Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming InitiativeCoal Mine Waste Gas) Methodology Determination 2015

made under the

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011

Compilation No. 3  

Compilation date:   29 September 2021
     

Includes amendments up to: Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming InitiativeCoal Mine Waste Gas) Methodology Determination Variation 2021 (F2021L01327)

 

 

 

About this compilation

 

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming InitiativeCoal Mine Waste Gas) Methodology Determination 2015 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 29 September 2021 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Legislation Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the series page on the Legislation Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

 

 

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary

1  Name of determination

3  Authority

4  Duration

5  Definitions

6  Meaning of existing regulatory obligation

7  Meaning of material abatement

8  Meaning of integrated monitoring system

9  References to factors and parameters from external sources

Part 2—Coal mine waste gas projects

10  Coal mine waste gas projects

Part 3—Project requirements

Division 1—General requirements

11  Operation of this Division

12  Requirements for a new flaring or flameless oxidation project

13  Requirements for an expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project

14  Requirements for a new electricity production project

15  Requirements for an expansion electricity production project

16  Requirements for a displacement electricity production project

16A  Requirements for a ventilation air methane only project

16B  Requirements for a transitioning electricity production project

16C  Requirements for a transitioning displacement electricity production project

Division 2—Additionality requirements

16D  Operation of this Division

16E  Requirement in lieu of newness requirement for certain former RET projects

17  Requirements in lieu of regulatory additionality requirement

Division 3—Crediting period

17A  Crediting period for certain projects

Part 4—Net abatement amounts

Division 1—Operation of this Part

18  Operation of this Part

19  Overview of gases accounted for in abatement calculations

Division 2—New flaring or flameless oxidation project method

20  Summary

21  Net abatement amount

Division 3—Expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project method

22  Summary

23  Net abatement amount

24  Volume of methane sent to conversion devices

Division 4—General calculations for flaring or flameless oxidation methods

25  Volume of methane sent to flaring or flameless oxidation device

26  Emissions from a flaring or flameless oxidation device

Division 5—New electricity production project method

27  Summary

28  Net abatement amount

Division 6—Expansion electricity production project method

29  Summary

30  Net abatement amount

31  Volume of methane sent to conversion devices

Division 7—Displacement electricity production project method

32  Summary

33  Net abatement amount

Division 7A—Ventilation air methane only project method

33A  Summary

33B  Net abatement amount

Division 7B—Transitioning electricity production project method

33C  Summary

33D  Net abatement amount

Division 7C—Transitioning displacement electricity production project method

33E  Summary

33F  Net abatement amount

Division 8—General calculations for electricity production methods

34  Volume of methane sent to conversion device

35  Emissions

36  Displaced electricity emissions

37  Electricity produced by project

38  Electricity produced by using fuel other than coal mine waste gas

39  Baseline for electricity production

Division 9—General calculations for flaring or flameless oxidation and electricity production methods

40  Historic abatement

41  Ancillary project emissions

42  Baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices

43  Baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production devices

Part 5—Reporting, recordkeeping and monitoring requirements

Division 1—Offsets report requirements

44  Operation of this Division

45  Determination of certain factors and parameters

Division 2—Monitoring requirements

46  Operation of this Division

47  Monitoring requirements

48  Consequence of failure to monitor certain parameters

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Part 1Preliminary

 

1  Name of determination

  This determination is the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Coal Mine Waste Gas) Methodology Determination 2015.

3  Authority

  This determination is made under subsection 106(1) of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011.

4  Duration

  This determination remains in force for the period that:

 (a) begins when this determination commences; and

 (b) ends on the day before this determination would otherwise be repealed under subsection 50(1) of the Legislation Act 2003.

5  Definitions

  In this determination:

Act means the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011.

application time, for a project, means the time of application for the declaration of the project as an eligible offsets project.

coal mine waste gas means a substance:

 (a) that consists of:

 (i) naturally occurring hydrocarbons; or

 (ii) a naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbons and nonhydrocarbons; and

 (b) that:

 (i) is drained from an operating underground coal mine that is covered by a lease (however described) that authorises coal mining; or

 (ii) is conveyed in a ventilation air shaft, pipe or duct to the surface of an operating underground coal mine that is covered by a lease (however described) that authorises coal mining; and

 (c) that is continuously maintained in gaseous form until release or conversion.

Note: Eligibility requirements to be a coal mine waste gas project require coal mine waste gas to be sourced from an operating underground coal mine. Use of coal mine waste gas from a decommissioned underground mine is excluded. See section 10.

coal mine waste gas project has the meaning given by section 10.

coal seam methane means a substance that:

 (a) consists of:

 (i) naturally occurring hydrocarbons; or

 (ii) a naturally occurring mixture of hydrocarbons and nonhydrocarbons; and

 (b) consists mainly of methane; and

 (c) is drained from a coal seam; and

 (d) is not coal mine waste gas.

collocated: a coal mine is collocated with another coal mine if:

 (a) the boundaries of the leases (however described) that authorise coal mining at each mine overlap, touch or are no more than 10 kilometres apart; and

 (b) each coal mine is identified in the application for the declaration of the project as an eligible offsets project.

combustion, of methane, means conversion of the methane using a process that requires the presence of oxygen and a flame; and combust has a corresponding meaning.

conversion device means a flaring device, a flameless oxidation device or an electricity production device.

conversion, of methane, means the application of a process in which the methane undergoes chemical reactions to produce an equivalent molar quantity of carbon dioxide; and convert has a corresponding meaning.

Note: Conversion may occur with or without the production of other chemical species and with or without the release of energy.

 Combustion and flameless oxidation are both forms of conversion.

declaration day, for a project, means the day the project is declared to be an eligible offsets project.

decommissioned underground coal mine means an underground coal mine where the following activities have not occurred for at least 12 months and are not expected to occur in the future:

 (a) coal production;

 (b) drainage of methane from the mine (including predraining activities);

 (c) active mine ventilation, including the operation of ventilation fans at the mine.

Note: If one or more of these activities were conducted in the last 12 months, or are expected to occur in the future, the coal mine would not be a decommissioned underground coal mine.

displacement electricity production project means a project that meets the requirements of section 16.

electricity production device means a device that produces electricity from combustion or flameless oxidation of methane.

eligible renewable energy source has the meaning given by the RE(E) Act.

existing electricity production device for a coal mine waste gas project means an electricity production device that existed, during all or part of the period between 24 April 2014 and the application time, at a location where some of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine has been converted.

existing flaring or flameless oxidation device, for a coal mine waste gas project, means a flaring or flameless oxidation device that existed, during all or part of the period between 24 April 2014 and the application time, at a location where some of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine has been converted.

existing regulatory obligation has the meaning given by section 6.

expansion electricity production project means a project that meets the requirements of section 15.

expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project means a project that meets the requirements of section 13.

flameless oxidation, of methane, means conversion of the methane using flameless chemical oxidation.

Note: Flameless oxidation may occur with or without utilization of thermal energy and with or without a catalyst.

flameless oxidation device means a device for the flameless oxidation of methane other than a device that is directly associated with the operation of an electricity production device.

Note: A system of plant and equipment that oxidises ventilation air methane is an example of a flameless oxidation device.

flaring means the combustion of methane for a purpose other than producing energy.

flaring device means a device that combusts methane, other than a device that is directly associated with the operation of an electricity production device.

former RET electricity production device for a coal mine waste gas project means an electricity production device that:

 (a) existed, during all or part of the period between 24 April 2014 and the application time for the project, at a location where some of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine has been converted; and

 (b) was among the components of an electricity generation system existing at the location on 31 December 2020 that were taken to be a power station for the purposes of the RE(E) Act which was, at that date, an accredited power station within the meaning of that Act.

historic abatement means an amount worked out under section 40.

installed electricity production device for a coal mine waste gas project means an electricity production device installed and operated as part of the project.

installed flaring or flameless oxidation device, for a coal mine waste gas project, means a flaring or flameless oxidation device installed and operated as part of the project.

integrated monitoring system has the meaning given by section 8.

material abatement has the meaning given by section 7.

monitoring requirements means the requirements set out in section 47.

National Electricity Rules means the National Electricity Rules, as in force from time to time, made under the National Electricity Law set out in the Schedule to the National Electricity (South Australia) Act 1996 (SA).

network support and control ancillary services has the same meaning as in the National Electricity Rules.

new electricity production project means a project that meets the requirements of section 14.

new flaring or flameless oxidation project means a project that meets the requirements of section 12.

NGA Factors document means the document entitled “National Greenhouse Accounts Factors”, published by the Department and as in force from time to time.

NGER (Measurement) Determination means the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Determination 2008.

NGER Regulations means the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Regulations 2008.

NGER report means a report provided under section 19, 22E, 22G, 22X, or 22XB of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007.

nonmonitored period has the meaning given by subsection 48(1).

operating: a device for converting, or monitoring the conversion of, the methane component of coal mine waste gas is operating if it is being operated in accordance with:

 (a) the manufacturer’s specifications for the device; and

 (b) the monitoring requirements.

recognised capacity of a device in a period means:

 (a) for a flaring or flameless oxidation device—the maximum volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas capable of being converted by operating the device in the period worked out at the application time in accordance with subsection 42(3); or

 (b) for an electricity production device—the maximum amount of electricity capable of being produced from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by operating the device in the period worked out at the application time in accordance with subsection 43(3).

