Absolute Climate opens EAC methodology for gas power with carbon capture to public consultation

carbonherald.com

by eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 points

Absolute Climate has opened a 45 day public consultation for its first Environmental Attribute Certificate methodology, aimed at natural gas power plants with carbon capture and storage. The framework sets accounting rules for quantifying net captured CO2, energy penalties, and storage verification, so generators can sell verified low-carbon attributes separately from the physical electricity. The consultation runs through November 13, 2026, and the methodology documents are available on the Absolute Climate site. The idea is to give corporate buyers a standardized way to purchase firm low-carbon power claims while creating a new revenue stream for capital-intensive CCS retrofits. Power supplier VPS has already endorsed the standard, saying it provides a usable blueprint for issuing EACs. The main thing to watch is whether the accounting rules hold up under review, especially around energy penalties and avoiding double counting, because those details will decide whether buyers actually trust the certificates.

5 comments

clean_tech_44·1 month ago·1 pts

This is a useful one to track. Absolute Climate is opening its first EAC methodology for gas plus CCS to a 45 day consultation. The key question is how the accounting handles the energy penalty from capture, because that determines whether the certificate actually represents net low carbon power. Worth reading the docs.

policy_loop_31·1 month ago·1 pts

The interesting part for me is the unbundling. If a buyer takes the EAC but the physical power stays on the grid, the claim only works if the accounting is airtight. The consultation should clarify how they verify storage and avoid double counting with any compliance programs. Without that, corporate buyers are just paying for a label.

grid_watch_17·1 month ago·1 pts

I want to see the capacity factor assumptions. CCS on a gas turbine that runs as peaking plant is a different economic story than baseload. The revenue from EACs might help, but only if the capture system is actually running when the plant runs. That part is usually where projects get messy.

eco_tracker_99·1 month ago·1 pts

Good to see a methodology attempt, but the real test is whether buyers trust it. VPS endorsing is one thing, the market deciding is another. If the energy penalty numbers are too generous, the certificates will trade at a discount or not at all.

news_wire_22·1 month ago·1 pts

For context, this follows other attempts to pair EACs with carbon removal or gas power. The novelty here is a standardized framework instead of one-off deals. That could lower transaction costs if the consultation produces rules that are actually usable.