Background

Commissioned by the Ministry of LVVN and later RIVM, Wing EMC, in a consortium, developed the AERIUS Calculator: an environmental calculation tool that provides insight into the impact of nitrogen on vulnerable natural areas. A unique feature of AERIUS is that it supports both policy development and implementation, for example, in permit granting. Since 2021, a consortium led by Wing EMC, together with several scientific British partners such as AQC, CERC, Ricardo and CEH, has been working on a version for the United Kingdom: the Air Pollution Assessment Service (UK-APAS).

Permit applications

For projects in construction, agriculture and infrastructure, it is required by law to determine how much nitrogen is released and whether this has a negative impact on the quality of protected natural areas. The AERIUS Calculator supports both the project initiator and the competent authority issuing the permit.
For example, a livestock farmer who wants to build a new barn enters data such as location and size. The AERIUS Calculator then calculates how much nitrogen is released and where it is deposited. To do this, the tool uses input data such as emission factors and a scientific dispersion model made available by knowledge institutes such as CBS, PBL, WUR, TNO and RIVM.
The application combines various maps, calculation models and data into one clear tool. The AERIUS Calculator generates a report that can be used for the permit application to comply with the Environment Act.

Mission Challenge

Adaptations for the UK market

Before the calculator could be used in the United Kingdom, adjustments were necessary. This is because the nitrogen problem is similar there, but the legal context and quality requirements differ.

Approach

Therefore, a more sophisticated calculation model was built in that gives a more accurate picture of nitrogen deposition in the first kilometers from the source, takes into account height differences in the terrain and includes the influence of buildings.
In addition, the UK assesses based not only on nitrogen deposition, but also on the concentration of nitrogen oxides and ammonia in the air. UK-APAS therefore supports this as well.

Outcome

Soon UK-APAS will become an official digital government service, for which considerable improvements have been made in accessibility. A comprehensive help function that takes context into account has also been developed so that users can more quickly access expert support when applying the tool.

Wing EMC capabilities deployed

Converting policies to IT applications

Data logistic

User interface

Spatial diffusion models

Organizing cooperation within international consortium

IT architecture