RE(E) Act means the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000.

transitioning displacement electricity production project means a project that meets the requirements of section 16C.

transitioning electricity production project means a project that meets the requirements of section 16B.

underground coal mine means a mine that allows the extraction of coal by mining at depth, after entry by shaft, adit or drift, without the removal of overburden.

ventilation air methane means the methane contained within the ventilation air of an operating underground coal mine that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere with that air.

6  Meaning of existing regulatory obligation 

 (1) A coal mine lease holder has an existing regulatory obligation to destroy the methane component of coal mine waste gas drawn from an operating underground coal mine in relation to a coal mine waste gas project if at the application time:

 (a) a law of a State or Territory requires the gas to be destroyed, converted, beneficially used, stored, transferred to another person or offered for sale (or any combination of these); or

 (b) a law of a State or Territory prohibits the release of the gas from the mine without destruction, conversion, beneficial use, storage, transfer to another person or offering the gas for sale (or any combination of these); or

 (c) a law of a State or Territory restricts the release of gas from the mine where flaring, alternative uses of, or other dealings with, the gas are practical, feasible or safe.

Note: In 2019 an example of paragraph (c) is section 318CO of the Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld).

 (2) For subsection (1), disregard any provision of a law of a State or Territory that authorises the release of the gas for use in a greenhouse abatement scheme.

7  Meaning of material abatement

  If the historic abatement from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from a mine worked out under section 40 is greater than 5 000 tonnes of CO2e, there has been material abatement from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine.

8  Meaning of integrated monitoring system

  An integrated monitoring system is a system:

 (a) consisting of a device or group of devices; and

 (b) that simultaneously monitors:

 (i) the volume of coal mine waste gas sent to a conversion device; and

 (ii) whether the conversion device is operating; and

 (c) that monitors the fraction of the volume of coal mine waste gas sent to the conversion device that is methane.

Note: Operating is defined in section 5.

9  References to factors and parameters from external sources

 (1) If a calculation in this determination includes a factor or parameter that is defined or calculated by reference to another instrument or writing, the factor or parameter to be used for a reporting period is the factor or parameter referred to in, or calculated by reference to, the instrument or writing as in force at the end of the reporting period.

 (2) Subsection (1) does not apply if:

 (a) the determination specifies otherwise; or

 (b) it is not possible to define or calculate the factor or parameter by reference to the instrument or writing as in force at the end of the reporting period.

 

Part 2Coal mine waste gas projects

 

10  Coal mine waste gas projects

 (1) For paragraph 106(1)(a) of the Act, this determination applies to an offsets project that:

 (a) converts some or all of the methane component of coal mine waste gas drawn from an operating underground coal mine, or two or more collocated operating underground coal mines:

 (i)  by installing and operating one or more of the following:

 (A) a flaring device;

 (B) a flameless oxidation device;

 (C) an electricity production device; or

 (ii)  by operating a former RET electricity production device; and 

 (b) does not involve the capture or use of coal seam methane; and

 (c) does not involve the capture or use of coal mine waste gas drawn from a decommissioned underground coal mine.

 (2) A project covered by subsection (1) is a coal mine waste gas project.

 (3) A coal mine waste gas project that is an eligible offsets project may be:

 (a) a new flaring or flameless oxidation project; or

 (b) an expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project; or

 (c) a new electricity production project; or

 (d) an expansion electricity production project; or

 (e) a displacement electricity production project; or

 (f) a ventilation air methane only project; or

 (g) a transitioning electricity production project; or

 (h) a transitioning displacement electricity production project.

.

Part 3Project requirements

Division 1General requirements

11  Operation of this Division

  For paragraph 106(1)(b) of the Act, this Division sets out requirements that must be met for a coal mine waste gas project to be an eligible offsets project.

12  Requirements for a new flaring or flameless oxidation project

 (1) This section sets out requirements for a new flaring or flameless oxidation project.

 (2) The project must install and operate a flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 (3) There must have been no material abatement from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine at the application time.

 (4) Subsection (3) is satisfied if:

 (a) for the financial year in which the application is made—at the application time the project proponent has given the Regulator a declaration that no such material abatement has occurred; and

 (b) for all previous financial years for which there is a NGER report relating to the mine—the NGER report for the financial year shows that no such material abatement has occurred.

13  Requirements for an expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project

 (1) This section sets out requirements for an expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project.

 (2) The project must install and operate a flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 (3) Some of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine must have been converted at the application time.

 (4) The proponent must have provided a statement at the application time as to:

 (a) the sum of the recognised capacity of all existing flaring or flameless oxidation devices and existing electricity production devices for the coal mine waste gas project at the point of the highest total recognised capacity of all of the existing devices in the period between 24 April 2014 and the application time; and

 (b) the recognised capacity of each existing device at that point.

14  Requirements for a new electricity production project

 (1) This section sets out requirements for a new electricity production project.

 (2) The project:

 (a) must install and operate an electricity production device; and

 (b) may install and operate a flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 (3) There must have been no material abatement from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine at the application time.

 (4) Subsection (3) is satisfied if:

 (a) for the financial year in which the application is made—at the application time the project proponent has given the Regulator a declaration that no such material abatement has occurred; and

 (b) for all previous financial years for which there is a NGER report relating to the mine—the NGER report for the financial year shows that no such material abatement has occurred.

15  Requirements for an expansion electricity production project

 (1) This section sets out requirements for an expansion electricity production project.

 (2) The project:

 (a) must install and operate an electricity production device; and

 (b) may install and operate a flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 (3) Some of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine must have been converted at the application time.

 (4) The proponent must have provided a statement at the application time as to:

 (a) the sum of the recognised capacity of all existing flaring or flameless oxidation devices and existing electricity production devices for the coal mine waste gas project at the point of the highest total recognised capacity of all of the existing devices in the period between 24 April 2014 and the application time; and

 (b) the recognised capacity of each existing device at that point.

16  Requirements for a displacement electricity production project

 (1) This section sets out requirements for a displacement electricity production project.

 (2) The project:

 (a) must install and operate an electricity production device; and

 (b) may install and operate a flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 (3) If some of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine has been converted by one or more existing electricity production devices at the application time, the proponent must have provided a statement at the application time as to:

 (a) the sum of the recognised capacity of all existing electricity production devices for the coal mine waste gas project at the point of the highest total recognised capacity of all of the existing devices in the period between 24 April 2014 and the application time; and

 (b) the recognised capacity of each existing device at that point.

Note: Unlike a new electricity production project, an expansion electricity production project or a transitioning electricity production project, the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a displacement electricity production project generally does not take into account abatement from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas. Only the abatement from displacing electricity is taken into account. The exception to this is abatement from the conversion of methane from a conversion device that uses ventilation air methane as its primary fuel source.

16A  Requirements for a ventilation air methane only project

 (1) This section sets out requirements for a ventilation air methane only project.

 (2) The project:

 (a) must install and operate a conversion device that uses ventilation air methane as its primary fuel source; and

 (b) must meet the requirements for being:

 (i) a new flaring or flameless oxidation project; or

 (ii) an expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project; or

 (iii) a new electricity production project; or

 (iv) an expansion electricity production project.

16B  Requirements for a transitioning electricity production project

 (1) This section sets out requirements for a transitioning electricity production project.

 (2) The project must:

 (a) involve operating a former RET electricity production device; and

 (b) not use an eligible renewable energy source to produce electricity.

 (3) The project may operate an existing flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 (4) The project proponent must have provided a statement at the application time:

 (a) that the project will be a transitioning electricity production project; and

 (b) identifying each former RET electricity production device and existing flaring or flameless oxidation device that will be operated as part of the project.

16C  Requirements for a transitioning displacement electricity production project

 (1) This section sets out requirements for a transitioning displacement electricity production project.

 (2) The project must:

 (a) involve operating a former RET electricity production device; and

 (b) not use an eligible renewable energy source to produce electricity.

 (3) The project may operate an existing flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 (4) The project proponent must have provided a statement at the application time:

 (a) that the project will be a transitioning displacement electricity production project; and

 (b) identifying each former RET electricity production device and existing flaring or flameless oxidation device that will be operated as part of the project.

Note: Unlike a new electricity production project, expansion electricity production project or transitioning electricity production project, the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a transitioning displacement electricity production project does not take into account abatement from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas. Only the abatement from displacing electricity is taken into account.

 

Division 2Additionality requirements

16D  Operation of this Division

  For subsection 27(4A) of the Act, this Division sets out:

 (a) a requirement in lieu of the newness requirement for certain coal mine waste gas projects that formerly operated under the Renewable Energy Target Scheme (section 16E); and

 (b) requirements in lieu of the regulatory additionality requirement for certain coal mine waste gas projects (section 17).

16E  Requirement in lieu of newness requirement for certain former RET projects

 (1) For subparagraph 27(4A)(a)(ii) of the Act, the substituted newness requirement is in lieu of the newness requirement for:

 (a) a transitioning electricity production project; or

 (b) a transitioning displacement electricity production project.

 (2) A coal mine waste gas project referred to in subsection (1) meets the substituted newness requirement if the project concerned involves the operation of a former RET electricity production device that is and was not operated as part of another coal mine waste gas project.

17  Requirements in lieu of regulatory additionality requirement

 (1) For subparagraph 27(4A)(b)(ii) of the Act, a requirement in lieu of the regulatory additionality requirement for a coal mine waste gas project (other than a displacement electricity production project, ventilation air methane only project or transitioning displacement electricity production project) is that the coal mine lease holder must have no existing regulatory obligation to destroy the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine.

