Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011
I, MARK DREYFUS, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, make this methodology determination under subsection 106 (1) of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011.
MARK DREYFUS
Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency
Table of Contents
1.1 Name of Methodology Determination
Part 2 Requirements that must be met for an offsets project to be an eligible offsets project
2.1 Requirements that must be met for an offsets project to be an eligible offsets project
3.2 Greenhouse gas assessment boundary
3.3 Calculating the baseline for the offsets project
Subdivision 3.2.1..Calculating the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount 
3.4 Carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount
Subdivision 3.2.2........................Calculating avoided emissions (
)
3.7 Emissions from flaring or generation systems (Ecom)
3.8 Quantity of methane combusted in an internal combustion engine - optional calculations
3.9 Proportion of methane generated from legacy waste (
)
3.10 Quantity of methane destroyed under baseline conditions (
)
3.12 Total emissions from fuel used to operate the flaring or generation system (
)
3.13 Total emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity prior to 1 July 2012 (
)
3.14 Measurement procedures and measurement frequency
3.16 Flow computer requirements
Part 4 Monitoring, record-keeping and reporting requirements
Division 4.2 Monitoring requirements
4.3 Quality assurance and quality control
Division 4.3 Record-keeping requirements
Division 4.4 Offsets report requirements
4.5 Information that must be included in an offsets report
4.6 Subsequent reporting periods
This Methodology Determination is the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) (Capture and Combustion of Methane in Landfill Gas from Legacy Waste: Upgrade projects) Methodology Determination 2012.
This Methodology Determination is taken to commence on 1 July 2010.
(1) This Methodology Determination applies to the following types of landfill legacy emissions avoidance projects:
(a) transitioning Cities for Climate Protection projects;
(b) projects that involve completing the installation of a landfill gas flaring or generation system between 1 July 2007 and 1 July 2010 and not connected to any system previously installed;
(c) projects that involve upgrading, on or after 1 July 2010, an existing landfill gas flaring or generation system.
Note: Cities for Climate Protection is not a prescribed non-CFI offsets scheme for the purposes of section 95 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2012.
Note: An installation is taken to be completed from the date the landfill gas flaring or generation system first operates. The system does not need to have operated continuously since that date.
Note: An upgrade is taken to be completed from the date the upgraded landfill gas flaring or generation system first operates.
(2) All landfill legacy emissions avoidance projects must involve combusting the methane component of the gas using a device to chemically convert it to carbon dioxide (CO2) and the calculation of net abatement must relate to the capture and combustion of emissions from legacy waste only.
Act means the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011.
biogas means the gas generated from anaerobic decomposition of biological material.
CO2-e means carbon dioxide equivalent.
existing landfill gas flaring or generation system means a landfill gas flaring or generation system that was installed before 1 July 2007.
flaring or generation system means a flaring system or a generation system or a system that involves both flaring and generation.
flaring system means:
(a) open flare – a device whereby gas is burned in or at an open air tip with or without any auxiliary fuel assistance; or
(b) enclosed flare – a device whereby gas is burned in a cylindrical or rectilinear enclosure that includes a burning system and a damper where air for the combustion reaction is admitted.
generation system means a device which generates electricity by combusting methane in landfill gas emissions in an internal combustion engine.
GGAS means the New South Wales Government’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Scheme and the Australian Capital Territory Government’s Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme.
Greenhouse Friendly means the program known as the Greenhouse FriendlyTM initiative and administered by the Commonwealth Government.
Guidelines for calculating regulatory baselines means the Guidelines for Calculating Regulatory Baselines for Legacy Waste Landfill Methane Projects developed by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, as they exist from time to time, and which are available from the Department’s website at www.climatechange.gov.au/cfi
greenhouse gas assessment boundary – see section 3.2 of this Methodology Determination.
legacy waste means solid waste containing biodegradable organic matter accepted by a landfill facility before 1 July 2012.
NATA means the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (ACN 004 379 748).
NGER (Measurement) Determination means the applicable determination made under subsection 10 (3) of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 as in force from time to time.
NGER Regulations means the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Regulations 2008 as in force from time to time.
