The German transmission system operator, 50Hertz, is collaborating with LichtBlick and Granular Energy to conduct a pilot project that will allow hourly transparency in the source of green electricity.
As part of this initiative, several of LichtBlick’s corporate clients can now use a platform provided by Granular Energy to monitor the exact hour they purchase green electricity from specific renewable energy generation plants.
Certificates generated in this process can be procured and managed through 50Hertz’s Energy Track and Trace Register.
Since 2013, green electricity supply in Germany has required a green guarantee of origin (HKN), certifying the time and place of its production. Physical electricity providers must purchase this guarantee along with the physical electricity.
However, at present, it is only necessary to provide proof in the balance sheet at the year of delivery and not hourly comparison between consumption and production. The Federal Environment Agency in Germany maintains the Register of Guarantees of Origin.
Chief operating officer of LichtBlick, Enno Wolf, said “Guarantees of origin are the birth certificate of green electricity.”
“They create transparency and prevent the dual marketing of green electricity.”
“So far, however, the evidence usually does not guarantee that the green electricity assigned to a customer was also generated at the time of consumption.”
“This is where the system can and must be improved. With our project, we are demonstrating that it is possible to compare generation and consumption on an hourly basis.”
To enable the purchase and management of hourly certificates, 50Hertz, in partnership with Elia Belgium, the Danish grid operator energinet, and the Estonian grid operator Elering, has established a system named the Energy Track and Trace Register. The Dutch certification firm, VertiCer, has also joined the initiative.
In the coming years, many companies will require greater transparency concerning the origin of their electricity for their carbon footprint.
With hourly guarantees of origin, they can ensure the procurement of green electricity not only on an annual basis but also at any hour, which can be verified.
Toby Ferenczi, co-founder of Granular, said”Hourly energy tracking is crucial to increase confidence in green electricity products.”
“It also creates a razor-sharp price signal that will accelerate investment in the technologies needed to deliver clean energy around the clock around the world.”
“This is because it allows companies to set more precise targets for matching production and consumption. This will also create financial incentives for the expansion of flexibilities and storage.”
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