 (2) For subparagraph 27(4A)(b)(ii) of the Act, a requirement in lieu of the regulatory additionality requirement for a displacement electricity production project is that the project must install and operate an electricity production device.

 (2A) For subparagraph 27(4A)(b)(ii) of the Act, a requirement in lieu of the regulatory additionality requirement for a transitioning displacement electricity production project is that the project must operate a former RET electricity production device that is and was not operated as part of another coal mine waste gas project.             

 (3) For subparagraph 27(4A)(b)(ii) of the Act, a requirement in lieu of the regulatory additionality requirement for a ventilation air methane only project is that the project must install and operate a conversion device.


Division 3—Crediting period

17A  Crediting period for certain projects

 (1) For paragraph 69(3)(b) of the Act, the period of 12 years is specified for a coal mine waste gas project that is:

 (a) a new flaring or flameless oxidation project; or

 (b) an expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project; or

 (c) a new electricity production project; or

 (d) an expansion electricity production project; or

 (e) a displacement electricity production project; or

 (f) a ventilation air methane only project.

 (2) For paragraph 69(3)(b) of the Act, the period of 5 years is specified for a coal mine waste gas project that is:

 (a) a transitioning electricity production project; or

 (b) a transitioning displacement electricity production project.

 

Part 4Net abatement amounts

Division 1Operation of this Part

18  Operation of this Part

  For paragraph 106(1)(c) of the Act, this Part specifies methods for working out the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a reporting period for a coal mine waste gas project that is an eligible offsets project.

19  Overview of gases accounted for in abatement calculations

  The following table provides an overview of the greenhouse gases and emissions sources that are relevant to working out the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a coal mine waste gas project.

 

Greenhouse gases and emissions sources

Item

Relevant emissions calculation

Emissions source

Greenhouse gas

1

Project abatement

Methane conversion

Methane (CH4)

2

Project emissions

Fuel consumption

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Methane (CH4)

Nitrous oxide (N2O)

3

Project emissions

Methane conversion

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Methane (CH4)

Nitrous oxide (N2O)

4

Project emissions

Unburned methane

Methane (CH4)

 

Division 2New flaring or flameless oxidation project method

20  Summary

The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement for a new flaring or flameless oxidation project is the abatement achieved from installing and operating flaring or flameless oxidation devices less:

 (a) the emissions from operating the installed flaring or flameless oxidation devices; and

 (b) ancillary emissions of the project; and

 (c) any historic abatement.

21  Net abatement amount

 (1) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a new flaring or flameless oxidation project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out:

 (a) if there has been no historic abatement—using subsection (2); or

 (b) if there has been historic abatement that is not material abatement—using subsection (3).

No historic abatement

 (2) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the new flaring or flameless oxidation project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 1):

where:

AN means the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the new flaring or flameless oxidation project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

AP means the project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 3.

Historic abatement that is not material abatement

 (3) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the new flaring or flameless oxidation project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 2):

where:

AN means the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the new flaring or flameless oxidation project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

AP means the project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 3.

AH means the historic abatement from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 35.

T means the total number of days in the reporting period.

 (4) The project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 3):

where:

AP means the project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

MCom means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 4.

EMD means the emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 5.

EAn means the ancillary project emissions for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 36.

 (5) The volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 4):

where:

MCom means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

γ means the factor for converting a quantity of methane from cubic metres to tonnes CO2e in section 3.21 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

DE means the factor for OFif in section 3.14 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

QCH4,h means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres, worked out:

 (a) using equation 12; or

 (b) using an integrated monitoring system.

h means an installed flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 (6) The emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 5):

where:

EMD means the emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

EMD,h,j means the emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 13.

Note: Gas type j is carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide.

h means an installed flaring or flameless oxidation device.

Division 3Expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project method

22  Summary

The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for an expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project is the abatement achieved from installing and operating flaring or flameless oxidation devices (subject to a baseline) less:

 (a) the emissions from operating the installed flaring or flameless oxidation devices; and

 (b) ancillary emissions of the project.

The abatement achievable from existing flaring or flameless oxidation devices and existing electricity production devices is used to determine a baseline for working out the abatement achieved by the project. Only abatement above this baseline is counted as abatement achieved by the project.

23  Net abatement amount

 (1) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for an expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 6):

where:

AN means the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

AP means the project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 7.

 (2) The project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 7):

where:

AP means the project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

MCom means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 8.

EMD means the emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 9.

EAn means the ancillary project emissions for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out under equation 36.

 (3) The volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 8):

where:

MCom means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

γ means the factor for converting a quantity of methane from cubic metres to tonnes CO2e in section 3.21 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

DE means the factor for OFif in section 3.14 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

XFl,t means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to installed and existing flaring or flameless oxidation devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices for the project, in cubic metres, worked out using equation 10.

XGen,t means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to existing electricity production devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production devices for the project, in cubic metres, worked out using equation 11.

t means a time interval in the reporting period.

 (4) The emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 9):

where:

EMD means the emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

EMD,h,j means the emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 13.

Note: Gas type j is carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide.

h means an installed flaring or flameless oxidation device.

24  Volume of methane sent to conversion devices

Methane sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices

 (1) The volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to installed and existing flaring or flameless oxidation devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices for the project, in cubic metres, is worked out using the formula (equation 10):

where:

XFl,t means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to installed and existing flaring or flameless oxidation devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices for the project, in cubic metres.

QCH4,h,t (or QCH4,m,t) means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device h (or m) as part of the project during time interval t, in cubic metres, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

Oh,t (or Om,t) means a binary function which has the value 1 if device h (or m) is operating during time interval t and 0 if it is not.

Note: Operating is defined in section 5.

BCH4,Fl means the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices for the project during time interval t, in cubic meters, worked out using equation 37.

h means an installed flaring or flameless oxidation device.

m means an existing flaring or flameless oxidation device.

t means a time interval in the reporting period.

Methane sent to electricity production devices

 (2) The volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to existing electricity production devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production devices for the project, in cubic metres, is worked out using the formula (equation 11):

 

where:

XGen,t means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to existing electricity production devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production devices for the project, in cubic metres.

QEG,n,t means the quantity of electricity produced by device n during time interval t, in megawatt hours, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

FMWh→GJ has the value of 3.6.

Note: This is the factor converting energy in megawatt hours to gigajoules.

Effn means the electrical efficiency of device n, which, subject to subsection (4), has:

 (a) the value specified by the manufacturer of the device in the technical specifications for the equipment, with reference to Australian Standard AS 4594.1 or equivalent; or

 (b) the default value of 0.36.

ECCMWG means the energy content factor of coal mine waste gas, in gigajoules per cubic metre, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

BCH4,Gen means the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production devices for the project during time interval t, in cubic meters, worked out using equation 38.

n means an existing electricity production device.

 (3) If the value of XGen,t is greater than zero for time interval t, then the value of XGen,t is taken to be zero for the time interval.

 (4) The same value of Effn must be used for that parameter for all time intervals in all reporting periods.

Division 4General calculations for flaring or flameless oxidation methods

25  Volume of methane sent to flaring or flameless oxidation device

  The volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres, is worked out using the formula (equation 12):

where:

QCH4,h means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres.

QCH4,h,t means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device h as part of the project during time interval t, in cubic metres, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

Oh,t means a binary function which has the value 1 if device h is operating during time interval t and 0 if it is not.

Note: Operating is defined in section 5.

h means:

 (a) in the case of a transitioning electricity production project—an existing flaring or flameless oxidation device; or

 (b) in the case of any other coal mine waste gas project—an installed flaring or flameless oxidation device.

26  Emissions from a flaring or flameless oxidation device

  The emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by flaring or flameless oxidation device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 13):

where:

EMD,h,j means the emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

Note: Gas type j is carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide.

QCH4,h means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres, worked out:

 (a) for a coal mine waste gas project other than an expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project:

 (i) using equation 12; or

 (ii) using an integrated monitoring system; or

 (b) for an expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project—using equation 12.

ECCMWG means the energy content factor of coal mine waste gas, in gigajoules per cubic metre, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

EFj means the emission factor for gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas that is captured for conversion, in kilograms of CO2e per gigajoule, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

Note: Gas type j is carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide.

DE means the factor for OFif in section 3.14 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

h means:

 (a) in the case of a transitioning electricity production project—an existing flaring or flameless oxidation device; or

 (b) in the case of any other coal mine waste gas project—an installed flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 

Division 5New electricity production project method

27  Summary

The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a new electricity production project is the abatement achieved from installing and operating electricity production devices less:

 (a) the emissions from operating the installed electricity production devices; and

 (b) ancillary emissions of the project; and

 (c) certain parameters associated with electricity production; and

 (d) any historic abatement.

28  Net abatement amount

 (1) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a new electricity production project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out:

 (a) if there has been no historic abatement—using subsection (2); or

 (b) if there has been historic abatement that is not material abatement—using subsection (3).

No historic abatement

 (2) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the new electricity production project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 14):

where:

AN means the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the new electricity production project, for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

AP means the project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 16.

AG means the displaced electricity emissions from electricity production in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 28.

Historic abatement that is not material abatement

 (3) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the new electricity production project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 15):

where:

AN means the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the new electricity production project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

AP means the project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 16.

AG means the displaced electricity emissions from electricity production in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 28.

AH means the historic abatement from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 35.

T means the total number of days in the reporting period.

 (4) The project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 16):

where:

AP means the project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

MCom means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 17.

EMD means the emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 18.

EAn means the ancillary project emissions for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 36.