Scope 2 emissions has the meaning given by paragraph 2.23 (2) (b) of the NGER Regulations.
transitioning Cities for Climate Protection project means a project:
- operating at a closed landfill site;
- for which documentary evidence exists to demonstrate that a flaring system contributed towards greenhouse gas reduction commitments under the Cities for Climate Protection program, dated prior to 1 July 2012 and which may include council records; and
- which was not at any time a Greenhouse Friendly project or a GGAS project.
upgrading a gas flaring or generation system means undertaking improvements to or associated with an existing landfill gas flaring or generation system that increase the proportion of landfill gas that can be captured and destroyed.
Note: Several other words and expressions used in this Methodology Determination have the meaning given by section 5 of the Act, for example:
baseline;
carbon dioxide equivalence;
eligible offsets project;
emission;
greenhouse gas;
landfill facility;
landfill legacy emissions avoidance project;
methodology determination;
National Inventory Report;
offsets project;
offsets report;
project;
project area;
project proponent;
reporting period.
(1) For paragraph 106 (1) (b) of the Act, this section sets out requirements that must be met for an offsets project to which this Methodology Determination applies to be an eligible offsets project.
(2) The project must be one of the following types of landfill legacy emissions avoidance projects:
(a) transitioning Cities for Climate Protection projects;
(b) projects that involve completing the installation of a landfill gas flaring or generation system between 1 July 2007 and 1 July 2010 and not connected to any system previously installed;
(c) projects that involve upgrading, on or after 1 July 2010, an existing landfill gas flaring or generation system.
Note: Cities for Climate Protection is not a prescribed non-CFI offsets scheme for the purposes of section 95 of the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2012.
Note: An installation is taken to be completed from the date the landfill gas flaring or generation system first operates. The system does not need to have operated continuously since that date.
Note: An upgrade is taken to be completed from the date the upgraded landfill gas flaring or generation system first operates.
(3) All landfill legacy emissions avoidance projects must involve combusting the methane component of the gas using a device to chemically convert it to carbon dioxide (CO2) and the estimate of net abatement should relate to the capture and combustion of emissions from legacy waste only.
(4) Projects described in 2.1(2)(a) and 2.1(2)(b) must capture a proportion of methane generated that is greater than the proportion of methane generated that is required to be captured or destroyed to meet regulatory requirements, calculated in accordance with the Guidelines for calculating regulatory baselines.
(5) For projects described in 2.1(2)(c), the proportion of methane generated that was captured on average in the 24 months prior to the upgrade taking place and during the project must be greater than the proportion of methane generated that is required to be captured or destroyed to meet regulatory requirements, calculated in accordance with the Guidelines for calculating regulatory baselines
(1) In this Part:
(a) all calculations are in respect of activities undertaken, or outcomes achieved, during the reporting period for the offsets project;
Example: in Equation 2 (calculation of avoided methane emissions), Qcom,h is the volume of methane generated by legacy waste that was destroyed in the flaring or generation system during the reporting period.
(b) n = number of flaring or generation systems; and
h denotes a flaring or generation system.
(2) If a calculation in Division 3.2 refers to a factor or parameter prescribed in the NGER (Measurement) Determination or the NGER Regulations, the person carrying out the calculations must apply, to the entire offsets reporting period, the NGER (Measurement) Determination or the NGER Regulations in force at the time that the offsets report was submitted or was required to be submitted, whichever occurs first.
(3) The data used in the calculations set out in Division 3.2 must comply with the data collection requirements set out in Division 3.3.
The following greenhouse gases from the following activities must be taken into account when making calculations under this Part in respect of each of the following kinds of activities within the project. No other gases may be taken into account.
Table of gases accounted for in the abatement calculations
| Project activity | Greenhouse gas |
| Electricity consumption prior to 1 July 2012 | Carbon dioxide (CO2) |
| Methane (CH4) | |
| Nitrous oxide (N2O) | |
| Supplemental fuel use | Carbon dioxide (CO2) |
| Methane (CH4) | |
| Nitrous oxide (N2O) | |
| Electricity generation
| Methane (CH4) |
| Nitrous oxide (N2O) | |
| Gas flare | Methane (CH4) |
| Nitrous oxide (N2O) |
(1) For paragraph 106 (4) (f) of the Act, the baseline for projects described in 2.1(2)(a) and 2.1(2)(b) is calculated as the proportion of methane from legacy waste captured that must be captured and destroyed to meet regulatory requirements, calculated in accordance with the Guidelines for calculating regulatory baselines.
