Table 1
List of identified tools for analysis.
| TOOL | NAME AND AUTHOR | YEAR OF PUBLICATION |
|---|---|---|
| Tool 1 | ABB Total Cost of Ownership calculator (ABB)3 | 2012 |
| Tool 2 | Green Transfo Transformer TCO Calculator (Green Transfo)4 | 2021 |
| Tool 3 | UNEP U4E TCO Calculator (UNEP U4E)5 | 2022 |
| Tool 4 | UNEP U4E Transformers Energy Efficiency Tool (UNEP U4E) | 2017 |
| Tool 5 | Appliance & Equipment Climate Impact Calculator (Mepsy) (CLASP) | 2018 |
| Tool 6 | EU Ecodesign Impact Accounting (EIA) (VHK) | Since 2005 |
| Tool 7 | EU-MORE motor model (EU-M3) (Academia) | 2019 |
Table 2
Typology of multimodal understanding problems and corresponding design solutions (adapted from Bucher (2010)).
| PROBLEM TYPE | TYPICAL QUESTIONS | DESIGN SOLUTIONS |
|---|---|---|
| Identification or localisation problem | Who is the communicator or author of the multimodal offering? What type of communication offering is this? | Sender identifiers, logos, titles, signal colours, specific typography, author details |
| Orientation problem | What is the current stage of the communication process? Where am I within the communication offering? | Table of contents, continuation indicators, sitemaps, time and programme overlays, section titles, page numbers, logos, colour-coded systems |
| Hierarchization problem | What are the subordinate, superior, and parallel relationships between the various elements of the communication? | Typography, placement, imagery, graphic highlights, white space, text types, section labels |
| Navigation problem | How do I move from one element to another related element? Where are the transition-relevant points? | References and page links, navigation bars, programme notes, links, table of contents, sitemaps, search aids, structural hints |
| Framing problem | What belongs together—closely or loosely? What is foregrounded? What is backgrounded? What is currently relevant, and what is latent? | Dividing lines and colours, references and page links, navigation bars, table of contents, sitemaps, search aids |
| Sequencing and categorization problem | How do the various identified elements of communication relate to each other (functionally, strategically, thematically)? | Links with tags, cluster introductory texts, text type labels, explicit deictic (linguistic or gestural) references to further, simultaneous, or past contributions, page and content sections |
Table 3
Evaluation criteria.
| CATEGORY | EVALUATION QUESTIONS | |
|---|---|---|
| General | Target group |
|
| Granularity |
| |
| Scope |
| |
| Implementation |
| |
| Function | Task-fit |
|
| User-fit |
| |
| Context-fit |
| |
| Multimodal understanding | Localisation |
|
| Orientation |
| |
| Hierarchization |
| |
| Navigation |
| |
| Framing |
| |
| Sequencing and categorization |
|
Table 4
Overview of tool analysis.
| TOOL 1 (ABB TCO) | TOOL 2 (GREEN TRANSFO TCO) | TOOL 3 (UNEP U4E TCO) | TOOL 4 (UNEP U4E ENERGY EFFICIENCY) | TOOL 5 (MEPSY) | TOOL 6 (EIA) | TOOL 7 (EU-M3) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | |||||||
| Target group | Industry stakeholders/transformer purchasers. | Industry stakeholders/transformer purchasers (mainly Green Transfo customers). | Industry stakeholders/transformer purchasers (distribution transformers). | Policymakers and utilities in developing and emerging economies. | Researchers and policymakers. | EU-level policymakers; experts and analysts using EU-wide monitoring results. | Policymakers at EU and Member State level. |
| Granularity | Single transformer (up to eight comparable units); aggregated cost, energy and CO2. | Single transformer; aggregated cost, loss and CO2 results. | Single distribution transformer; detailed total cost of ownership and A/B-factors. | National distribution transformer fleet; comparison of baseline versus efficient case.6 | National transformer fleet (one of 10 product groups); global and country views. | EU-wide transformer fleet (one of many product groups); summarised in two pages of the report. | Motor fleet (EU-27/Member States); single-motor and stock-level results; few required inputs. |
| Scope | No fixed geographic scope; user-selectable standards (IEC/EN, IEEE); temporal scope via future energy price assumptions. | Country-level context; three currencies (EUR, USD, GBP); lifetime via user input. | Global applicability; typical lifetimes 30–50 years; annualised results in USD. | Approximately 156 developing countries; annual savings; three languages (English, French, Spanish); USD only. | 162 countries including the EU; time horizon to 2060 (discrete assessment years). | EU-27; time horizon 1990–2050; policy versus business-as-usual scenarios. | EU-27 and Member States; results 2000–2050; scenario-based policy analysis. |
| Implementation | Originally web-based; now unavailable; (ABB Customer support, 2026) assessed via a detailed user manual. | Web-based calculator; results accessible; calculation logic not documented. | Excel model; free download from the U4E website. | Web-based tool; PDF report with key assumptions available; background assumptions linked. | Web-based GUI; documentation and methodology available via CLASP. | Internal Excel/statistical modelling used by consultants; only results published. | Excel model accessible online and as download; main logic implemented in spreadsheets. |
| Function | |||||||
| Task-fit | Computes lifetime cost, payback, energy savings and CO2; compares transformers. | Computes total cost of ownership including losses, operating expenses and CO2 costs; single-unit assessment only. | Computes TCO, A/B-factors, energy and CO2 costs; incorporates jurisdiction-specific carbon pricing. | Computes annual electricity, financial and CO2 savings for efficiency policies. | Computes multiple energy, CO2 and stock indicators; detailed analysis adds consumer and national impacts. | Provides sales, stock, energy, GHG and cost indicators; high-level overview of savings; limited detail and no user adjustments. | Computes energy, cost, CO2 and material impacts of early-replacement programmes; single-motor and stock-level outputs. |