 (5) The volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 17):

where:

MCom means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

γ means the factor for converting a quantity of methane from cubic metres to tonnes CO2e in section 3.21 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

QCH4,i means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production device i as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres, worked out:

 (a) using equation 26; or

 (b) using an integrated monitoring system.

DE means the factor for OFif in section 3.14 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

QCH4,h means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres, worked out:

 (a) using equation 12; or

 (b) using an integrated monitoring system.

i means an installed electricity production device.

h means an installed flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 (6) The emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 18):

where:

EMD means the emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

EMD,i,j means the emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by electricity production device i as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 27.

EMD,h,j means the emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by flaring or flameless oxidation device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 13.

Note: Gas type j is carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide.

i means an installed electricity production device.

h means an installed flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 

Division 6Expansion electricity production project method

29  Summary

The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for an expansion electricity production project is the abatement achieved from installing and operating electricity production devices (subject to a baseline) less:

 (a) the emissions from operating the installed electricity production devices; and

 (b) ancillary emissions of the project; and

 (c) certain parameters associated with electricity production.

The abatement achievable from existing flaring or flameless oxidation devices and existing electricity production devices is used to determine a baseline for working out the abatement achieved by the project. Only abatement above this baseline is counted as abatement achieved by the project.

30  Net abatement amount

 (1) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for an expansion electricity production project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 19):

where:

AN means the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the expansion electricity production project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

AP means the project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 20.

AG means the displaced electricity emissions from electricity production in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 28.

 (2) The project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 20):

where:

Ap means the project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

MCom means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 21.

EMD means the emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 22.

EAn means the ancillary project emissions for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 36.

 (3) The volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 21):

where:

MCom means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

γ means the factor for converting a quantity of methane from cubic metres to tonnes CO2e in section 3.21 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

DE means the factor for OFif in section 3.14 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

XFl,t means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to installed and existing flaring or flameless oxidation devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices for the project, in cubic metres, worked out using equation 23.

XGen,t means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to installed and existing electricity production devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production devices for the project, in cubic metres, worked out using equation 24.

t means a time interval in the reporting period.

 (4) The emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 22):

where:

EMD means the emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

EMD,i,j means the emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by electricity production device i as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 27.

EMD,h,j means the emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by flaring or flameless oxidation device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 13.

Note: Gas type j is carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide.

i means an installed electricity production device.

h means an installed flaring or flameless oxidation device.

31  Volume of methane sent to conversion devices

Methane sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices

 (1) The volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to installed and existing flaring or flameless oxidation devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices for the project, in cubic metres, is worked out using the formula (equation 23):

where:

XFl,t means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to installed and existing flaring or flameless oxidation devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices for the project, in cubic metres.

QCH4,m,t means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device m as part of the project during time interval t, in cubic metres, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

Om,t means a binary function which has the value 1 if device m is operating during time interval t and 0 if it is not.

Note: Operating is defined in section 5.

QCH4,h,t means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation device h as part of the project during time interval t, in cubic metres, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

Oh,t means a binary function which has the value 1 if device h is operating during time interval t and 0 if it is not.

Note: Operating is defined in section 5.

BCH4,Fl means the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices for the project during time interval t, in cubic meters, worked out using equation 37.

m means an existing flaring or flameless oxidation device.

h means an installed flaring or flameless oxidation device.

t means a time interval in the reporting period.

Methane sent to electricity production devices

 (3) The volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to installed and existing electricity production devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production devices for the project, in cubic metres, is worked out using the formula (equation 24):

where:

XGen,t means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to installed and existing electricity production devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production devices for the project, in cubic metres.

QEG,i,t (or QEG,n,t) means the quantity of electricity produced by device i (or n) during time interval t, in megawatt hours, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

FMWh→GJ has the value of 3.6.

Note: This is the factor converting energy in megawatt hours to gigajoules.

Effi (or Effn) means the electrical efficiency of device i (or n), which, subject to subsection (4), has:

 (a) the value specified by the manufacturer of the device in the technical specifications for the equipment, with reference to Australian Standard AS 4594.1 or equivalent; or

 (b) the default value of 0.36.

ECCMWG means the energy content factor of coal mine waste gas, in gigajoules per cubic metre, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

BCH4,Gen means the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production devices for the project during time interval t, in cubic meters, worked out using equation 38.

i means an installed electricity production device.

n means an existing electricity production device.

 (4) The same value of Effi and Effn must be used for that parameter for all time intervals in all reporting periods.

Division 7Displacement electricity production project method

32  Summary

The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a displacement electricity production project is the abatement achieved from installing and operating electricity production devices (subject to a baseline) less certain parameters associated with electricity production. However, unlike a new electricity production project, an expansion electricity production project or a transitioning electricity production project, the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a displacement electricity production project generally does not take into account abatement from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas. Only the abatement from displacing electricity is taken into account. The exception to this is abatement from the conversion of methane from a conversion device that uses ventilation air methane as its primary fuel source where no such device was previously installed.

The abatement achievable from existing electricity production devices (if any) is used to determine a baseline for working out the abatement achieved by the project. Only abatement above this baseline is counted as abatement achieved by the project.

33  Net abatement amount

 (1) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a displacement electricity production project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 25):

+ APVAM

where:

AN means the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the displacement electricity production project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

AG means the displaced electricity emissions from electricity production in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 28.

APVAM means:

 (a) if a conversion device that has been installed as part of the project uses ventilation air methane as its primary fuel source where previously no such devices existed—the project ventilation air methane emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 25A.

 (b) otherwise—zero.

 (2) The project ventilation air methane emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 25A):

where:

APVAM means the project ventilation air methane emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

MCom means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, by conversion devices that use ventilation air methane as their primary fuel source worked out using equation 25B.

EMD means the emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, by conversion devices that use ventilation air methane as their primary fuel source worked out using equation 25C.

EAn means the ancillary project emissions for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 36.

 (3) The volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, by conversion devices that use ventilation air methane as their primary fuel source is worked out using the formula (equation 25B):

where:

MCom means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, by conversion devices that use ventilation air methane as their primary fuel source.

γ means the factor for converting a quantity of methane from cubic metres to tonnes CO2e in section 3.21 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

QCH4,k means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production device k as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres, worked out:

 (a) using equation 26; or

 (b) using an integrated monitoring system.

DE means the factor for OFif in section 3.14 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

QCH4,l means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flameless oxidation device l as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres, worked out:

 (a) using equation 12; or

 (b) using an integrated monitoring system.

k means an installed electricity production device that uses ventilation air methane as its primary fuel source.

l means an installed flameless oxidation device that uses ventilation air methane as its primary fuel source.

 (4) The emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, by conversion devices that use ventilation air methane as their primary fuel source is worked out using the formula (equation 25C):

where:

EMD means the emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, by conversion devices that use ventilation air methane as their primary fuel source.

EMD,k,j means the emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by electricity production device k as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 27.

EMD,l,j means the emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by flameless oxidation device l as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 13.

Note: Gas type j is carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide.

k means an installed electricity production device that uses ventilation air methane as its primary fuel source.

l means an installed flameless oxidation device that uses ventilation air methane as its primary fuel source.

Division 7AVentilation air methane only project method

33A  Summary

The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement for a ventilation air methane only project is the abatement calculated for devices using only ventilation air methane. This is worked out using the other methods in this Part that would otherwise apply to the project but only taking into account conversion devices that use ventilation air methane as their primary fuel source.

33B  Net abatement amount

 (1) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a ventilation air methane only project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out:

 (a) as if the project was:

 (i) a new flaring or flameless oxidation project covered by the method in Division 2 of this Part; or

 (ii) an expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project covered by the method in Division 3 of this Part; or

 (iii) a new electricity production project covered by the method in Division 5 of this Part; or

 (iv) an expansion electricity production project covered by the method in Division 6 of this Part; and

 (b) only taking into account conversion devices that use ventilation air methane as their primary fuel source.

 


Division 7B—Transitioning electricity production project method

33C  Summary

The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a transitioning electricity production project is the abatement achieved from operating a former RET electricity production device less:

 (a) the emissions from operating the former RET electricity production device; and

 (b) ancillary emissions of the project; and

 (c) certain parameters associated with electricity production. 

33D  Net abatement amount

 (1) The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a transitioning electricity production project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 25D):

where:

AN means the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the transitioning electricity production project, for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

AP means the project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 25E.

AG means the displaced electricity emissions from electricity production in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 28.

 (2) The project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 25E):

where:

AP means the project emissions abated for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

MCom means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 25F.

EMD means the emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 25G.

EAn means the ancillary project emissions from the project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 36.

 (3) The volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the transitioning electricity production project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 25F):

where:

MCom means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

γ means the factor for converting a quantity of methane from cubic metres to tonnes CO2e in section 3.21 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

QCH4,i means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to a former RET electricity production device i as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres, worked out:

 (a) using equation 26; or

 (b) using an integrated monitoring system.

DE means the factor for OFif in section 3.14 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

QCH4,h means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres, worked out:

 (a) using equation 12; or

 (b) using an integrated monitoring system.

i means a former RET electricity production device operated as part of the project.

h means an existing flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 (4) The emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 25G):

where:

EMD means the emissions from the methane component of coal mine waste gas converted by the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

EMD,i,j means the emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by electricity production device i as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 27.

EMD,h,j means the emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by flaring or flameless oxidation device h as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 13.

Note: Gas type j is carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide.

i means a former RET electricity production device operated as part of the project.

h means an existing flaring or flameless oxidation device operated as part of the project.


Division 7C—Transitioning displacement electricity production project method

33E  Summary

The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a transitioning displacement electricity production project is the abatement achieved from operating a former RET electricity production device less certain parameters associated with electricity production.

However, unlike a new electricity production project, an expansion electricity production project or a transitioning electricity production project, the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a transitioning displacement electricity production project does not take into account abatement from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas. Only the abatement from displacing electricity is taken into account.

33F  Net abatement amount

  The carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a transitioning displacement electricity production project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 25H):

where:

AN means the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the displacement electricity production project for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

AG means the displaced electricity emissions from electricity production in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, worked out using equation 28.

Division 8General calculations for electricity production methods

34  Volume of methane sent to conversion device

 (1) The volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device i as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres, is worked out using the formula (equation 26):

where:

QCH4,i means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device i as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres.

QEG,i means the quantity of electricity produced by device i in the reporting period, in megawatt hours, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

FMWh→GJ has the value of 3.6.

Note: This is the factor converting energy in megawatt hours to gigajoules.

Effi means the electrical efficiency of device i, which, subject to subsection (2), has:

 (a) the value specified by the manufacturer of the device in the technical specifications for the equipment, with reference to Australian Standard AS 4594.1 or equivalent; or

 (b) the default value of 0.36.

ECCMWG means the energy content factor of coal mine waste gas, in gigajoules per cubic metre, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

i means:

 (a) in the case of a transitioning electricity production project—a former RET electricity production device operated as part of the project; or

 (b) in the case of any other coal mine waste gas project—an installed electricity production device.

 (2) The same value of Effi must be used for that parameter for all time intervals in all reporting periods.

35  Emissions

  The emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by device i as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 27):

where:

EMD,i,j means the emissions of gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas by device i as part of the project in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

Note: Gas type j is carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide.

QCH4,i means the volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device i as part of the project in the reporting period, in cubic metres, worked out:

 (a) for a new electricity production project or transitioning electricity production project:

 (i) using equation 26; or

 (ii) using an integrated monitoring system; or

 (b) for an expansion electricity production project—using equation 26.

ECCMWG means the energy content factor of the coal mine waste gas, in gigajoules per cubic metre, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

EFj means the emission factor for gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas that is captured for conversion, in kilograms of CO2e per gigajoule, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

Note: Gas type j is carbon dioxide, methane or nitrous oxide.

i means:

 (a) in the case of a transitioning electricity production project—a former RET electricity production device operated as part of the project; or

 (b) in the case of any other coal mine waste gas project —an installed electricity production device.

36  Displaced electricity emissions

 (1) The displaced electricity emissions from electricity production in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 28):

where:

AG means the displaced electricity emissions from electricity production in the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

NEGP means the net amount of electricity produced by the conversion of coal mine waste gas by relevant electricity production devices as part of the project in the reporting period, in megawatt hours, worked out using equation 29.

EFElec means:

 (a) for electricity supplied to an electricity grid that is a grid in relation to which the NGA Factors document, in force at the end of the reporting period, includes an emissions factor—that factor, in kilograms CO2e per kilowatt hour (or its equivalent of tonnes CO2e per megawatt hours); or

 (b) for electricity supplied otherwise than in paragraph (a) (whether to a grid or not):

 (i) if the receiver of the electricity is able to provide an emissions factor that reflects the emissions intensity of the displaced electricity (worked out in accordance with subsection (3)) and is applicable at the end of the reporting period—that factor, in kilograms CO2e per kilowatt hour (or its equivalent of tonnes CO2e per megawatt hours); or

 (ii) otherwise—the emissions factor, in kilograms CO2e per kilowatt hour (or its equivalent of tonnes CO2e per megawatt hours), for offgrid electricity included in the NGA Factors document in force at the end of the reporting period; or

 (c) for electricity produced for the purposes of the mine or the project proponent:

 (i) if the project proponent is able to provide an emissions factor that reflects the emissions intensity of the displaced electricity (worked out in accordance with subsection (3)) and is applicable at the end of the reporting period—that factor, in kilograms CO2e per kilowatt hour (or its equivalent of tonnes CO2e per megawatt hours); or

 (ii) otherwise—the emissions factor, in kilograms CO2e per kilowatt hour (or its equivalent of tonnes CO2e per megawatt hours), for offgrid electricity included in the NGA Factors document in force at the end of the reporting period.

 (2) For the definition of EFElec in subsection (1), displaced electricity is electricity that would have been produced for the receiver, the mine or the project proponent (as the case may be) if electricity had not instead been produced as part of the project.

 (3) For subparagraphs (b)(i) and (c)(i) of the definition of EFElec in subsection (1), the emissions factor must:

 (a) be worked out on a sentout basis; and

 (b) be worked out using a measurement or estimation approach that is consistent with the NGER (Measurement) Determination; and

 (c) if the displaced electricity would have been produced from more than one source—reflect the weighted average of the emissions intensity applicable at the end of the reporting period of all the sources.

 (4) The net amount of electricity produced by the conversion of coal mine waste gas by relevant electricity production devices as part of the project (NEGP) in the reporting period, in megawatt hours, is worked out using the formula (equation 29):

where:

NEGP means the net amount of electricity produced by the conversion of coal mine waste gas by relevant electricity production devices as part of the project in the reporting period, in megawatt hours.

TEG means the total amount of electricity produced as part of the project in the reporting period, in megawatt hours, worked out using equation 30.

FSL means the amount of electricity produced using energy sources that are not coal mine waste gas by relevant electricity production devices as part of the project in the reporting period, in megawatt hours, worked out using equation 32.

AUX means the auxiliary loss for the project in the reporting period, in megawatt hours, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

DEG means the amount of electricity transmitted or distributed as part of the project in the reporting period (other than electricity used by relevant electricity production devices as part of the project or the local distribution network), in megawatt hours, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

MLF means the marginal loss factor for the project which is:

 (a) if the project is part of the national electricity market:

 (i) the factor published by the Australian Energy Market Operator Limited (ACN 072 010 327) that was valid for the most number of days in the reporting period; or

 (ii) if more than one factor satisfies subparagraph (i) in the reporting period—the average of all the factors that satisfy subparagraph (i) in the reporting period; or

 (b) in any other case:

 (i) the factor determined by the relevant authority of the State or Territory in which the device is located that was valid for the most number of days in the reporting period; or

 (ii) if more than one factor satisfies subparagraph (i) in the reporting period—the average of all the factors that satisfy subparagraph (i) in the reporting period.

 (5) The following electricity is disregarded for the purposes of equation 29:

 (a) electricity that was not used to directly meet demand for electricity that would otherwise be supplied from:

 (i) an electricity grid (such as the grid that constitutes the national electricity market); or

 (ii) an electricity generator supplying electricity through a dedicated or shared power line.

 (b) electricity produced by a device where an approval to use coal mine waste gas as an energy source:

 (i) is required by a Commonwealth, State, Territory or local government authority; and

 (ii) the nominated person for the device is unable to give evidence of that approval.

 (5A) For the purposes of the definition of FSL in subsection (4), energy sources that are not coal mine waste gas include:

 (a) coal mine waste gas sourced from an underground coal mine that:

 (i) is not part of the project; and

 (ii) does not transport the coal mine waste gas to the project through a dedicated pipe; and

 (b) coal mine waste gas sourced from an underground coal mine that:

 (i) is not part of the project; and

 (ii) could not be part of a coal mine waste gas project to which this determination applies.

 (6) If the amount calculated using equation 29 exceeds 1 megawatt hour and results in an amount that is not a whole megawatt hour, the amount must be rounded down to the nearest megawatt hour.

 (7) In this section:

relevant electricity production devices means:

 (a) in the case of a transitioning electricity production project or a transitioning displacement electricity production project—former RET electricity production devices operated as part of the project; or

 (b) in the case of any other coal mine waste gas project—installed electricity production devices and existing electricity production devices operated as part of the project.

37  Electricity produced by project

 (1) The total amount of electricity produced as part of the project in the reporting period, in megawatt hours, is worked out using the formula (equation 30):

where:

TEG means the total amount of electricity produced as part of the project in the reporting period, in megawatt hours.

  

Xt means:

 (a) in the case of a transitioning electricity production project or a transitioning displacement electricity production project—the amount of electricity produced by a former RET electricity production devices operated as part of the project, during time interval t, worked out using equation 30A; or

 (b) in the case of any other coal mine waste gas project—the amount of electricity produced by installed and existing electricity production devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for electricity production for the project, in megawatt hours, worked out using equation 31.

 (1A) The amount of electricity produced by former RET electricity production devices operated as part of the project during time interval t, in megawatt hours, is worked out using the formula (equation 30A):

where:

Xt means the amount of electricity produced by former RET electricity production devices operated as part of the project during time interval t, in megawatt hours.

QEG,i,t means the quantity of electricity produced by device i during time interval t in the reporting period, in megawatt hours, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

i means a former RET electricity production device.

 (2) The amount of electricity produced by installed and existing electricity production devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for electricity production for the project, in megawatt hours, is worked out using the formula (equation 31):

where:

Xt means the amount of electricity produced by installed and existing electricity production devices as part of the project during time interval t less the baseline for electricity production for the project, in megawatt hours.

QEG,i,t (or QEG,n,t) means the quantity of electricity produced by device i (or n) during time interval t in the reporting period, in megawatt hours, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

BEG means the baseline for electricity production for the project, in megawatt hours, worked out using equation 34.

i means an installed electricity production device.

n means an existing electricity production device.

