🏨CDM ACM0002: Grid-Connected Electricity Generation from Renewable Sources

Introduction to ACM0002

With mounting concerns about greenhouse gas emissions and the imperative to mitigate climate change, ACM0002 has been developed within the framework of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). At its essence, ACM0002 centers on grid-connected electricity generation sourced from renewable and environmentally responsible sources, ushering in a transformative era of clean, sustainable energy production.

This methodology is designed to focus on projects that aim to replace or retrofit existing power plants or construct new units, all fueled by renewable energy sources, while simultaneously supplying electricity to the grid. ACM0002's is used to quantify and verify greenhouse gas emissions reductions, thereby reducing the carbon footprint associated with electricity generation. It acknowledges the pressing need to shift away from GHG-intensive energy sources and transition towards a greener, more sustainable energy mix.

ACM0002 commits to harnessing the immense potential of renewable energy technologies, such as wind, solar photovoltaic, hydroelectric, biomass, and geothermal power generation. This methodology introduces a standardized framework for assessing and verifying emissions reductions, ultimately contributing to global efforts to combat climate change. ACM0002 is built with a suite of essential methodological tools and schemas, ensuring the accuracy and consistency of emissions calculations.

Need and Use for ACM0002

This methodology is specifically tailored to accommodate a spectrum of essential projects, including retrofitting, rehabilitation, replacement, or capacity addition to existing power plants, as well as the construction and operation of new power plants or units, all powered by renewable energy sources and connected to the grid. Notably, under certain conditions, ACM0002 also permits the integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), enhancing grid stability and optimizing renewable energy utilization.

To qualify, a project must harness energy from renewable sources such as hydro, wind, geothermal, solar, wave, or tidal power. This selective approach excludes biomass-fired power plants, aligning with the overarching goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, ACM0002 establishes stringent historical reference criteria, requiring that existing power plants commenced commercial operation at least five years before the project's initiation. This standard ensures that no capacity expansion or retrofit, rehabilitation, or replacement of the plant occurred within the specified historical reference period, promoting genuine emissions reductions.

For hydro power projects, ACM0002 extends its applicability to various scenarios, including those within existing reservoirs with no change in reservoir volume, or integrated hydro power projects spanning multiple reservoirs. This versatility highlights ACM0002's adaptability to diverse renewable energy sources and conditions. Furthermore, integration with a Battery Energy Storage System is permissible, further optimizing the grid's stability and renewable energy utilization, whether for Greenfield renewable energy generation technologies or existing solar photovoltaic or wind power plants.

Objective and Scope of ACM0002

The core objective of ACM0002 is to provide a standardized framework for quantifying and verifying GHG emissions reductions or removals attributable to electricity generation projects connected to the grid that harness renewable energy sources. ACM0002 encompasses a wide range of renewable energy technologies, including but not limited to solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal power generation.

Methodology Overview

ACM0002 initiates by establishing a baseline against which emissions reductions are assessed. This baseline represents the emissions that would have occurred in the absence of the renewable energy project. The methodology also mandates a demonstration of "additionality," confirming that the project would not have transpired without CDM support.

Typical Projects

ACM0002 is applicable to a variety of project types, including retrofit, rehabilitation (or refurbishment), replacement, or capacity addition to an existing power plant, as well as the construction and operation of new power plants or units that utilize renewable energy sources and supply electricity to the grid. Under certain conditions, ACM0002 permits the integration of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

Integration of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)

For projects considering the integration of a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), ACM0002 provides guidelines and requirements for incorporating BESS with both Greenfield power plants and existing solar photovoltaic or wind power plants. This addition contributes to grid stability and enables better management of renewable energy fluctuations.

