Victoria
New South Wales
South Australia
QueenslandNote: Client name and site location have been removed and figures rounded to form this case study to protect sensitive information. Images shown are not of the installation and are for illustration purposes only.
Client Overview.
Ecovantage was engaged by a biogas consultant who designs and builds biogas plants, to conduct a feasibility study for the creation of energy certificates on behalf of their client. Located in Victoria, the client operates a food manufacturing facility and is implementing an anaerobic digestion system to generate energy and reduce waste, from food scraps going to landfill.
This case study is part of a combined project with the VEECs Through Biowaste Energy Generation featured project.
Project Summary.
Ecovantage is proposing the use of the Source Separated Organic Waste Method (SSOW) to measure the treatment of organic waste at the facility. This activity is designed to promote the diversion of organic waste from going to landfill, and in this case, is being used in an anaerobic digester to capture biogas for onsite consumption.
Working with the biogas consultant, Ecovantage measured historic waste levels and disposal. This data was used to forecast the annual savings over a period of seven years, and quantify the corresponding Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) eligible for creation over the coming 13 years.
Once implemented, Ecovantage will manage the annual carbon reduction reporting for the site, manage the creation and monetisation of ACCUs, and provide the client with a 1-page simplified report focused on the key abatement and financial metrics for each reporting period.
Savings Summary.
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Waste quantity per annum: 18,706 tonnes |
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Crediting years: 13 |
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Estimated total ACCUs created: 81,313 |
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Estiamted client ROI: $2,498,455 |
Annual ACCU Creation.
ACCU Abatement & Creation.
The project crediting period is divided into seven annual reporting periods, paid over a thirteen-year ‘crediting’ period, as demonstrated in the chart below. The emissions reduction measured in each reporting year are divided into seven equal portions, with each portion being created over the following seven-year period. Improvement Factors that decline each year result in a lowered total eligible abatement value in each crediting year, which accounts for calculated efficiency decreases. This creates a pyramid structure for the certificate volumes created.
Working with the biogas consultant, Ecovantage measured historic waste levels and disposal. This data was used to forecast the annual savings over a period of seven years, and quantify the corresponding Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) eligible for creation over the coming 13 years.
Once implemented, Ecovantage will manage the annual carbon reduction reporting for the site, manage the creation and monetisation of ACCUs, and provide the client with a 1-page simplified report focused on the key abatement and financial metrics for each reporting period.
Calculating Abatement.
1.
Several different data sources are measured and recorded during the reporting period, including:
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- The total quantity of organic waste received and treated by the waste treatment facility during the reporting period
- Proportion of waste mix type
- Electricity, gas and other fuel sources used in the processing of organic material
- Methane volumes
2.
Calculate emissions reduction from avoided landfill waste and create ACCUs.
Data obtained during the reporting period is entered into a calculator to determine the emissions reduction (or abatement) resulting from diverting organic waste from landfill. Based on the verified energy savings resulting from the project, we would then able to generate and monetise an average of 6,274 ACCUs each year over 13 crediting years, generating almost $3million for the client.
Project Takeaways.
Working with an experienced Accredited Certificate Provider (ACP) and energy certificate specialist is essential to ensure your project is not only accurately measured and monetised, but to provide confidence that all creation options have been assessed and you get the highest return for your project. This combined case study VEECs Through Biowaste Energy Generation demonstrates how one project can attract multiple savings incentives, delivering a substantial ROI.
By using two certificate creation methods for the overarching project, the project is forecast to generate $3,200,000 in white certificates and carbon credits over its lifetime.
Video: How Does M&V Work?
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