Calculation framework

Kausal Paths: The overall calculation framework of the tool

The overall calculation model of the tool consists of nodes that represent some real-life measurable quantities and edges, i.e., arrows that connect nodes that affect one another in a causal way. The structured is called a directed acyclic graph. Each node has a calculation function that takes in the output values from an upstream node and calculates its own output. That is again used downstream for calculating other nodes.

An action is shown on the graph (Figure 10) as a green node that influences both energy consumption and costs of implementing the action these primary effects have downstream effects on energy consumption, emissions, and net costs of the action.

The graph is always computed for two different situations: the baseline scenario, and another scenario where the action is implemented. The difference between these two scenarios is the impact of the action. Importantly, this approach makes it possible to calculate the interactions between actions in a realistic way. For example, the impact of building renovation action in an electric-heated building is larger if the electricity is produced with dirty methods, but the impact decreases if an action is added to clean electricity production.

Figure 10. An example of the directed acyclic graph of the nodes and edges downstream of one climate action. The full model is much larger than what is shown here.