Available Roles

Project Participant - The project participant is responsible for executing the emission reduction project. The project participant must adhere to the requirements outlined by the CDM and provide evidence of the emission reductions achieved. Upon successful verification, the project participant receives certified emission reduction (CER) tokens as an incentive for their emission reductions.
Verification and Validation Body (VVB) - The VVB plays a critical role in independently verifying and validating the project data submitted by the project participant. They thoroughly assess the project's emission reduction potential, methodologies, and adherence to the policy guidelines. Based on their evaluation, the VVB either approves or rejects the project for registration.
Registry (UNFCCC) - The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) serves as the registry for the CDM. They oversee the multiple workflow steps involved in the project's approval, including the verification and validation process by the VVB and the endorsement by the DNA. The UNFCCC's approval is necessary for the project's successful registration and issuance of CER tokens.

Key Documents and Schemas

Project Description - Project Participant information, standard project information, methodology information like baseline emissions, project emissions, etc.
Emissions Reduction – Schema included within the project information form; this is filled out by the project participant to calculate annual emission reductions.
Monitoring Report – The monitoring report is to be filled out based on the monitoring plan mentioned within the methodology.

Tools Referenced

Methodological Tool 01 - Tool for the demonstration and assessment of additionality.
Methodological Tool 02 - Combined tool to identify the baseline scenario and demonstrate additionality.
Methodological Tool 03 - Tool to calculate project or leakage CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion.
Methodological Tool 05 – Baseline, project and/or leakage emissions from electricity consumption and monitoring of electricity generation.
Methodological Tool 07 - Tool to calculate the emission factor for an electricity system.
Methodological Tool 10 – Tool to determine the remaining lifetime of equipment.
Methodological Tool 32 - Positive lists of technologies.

Token (Carbon Emission Reduction)

Certified Emission Reduction (CER) credits, each equivalent to one tonne of CO2.

Workflow

Step-by-Step

Log in as the Standard Registry and import the policy either by file or through IPFS timestamp by selecting the third button at the top right

To start using the policy you first have to change the status of the policy from “Draft” to “Dry Run” or “Publish”, then select the “Register” button.

Create a new user by clicking the “Create User” button and assign their role as Project Participant.

The Project Participant can now provide their name or the name they would like to see reflect when registering for this project (i.e. their organization’s name).

Сreate a new user again and assign their role as VVB.

The VVB can now provide their name or the name they would like users to see when reviewing projects (i.e. their organization’s name).

Log in as the SR and select the “Project Participants” or the “VVBs” tab to view the documents submitted by the Project Participant and by the VVB. The SR can approve their requests by clicking on the “Approve" button.

Log in as the Project Participant and create a new project by clicking on the "New Project" button. This form is used to collect information about the project, organization, and all the data needed to run the emission reduction calculations. Once all the required fields have been filled the “Create” button will turn dark blue. By selecting the “Create” button all the data will be sent to the SR for review/approval.

Log back in as the SR and after reviewing the document by selecting the “View Document” button, the SR can validate the project submitted by the Project Participant by clicking the “Validate” button. If the data does not satisfy the rules set by the SR, then the “Reject” button can be used.

Log in as the Project Participant and create a monitoring report by clicking on the “Add Report” button then fill out the monitoring report form.

After creating the monitoring report, the project participant assigns the VVB to verify it by navigating to the “Monitoring Reports” tab and selecting the dropdown under “Assign”.

Log in as the VVB and click the “Monitoring Reports” tab to review the document submitted by the Project Participant. After reviewing the monitoring report by selecting “View Document”, the VVB can select “Verify”.

Log in as the SR to review the monitoring report by selecting the “View Document” button in the “Monitoring Reports” tab. The SR can approve the monitoring report by selecting “Approve”. This will also trigger the minting process. You can see the minting status under “Status” change from “Minting” to “Minted”.

Once the minting process is completed, you can view the token amount by selecting the “Token History” tab.

The TrustChain can also be viewed by clicking on the “View TrustChain” button. Please note that the token amount may show “-1” when the tokens are still minting. Once the process is complete a notification will appear stating that the tokens have been minted and transferred.