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News and Events from ESC

ESC Q1 XML Reporting Update

As the first transition quarter for XML reporting comes to a close, ESC is pleased to say that it has been a very productive period, providing valuable experience and offering insight into the upcoming months.  Through this experience, we continue to believe that this transition is going to be a process, no matter which quarter a facility decides to officially make the change.  It is a process that can, and in many cases will, take a lot of time and patience to complete.  We believe that the most important lesson that can be learned from the first official XML reporting period is this: Preparation and Planning will be the keys to success.

In Quarter 1, seven (7) facilities currently using ESC│StackVision 2.0 that range in unit types, methodologies and applicable programs in the Q1 reporting base, successfully transitioned to XML reporting, giving ESC more experience than any of the DAHS vendors to date.  While these transitions were not without challenges and some late nights, all seven (7) facilities completed the submission of the necessary files on time.  Additionally, at these same facilities, twenty-four (24) Monitoring Plans were revised in the ECMPS tool and submitted, twenty-two (22) QA/CERT files were generated and submitted and twenty-two (22) emissions files were also generated and submitted.

These Q1 facilities covered a wide variety of unit types, ranging from coal-fired ARP and CAIR affected units with full CEMS instrumentation to gas fired turbines applicable only to the CAIR program and using Appendix E methodology.  Additionally, a number of the facilities burned multiple fuels and calculated emissions based on Appendix G and D methodologies.   

Based on Q1 feedback, we anticipate that most facilities will spend a significant amount of time during transition in one or more of the following areas: 
  • Updating the Monitoring Plans (MP) in the ECMPS client tool
  • Correcting Date Inconsistencies within the CAMD Business System
  • Resubmitting Past QA test records
  • Fine tuning the existing Software Configurations for the new XML requirements
  • To be successful, it is crucial to begin to identify the corrections and updates needed through the current testing session, plan the necessary time to resolve the matters and then use that information to determine which quarter the official transition should be made.  Please remember that entire facilities must be transitioned within the same reporting period.
ESC would like to thank everyone who made the transition to XML in Q1 for their patience, hard work and feedback throughout this process. 

Helpful Transition Tips from ESC
  • Updating the Monitoring Plans (MP) in the ECMPS client tool

  • Monitoring Plan (MP) files will now be able to be transferred between Client Tool Preview (CTP) and Production versions of the ECMPS Tool

  • CAMD Business System dates are not editable through the client tool

  • Use of an XML viewer program rather than Internet Explorer is recommended on the ESC│StackVision server to view XML files

  • Files are checked in a sequential order.  Correcting one error may open up additional checks on the data and possibly other errors to be corrected

  • Focus on one facility or source type at a time and then apply knowledge gained to the next facility or source type

  • Become familiar with the Reporting Instructions and make sure you have current versions

  • START EARLY and REMAIN PATIENT throughout the process 

    ESC understands you depend on us to provide solutions to the many issues that occur in our industry.  Be sure to contact your Account Executive to learn more about the ESC|Safe Passage Programs that will help you make the 2008 transition to XML reporting.

    200 Tech Center Drive  |   Knoxville, TN 37912   |   865.688.7900   |   www.envirosys.com   |   escsales@envirosys.com

 

Published May 05 2008, 08:20 PM by amckinney
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phone: 865.688.7900
Copyright 2007 Environmental Systems Corporation