Drax announces DNV approval of methodology for certification of net CRDs using BECCS technologies

Drax has announced that the DNV, an independent energy expert and assurance provider, has validated a methodology for the certification of net carbon dioxide removals (CDRs) through the use of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).

Drax stated that the endorsement of this methodology, which was developed by Drax and Stockholm Exergi, marks a major milestone that will support and enable the deployment of BECSS.

“Technology-based carbon dioxide removal techniques such as BECCS have a critical role to play in the delivery of net zero,” stated Lucy Craig, senior vice-president of growth, innovation and digitalization, Energy Systems, at DNV. “Drax and Stockholm Exergi have collaborated to develop a robust methodology to both quantify the volumes of carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere and define safeguards to ensure the sustainability of such techniques.

“DNV has used a comprehensive process to validate that the methodology is aligned with ISO 14064-2, including a stakeholder engagement process to ensure that views of stakeholder groups have been considered.” 

Drax stated that the methodology is “the most thorough to date incorporating sustainability safeguards, giving confidence to CDR buyers and investors and has been submitted into the EU’s consultation process for a carbon removal certification framework.”

The company added that by setting rigorous standards, buyers will have confidence in the quality and sustainability of CDRs, which will be key to scale the market for high-integrity credits from BECCS.  

“It is absolutely critical that we have credible, transparent and trustworthy standards in place if we are to scale the market for carbon dioxide removals and reach the volume needed to keep warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius,” stated Angela Hepworth, Drax’s commercial director. “Drax is proud to be pioneering this comprehensive methodology which aims to set the standard for CDRs delivered by BECCS, and provide governments, customers and the market with the confidence needed to invest in high-integrity durable credits.” 

Stockholm Exergi is planning on building Europe’s first large-scale facility for carbon removals using BECCS.  

“With this initiative, we want to define and accelerate the development of sustainable BECCS, provide clarity to off-takers of Carbon Removal Units on the Voluntary Carbon Market and reach out to all other BECCS developers to join the initiative to drive a convergence of standards,” Stated Erik Rylander, Commercial Director for BECCS at Stockholm Exergi. “Only if we can avoid market fragmentation and agree on a robust, sustainable standard for BECCS will market demand be unleashed and the permanent removals industry scale to the levels deemed necessary by the IPCC to limit global warming to 1.5 °C.”   

Drax stated that the new methodology “looks to present an industry leading, principle-led approach, which can be taken on and developed further by standard setters to enable a robust and rigorous measurement of net removals.”  

To read the full methodology, click here.  

Source: Drax.