(2) For paragraph 106 (4) (f) of the Act, the baseline for projects described in 2.1(2)(c) is calculated as the higher of:
(a) the proportion of methane from legacy waste captured that is not attributable to the upgrade, calculated in accordance with paragraph 3.10; and
(b) the proportion of methane from legacy waste captured that must be captured and destroyed to meet regulatory requirements, calculated in accordance with Guidelines for calculating regulatory baselines
For paragraph 106 (1) (c) of the Act, the carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for an offsets project to which this Methodology Determination applies for a reporting period is taken, for the purposes of the Act, to be the amount calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 1 |
where:
= the net abatement amount for an offsets project to which this Methodology Determination applies for a reporting period, in tonnes of CO2-e.
= quantity of methane emissions avoided as a consequence of the project, in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with section 3.5 of this Methodology Determination.
= emissions from electricity delivered from the grid prior to 1 July 2012 and fuel used to operate the flaring or generation system for the purposes of the project, in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with section 3.11 of this Methodology Determination.
))Subject to section 3.8 of this Methodology Determination, the quantity of emissions avoided as a consequence of the project (Ap) is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 2 |
where:
= quantity of emissions avoided as a consequence of the project, in tonnes of CO2-e.
= the factor converting cubic metres of methane at standard conditions to tonnes of CO2-e as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
= volume of methane generated by legacy waste destroyed by flaring or generation system h, in cubic metres, calculated in accordance with section 3.6 of this Methodology Determination.
Areg = quantity of methane generated by legacy waste destroyed under baseline conditions in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with section 3.10 of this Methodology Determination.
= oxidation factor for near surface methane in a landfill as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Ecom = quantity of methane and nitrous oxide emissions released from flaring or generation systems in the landfill facility, in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with section 3.7 of this Methodology Determination.
(1) Subject to section 3.8 of this Methodology Determination, the volume of methane generated by legacy waste destroyed by flaring or generation system h, in cubic metres, (Qcom,h) is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 3 |
where:
Qcom,h = volume of methane generated by legacy waste destroyed by flaring or generation system h, in cubic metres.
Qsent,h = volume of methane sent to flaring or generation system h, in cubic metres, calculated in accordance with subsections 3.6 (2) or 3.6 (3) of this Methodology Determination.
DEh = methane destruction efficiency for flaring or generation system h, expressed as a fraction. If the flaring or generation system is an open flare, a default value of 0.98 must be used. Otherwise, either a default value of 0.98 may be used or the methane destruction efficiency of the device may be measured in accordance with section 3.14 of this Methodology Determination. If the device is a flare and the flare is not operational, DEh is zero.
Lp= proportion of methane generated by legacy waste, calculated in accordance with section 3.9 of this Methodology Determination.
Note: If the flaring or generation system is an internal combustion engine the project proponent may elect to calculate the volume of methane destroyed using Qcom,h. Alternatively the proponent may elect to calculate the quantity of methane destroyed by the internal combustion engine in accordance with section 3.8 of this Methodology Determination.
Note: Section 3.18 of this Methodology Determination sets out the circumstances in which a flare is taken not to be operational.
(2) Unless subsection 3.6 (3) applies, the volume of methane sent to the flaring or generation system h (
) is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 4a |
where:
Qsent,h = volume of methane sent to flaring or generation system h, in cubic metres.
Qlfg,h = volume of landfill gas sent to flaring or generation system h, in cubic metres, measured in accordance with section 3.15 of this Methodology Determination.
= the average methane fraction of the landfill gas on a volume basis, calculated using either a default value of 0.5, or measured in accordance with section 3.14 of this Methodology Determination.
(3) If the energy content of landfill gas is calculated in gigajoules (GJ) from the measured flow rate and methane fraction of the landfill gas by a flow computer, and all measured parameters are corrected to standard conditions, may be calculated by reference to the landfill gas energy content reported by the computer using the following formula:
| Equation 4b |
where:
Qsent,h = volume of methane sent to flaring or generation system h, in cubic metres.