Note: For a new electricity production project there will be no device m and therefore no BEG. This may also be the case for a displacement electricity production project.

38  Electricity produced by using fuel other than coal mine waste gas

 (1) The amount of electricity produced using energy sources that are not coal mine waste gas by relevant electricity production devices as part of the project in the reporting period, in megawatt hours, is worked out using the formula (equation 32):

where:

FSL means the amount of electricity produced using energy sources that are not coal mine waste gas by relevant electricity production devices as part of the project in the reporting period, in megawatt hours.

FGJ→MWh has the value of 1/3.6.

Note: This is the factor converting energy in gigajoules to megawatt hours.

Zf means the energy content of fuel type f that is not coal mine waste gas consumed in the reporting period, in gigajoules, worked out using equation 33.

 (2) The energy content of fuel type f that is not coal mine waste gas consumed in the reporting period, in gigajoules, is worked out using the formula (equation 33):

where:

Zf means the energy content of fuel type f that is not coal mine waste gas consumed in the reporting period, in gigajoules.

QFSL,f means the quantity of fuel type f consumed by relevant electricity production devices as part of the project in the reporting period, in appropriate units, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

ECFSL,f means the energy content factor of fuel type f, in appropriate units, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

Note: Energy includes the fuels and energy commodities listed in Schedule 1 to the NGER Regulations 2008. See the definition of energy in section 7 of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 and regulation 2.03 of the NGER Regulations 2008.

 (3) In this section:

relevant electricity production devices means:

 (a) in the case of a transitioning electricity production project or a transitioning displacement electricity production project—former RET electricity production devices operated as part of the project; or

 (b) in the case of any other coal mine waste gas project—installed electricity production devices and existing electricity production devices operated as part of the project.

39  Baseline for electricity production

 (1) The baseline for electricity production for the project, in megawatt hours, is worked out using the formula (equation 34):

where:

BEG means the baseline for electricity production for the project, in megawatt hours.

QGen,Cap,n means the recognised capacity of device n during time interval t, in megawatt hours, worked out at the application time in accordance with subsection (3).

AFGen,n means the annual availability factor of device n which, subject to subsection (4) has:

 (a) the value calculated in accordance with the standard maintenance cycle specified by the manufacturer; or

 (b) the default value of 1.

n means an existing electricity production device.

 (2) The summation over n is to be performed over all existing electricity production devices at the point of the highest total recognised capacity of all of the existing devices in the period between 24 April 2014 and the application time.

Note: The summation over m results in a fixed quantity and is the same for all equal time intervals.

 (3) The recognised capacity of device n during time interval t is calculated by multiplying the manufacturer’s specifications for the maximum electricity capable of being produced by operating the device per unit time, with the result expressed in megawatt hours.

 (4) The same value of AFGen,n must be used for that parameter for all time intervals in all reporting periods.

Division 9General calculations for flaring or flameless oxidation and electricity production methods

40  Historic abatement

  The historic abatement from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 35):

where:

AH means the historic abatement from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine, in tonnes CO2e.

γ means the factor for converting a quantity of methane from cubic metres to tonnes CO2e in section 3.21 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

ECCMWG means the energy content factor of coal mine waste gas, in gigajoules per cubic metre, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

mean the emission factors for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide (respectively) released due to the combustion of coal mine waste gas in item 19 of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination, in kilograms of CO2e per gigajoule.

DE means the factor for OFif in section 3.14 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

EH means the greater of:

 (a) the highest total emissions resulting from the combustion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine as reported in any NGER report relating to the mine covering an NGER reporting year before the application time, in tonnes CO2e (adjusted for any differences in CO2e between the NGER report and the end of the reporting period or the application time); and

 (b) the total emissions released as a result of the combustion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas from the mine, in tonnes CO2e (adjusted for any differences in CO2e between the NGER reporting year and the end of the reporting period or the application time), and determined in accordance with reporting requirements under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 in the period between:

 (i) the start of the NGER reporting year during which the application for the declaration of the project as an eligible offsets project is made; and

 (ii) the application time.

Note 1: If two or more collocated mines are part of the project, the NGER reports or calculation of emissions must include the emissions from all mines that are part of the project.

Note 2: If the result of equation 35 is greater than 5 000 tonnes CO2e, there has been material abatement (see section 7) and the project cannot be a new flaring or flameless oxidation project or a new electricity production project.

41  Ancillary project emissions

 (1) The ancillary project emissions for the reporting project, in tonnes CO2e, is worked out using the formula (equation 36):

 

where:

EAn means the ancillary project emissions for the reporting period, in tonnes CO2e.

QElec means the quantity of electricity consumed from the operation of the project that is not produced by the project in the reporting period (if any), in megawatt hours, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

EFElec means:

 (a) for electricity obtained from an electricity grid that is a grid in relation to which the NGA Factors document, in force at the end of the reporting period, includes an emissions factor—that factor, in kilograms CO2e per kilowatt hour (or its equivalent of tonnes CO2e per megawatt hours); or

 (b) for electricity obtained otherwise (whether from a grid or not):

 (i) if the supplier of the electricity is able to provide an emissions factor that reflects the emissions intensity of the electricity (worked out in accordance with subsection (2)) and is applicable at the end of the reporting period—that factor, in kilograms CO2e per kilowatt hour (or its equivalent of tonnes CO2e per megawatt hours); or

 (ii) otherwise—the emissions factor, in kilograms CO2e per kilowatt hour (or its equivalent of tonnes CO2e per megawatt hours), for offgrid electricity included in the NGA Factors document in force at the end of the reporting period.

QSE,f means the quantity of additional fuel type f that is not coal mine waste gas combusted for stationary energy purposes from the operation of the project in the reporting period (if any), in units appropriate for the application of the energy content factor (ECf), worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

ECf means the energy content factor of fuel type f combusted for stationary energy purposes in Part 1, 2 or 3 (as appropriate) of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination, in gigajoules per kilolitre (or other appropriate units).

EFf,j means the emission factor for each gas type j released due to the combustion of fuel type f for stationary energy purposes in Part 1, 2 or 3 (as appropriate) of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination, in kilograms of CO2e per gigajoule of fuel type f.

Note: The emission factor incorporates relevant oxidisation factors for the gas type.

 (2) For subparagraph (b)(i) of the definition of EFElec in subsection (1), the emissions factor must be worked out:

 (a) on a sentout basis; and

 (b) using a measurement or estimation approach that is consistent with the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

 (3) In working out the ancillary project emissions, the project proponent must include any emissions that are reasonably associated with any energy required for the collection, transport and conversion of the coal mine waste gas converted as part of the project.

 (4) This includes any emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuel or the consumption of electricity purchased from a State, Territory or electricity grid by the following:

 (a) compressors, blowers or coal mine waste gas gathering systems;

 (b) transporting coal mine waste gas for the purposes of converting it as part of the project.

 (5) However, emissions relating to equipment installed for the safety of the mine are not ancillary project emissions.

 (6) If the project is an expansion electricity production project or expansion flaring or flameless oxidation project, in working out the ancillary project emissions for the project the proponent must include the proportion of emissions associated with the operation of the following:

 (a) installed flaring or flameless oxidation devices;

 (b) installed electricity production devices;

 (c) supporting equipment for those devices.

Note: The proportion of emissions associated with existing devices are not ancillary project emissions. This includes emissions from devices mentioned in paragraph (c) to the extent those emissions are associated with the operation of existing devices.

 (7) If the project is a displacement electricity production project, in working out the ancillary project emissions for the project the proponent must include the proportion of emissions associated with the operation of the following:

 (a) installed flaring or flameless oxidation devices that use ventilation air methane as their primary fuel source;

 (b) installed electricity production devices that use ventilation air methane as their primary fuel source;

 (c) supporting equipment for those devices.

42  Baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices

 (1) The baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices for the project during time interval t, in cubic meters, is worked out using the formula (equation 37):

where:

BCH4,Fl means the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to flaring or flameless oxidation devices for the project during time interval t, in cubic meters.

QFl,Cap,m means the recognised capacity of device m during time interval t, in cubic metres, worked out at the application time in accordance with subsection (3).

AFFl,m means the annual availability factor of device m which, subject to subsection (4), has:

 (a) the value calculated in accordance with the standard maintenance cycle specified by the manufacturer; or

 (b) the default value of 1.

m means an existing flaring or flameless oxidation device.

 (2) The summation over m is to be performed over all existing flaring or flameless oxidation devices at the point of the highest total recognised capacity of all of the existing devices in the period between 24 April 2014 and the application time.

Note: The summation over m results in a fixed quantity and is the same for all equal time intervals.

 (3) The recognised capacity of device m during time interval t is calculated by:

 (a) multiplying the manufacturer’s specifications for the maximum energy released per unit time by the time interval in appropriate units, with the result expressed in gigajoules; and

 (b) converting the result of paragraph (a) to cubic metres by multiplying it by the factor 37.7x103 gigajoules per cubic metre.

 (4) The same value of AFFl,m must be used for that parameter for all time intervals in all reporting periods.

43  Baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production devices

 (1) The baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production devices for the project during time interval t, in cubic meters, is worked out using the formula (equation 38):

 

where:

BCH4,Gen means the baseline for the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to electricity production devices for the project during time interval t, in cubic meters.

QGen,Cap,n means the recognised capacity of device n during time interval t, in megawatt hours, worked out at the application time in accordance with subsection (3).

FMWh→GJ has the value of 3.6.

Note: This is the factor converting energy in megawatt hours to gigajoules.

