What’s Happening Now
EPA News
Upcoming 2023 RSL workshop – Just a reminder that EPA’s 2023 Regional, State, and Local Dispersion Modelers’ Workshop will be held June 28‑29, 2023 at the Region 7 offices in Lenexa, KS. For more information, check out SCRAM. As we previously noted, there will not be a public day/session this year because of the 13th Conference on Air Quality Models. The draft agenda was released on March 31, 2023 and it looks like there will be a discussion on this year’s update to AERMOD.
13th Conference on Air Quality Models – EPA’s triennial Conference on Air Quality Models will be held November 14‑15, 2023. This WILL be a public conference and EPA will be soliciting comments on proposed changes to modeling guidance and tools. Although not certain, it will probably be held at EPA offices in Research Triangle Park, NC. Keep watching here and on SCRAM for details as they emerge.
Conferences and Workshops
AWMA 2023 Annual Conference and Exhibition – Air & Waste Management Association’s (AWMA) Annual Conference and Exhibition (ACE) is set for June 5‑8, 2023 in Orlando, FL. This year’s theme is “Smart Growth: Balancing Development, Restoration, and Resiliency”. For more information, check out https://www.awma.org/ace2023. We hope to see you there!
If your company, organization, agency, state, etc. has an upcoming modeling or air quality-related event (virtual or otherwise) and you’d like it publicized in Providence/Oris Notes, please send that information to us at info@providenceoris.com, and we’ll be happy to include it.
Providence Products
Simply the best!
BEEST Suite
BEEST 12.09 is now out and includes the following:
- Incorporates AERMOD 22112 executable
- AerMet GUI has been updated to run AERMET 22112
BEEST 12.10 will be out soon and will include these new features:
- Support for new AERMOD 22112 alpha keywords SWPOINT, RLINEXT and PLATFORM
- AerMinute GUI will include download access to the new 1-minute ASOS data site (National Center for Environmental Information or NCEI website – as was discussed in October 2022 Providence/Oris Notes)
- We’ve added the ability to add receptors along an Other line (like a road or railroad)
- We’ve also included an updated WindRose utility
As always, users in maintenance can download the most recent version of BEEST from Support → Software Updates.
Go BEEST Mode! We still have plenty of Go BEEST Mode t‑shirts! You can request one of those by emailing us at info@providenceoris.com.
AerScreen for Windows
AerScreen for Windows 4.03 is now out. This update has the following enhancements:
- Runs AERMOD 22112
- Includes the latest version of Terrain Files Converter
Users in maintenance can download the most recent version of AerScreen for Windows from Support → Software Updates.
AERMOD Wizard
AERMOD Wizard 1.08 is now out. This update has the following enhancements:
- Download EPA monitoring data published in June 2022
- Download raw meteorological data for Alaska and Hawaii
- Export NEI sources, meteorological stations and monitors to Google Earth
- New label display option for NEI sources
- AerMet GUI has been updated to run AERMET 22112
AERMOD Wizard 1.09 will be out soon and will include these updates:
- Ability to export Class I areas and Class I area receptors to Google Earth
- Ability to download ASOS data from the NCEI website
- Includes the 2020 National Emissions Inventory (NEI) data set
Users in maintenance can download the most recent version of AERMOD Wizard from Support → Software Updates.
Don’t forget – our new FREE KMZ file for monitoring stations and 2019-2021 pollutant design values is still available at https://www.providenceoris.com/epa-aqs-monitors-2019-2021-2/.
If you have suggestions for enhancements to any of our modeling software products, please let us know and we’ll do our best to incorporate them into the software.
Modeling Tip of the Month
This month, we’ll focus on a feature that’s been in BEEST for a few years now but that hasn’t been discussed here. As all AERMOD modelers know, there’s not a source type in AERMOD for flares, as there is in AERSCREEN (and even SCREEN3 before that). Therefore, in AERMOD, flares must be modeled as a point source, but with special source parameters. What complicates matters somewhat is that different states have slightly different approaches for generating the source inputs for the flare. In general, the approaches use a fixed release temperature and a fixed exit velocity to create an effective flare diameter (and in some cases, an effective flare release height). To help modelers in generating their flare input parameters for AERMOD, BEEST includes the Flare Tool. Flare Tool can be accessed from the Edit Sources screen.
Clicking the Flare Tool button takes you to the Flare Tool screen.
The Flare Tool screen includes a tutorial that takes you through each of the different state flare techniques. After that, it’s as easy as 1-2-3: (1) select the appropriate flare modeling technique, (2) put in the flare inputs required by the selected technique and (3) click the Calculate button. Flare Tool calculates the flare inputs for AERMOD and updates the source when you click the OK button.
We recognize that there is a limited number of state flare modeling techniques that Flare Tool can handle, so if you know of any others, please let us know and we’ll update Flare Tool.
Providence Training
Modeling skills ready for an upgrade? We can help!
We want to note that many folks use our classes as credit toward professional engineer continuing education requirements. Check with your state’s licensing board or the National Society of Professional Engineers (see here or here) for more information on what is required.
AERMOD Modeling for Permits
Our next AERMOD Modeling for Permits class will be August 22-23, 2023 and will be online. If you want to get started in modeling, then this class is for you!
