Additional: 3Degrees EAC FAQs (3degreesinc.com/what-we-do/implement-your-strategy/energy-attribute-certificates/energy-attribute-certificate-faqs/); World Kinect REC Role (world-kinect.com/blog/understanding-eacs-north-america-role-renewable-energy-certificates-recs).

  • Tools: Browse registry URLs for search functions (e.g., instructions: "Extract retirement data for [Supplier] in [Region]"); web searches for "[Supplier] EAC retirements 2025 report".

Uncertainties and Mitigations: Limited public access in some registries (e.g., aggregated only)—mitigate by using NGO summaries (e.g., Climate Impact Partners at climateimpact.com). Expiration risks (EACs valid 1 year)—focus on recent vintages. Oversights (e.g., non-disclosed retirements)—seek counter-evidence via web snippets.

3. Sales Volume

Definition: Annual electricity sales/deliveries by the supplier in the region (e.g., GWh sold to retail customers), including breakdowns by sector (e.g., residential, industrial) and ties to SSS (e.g., volumes under regulated rates).

What to Collect:

  • Total sales volume (e.g., 100 TWh in 2024).

  • Growth trends (e.g., +5% YoY).

  • Proportion tied to SSS categories (e.g., 60% under cost recovery).

  • Load profiles if available (e.g., peak demand).

Verification Steps:

  • Extract from utility filings or national stats.

  • Cross-verify with consumption data (e.g., match sales to IEA demand figures; discrepancy <5%).

  • Mathematical checks: Normalize per capita (sales / population); compare to benchmarks (e.g., via NumPy arrays).

  • Challenge assumptions: Account for self-generation offsets (e.g., search for net metering impacts); explore improbables like unreported exports.

  • Triple-check: Use code execution for projections (e.g., linear regression on historical data); web searches for "[Supplier] electricity sales [Region] 2025"; browse state reports.

Data Sources (Global and Regional):

  • Global: IEA Data and Statistics (iea.org/data-and-statistics); Ember Global Electricity Review 2025 (ember-energy.org/app/uploads/2025/04/Report-Global-Electricity-Review-2025.pdf); IEA Electricity 2025 (iea.org/reports/electricity-2025).

  • U.S.: EIA Electricity Data (eia.gov/electricity/data.php) and Historical State Data (eia.gov/electricity/data/state/); EIA Form 861M (monthly sales); Public Power Statistical Report (publicpower.org/system/files/documents/2025-Public-Power-Statistical-Report.pdf); EEI Industry Data (eei.org/resources-and-media/industry-data); FERC Electric Power Markets (ferc.gov/electric-power-markets).

  • EU: Eurostat Electricity Sales (ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/energy/data); ENTSO-E Consumption Data (entsoe.eu/data).

  • Asia (e.g., China, India): NEA China (nea.gov.cn); CEA India (cea.nic.in/reports); ASEAN Energy Database (aseanenergy.org).

  • Other: World Bank (databank.worldbank.org); SEIA Solar Data (seia.org/research-resources/solar-industry-research-data) for renewables sales.

  • Tools: Web searches for aggregate trends; browse PDFs (e.g., instructions: "Summarize sales volumes by utility in [Region]").

Uncertainties and Mitigations: Seasonal variations (e.g., weather impacts)—use annual averages. Regional fragmentation (e.g., state vs. national)—aggregate via weighted sums. Pitfalls (e.g., excluding transmission sales)—include via FERC data; scenario-test ±10% variances.

Evaluation Process

  1. Filter Qualifying Pairs: From Step 2 output, select only those with ≥1 category.

  2. Parallel Data Gathering: For each metric, assign subtasks; use tools concurrently.

  3. Integration and Analysis: Compile into reports; flag incomplete pairs (>20% data gaps).

  4. Final Review: Reconsider chain—verify one pair end-to-end from scratch.

This step ensures data-driven SSS insights, feeding into GHG Protocol recommendations.

PreviousStep 2: Assign SSS Resource CategoriesNextInstructions for Finding and Documenting Supplier Resource Mix

Last updated

Was this helpful?