Isometric has published a paper on how Energy-from-Waste (EfW)—when combined with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)—could generate high quality, highly durable removal credits in the UK.
Isometric partnered with the Coalition for Negative Emissions and an expert group (with representatives from Cory Group, Encyclis, Enfinium, Veolia and Viridor; and with the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero as observers) to develop the paper.
EfW is a process where non-recyclable waste is combusted to produce energy and heat. When combined with CCS technologies, the carbon dioxide released from combustion can be captured and permanently stored. The carbon dioxide stream contains biogenic carbon dioxide which would have decomposed and released to the atmosphere if it were not for storage on geologic timescales. With over fifty operational EfW plants in the UK, this presents a significant opportunity for scaling carbon removal in the UK.
The paper outlines the challenges and requirements for generating high quality removal credits for Energy-from-Waste projects with Carbon Capture and Storage. A rigorous approach to monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) is critical to crediting such projects and should account for:
- Quantification of carbon dioxide storage where shared transport and storage infrastructure make conventional quantification at point of injection challenging.
- Determination of counterfactual carbon dioxide storage for biogenic feedstock where waste management in the baseline scenario is part of a highly regulated waste management system.
- Allocation of project greenhouse gas emissions for mixed biogenic and fossil carbon dioxide streams—conservatively and in alignment with Emission Trading Scheme requirements, while maintaining operational feasibility for operators.
- Minimizing and appropriately accounting for potential leakage.
- Applying sustainable feedstock sourcing principles, while considering existing payment structures in waste management.
- Satisfying financial additionality requirements while considering market mechanisms, such as gate fees and participation in government business models.
EfW with CCS has the potential to generate durable high quality CDR credits. There is a path to conducting rigorous MRV for EfW facilities with CCS, that would allow the issuance of high quality credits from their operations.
The paper can be accessed here: Energy-from-Waste as a carbon removal pathway in the United Kingdom.