Elfg = the value, calculated by a flow computer, of the energy content of methane in the landfill gas, in gigajoules (GJ).
ECbiogas = the energy content factor for landfill biogas that is captured for combustion as prescribed in Schedule 1, Part 2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
(1) The quantity of methane and nitrous oxide emissions released from flaring or generation systems used in the project, in tonnes of CO2-e, (Ecom) is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 5 |
where:
Ecom = quantity of methane emissions and nitrous oxide emissions released from all flaring or generation systems, in tonnes of CO2-e.
= quantity of methane emissions released from all flaring or generation systems, in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with subsection 3.7 (2) of this Methodology Determination.
= quantity of nitrous oxide emissions released as a result of all flaring or generation systems, in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with subsection 3.7 (5) of this Methodology Determination.
(2) Subject to subsection 3.7 (3), 
is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 6 |
where:
= quantity of methane emissions from legacy waste released from all flaring or generation systems, in tonnes of CO2-e.
= the factor converting cubic metres of methane at standard conditions to tonnes of CO2-e as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
= volume of methane generated by legacy waste sent to but not destroyed by flaring or generation system h, in cubic metres, calculated in accordance with subsection 3.7 (4) of this Methodology Determination.
= oxidation factor for near surface methane in a landfill as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
(3) If section 3.8 applies, 
is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 6(a) |
where:
= quantity of methane emissions from legacy waste released from all flaring or generation systems, in tonnes of CO2-e.
= the factor converting cubic metres of methane at standard conditions to tonnes of CO2-e as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
= volume of methane generated by legacy waste sent to but not destroyed by flaring or generation system h, in cubic metres, calculated in accordance with subsection 3.7 (4) of this Methodology Determination.
= energy content of the methane sent to the internal combustion engine, h, in gigajoules (GJ), calculated in accordance with subsection 3.8 (6) of this Methodology Determination.
= methane destruction efficiency for flaring or generation system h, expressed as a fraction. If the device is an internal combustion engine h, the default value is 0.98 or the methane destruction efficiency of the device can be determined in accordance with section 3.14 of this Methodology Determination.
CH4 factor = conversion factor to convert gigajoules to tonnes of methane = 0.018
= global warming potential of methane as prescribed in the NGER Regulations.
Lp = proportion of methane generated by legacy waste, calculated in accordance with section 3.9 of this Methodology Determination.
= oxidation factor for near surface methane in a landfill as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Note: If an internal combustion engine is the only type of flaring or generation system used, then the value for 
will be zero.
(4) Qrel,h is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 7 |
where:
Qrel,h = volume of methane generated from legacy waste sent to but not destroyed by flaring or generation system h, in cubic metres.
Qsent,h = has the same value as it has for the purposes of section 3.6 of this Methodology Determination.
Lp = proportion of methane generated by legacy waste, calculated in accordance with section 3.9 of this Methodology Determination.
Qcom,h = has the same value as it has for the purposes of section 3.6 of this Methodology Determination.
(5) Subject to subsection 3.7 (6), is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 8 |
where:
= quantity of nitrous oxide emissions released from legacy waste as a result of methane destruction processes from all flaring or generation systems, in tonnes of CO2-e.
Qsent,h = has the same value as it has for the purposes of section 3.6 of this Methodology Determination.
ECbiogas = the energy content factor for landfill biogas that is captured for combustion as prescribed in Schedule 1, Part 2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
= the emission factor for nitrous oxide (N2O) from landfill that is captured for combustion as prescribed in Schedule 1, Part 2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Lp = proportion of methane generated by legacy waste, calculated in accordance with section 3.9 of this Methodology Determination.
(6) If section 3.8 applies, 
is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 8(a) |
where:
= quantity of nitrous oxide emissions released from legacy waste as a result of methane destruction processes from all flaring or generation systems, in tonnes of CO2-e.
Qsent,h = has the same value as it has for the purposes of section 3.6 of this Methodology Determination.
Lp = proportion of methane generated by legacy waste, calculated in accordance with section 3.9 of this Methodology Determination.
