Emissions Calculations Assumptions for the DNCC

The estimate of 30,000 short tons of carbon dioxide emissions associated with the Convention (other than onsite power) is based on the assumptions below. A more accurate footprint can be calculated with actual data for travel distances, total hotel rooms, etc.

Flights: 26,400

Cars: 367

Hotels: 2850

Waste & Buffer: 383

Total: 30,000 short tons

Assumptions:

35,000 people attending

30,000 people flying

5,000 people driving, 2 people per car

4 hotel nights per person, 2 people per room

70,000 hotel room nights

Flights – 26,400 short tons

Assumes average per person tons/ RT flight of .88 (averaged using sample per person emission rates from flights from San Francisco, Washington D.C., Atlanta, Chicago and Houston).

30,000 x .88 = 26,400 short tons

Cars – 366.75 short tons (updated)

Assumes 5,000 people driving an average of 300 miles round trip, 2 people per car with an average fuel efficiency of 20 MPG

2500 x 300 = 750,000 miles driven/20 MPG = 37,500 gallons gasoline x 19.56 lbs per gallon = 733,500 lbs CO₂/2000 = 366.75 short tons

Hotels – 2850 short tons

Assumes four hotel nights per person with two people per room = 70,000 hotel nights. Assumes average of 40 kwh per room night stay

70,000 x 40 = 2,800,000 kwh total /1000 = 2800 MWh x Denver Grid Emission rate 2036 lbs/MWh = 5700800 lbs CO2 /2000 = 2850 short tons CO₂

1.See Native Energy flight calculator for calculation methodology www.nativeenergy.com
2.www.eia.doe.gov
3.EPA E-Grid power profiler : http://oaspub.epa.gov/powpro/ept_pack.charts