IPTD-522
GLIMPSE Modeling Project
Description
The project scope encompasses the development, testing, and deployment a New Jersey specific reference scenario for GLIMPSE that will correct assumptions in the EPA-developed refence scenario; and will add in components to model policies not included in the EPA-developed reference scenario. This will include debugging and troubleshooting, as well as providing documentation and training for NJDEP staff so that future changes can be made in-house. The files provided will not be considered complete without successful runs of the modeling software.
Problem Statement
The Bureau of climate change and Clean Energy is called upon to provide emissions reductions estimates for policies on a regular basis – including high-profile grants like the Climate Pollutant Reduction Grant(s) and large state programs like the Energy Master Plan. GLIMPSE is an EPA tool that will allow BCCCE to make these estimates in comprehensive and timely fashion.
The base version of GLIMPSE comes with a reference scenario for comparison. The assumptions within this reference scenario are likely inaccurate for New Jersey. Developing the expertise in house to edit these assumptions would be a time-consuming and costly effort. Hiring contractor to develop NJ-specific inputs/assumptions that will be used when running the GLIMPSE model on our servers, including those who have previously done similar state-level work, will enhance the accuracy of NJDEP’s climate forecasting and ability to secure climate adaptation and mitigation funding.
The base version of GLIMPSE comes with a reference scenario for comparison. The assumptions within this reference scenario are likely inaccurate for New Jersey. Developing the expertise in house to edit these assumptions would be a time-consuming and costly effort. Hiring contractor to develop NJ-specific inputs/assumptions that will be used when running the GLIMPSE model on our servers, including those who have previously done similar state-level work, will enhance the accuracy of NJDEP’s climate forecasting and ability to secure climate adaptation and mitigation funding.
Project Justification
• To date the state has relied on 3rd party consultants to perform emissions and energy modeling for major climate reports. Institutionalizing the work will allow for better data validation, intercomparison between scenarios, transparency and consistency.
• BCCCE has been called on to provide emissions reductions forecasts at numerous times over the last seven years, often resorting to coarse (imprecise) spreadsheet analysis. The need to forecast the impacts of climate policies is an ongoing and critical work product of the Department.
• GLIMPSE is an established tool used by other peer states and vetted by USEPA.
• BCCCE has been called on to provide emissions reductions forecasts at numerous times over the last seven years, often resorting to coarse (imprecise) spreadsheet analysis. The need to forecast the impacts of climate policies is an ongoing and critical work product of the Department.
• GLIMPSE is an established tool used by other peer states and vetted by USEPA.
Estimated Transactions
None
Target Rollout Date
None
Target Rollout Date Reason
None
Activity
Show:
Meeting today with program leads and DOIT clarified that this project won’t require any specialized DOIT support and can proceed on the program's initiative.
The open-source EPA model already resides on a program PC (GIS light unit) with remote access available to key staff. Leads may consider requesting a Virtual Machine to ensure back-up, although this may cause some performance degradation. Back-up of the local machine is otherwise up to the program and could be full re-creation if that is straightforward from copies of model and new ref data (copies would need to be on the network for safety).
Rutgers, U of Maryland and Princeton (not commercial vendors, no procurement) will be involved in the updates to the NJ reference data (CSV and XML) to be used with the model locally. Program will share large files as needed with OneDrive.
If this effort leads to productive use of the updated NJ model, a future project may involve sharing or publication of the NJ specific model itself, scenarios, analysis and/or dashboards from it. Since the outputs from the model go into a Base X database (which does not work with Tableau directly) a new project may have to solve for the publication/analytics needs.
On another meeting, will join if I can.
Nicole L. Pellegrini
Executive Assistant | Air, Energy and Materials Sustainability
Office of Assistant Commissioner, Paul Baldauf
nicole.pellegrini@dep.nj.gov<nicole.pellegrini@dep.nj.gov>
609-940-5741
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Program is pursuing a solution through Rutgers to streamline procurement. No work anticipated until fall 2025. Knute to convene meetings with program leads and DOIT to clarify any needs and responsibilities over what comes back to DEP, and to be sure Rutgers has any necessary guidance or constraints that will enable delivery to and future use by DEP.