I-DEV0312: Change of data transfer method of the monitoring parameters from electronic download to manual recording for a period of 46 days.

The project activity “Installation of Low Green House Gases (GHG) emitting rolling stock cars in metro system” (1351), was registered on 29.12.2007 using approved methodology AMSIII.C. (ver. 10). The monitoring plan describes the data transfer method for the energy consumption, regeneration and distance data by downloading it from the Train Integrated Management System (TIMS). For these three parameters the following is mentioned in the monitoring plan: “[Electrical energy consumed] [Electrical energy regenerated] [The distance travelled] by each rolling stock [...] monitored by TIMS. The energy data for monitoring will be downloaded from TIMS of Rolling Stock using a maintenance terminal.”
During first verification (covering the period from 2007-12-29 to 2008-01-31) it was detected that the method to download the data directly from the TIMS was not followed exactly. Instead of an electronic download and storage of the monitoring data, the data is recorded manually from the video display unit of the TIMS (which is located in the drivers cab of the train) on a daily basis.

A deviation was requested regarding this (I-DEV130, dated 2008/04/06). The request for deviation was accepted by the CDM EB (http://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/deviations/69708).
During the second verification with monitoring period of 2008-02-01 to 2008-12-31, it was observed that the procedure for electronic download and storage of monitoring data was implemented with effective from 2008-03-18. The verification team has checked the procedures for the electronic download and the storage of monitoring data and cross checked the same with the implementation of the TIMS data download procedure as per the monitoring plan of the registered PDD. Consequently, the verification team is convinced that the TIMS has been used throughout the monitoring period since its implementation.
However, the DOE requests for continuing the deviation allowed for manual download and storage of the monitoring data (http://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/deviations/69708) for 46 days i.e. From 1st February 2008 till 17th March 2008.

The electronic download and storage mechanism as envisaged in the monitoring plan of the registered PDD is already in place. The deviation being applied is only for the first 46 days of the monitoring period. The manual download and storage of data was allowed by the CDM EB through the deviation (http://cdm.unfccc.int/Projects/deviations/69708). The electronic download procedure is established and is being continuously practiced successfully during the rest of the 2nd monitoring period (i.e. 18th March 2008 to 31st December 2008), which was evidenced during the second verification site visit. Therefore the verification team concludes that revision in the monitoring plan will not be required.

The manual data transfer is more sensitive to human error than an electronic transfer approach. But, considering the applied system, which is based on the difference of two meter readings, manual mistakes are only decisive when they occur on the start and/or the end day of each reporting period. All mistakes in between have no influence on the result.

During the second verification, the verification team took attention of this and performed 100% data check and plausibility checking using manual records from the days before or after the start and/or end of the respective period (From 1st February 2008 till 17th March 2008). To check the consistency of the provided data, data analyses and integrity checks have been carried out. Furthermore independent re-calculations were carried out. The reported results could be reproduced. So, it can be ensured that due to the change of data transfer approach no failure of data has occurred.