In Toovalu, line losses are set up in the Admin, on the data line of the collection template, through a calculation rule. They then automatically increase the emissions of that data, with no action required from collectors.
A bit of methodology context. Between the power plant and your meter, part of the electricity is lost on the transmission and distribution grid (Joule effect, transformers). The consumption shown on your invoices does not include this lost share, even though it was produced for you. Applying a line loss percentage brings it back into your carbon footprint.
⚠️ Depending on the source, some electricity emission factors already include all or part of the losses (for example in a "Transport and distribution" post). Check the EF documentation before adding the rule, to avoid double counting.
Key points
Where are losses set up? In the Admin, on each data line of the collection template, by choosing the "Power losses" calculation rule.
What is the default value? The rule is pre-filled with 6%. You can adjust it between 0 and 100%, as a whole number.
What do collectors see? Nothing changes for them: they enter their consumption as it appears on the invoice. Losses are applied automatically when emissions are calculated.
How is it calculated? The emissions of the data are multiplied by (1 + loss percentage):
Emissions = Collected value x EF x (1 + Losses(%)/100))
Example: a site consumes 100,000 kWh of electricity, with an EF of 0.052 kgCO2e/kWh. Without a rule, emissions are 5,200 kgCO2e. With 6% line losses, they rise to 5,200 × 1.06 = 5,512 kgCO2e.
In the Admin: setting up losses on a data line
This step is available to users with Admin access (Global pilot, Project pilot or Partner).
In the Admin, open your project's collection template.
Click the relevant data line (for example "Electricity consumption") to edit it.
In the "Calculation rule" field, select "Power losses".
A "Line losses (%)" field appears, pre-filled with 6%. Adjust it if needed, based on your grid's loss rate or your methodology's recommendation.
Save.
What happens after saving
Values already collected for this data are automatically recalculated with the new percentage, across all linked entities.
If you change the percentage later, the recalculation runs again in the same way.
To remove losses, reopen the data line and select no rule: emissions are recalculated without the increase.
What about a closed campaign? Its template is frozen and independent from the project template. To adjust losses on a closed campaign, edit the data line directly in that campaign's template: the rule and percentage can be changed there too, and values are recalculated.
In the tool: what changes in Collection and Analysis
For collectors
Data entry does not change: enter the consumption as it appears on the invoice or meter, without adding the losses yourself.
The loss percentage is neither shown nor editable in Collection. Only the Admin can change it.
In the results
The emissions column in Collection directly shows emissions including losses.
These increased emissions are used everywhere: campaign total, Analysis, exports.
Uncertainty is calculated on these emissions including losses: the data quality does not change, but the confidence interval widens proportionally.
Special cases to know
One rule per data line. A data line has either a depreciation rule or a line loss rule, not both.
One rate for all entities. The percentage applies to all entities of the data line. For different rates (for example by country), create one data line per rate.
Whole numbers only. The field does not accept decimals: 6.5% is not possible.
BEGES and GHG Protocol. Losses apply whatever the project's calculation method.
Not only electricity. The rule can technically be added to any data line, but it is designed for energy consumption supplied through a grid.