We recently sent a communication announcing a consultation seeking feedback on simplifications proposed for the Technologies and Practices to Displace Decentralized Thermal Energy Consumption’s (TPDDTEC) methodology. These updates will reduce monitoring requirements and transaction costs for project developers, whilst reflecting latest developments to ensure the highest level of rigour associated with Gold Standard are maintained.

We are looking to gain inputs from stakeholders on aspects of the methodology related to improved cookstoves, including a new approach to quantify emission reductions from metered cooking devices.

As a project developer with experience applying this methodology to cookstove project(s), we're sharing this reminder to ensure that you have an opportunity to provide your feedback on the proposed revisions. 

The consultation is open through to 13 June 2021. 

If you have any questions, please email standards@goldstandard.org

We thank you for your insights!
 

TPDDTEC METHODOLOGY REVISION
Application of the methodology for improved cookstoves
 

TECHNOLOGIES AND PRACTICES TO DISPLACE DECENTRALIZED THERMAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Methodology to quantify emission reductions from improved cookstove project activities 

The key updates made to the  existing  TPDDTEC methodology  are as follows:  

1. Methodology structure
   Annexes of the existing methodology pertaining to distinct technology types (i.e. safe water supply, improved cookstove, and household biogas digesters) are to be released as individual methodologies. 
    
2. Methodology applicability
   a) Double counting: Requirements have been updated to ensure that projects are able to demonstrate that their cooking devices are part of only one project activity. This is even more relevant as we move towards more robust reporting and accounting under the Paris regime.  
   b) Requirements introduced to ensure that the project devices are durable,  the thermal efficiency is higher than 20%, and that indoor air quality doesn’t deteriorate as a result of  the project  intervention.
    
3. Safeguards
   -  The methodology introduces  requirements  to align projects with host country regulatory frameworks for provision of  thermal energy services. 
   -  Clarification provided on an already existing Gold Standard principle, that large scale projects are not eligible for Suppressed Demand when establishing the baseline. 
   -  Projects will be required to demonstrate that end-users are provided access to similar/better replacement technologies at the end of the project technology’s  lifetime.
    
4. Emission reduction calculation  
   -  The existing emission reduction calculation approach is updated to simplify and provide clarity on quantification methods applicable to a wider range of applications. Default values, where available, have been provided for  some  of the  input parameters and may be used to streamline the monitoring and verification process.  
   -  Caps have been introduced for some of the input parameters to ensure that VVBs are able to cross-check project values and ensure that claims remain credible.  
   -  Ex-ante factors are updated to align with the latest IPCC  defaults.
   -  Simplified method to calculate emission reductions for small-scale projects has been introduced (see Annex 4).
    
5. Sampling
   -  Requirements for cross-VPA sampling have been added.
   -  Clarity has been provided on the sampling approach, including sample size for monitoring parameters of interest.
    
6. Simplification
   Previously published rule updates and clarifications have now been integrated into the methodology to streamline review, including the Cookstove Usage Rate Guidelines.

METHODOLOGY FOR METERED ENERGY COOKING DEVICES 
​​​​​​​New approach to quantify emission reductions from metered cooking devices 

This new methodology has the following key features:

1. GHG impact quantification approach for cooking devices through direct measurement of energy or fuel consumed in households, communities, and/or institutions
2. Actual amount of energy or fuel used in the project scenario measured directly in real-time for every device or otherwise monitored via measurement

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS CONSULTATION 

The consultation is open to comment until 13 June 2021. 
 

We are seeking feedbacking on the changes made to the methodology as highlighted above, plus more specific inputs including:  

TPDDTEC methodology

• Consideration of the crossover-effects between Improved Cookstove and Safe Water Supply projects when implemented in the same household. Specifically, how can it be ensured that the baseline emissions are conservatively determined?  

• Caps introduced in the  methodology  

Methodology for metered energy cooking devices  

• The emission reduction calculation approach  

• The  cap of 0.49 kWh per capita per day  for project scenario electricity consumption  

Please provide feedback directly in the draft methodology documents and submit to  standards@goldstandard.org 
 

We thank all those organisations and individuals that have contributed to the development of this methodology and to previous versions of the methodology.