The certificates are to be presented at tonight’s annual awards dinner of the Renewable Energy Association (REA) at which the new logo and website of Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL) are also to be presented.
The Green Gas Certification Scheme (GGCS) is operated by REAL and tracks biomethane or ‘green gas’ through the supply chain in order to provide certainty for those who buy it. The first certificates awarded under the scheme are to be presented to the Office of the Prince of Wales and The Duchy of Cornwall, representing 1,000,000 kilowatt hours of biomethane energy injected into the local gas distribution network by J V Energen LLP at Rainbarrow Farm in Poundbury, Dorset, in December 2012. The Office of the Prince of Wales and The Duchy of Cornwall are receiving these certificates because they have purchased the gas for use in their property.
The scheme involves the generation of biogas from anaerobic digestion (AD) which is then upgraded to biomethane and injected into the gas grid. GGCS assigns each kilowatt hour (kWh) of methane a Renewable Gas Guarantee of Origin (RGGO) which tags each unit in much the same way a Renewable Electricity Guarantee of Origin (REGO) tags renewable electricity in the power grid. This enables the seller to pass their gas on to customers who are keen to ensure that their gas comes from a renewable source.
The Duchy of Cornwall is also part of J V Energen LLP which is a joint venture that operates Rainbarrow Farm anaerobic digestion (AD) and biomethane injection plant. The project has also been shortlisted for two REA Awards.
“I am delighted that the first Green Gas Certificates in the UK have been purchased by The Office of the Prince of Wales and The Duchy of Cornwall to reduce our emissions from heating fuels” said Andrew Phillips, Rural Director of Finance for the Duchy of Cornwall. “This has been one in a number of initiatives to reduce the organisations’ carbon footprints, and it is particularly pleasing that these come from the Rainbarrow Farm plant in which the Duchy is lead investor. Establishing a credible renewable gas trading scheme in the UK is crucial to the development of the biomethane industry.”
As well as being its Rural Director of Finance, Mr Phillips is also responsible for managing the Duchy’s carbon footprint.
Further information:
Renewable Energy Association (REA)
