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The E TRACK project has investigated the feasibility of a harmonised standard for tracking of generation attributes in Europe. The most comprehensive policy which requires such tracking is electricity disclosure (also called labelling), but there are also support schemes which require the accounting of volumes of eligible electricity generation. Also, the verification of compliance with the targets for electricity from renewable energy sources (RES-E), which are set by Directive 2001/77/EC, might require tracking, at least of cross-border transfers of eligible RES-E generation.
Tracked information encompasses energy source used for electricity production, related emissions, support granted and further attributes as required. Besides disclosure and support, the E-TRACK standard also integrates Guarantees of Origin (GO) for electricity from renewable energy sources (RES-E) and high-efficient cogeneration (CHP-E) and potentially accounting systems used for Green Power products and related quality labels in to one comprehensive, reliable approach, which is co-ordinated at the European level.
In this page:
Results
- An analysis of existing schemes for the allocation of electricity generation attributes, and a detailed insight into the policy and market requirements for the design and operation of tracking systems
- A blueprint for a co-ordinated standard for tracking electricity in Europe, including details of technical aspects of such a standard
- A detailed assessment of the cost and benefits of such a system
- Results from intensive consultations with stakeholders on the European and national level
- A proposal for the implementation of the standard in Europestakeholders: Eurelectric, EFET, EREF, ETSO, CEER, AIB, RECS-International, plus the European Commission.
Lessons learned
- Current national systems for tracking electricity are mainly focused on national markets. They vary considerably from country to country and their design and interaction with related policies lead to significant volumes of multiple counting, mainly of electricity from renewable energy sources.
- The proposed standard allows for the stepwise coordination of existing certificate systems and other tracking schemes. This requires some form of adaptations to the design of these systems, but also to some regulations on Guarantees of Origin, electricity disclosure and support on the national level. However, the E-TRACK standard is compatible with all types of support systems for RES-E and CHP-E.
- Implementation of the E-TRACK standard would significantly increase the reliability of Guarantees of Origin and disclosure information across Europe, while implying only low cost and avoiding adverse effects of other tracking approaches. Support from the Commission and cooperation of European governments will be helpful to realise this value. Last Update: 04.06.2010
Partners and coordinator
List MapOeko-Institut e.V. - Institute for Applied Ecology | Germany |
Energie-Control GmbH | Austria |
Österreichische Energieagentur | Austria |
Agence de l'Environnement et de la Maîtrise de l'Energie | France |
Observatoire des énergies renouvelables | France |
Büro für Energiewirtschaft und technische Planung GmbH | Germany |
Gestore della rete di trasmissione nazionale | Italy |
Lithuanian Energy Institute | Lithuania |
Energy research Centre of the Netherlands | Netherlands |
IT Power Limited | United Kingdom |
Pure Energi Limited | United Kingdom |
Contact
Oeko-Institut e.V. - Institute for Applied Ecology
Germany
Contact point:
Budget
Key documents
In brief
Duration:
01/01/2005 to 30/06/2007 Contract number:
EIALT/EIE/04/141/2004
Website: