Frequently
Asked Questions Frequently
Asked QuestionsHere you find questions and answers regarding
Q: Where can I get GEMIS ?
A: The most recent
GEMIS version is always available from the website (see download).
Q: Which versions of GEMIS exist ?
A: The following
versions were released:
Q: Where do GEMIS data come from ?
A: From a
variety of sources. In the GEMIS database, each data record has a list of references
which are also stored in the database, so that you can track specific data origins.
Furthermore, comments for each data record explain where the data come from. For
the German version, a full report on the data sources is available (GEMIS-Endbericht
zu Version 2.1).
The data for agriculture and food are documented separately.
Q: For which countries are database adaptations available
?
A: see GEMIS Database
Q: In Gemis, there is the location generic indicated for several processes. In one of the helps of Gemis, I have found that "The name element generic especially reflects the conditions in developing countries". This surprises me for some processes, like "oil heavy Cycle combined". I wonder if the name element "generic" is used for something else.
A: The GEMIS location "generic" simply means, that a process is not assigned to a specific country. The GEMIS name element "generic" reflects the conditions in developing countries. This is true for process "oil heavy CC", too.
Q: What do the costs registered with GEMIS product "electricity-D-RE/CO" of approx.. 0.14 Euro/kWh represent? Production costs or selling price?
A: The costs of a product represent the prices for the user. This applies to electricity, too.
F: What are system requirements to run GEMIS on a PC ?
A: You need an IBM-compatible PC with at least a Pentium III®
or equivalent processor with RAM memory of at least 64 MB (256 MB RAM recommended).
As an operating system, you need a 32-bit platform, i.e. Windows® 9x
or ME/2000/XP, or Windows NT® 4.0. Earlier versions of Windows are
not longer supported. You can also run GEMIS on OS/2, Linux and McIntosh systems
in a Windows/DOS compatibility or emulation box.
Q: Which software is used for programming GEMIS ?
A: For GEMIS versions 1 through 2.1, TurboPascal was used. Since GEMIS 3.0,
the most current DELPHI® versions are the key development tool.
Q: Which database format is used by GEMIS ?
A:
GEMIS uses an internal, object-oriented database. An export to ACCESS and HTML is
possible with GEMIS 4.
Q: Which algorithms are used to compute emissions etc.
?
A: The energy and material flows are computed using an iterative algorithm
("loop"), lower/higher heating values, and emissions as well as solid wastes are
calculated from combustion equations. The cost balances are derived using the annuity
method. For details, see the model documentation in the program (Menu "Help").
Q: Are the special license conditions ?
A: Because
GEMIS is freely available ("public domain"), it can be copied and distributed without
restrictions. If results from GEMIS analyses are published, a reference must be
made to GEMIS.
Q: Is GEMIS "Euro" compatible ?
A: Yes. The new
European currency unit "Euro" (€) is implemented since GEMIS 4.0.
Q: Is GEMIS "Y2K" compatible ?
A: GEMIS uses
the time and date functions of the operating system, so that the Y2K compatibility
depends on this software.
Q: Who can be contacted to get help on GEMIS applications,
and support ?
A: Because GEMIS is available freely, no firm support is
offered beyond the Help included in the model, and the so-called
Tours. Öko-Institut is continuously de-bugging known errors,
and publishes updates on the GEMIS website. To learn about updates, please register
with your email address. Öko-Institut also offers user
seminars upon request.
Q: I wanted to calculate total greenhouse gas emissions of nuclear power plants with GEMIS. But I couldn’t find them. Can you help me?
A: As other power plants in GEMIS, nuclear power plants are processes. So, after starting GEMIS and loading project “Standard”, i.e. the data, you should open the processes data base by clicking on “Processes”. Then open card “Filter” and select “nuclear-processes” as data filter “Technology Group”. Finally, the calculation of the total greenhouse gas emissions can be done by a single click on the nuclear power plant name (e.g. “nuclear-powerplant-PWR-DE-2000”), opening of card “Results” and clicking on button “Calc”.
Q: Where do I find emission factors for „electricity from the plug socket” in Germany? Do I need the complete GEMIS program then?
A: No. You only have to download the updated result data from www.gemis.de - link “download”, unpack the results file and then open sheet “el-single”. You will find the desired emission factors under option ”el-grid-local-D”. (This option refers to the residential and commercial sector in Germany.)
Q: For the determination of the primary energy factor for raw brown coal (Leipzig and Lausitz) I wanted to use the program "GEMIS". I find “Xtra-surface\lignite-D-Leipzig” (-Lausitz”) under "processes" the respective process chain display and the CER sum of 1,008.1 kWh (1,018.4 kWh). In the process, transport within Germany to the power station is not included. How can I add this expenditure for transport by railway (electrical) to Chemnitz?
A: Create a new process of the type "Material transport" and doubleclick on it to edit it. Open its card "General data" and select the correct input process, by clicking on the "Select" button, then – in window "Select Process" – choosing selection criterion Output Product Group "fuels- fossil-coal" and then selecting your lignite extraction process (“Xtra-surface\lignite-D-Leipzig”). Then you select the process "train-el-freight-D" as "Motor" in the appropriate listbox, click on button "Design data" and enter the "Transport length", i.e. the distance of transportation. Select first of all 100 km.
Finally, you select the output product "lignite-D-Leipzig" (in the lower listbox on card "General data"). If you compute the CER sum for your new process now, you(, if you selected 100 km transport length above,) should obtain a somewhat higher value of 1013.25 kWh.
The computation for the Lausitz lignite can take place in the same way.Q: Please compute the CMR with GEMIS for the supply of 1000 MJ natural gas by process "filling-station\gas-D" by means of direct calculation. A part of the result reads then: natural gas 1121 MJ (non renewable); natural gas 967.72E-6 kg (non renewable). Is the second value correct? (The specific weight of natural gas D is (according to GEMIS product database) 0.02 kg/MJ!)
A: The second value for natural gas (967.72E-6 kg) results from the material use of natural gas (e.g. for plastics production) and is thereby part of the CMR. The first value represents energetically used and therefore energetically booked (- > CER) natural gas.
Q: How is the acidification potential given?
A: The acidification potential (ap) is given by the molar weights of the noxious gases. See also model documentation.
Q: In Gemis, there are GWP (Global warming potentials), I want to change the various potentials. And I want Gemis takes into account the new ones. How can I do this?
A: Open menu "Data" and select option "Global warming potentials". Then position the mouse pointer in the list of GHG factors (to the left) and execute a right mouse click to open the local menu. Select option "New" to create a new record of GHG factors. After having entered the names, you can edit your new record with a double-click on its name in the list. If you mark your new GHG factor record, GEMIS will take it into account in all its calculations.
Q: I want to change the ozone precursor potentials and the acidification potentials and I want Gemis takes it into account too. How can I do it?
A: The ozone precursor potentials and acidification potentials can't be changed in GEMIS.
Q: concerning input of „Transport distance“ on card “Residues” of processes:On card „Residues“ of processes, a „Transport distance“ can be entered after selection of a transport system. Is this distance meant to be one-way or round-trip?
A: It’s meant to be one-way.