ECbiogas = the energy content factor for landfill biogas that is captured for combustion as prescribed in Schedule 1, Part 2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
= energy content of the methane sent to the internal combustion engine, h, in gigajoules (GJ), calculated in accordance with subsection 3.8 (6) of this Methodology Determination.
Lp= proportion of methane generated by legacy waste, calculated in accordance with section 3.9 of this Methodology Determination.
= the emission factor for nitrous oxide (N2O) from landfill biogas that is captured for combustion as prescribed in Schedule 1, Part 2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Note: If internal combustion engines are the only type of flaring or generation system used, then the value for 
is zero.
(1) This section applies if:
(a) the flaring or generation system used in an offsets project to which this Methodology Determination applies includes an internal combustion engine for electricity generation; and
(b) the project proponent elects to calculate the quantity of methane destroyed by an internal combustion engine (
based on the amount of electricity produced by an internal combustion engine generator (
) measured in megawatt hours.
Calculation of quantity of methane destroyed 
(2) If the conditions specified in subsection 3.8 (1) of this Methodology Determination apply, then the quantity of methane destroyed in an internal combustion engine 
may be calculated using the formula set out in subsections 3.8 (5) and (6) of this Methodology Determination.
(3) If the conditions specified in subsection 3.8 (1) (b) apply then the formula in subsections 3.6 (1) and (2) of this Methodology Determination must not be used to calculate the quantity of methane destroyed in an internal combustion engine.
Alternative Calculation for Ap
(4) If the conditions specified in subsection 3.8 (1) of this Methodology Determination apply, and is calculated in accordance with subsections 3.8 (5) and (6), then
Ap is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 2(a) |
where:
Ap = quantity of methane emissions avoided as a consequence of the project, in tonnes of CO2-e.
= the factor converting cubic metres of methane at standard conditions to tonnes of CO2-e as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Qcom,h = volume of methane generated by legacy waste destroyed by flaring or generation system h, in cubic metres, calculated in accordance with section 3.6 of this Methodology Determination.
Acom,ice = quantity of methane generated by legacy waste destroyed as a consequence of combustion in an internal combustion engine, in tonnes CO2-e, calculated in accordance with subsection 3.8 (5) of this Methodology Determination.
Areg = quantity of methane generated by legacy waste destroyed under baseline conditions in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with section 3.10 of this Methodology Determination.
OF = oxidation factor for near surface methane in a landfill as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Ecom = quantity of methane and nitrous oxide emissions released from flaring or generation systems in the landfill facility, in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with section 3.7 of this Methodology Determination.
Note: If an internal combustion engine is the only type of flaring or generation system used, then the value for 
is zero.
(5) 
is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 9 |
where:
= quantity of methane generated by legacy waste destroyed as a consequence of combustion in an internal combustion engine, in tonnes of CO2-e.
= energy content of the methane sent to the internal combustion engine, h, in gigajoules (GJ), calculated in accordance with subsection 3.8 (6) of this Methodology Determination.
DEh = methane destruction efficiency for flaring or generation system h, expressed as a fraction. If the device is an internal combustion engine h, the default value is 0.98 or the methane destruction efficiency of the device can be determined in accordance with section 3.14 of this Methodology Determination.
CH4 factor = methane conversion factor, to convert gigajoules to tonnes of methane = 0.018.
= global warming potential of methane as prescribed in Regulation 2.02 of the NGER Regulations.
= proportion of methane generated from legacy waste, calculated in accordance with section 3.9 of this Methodology Determination.
(6) is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 10 |
where:
= energy content of the methane sent to the internal combustion engine, h, in gigajoules (GJ).
= amount of electricity (supplied to the grid or used on-site) produced by internal combustion engine, h, as a result of combustion of methane in MWh.
= Energy in GJ per MWh = 3.6.
= Electrical efficiency factor (as a fraction) for the internal combustion engine as per the manufacturer’s specifications for the equipment. If there is no value specified by the manufacturer, a default value of 0.36 must be used.
)(1) On or before 30 June 2012, = 1.
(2) After 30 June 2012:
(a) if it can be demonstrated under a method prescribed in the NGER (Measurement) Determination that all methane captured is generated from legacy waste, = 1.
