VertiCer issues Guarantees of Origin (GOs) in accordance with the standard set by the European Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB). In addition, the Dutch government has mandated that certain supplementary information must be included on GOs. This involves supplementary sustainability details for GOs covering biomethane and other types of gas. For example, the classification of the biomass used to produce biomethane according to the (Dutch) NTA 8003 norm. Producers can indicate to VertiCer if this additional information should be included on the GO.
Below, we outline the format in which this sustainability information will be displayed on a GO, as well as how to read it.
The additional sustainability data will appear in the field under the column titled "Additional information" on the GO. This information is included in every download of a GO transaction from VertiCer's trading portal. This is a so called free-text field as defined by the AIB. VertiCer has decided to include four specific data points within it. These fields will only be populated if the producer explicitly requests it.
When it comes to electricity, green gas, or hydrogen GO issued by VertiCers, the additional data will appear in the following format: “[NTA []; OC []; NTAs []; GP []; PCC []]”
This is what each entry in the field refers to:
- NTA []: This code refers to the NTA 8003 classification of the biomass used to produce this series of GOs.
- OC []: This is the country of origin of the biomass, represented by a two-letter country code according to the ISO 3166 norm.
- NTAs []: This indicates the percentage contribution of each NTA 8003 biomass code used during the relevant period. Each entry consists of a code followed by its percentage share.
- GP []: This field is included only for biomethane GOs. It shows whether, and how much, natural gas from the grid was used in the production of biomethane. It is expressed as a percentage. For example, if 100 MWh of natural gas was used in producing 1,100 MWh for a GO series, the field would show 110%.
- PCC []: This field is included only for hydrogen GOs. It specifies the sustainability scheme used for the energy generation that powered the hydrogen production. For example, electricity generated from certified biomass and used in electrolysis.
Example (fictional):
Additional information = “NTA [592]; OC [NL]; NTAs [25% 213, 75% 592]; GP [110%]”
This means:
NTA [592]: The primary biomass used had the NTA 8003 code 592 (Bleaching clay waste from various industrial processes).
OC [NL]: The biomass originated from the Netherlands.
NTAs [25% 213, 75% 592]: 25% of the biomass used had code 213 (Roadside grass) and 75% had code 592 (Bleaching clay waste from various industrial processes).
GP [110%]: 10% of the total energy input was from fossil-based natural gas.
An up-to-date overview of NTA 8003 codes is available via this link.
