Our PROJECTS

Overview: Geothermal electricity generation, displacing fossil-fuelled generation plant.

The project is a geothermal power plant, comprising three turbines with a combined installed capacity of 25.2 MW, and can generate over 160,000 MWh per annum. The project utilises the geological resources at the site to generate renewable power, which is then dispatched to the relatively carbon-intensive Guatemalan electricity Grid.

Benefits: Emissions reductions and sustainable development

Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by the project since its output displaces electricity would otherwise have been generated in the existing fossil fuel powered plants in the grid or by the addition of new generation. The CDM baseline and monitoring methodologies used is ACM0002 – “ Consolidated methodology for grid-connected electricity generation from renewable sources” (Version 6), and the monitoring report confirms that around 0.47 tonnes CO₂ equivalent are achieved for each megawatt-hour of electricity exported to the grid

Other project benefits include the creation of 20 permanent jobs, and a program to reduce flooding of the local area through the repair of road infrastructure and the reforestation of hillsides with over 5,000 trees. Furthermore, geothermal-derived electricity is relatively free of seasonal or fuel-driven supply fluctuations, so the project increases stability of power supply to consumers and to the national economy.

Project carbon credits

During the verification period from 10 February 2007 to 11 December 2008, total greenhouse gas reductions by this project amounted to 104,344 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Carbon credits were verified to the Voluntary Carbon Standard (2007) in June 2009 by DNV. (Certificate available upon request). This project has subsequently been validated under the CDM programme.

 

Overview: Biomass to energy project at remote pulp and paper mill.

The project involves the reconstruction and modernisation of boilers and related systems used for process steam generation at the plant. This investment enables an increase in the fraction of biomass waste in the fuel balance of the company, and the reduction in the consumption of fossil fuels. Furthermore, the use of waste biomass as fuel will reduce the methane emissions resulting from the anaerobic decomposition of this waste in local landfill.

Benefits: Emissions reductions and sustainable development

The independently audited reductions of greenhouse gas emissions achieved by the project would not otherwise have been achieved. This is because there were no serious obstacles for the pulp and paper mill to have continued operations with the existing equipment, at least up to 2012. Other societal benefits associated with the project include the reduction of the mill’s dependence on the fluctuating price of fossil fuels, which in turn will protect the security of heat supply for the local town, for which the paper mill is responsible.

Project carbon credits

In due course the project aims for acceptance under the UN Joint Implementation programme and in the meantime Carbon credits have been verified to the Voluntary Carbon Standard by DNV. (Certificate available upon request). During the verification period from 2001 to 2006, annual greenhouse gas reductions by this project averaged just over 100,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.

 

Overview: Biomass cogeneration plant providing electricity to the grid, displacing fossil-fuelled generation plant.

The project is a cogeneration (combined heat and power) plant located at a sugar cane mill in Chinandega Department. The fuel is bagasse, a by-product of the sugar production process, and the cogeneration plant is designed both to maximise the efficiency with which this material is used as a renewable energy source, and to supply additional exports of electricity to the local grid, thereby displacing local fossil-fuelled generation plant.

Benefits: Emissions reductions and sustainable development

The project verification statement confirms that greenhouse gas emissions reductions of approximately 0.71 tonnes CO₂ equivalent are achieved for each megawatt-hour of electricity exported to the grid, based on the basis of the approved monitoring methodology AM0015 (Version 01).

Sustainable development benefits of the project include the promotion of bagasse cogeneration as a sustainable source of energy across Nicaragua’s sugarcane industry. The technology is good for the energy strategy of the country given the reduced dependence on fossil fuels. The project will also directly create 35 new jobs on the site.

Project carbon credits

During the verification period from 01 May, 2006 to 31 May, 2007, total greenhouse gas reductions by this project amounted to 79 401 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent. Carbon credits were verified to the United Nations CDM CER Standard in June 2008 by DNV. (Certificate available upon request).