(b) otherwise, subject to subsection 3.9 (3), is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 11 |
where:
= the proportion of methane generated from legacy waste.
Mlw = the quantity of methane generated by legacy waste during that part of the reporting period that is after 30 June 2012, in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated using a method prescribed in Divisions 5.2.2 to 5.2.4 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Mplw = the quantity of methane generated by non-legacy waste during that part of the reporting period that is after 30 June 2012, in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated using a method specified in Divisions 5.2.2 to 5.2.4 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
(3) If the landfill facility is required to report greenhouse gas emissions under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007, Mlw and Mplw must be calculated using the data that was or will be submitted in the facility’s report under that Act.
) (1) Subject to subsection 3.10 (2), the quantity of methane destroyed under baseline conditions (
), is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 12 |
where:
= the quantity of methane generated by legacy waste captured and destroyed under baseline conditions, in tonnes CO2-e.
= the factor converting cubic metres of methane at standard conditions to tonnes of CO2-e as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
= calculated in accordance with section 3.6 of this Methodology Determination.
= the proportion of methane generated by legacy waste that is captured and destroyed under baseline conditions which is:
(a) Rp = the number calculated in accordance with the Guidelines for calculating regulatory baselines for projects described in 2.1(2)(a) and 2.1(2)(b);
(b) for projects described in 2.1(2)(c), the higher of:
.
=the proportion of the methane from landfill waste captured and destroyed that is attributable to the upgrade, calculated in accordance with equation 12(b).
(2) If the conditions specified in subsection 3.8 (1) apply and is calculated in accordance with subsection 3.8 (4), then is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 12(a) |
where:
= the quantity of methane generated by legacy waste captured and destroyed under baseline conditions, in tonnes CO2-e.
= the factor converting cubic metres of methane at standard conditions to tonnes of CO2‑e as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
= calculated in accordance with section 3.6 of this Methodology Determination.
= calculated in accordance with subsection 3.8 (5) of this Methodology Determination.
= has the same meaning as in subsection 3.10 (1) of this Methodology Determination.
Note: If an internal combustion engine is the only type of flaring or generation system used, then the value for 
is zero.
(3) For projects described in 2.1(2)(c), the proportion of the methane from landfill waste captured that is attributable to an upgrade, , is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 12(b) |
where:
= the proportion of methane from landfill waste captured and destroyed that is attributable to the upgrade.
= the average proportion of methane from landfill waste generated that is captured and destroyed in the 12 months immediately following completion of the upgrade, calculated in accordance with equation12(c).
= the average proportion of methane from landfill waste generated that is captured and destroyed over the two years prior to the upgrade, calculated in accordance with equation 12(d) .
(4) For projects described in 2.1(2)(c), the average proportion of methane from landfill waste generated that is captured and destroyed in the 12 months immediately following completion of the upgrade, 
, is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 12(c) |
where:
= the average proportion of methane from landfill waste generated that is captured and destroyed in the 12 months immediately following completion of the upgrade.
= the factor converting cubic metres of methane at standard conditions to tonnes of CO2-e as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Qcap,y = the quantity of methane in landfill gas captured and destroyed by combustion[1] from the landfill in the 12 months immediately following completion of the upgrade and measured in cubic metres as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Qflared,y = the quantity of methane in landfill gas captured and destroyed when flared in the 12 months immediately following completion of the upgrade and measured in cubic metres as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Qtr,y = the quantity of methane in landfill gas captured and destroyed when transferred out of the landfill in the 12 months immediately following completion of the upgrade and measured in cubic metres as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
CH4,y*= the estimated quantity of methane in landfill gas generated by the landfill in the 12 months immediately following completion of the upgrade, and as determined and measured in CO2‑e tonnes as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Note: An upgrade is taken to be completed from the date the facility first operates after the improvement was undertaken.
(5) For projects described in 2.1(2)(c), the average proportion of methane from landfill waste generated that is captured over the two years prior to the upgrade, 
, is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 12(d) |
where:
= the average proportion of methane from landfill waste generated that is captured and destroyed in the two years, y, prior to the project.