To register for AERMOD Modeling for Permits, click here.
Advanced AERMOD
Our next Advanced AERMOD class will be August 24-25, 2023 and will also be online.
Advanced AERMOD covers topics that are near and dear to modelers, such as:
- NAAQS modeling for 1-hour NO2, 1-hour SO2 and 24-hour PM2.5 (including MaxDCont Viewer)
- Culpability determination
- Background concentrations
- Emission scalars and hourly emission rate files
- Changes in terrain data processing
- AERMOD Wizard and its uses
To register for Advanced AERMOD, click here.
Just as a reminder, if you register more than 30 days before your AERMOD class(es), you will receive a $100 discount on the course fee (per class, per registrant).
Modeling for Non-Modelers
Given the importance that modeling plays in demonstrating compliance, we think that all stakeholders of the air quality permitting team (client/applicant, permit application preparer, modeler, attorney, etc.) need to have a basic understanding of air quality modeling. Do you know a manager, an attorney, or a client who knows just enough about dispersion modeling to be dangerous? Wouldn’t it be better if that person knew enough about dispersion modeling to understand the basic modeling process and regulatory drivers, knew how to interpret modeling results, and knew when it was necessary to bring a modeling expert into the decision‑making process? If so, our Modeling for Non‑Modelers class is for them. This one‑day class doesn’t get into the nitty gritty of running the model, but it does familiarize students with enough of the process so that they can make informed decisions when it comes to dispersion modeling.
Our next Modeling for Non-Modelers class will be June 22, 2023 and will be online. To register for the class, click here.
On-demand Meteorological Data Processing webinar
We are planning to launch a new training option – on-demand webinars. The first of these to be released will be “Meteorological Data Processing for AERMOD”.
On-demand AERSCREEN webinar
We will be releasing an on-demand training webinar for AERSCREEN.
Don’t forget, if our schedule of classes doesn’t mesh with your schedule, or if you have several people that need to be trained at once, contact us about setting up your own onsite or online class.
2023 Class Dates
The remainder of our 2023 class dates are:
Modeling for Non-Modelers
June 22, 2023
AERMOD Modeling for Permits
August 22-23, 2023
December 12-13, 2023
Advanced AERMOD
August 24-25, 2023
December 14-15, 2023
Providence Services
BeestXpress
Our BeestXpress modeling server was replaced in 2022 and now runs faster than ever before!
If you’ve never used our super-fast BeestXpress before, now is the time. Feel free to use our on-demand webinar that steps you through the process of setting up an account and sending off your first BeestXpress run. You can view the webinar here. New BeestXpress users can complete their first run absolutely FREE. Instructions about receiving the free run are given at the end of the webinar. Beyond the starter run BeestXpress will give you a per-run cost estimate before you begin. If you need help budgeting for BeestXpress, contact us for additional daily rate pricing options.
BeestXpress users have some great system enhancements to work with:
- The “Job Details” webpage now displays the pollutant being modeled
- The “Job Details” webpage now displays run progress for MAXDCONT calculations
- Modeling runs with multiple partitions now include a combined AERMOD input file (*.DTA) in the output .ZIP file
- Added an option to the “Submit Job” webpage that affects modeling runs with multiple partitions: the intermediate output files created by each partition can be omitted from the output .ZIP file
- The “Job Search” webpage now includes the option to search by project number
- Users have access to up to 99 partitions per AERMOD run
To date, BeestXpress has processed over 500,000 AERMOD runs.
BeestXpress users can log on at www.beestxpress.com to take advantage of our AERMOD “force multiplier”. That AERMOD run that might have taken a day or two to process on your desktop computer can finish in an hour or less on BeestXpress. When time is money, BeestXpress is the best modeling return on investment there is!
Meteorological Data Processing Services
Do you need AERMOD-ready meteorological data? If so, we can help! Whether it’s running national weather service data or onsite monitor met data through the AERMET/AERMINUTE system, Providence has the background, know-how, and experience to have your data processed and ready for you ASAP. If you’d like more information, contact us at info@providenceoris.com or jamesred@providenceeng.com.
Consulting Solutions
One thing that we’re very proud of is the depth and range of our modeling experience and expertise. The kinds of air quality models we’ve used include all types, ranging from simple screening tools like SCREEN and AERSCREEN to plume models like ISC and AERMOD. The types of analyses include basic Significant Impact Level, NAAQS, PSD increment consumption, Class I analyses, air toxics and SIP attainment demonstrations. So, we’ve seen it all. To that end, should you or your clients need additional modeling assistance or just a second set of eyes to QA or peer review your modeling (ranging from initial protocol up to final submission), we stand ready to help. Feel free to contact us at 512‑258‑8855, 828‑628‑0634 or info@providenceoris.com.
Calendar
June 5-8, 2023
AWMA Annual Conference and Exhibition
Orlando, FL
June 22, 2023
Modeling for Non-Modelers
Online
June 28-29, 2023
EPA Regional, State, and Local Dispersion Modelers’ Workshop
Lenexa, KS
August 22-23, 2023
AERMOD Modeling for Permits
Online
August 24-25, 2023
Advanced AERMOD
Online
November 14-15, 2023
EPA 13th Conference on Air Quality Models
Location TBD