 

Overview: Biomass cogeneration plant replacing fuel-oil fired boilers

The project is a cogeneration (combined heat and power) plant comprising a new biomass-fired boiler and 8MW turbine, at a cellulose and paper company in São Paulo State. The new plant replaces fuel-oil fired boilers and reduces the host company’s electricity consumption from the grid.
The new boiler burns wood biomass residues.

The project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by substituting the fuel oil that would otherwise be burnt to produce high-pressure steam, and by displacing electricity that would otherwise be generated locally from thermal power stations using fossil fuels. It also consumes biomass residues which would otherwise be dumped or left to decay.

Benefits: Emissions reductions and sustainable development

The biomass cogeneration plant has reduced emissions equivalent to over 64,500 tonnes of CO₂ per year, over the relevant period.
These greenhouse gas emission reductions were calculated on the UNFCCC Approved Methodology ACM 0006/version 06 (consolidated baseline methodology for grid-connected electricity generation from biomass residues).

Sustainable development benefits of the project include improved working conditions through reduced employee handling of fuel oil, increased employment opportunities in the locality including a beneficial impact on regional engineering and civil construction sectors, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels.

Project carbon credits

This project was independently assessed to have achieved total emissions savings equivalent to approximately 388,452 tonnes of CO₂, during the operating period 2002 to 2007 and carbon credits were verified to the Voluntary Carbon Standard in March 2008 by SGS. (Certificate available upon request).

 

Overview: Wind power displacing fossil fuel power generation

This project generates electricity using renewable wind energy. It consists of two wind farm sites in two counties within the Shanghai Province. The wind resources in these areas are good and on average the turbines generate for over 2,000 hours a year.

The power generated from this project is fed into the Shanghai power grid, which is part of the East China Power Grid. Power generation in the region relies predominantly on fossil fuels, so the project reduces greenhouse gas emissions by using wind power to create energy which would otherwise be generated from these fuels.

Benefits: Emissions reductions and sustainable development

The two wind farms reduce emissions equivalent to approximately 37,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, based on the UN approved ACM0002, consolidated methodology for grid connected electricity generation from renewable sources.

This project contributes to the overall sustainable development goals of China, and has brought job opportunities in constructing and operating the wind farm.

The project contributes towards stimulating and accelerating the commercialisation of grid-connected renewable energy technologies. It also helps to promote the development of wind power markets in East China. The project demonstrates the viability of grid-connected wind farms that use state-of-the-art wind turbine technologies with large output capacities in China.

Project carbon credits

This project is currently seeking United Nations CDM registration, and its historic emission reductions were verified to VCS in December 2007 by TÜV NORD (Certificate available upon request).

 

Overview: Wind power displacing fossil fuel power generation

The project is a wind farm, consisting of 112 wind turbine generators, each with a capacity of between 350KW and 1000KW, with a total generation capacity of 45.2 MW.

The electricity generated by the wind farm is fed into the state electricity grid. This reduces greenhouse gas emissions by displacing electricity that would otherwise be generated locally from thermal power stations using fossil fuels.

Benefits: Emissions reductions and sustainable development

The two wind farms reduce emissions equivalent to approximately 63,000 tonnes of CO₂ per year, based on the UNFCCC Approved Methodology ACM 0002/version 04 - Consolidated baseline methodology for grid connected electricity generation from renewable sources.

Sustainable development benefits of the project include its contribution towards meeting the electricity supply deficit in Maharashtra, local natural resource conservation, and the associated rural and infrastructure development in the areas around the project.

The project itself contributes to CO₂e abatement and to the more general development of renewable technology and its application locally. It also brings a reduction of other harmful emissions such as SOx, NOx, PM etc. from the local fossil-fueled power stations.

Project carbon credits

This project is being re-submitted for UN CDM approval. Issued carbon credits represent achieved emissions savings equivalent to approximately 401,202 tonnes of CO₂ in total, during the operating period 2000 to 2006 and were verified to the Voluntary Carbon Standard in October 2007 by TÜV NORD. (Certificate available upon request).