The production, trade/distribution and consumption of renewable energy can be electronically documented and tracked with Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs). With those certificates, companies can claim the environmental benefit of renewable energy production for their own electricity consumption. Every EAC issued represents 1 MWh of renewable energy produced and distributed.

 

The most known EACs systems are:

• The European Energy Certificate System Guarantee of Origin (EECS-GO)
• The North American REC Tracking System (several regional systems)
• The International REC Standard (I-REC Standard)

 

EAC complies with the GHG Protocol and is recognized as a tool to proof consumption of renewable energy allowing to report reduced GHG emissions. Companies using EACs can improve their classification in international rankings like CDP, RE100 etc.

Buying EACs incentivizes energy producers to increase in proportion the sources of renewable energy.

 

The different EACs systems

 

1) EECS-GOC – Guarantee of Origin

It is a European certificate that guarantees that 1 MWh of electricity is produced from renewable energy sources. It is a voluntary system used by businesses, public institutions and individuals.

2) RECs Renewable Energy Certificates

RECs are certificates issued in North America (USA and Canada), guaranteeing that a certain amount of energy consumed is produced by renewable energy sources. In the US RECs are used both for the compliance reporting as well as voluntary consumptions purposes.

3) I-RECs International Renewable Energy Certificate

I-RECs is a new standard developed by countries where no mechanism previously existed. It is based on best practice from the North American REC and European GO mechanisms and has a strong stakeholder support. Currently I-RECs are issued in 33 countries for use in a number of regional countries.

4) Green Gas Certificates

Biomethane (green gas) is renewable gas created from biodegradable material that can be used in the same way as fossil natural gas. Green gas can be produced from a number of sources such as anaerobic digestion, landfill gas and synthetic gas (syngas) from the gasification of biomass. Biomethane is used as a direct substitute for natural gas in the national grids. A Green Gas Certificate is a recognised Energy Attribute Certificate (EAC) by GHG-P and CDP. Consumers can make 100% renewable gas claims and report reduced Scope 1 GHG emissions.