Carbon Capture and Storage Energy Attribute Certificates
A Standard and Guidance for Energy Tracking Registries
FAQs
-
Carbon Capture and Storage encompasses a range of technologies that new and existing electric generating units can equip to significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions from their use of fuel. The captured carbon is then sequestered in geological formations or employed in other applications instead of being emitted into the atmosphere.
Learn more: Clean Air Task Force
-
Energy Attribute Certificates are used to support claims about the GHG emissions associated with a consumer’s electricity consumption.
Under the GHG Protocol, these certificates support customer claims for their market-based Scope 2 emissions.
A common example is a renewable energy certificate (REC), which may be issued to convey the carbon-free characteristics of solar, wind, or other renewable energy sources. However, an EAC can be issued for any type of generation.
Learn more: US Environmental Protection Agency
-
One EAC is issued for each MWh of generation
An EAC carries a designated emission rate in lbs CO2e/MWh
When the EAC is retired, the owner claims the designated emissions in their market-based Scope 2 inventory
The standard encourages EAC issuance at an hourly granularity where the designated emissions are tied to hourly performance.
-
This document presents a standard that energy tracking registries can adopt to govern the issuance and retirement of EACs for electric generating units equipped with CCS.
It is of interest to energy buyers, power developers, emissions accountants, and policymakers.
Learn more: US Environmental Protection Agency
The Role of Energy Attributes in Supporting CCS Development
Many experts agree that carbon capture and storage (CCS) will play a meaningful role in achieving climate goals. Although some power plants have equipped carbon capture systems, as of yet there is no standard approach for the issuance, tracking, and retirement of Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) for these generators’ output.
This document proposes a standard for registries to follow in issuing EACs for CCS-equipped electric generation. As a workable consensus position, it provides guidance to registries by identifying key decision points, describing recommended and required features, and proposing a standard calculation methodology.