Effn means the electrical efficiency of device n, which, subject to subsection (4), has:

 (a) the value specified by the manufacturer of the device in the technical specifications for the equipment, with reference to Australian Standard AS 4594.1 or equivalent; or

 (b) the default value of 0.36.

ECCMWG means the energy content factor of coal mine waste gas, in gigajoules per cubic metre, worked out in accordance with the monitoring requirements.

AFGen,n means the annual availability factor of device n which, subject to subsection (4), has:

 (a) the value calculated in accordance with the standard maintenance cycle specified by the manufacturer; or

 (b) the default value of 1.

n means an existing electricity production device.

 (2) The summation over n is to be performed over all existing electricity production devices at the point of the highest total recognised capacity of all of the existing devices in the period between 24 April 2014 and the application time.

Note: The summation over n results in a fixed quantity and is the same for all equal time intervals.

 (3) The recognised capacity of device n during time interval t is calculated by multiplying the manufacturer’s specifications for the maximum electricity capable of being produced by operating the device per unit time, with the result expressed in megawatt hours.

 (4) The same value of AFGen,n and Effn must be used for that parameter for all time intervals in all reporting periods.

Part 5Reporting, recordkeeping and monitoring requirements

Note Other reporting, record keeping and monitoring requirements are set out in regulations and rules made under the Act.

Division 1Offsets report requirements

44  Operation of this Division

  For paragraph 106(3)(a) of the Act, this Division sets out information that must be included in an offsets report about a coal mine waste gas project that is an eligible offsets project.

45  Determination of certain factors and parameters

 (1) If, in the circumstances described in paragraph 9(2)(b), a factor or parameter is defined or calculated for a reporting period by reference to an instrument or writing as in force from time to time, the offsets report about the project for the reporting period must include the following information for the factor or parameter:

 (a) the versions of the instrument or writing used;

 (b) the start and end dates of each use;

 (c) the reasons why it was not possible to define or calculate the factor or parameter by reference to the instrument or writing as in force at the end of the reporting period.

 (2) If a parameter is determined under section 48 for the purpose of working out the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for a coal mine waste gas project for a reporting period, the offsets report about the project for the reporting period must include the following information for the parameter:

 (a) the name of the parameter;

 (b) the start and end dates of the nonmonitored period for which the parameter was determined;

 (c) the value of the parameter and how that value was calculated;

 (d) the reasons why the project proponent failed to monitor the parameter as required by the monitoring requirements.

Division 2Monitoring requirements

46  Operation of this Division

  For paragraph 106(3)(d) of the Act, this Division sets out:

 (a) requirements to monitor a coal mine waste gas project that is an eligible offsets project (see section 47); and

 (b) certain consequences if the project proponent fails to monitor the project as required (see section 48).

47  Monitoring requirements

 (1) The project proponent for a coal mine waste gas project must monitor a parameter set out in an item of the following table in accordance with the instructions in the item.

 

Monitored parameters

Item

Parameter

Description

Unit

Measurement procedure (including frequency as required)

1

QCH4,h,  QCH4,i, QCH4,k or QCH4,l if worked out using an integrated monitoring system

Volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device h, i, k or l as part of the project in the reporting period

m3

Estimated using an integrated monitoring system in accordance with:

(a) Subdivision 2.3.3.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination; and

(b) the AAA criterion in Division 2.3.6 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination; and

(c) subsections (2) and (3).

Frequency:

(d) the volume of coal mine waste gas sent to device h, i, k or l must be monitored at a frequency of at least once every 15 minutes, but not more frequent than once per second; and

(e) the fraction of the volume of coal mine waste gas that is methane must be monitored at a frequency of at least once a month

2

QCH4,h,t  (or QCH4,m,t)

Volume of the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device h (or m ) as part of the project during time interval t

m3

Estimated in accordance with:

(a) Subdivision 2.3.3.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination; and

(b) the AAA criterion in Division 2.3.6 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination; and

(c) subsections (2) and (3).

Frequency:

(d) the volume of coal mine waste gas sent to device h (or m) must be monitored:

(i) at a frequency of at least once every 15 minutes, but not more frequent than once per second; and

(ii) at the same frequency as Oh,t (or Om,t); and

(e) the fraction of the volume of coal mine waste gas that is methane must be monitored at a frequency of at least once a month

3

QEG,i

Quantity of electricity produced by device i in the reporting period

MWh

Estimated in accordance with Part 6.1 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

Frequency—continuous

4

QEG,i,t  (or QEG,n,t)  

Quantity of electricity produced by device i (or device n) during time interval t

MWh

Estimated in accordance with Part 6.1 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

Frequency—continuous

5

Oh,t (or Om,t)

Binary function which has the value 1 if device h (or m) is operating during time interval t and 0 if it is not

N/A

Whether the device is operating is determined in accordance with:

(a) for flaring devices—the manufacturer’s specifications for the device at the commencement of the project and subsections (4) to (6); or

(b) for electricity production or flameless oxidation devices—the manufacturer’s specifications for the device at the commencement of the project; or

Frequency—at least once every 15 minutes, but not more frequent than once per second, and at the same frequency as QCH4,h,t (or QCH4,m,t)

6

EFj (for equation 13)

Emission factor for gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas that is captured for conversion

 

kg CO2e/GJ

Worked out:

(a) where j is methane—using the emission factor for methane released from the combustion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas that is captured for combustion in item 19 of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination; and

(b) where j is nitrous oxide—using the emission factor for nitrous oxide released from the combustion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas that is captured for combustion in item 19 of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination; and

(c) where j is carbon dioxide—using one of the following options:

(i) using the emission factor for carbon dioxide released from the combustion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas that is captured for combustion in item 19 of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination;

(ii) in accordance with section 2.22 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination;

(iii) in accordance with section 2.26 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

However, the option used to work out EFj, where j is carbon dioxide, must be used for all installed devices that are part of the project and:

(d) if the option in subparagraph (c)(ii) is used in a reporting period, then only an option in subparagraph (c)(ii) or (iii) may be used in the next reporting period; and

(e) if the option in subparagraph (c)(iii) is used in a reporting period, then only that option may be used in any subsequent reporting period.

Frequency—in accordance with the NGER (Measurement) Determination

7

EFj (for equation 27)

Emission factor for gas type j released from the conversion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas that is captured for conversion

kg CO2e/GJ

Worked out:

(a) where j is methane—using one of the following options:

(i) using the emission factor for methane released from the combustion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas that is captured for combustion in item 19 of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination;

(ii) using the emission factor that applies in estimating emissions of methane in section 2.27 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination; and

(b) where j is nitrous oxide—using the emission factor for nitrous oxide released from the combustion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas that is captured for combustion in item 19 of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination; and

(c) where j is carbon dioxide—using one of the following options:

(i) using the emission factor for carbon dioxide released from the combustion of the methane component of coal mine waste gas that is captured for combustion in item 19 of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination;

(ii) in accordance with section 2.22 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination;

(iii) in accordance with section 2.26 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

However, the option used to work out EFj, where j is methane, must be used for all relevant electricity production devices and if the option in subparagraph (a)(ii) is used in a reporting period, then only that option may be used in any subsequent reporting period.

However, the option used to work out EFj, where j is carbon dioxide, must be used for all relevant electricity production devices and:

(d) if the option in subparagraph (c)(ii) is used in a reporting period, then only an option in subparagraph (c)(ii) or (iii) may be used in the next reporting period; and

(e) if the option in subparagraph (c)(iii) is used in a reporting period, then only that option may be used in any subsequent reporting period.

Frequency—in accordance with the NGER (Measurement) Determination

8

QElec

Quantity of electricity consumed from the operation of the project that is not produced by the project in the reporting period (if any)

MWh

Evidenced by invoices, contractual arrangements or industry metering records.

Frequency—continuous

9

QSE,f

Quantity of additional fuel type f that is not coal mine waste gas combusted for stationary energy purposes in the reporting period (if any)

Units appropriate for the application of the energy content factor (ECf)

Estimated in accordance with Division 2.2.5, 2.3.6 or 2.4.6 (as appropriate) of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

Frequency—continuous

10

AUX

Auxiliary loss for the project in the reporting period

MWh

Estimated in accordance with Part 6.1 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination:

(a) including the amount of electricity used to produce electricity and to operate and maintain electricity production devices that are part of the project; and

(b) not including any electricity used for network support and control ancillary services.

If the project also produces electricity using an energy source that is not coal mine waste gas, the project proponent may deduct auxiliary losses that are attributable to that source from the total auxiliary loss for the project proportionate to the amount of electricity produced from that source.

Note: See regulation 16 of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Regulations 2001 in relation to working out the auxiliary loss from energy sources that are not eligible energy sources.

Frequency—in accordance with the NGER (Measurement) Determination

11

DEG

Amount of electricity transmitted or distributed that is part of the project in the reporting period (other than electricity used by installed electricity production devices or former RET electricity production devices, and all existing electricity production devices as part of the project or the local distribution network)

MWh

Monitored in accordance with the metering requirements applicable to the region where the project is located.

Measured:

(a) if the project is part of the national electricity market—at the metering point determined under the National Electricity Rules in force at the time of measurement; or

(b) in any other case—at the metering point determined at the time of measurement by a relevant authority of the State or Territory where the project is located.

If measured in gigajoules, the quantity of megawatt hours is calculated by dividing the amount in gigajoules by the conversion factor of 3.6.