| User-fit | Low input burden (around 13 fields); default values and explanations support non-expert users. | Very low input burden (12 fields); clear layout but almost no explanation of outputs. | Moderate input burden (25+ fields); default values help; interpreting results requires expertise. | Low input burden; simple layout; explanations via pop-ups; little guidance on realistic ranges of inputs. | Layered input design (global view versus detailed analysis); extensive graphical and tabular outputs. | No user inputs; report only; suitable for quick overview, not for custom analysis. | Few required inputs reflecting core programme choices; extended inputs optional; detailed outputs but limited in-tool guidance. |
| Context-fit | Uses IEC/EN and IEEE formulae; currencies and units adjustable. | No cited standards or scientific methodology; English only. | Explicitly based on IEC TS 60076-20; uses typical transformer lifetimes and CO2 prices. | Links to IEC 60076-1; uses IEA data and U4E assumptions; tailored to developing and emerging economies. | Scenarios and efficiency metrics linked to existing regulatory frameworks; fixed horizon to 2060. Country selection and custom data upload. | Scenarios aligned with the EU policy framework; EU-wide scope; no Member State breakdown. | Geographic and temporal scope aligned with EU Ecodesign framework; no explicit links beyond power-class alignment. |
| Multimodal understanding | |||||||
| Localisation | Company logo and tool title clearly visible. | Company logo, title and short introductory text; little background information on version or authors. | UNEP mentioned on an “About” sheet; U4E branding visible on the website, less clearly in the file. | Logos and title (C2E2/U4E) clearly shown; short purpose description on the results page. | Constant header with CLASP logo, title and link to a quick-start guide. | Results report clearly attributed to authors and institutions. | “Info” sheet lists version, authors and project information; sheet headers show sheet names but not the overall tool name. |
| Orientation | Not fully assessable from the manual; general left-to-right, top-to-bottom input flow. | Simple single-page layout; most content visible without much scrolling. | Eight sheets with labelled tabs; numbering and colour coding not intuitive. | Stepwise windows from country selection to inputs and results; no explicit progress indicator. | Few pages (global view, detailed inputs, detailed results); navigation via clearly visible buttons. | Not interactive; orientation via chapters, colour, headings and page numbers. | Sheet tabs and on-sheet headings provide orientation; no progress indicator; headers not frozen when scrolling. |
| Hierarchization | Colours, font sizes and shading distinguish inputs and outputs. | Headings and basic layout structure content; result pie chart poorly labelled. | Colours and fonts used inconsistently; input and result areas distinguishable but relationships not always obvious. | Input fields highlighted; error frames shown in red; some inconsistencies in result fonts and emphasis. | Clear hierarchy in detailed views (coloured headers, boxed sections); global view is less consistent. | Headings and colour schemes differentiate sections; some inconsistencies within the transformer section. | Shading, font styles and icons indicate categories; user inputs in blue; some inconsistencies in styles and placement. |
| Navigation | Not fully assessable from the manual; likely mouse-based navigation within a single page. | Logical top-to-bottom flow; minimal scrolling; no explicit “back/next” controls. | User must switch between sheets manually; logical flow within each sheet. | Buttons (e.g. “Cancel”) guide between pages; scrolling within pages. | Buttons move between views; interactive elements on hover; slight inconsistencies in button design and placement. | Linear reading order; navigation via document structure only. | Scrolling and sheet switching; logical top-to-bottom flow; transitions between sheets explained mainly on the “Info” tab. |
| Framing | Shaded areas group user inputs versus information; bold labels and white input fields. | Sections framed by headings (introduction, inputs, outputs); minimal use of colour framing. | Sheets group topics; coloured areas and table frames provide framing; colour use not fully consistent. | Different windows/pages frame steps; background colours and headers separate sections. | Grouped boxes and outlines frame inputs and results; selected versus unselected elements distinguished by shading. | Report sections (“GENERAL INFO”, “FACTS & FIGURES”) consistently framed; minor shading and font inconsistencies in the transformer section. | Sheets and shaded areas frame inputs and results; minor inconsistencies in fonts and shading across sheets. |
| Sequencing | Input sequence follows headings and spatial layout; overall flow left-to-right, top-to-bottom. | Structured via headings; no explicit instructions on sequence or next steps. | Logical calculation sequence exists but is not made explicit; sheet order partly counter-intuitive (results before inputs). | Sequence from country selection to details to results; user must infer the workflow; no menu or progress bar. | Short introductory text; buttons labelled “Global view” and “Detailed analysis”; categorisation emerges from page transitions. | Static layout; natural top-to-bottom, left-to-right reading; links between text and figures not always explicit. | User must infer sequence from sheet names and layout; the “Info” tab provides an overview but not step-by-step guidance. |
Figure 1
Overview of key characteristics of tool analysis.