Frequency—continuous

 

12

QFSL,f

Quantity of fuel type f consumed as part of the project in the reporting period

Appropriate units

Estimated in accordance with section 6.5 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

Frequency—as fuel is consumed

13

ECFSL,f

Energy content factor of fuel type f

Appropriate units

Estimated in accordance with section 6.5 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

Frequency—in accordance with the NGER (Measurement) Determination

 

14

ECCMWG (other than for equation 27)

Energy content factor of coal mine waste gas

GJ/m3

Estimated using the energy content factor of coal mine waste gas that is captured for combustion in item 19 of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

Frequency—in accordance with the NGER (Measurement) Determination

15

ECCMWG (for equation 27)

Energy content factor of coal mine waste gas

GJ/m3

Either:

(a) using the energy content factor of coal mine waste gas that is captured for combustion in item 19 of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination; or

(b) by analysis in accordance with Subdivision 2.3.3.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

However, the option used to work out ECCMWG must be used for all relevant electricity production devices and if the option in paragraph (b) is used in a reporting period, then only that option may be used in any subsequent reporting period.

Frequency—in accordance with the NGER (Measurement) Determination

QCH4,h, QCH4,i, QCH4,k  ,QCH4,l, QCH4,h,t or QCH4,m,t

 (2) To estimate QCH4,h (if worked out using an integrated monitoring system), QCH4,i (if worked out using an integrated monitoring system), QCH4,k  (if worked out using an integrated monitoring system), QCH4,l (if worked out using an integrated monitoring system), QCH4,h,t or QCH4,m,t the project proponent must use:

 (a) a flow computer to estimate the volume of coal mine waste gas sent to device h, m, k or l; and

 (b) either of the following to measure the methane component of coal mine waste gas sent to device h, m, k or l;

 (i) a gas chromatograph;

 (ii) a gas analyser; and

 (c) the standard conditions defined in subsection 2.32(7) of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.

 (3) However, if a gas analyser is used:

 (a) the maximum upper bound percentage uncertainty, expressed as a decimal fraction (Uh), associated with the measurement of the fraction of the volume of coal mine waste gas that is methane that is sent to each device h must be calculated according to standard methods; and

 (b) the quantity of methane is adjusted by multiplying QCH4,h, QCH4,i, QCH4,k, QCH4,l, QCH4,h,t or QCH4,m,t by the factor (1Uh).

Oh,t (or Om,t)

 (4) Subject to subsections (5) and (6), the project proponent may use one of the following methods to measure whether flaring device h (or m) is operating in time interval t:

 (a) temperature measurement;

 (b) a UV detection sensor coupled to a flare management system;

 (c) another internationally recognised apparatus for monitoring the operation of a flaring device.

 (5) If temperature measurement is used, then the flaring device is taken not to be operating in a time interval if:

 (a) there is no record of the temperature of the exhaust gas of the flare for the time interval; or

 (b) the recorded temperature is less than 500°C for any period in the time interval.

 (6) If a UV detection sensor or another internationally recognised apparatus is used, then the flaring device is taken not to be operating in a time interval if:

 (a) there is no record of the operation of the device for the time interval or;

 (b) the operation of the device falls below one of the following operational thresholds for any period in the time interval;

 (i) if the manufacturer has specified an operational threshold for the device—that threshold;

 (ii) otherwise—the internationally recognised standard for the device.

 (7) In this section:

relevant electricity production devices means:

 (a) in the case of a transitioning electricity production project or a transitioning displacement electricity production project—all former RET electricity production devices operated as part of the project; or

 (b) in the case of any other coal mine waste gas project—all installed electricity production devices.

48  Consequence of failure to monitor certain parameters

 (1) If, during a particular period (the nonmonitored period) in a reporting period, a project proponent for a coal mine waste gas project fails to monitor a parameter as required by the monitoring requirements, the value of the parameter for the purpose of working out the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the reporting period is to be determined for the nonmonitored period in accordance with the following table.

 

Consequence of not meeting requirement to monitor certain parameters

Item

Parameter

Determination of parameter for nonmonitored period

1

Each of the following:

(a) EFj (for equations 13 and 27);

(b) ECCMWG (for equation 27)

The parameter is:

(a) for any cumulative period of up to 3 months in any 12 months of a crediting period for the project—the factor for the gas set out in item 19 of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination multiplied by 1.1; and

(b) for any period in excess of that 3 months—the factor for the gas set out in item 19 of Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination multiplied by 1.5

2

Each of the following:

(a) QElec;

(b) QSE,f;

(c) AUX;

(d) DEG;

(e) QFSL,f;

(f) ECFSL,f

The project proponent must make a conservative estimate of the parameter having regard to:

(a) any relevant measuring or estimation approaches or requirements that apply to the parameter under the NGER (Measurement) Determination; and

(b) any relevant historical data for the project; and

(c) any other data for the project that relates to the parameter; and

(d) any other matter the project proponent considers relevant

 (1A)  The project proponent must make all practicable efforts to minimise the non-monitored period during a reporting period.

 (2) To avoid doubt, this section does not prevent the Regulator from taking action under the Act, or regulations or rules made under the Act, in relation to the project proponent’s failure to monitor a parameter as required by the monitoring requirements.

Note: Examples of action that may be taken include the following:

(a) if the failure constitutes a breach of a civil penalty provision in section 194 of the Act (which deals with project monitoring requirements), the Regulator may apply for a civil penalty order in respect of the breach;

(b) if false or misleading information was given to the Regulator in relation to the failure, the Regulator may revoke the project’s section 27 declaration under regulations or rules made for the purposes of section 38 of the Act;

(c) if the giving of false or misleading information in relation to the failure led to the issue of Australian carbon credit units, the Regulator may require all or some of those units to be relinquished under section 88 of the Act.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe the amendment to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, the amendment is incorporated into the compiled law and the abbreviation “(md)” added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the abbreviation “(md not incorp)” is added to the details of the amendment included in the amendment history. 


Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

o = order(s)

ad = added or inserted

Ord = Ordinance

am = amended

orig = original

amdt = amendment

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

c = clause(s)

    /subsubparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

pres = present

Ch = Chapter(s)

prev = previous

def = definition(s)

(prev…) = previously

Dict = Dictionary

Pt = Part(s)

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

Div = Division(s)

 

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

reloc = relocated

    effect

renum = renumbered

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rep = repealed

gaz = gazette

rs = repealed and substituted

LA = Legislation Act 2003

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

    effect

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SR = Statutory Rules

    cannot be given effect

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

mod = modified/modification

SubPt = Subpart(s)

No. = Number(s)

underlining = whole or part not

 

    commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Coal Mine Waste Gas) Methodology Determination 2015

17 February 2015 (F2015L00162)

18 February 2015 (s 2)

 

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Coal Mine Waste Gas) Methodology Determination Variation 2016

14 November 2016

(F2016L01755)

15 November 2016 (s 2)

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, s 126

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Coal Mine Waste Gas) Methodology Determination Variation 2019

29 March 2019

(F2019L00478)

30 March 2019 (s 2)

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, s 126

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative—Coal Mine Waste Gas) Methodology Determination Variation 2021

28 September 2021

(F2021L01327)

29 September 2021 (s 2)

Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011, s 126

 

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Part 1

 

s 2.....................

rep LA s 48D

s 4.....................

am F2016L01755

s 5.....................

am F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

s 6.....................

am F2016L01755, rs F2019L00478

s 7.....................

am F2016L01755

s 8.....................

am F2016L01755

Part 2

 

s 10....................

am F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

Part 3

 

Part 3 .................

rs F2016L01755

Division 1

 

s 11....................

ad F2016L01755

s 12....................

ad F2016L01755

s 13....................

ad F2016L01755

s 14....................

ad F2016L01755

s 15....................

ad F2016L01755

s 16....................

ad F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

s 16A...................

ad F2016L01755

s 16B...................

ad F2021L01327

s 16C...................

ad F2021L01327

Division 2

 

s 16D...................

ad F2021L01327

s 16E...................

ad F2021L01327

s 17....................

ad F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

Division 3

 

s 17A...................

ad F2021L01327

Part 4

 

Part 4...................

rs F2016L01755

Division 1

 

s 18....................

ad F2016L01755

s 19....................

ad F2016L01755

Division 2

 

s 20....................

ad F2016L01755

s 21....................

ad F2016L01755

Division 3

 

s 22....................

ad F2016L01755

s 23....................

ad F2016L01755

s 24....................

ad F2016L01755

Division 4

 

s 25....................

ad F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

s 26....................

ad F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

Division 5

 

s 27....................

ad F2016L01755

s 28....................

ad F2016L01755

Division 6

 

s 29....................

ad F2016L01755

s 30....................

ad F2016L01755

s 31....................

ad F2016L01755

Division 7

 

s 32....................

ad F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

s 33....................

ad F2016L01755

Division 7A

 

s 33A...................

ad F2016L01755

s 33B...................

ad F2016L01755

Division 7B

 

s 33C...................

ad F2021L01327

s 33D...................

ad F2021L01327

Division 7C

 

s 33E...................

ad F2021L01327

s 33F...................

ad F2021L01327

Division 8

 

s 34....................

ad F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

s 35....................

ad F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

s 36....................

ad F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

s 37....................

ad F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

s 38....................

ad F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

s 39....................

ad F2016L01755

Division 9

 

s 40....................

ad F2016L01755

s 41....................

ad F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

s 42....................

ad F2016L01755

s 43....................

ad F2016L01755

Part 5

 

Division 2

 

s 47....................

am F2016L01755, am F2021L01327

s 48....................

am F2016L01755, am F2021L01327