= the factor converting cubic metres of methane at standard conditions to tonnes of CO2-e as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Qcap,y = the quantity of methane in landfill gas captured and destroyed by combustion[2] from the landfill during the two years prior to the upgrade, and measured in cubic metres as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Qflared,y = the quantity of methane in landfill gas captured and destroyed when flared during the two years prior to the upgrade, and measured in cubic metres as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Qtr,y = the quantity of methane in landfill gas captured and destroyed when transferred out of the landfill during the two years prior to the upgrade and measured in cubic metres as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
CH4,y*= the estimated quantity of methane in landfill gas generated by the landfill during the two years prior to the upgrade and as determined and measured in CO2‑e tonnes as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
)(1) Subject to subsection 3.11 (4) of this Methodology Determination, the emissions from electricity delivered from the grid on or after 1 July 2012 and fuel used to operate the flaring or generation system used in an offsets project to which this Methodology Determination applies 
) is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 13 |
where:
Yp = emissions from electricity delivered from the grid on or after 1 July 2012 and fuel used to operate the flaring or generation system to capture and destroy methane generated from legacy waste as a result of the project, in tonnes of CO2-e.
Yt = total emissions from electricity delivered from the grid on or after 1 July 2012 and fuel used to operate the flaring or generation system, in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with subsection 3.11 (2) of this Methodology Determination.
Yreg = emissions from electricity delivered from the grid on or after 1 July 2012 and fuel used to operate the flaring or generation system under baseline conditions, in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with subsection 3.11 (3) of this Methodology Determination.
(2) The total emissions from electricity delivered from the grid on or after 1 July 2012 and fuel used to operate the flaring or generation system (Yt), is to be calculated using the following formula:
Yt = (Ef | Equation 14 |
where:
Yt = total emissions from electricity delivered from the grid on or after 1 July 2012 and fuel used to operate the flaring or generation system, in tonnes of CO2-e.
Ef = total emissions from fuel used (including supplemental natural gas) to operate the flaring or generation system, in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with section 3.12 of this Methodology Determination.
Eelec = total emissions from consumption of purchased electricity used prior to 1 July 2012 to operate the flaring or generation system, in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with section 3.13 of this Methodology Determination.
Lp = proportion of methane generated from legacy waste, calculated in accordance with section 3.9 of this Methodology Determination.
(3) The emissions from electricity delivered from the grid on or after 1 July 2012 and fuel used to operate the flaring or generation system under baseline conditions (Yreg), is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 15 |
where:
= the emissions from electricity delivered from the grid on or after 1 July 2012 and fuel used to operate the flaring or generation system under baseline conditions, in tonnes of CO2-e.
= has the same meaning as in subsection 3.11 (2) of this Methodology Determination.
= has the same meaning as in subsection 3.10 (1) of this Methodology Determination.
(4) In this section, all calculations of emissions from electricity delivered from the grid on or after 1 July 2012 and fuel use must be calculated using the energy content and emission factors set out in Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
)(1) Total emissions from fuel used (including supplemental natural gas) to operate the flaring or generation system 
is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 16 |
where:
Ef = total emissions from fuel used (including supplemental natural gas) to operate the flaring or generation system, in tonnes of CO2-e
i = fuel type
j = gas type (CO2, N2O, CH4)
n = number of fuel types
N = number of gas types
= emissions from fuel type (i) of greenhouse gas (j) in tonnes of CO2-e, calculated in accordance with subsection 3.12 (2) of this Methodology Determination.
(2) Eij is to be calculated for each fuel type (i) and each greenhouse gas (j) (i.e. CO2, N2O, CH4), using the following formula:
| Equation 17 |
where:
= emissions from fuel type (i) of greenhouse gas (j) in tonnes of CO2-e.
= quantity of fuel type (i), measured in cubic metres, kilolitres or gigajoules.
= energy content factor of fuel type (i) (gigajoules per kilolitre or gigajoules per cubic metres), calculated using the relevant energy content factor prescribed in Schedule 1 to the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
= emission factor for each gas type (j) (which includes the effect of an oxidation factor) for fuel type (i) (in kilograms of CO2-e per gigajoule), calculated using the relevant emission factor prescribed in Schedule 1 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination.
Note: If 
is measured in gigajoules, then 
is not required
) Total emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity used prior to 1 July 2012 to operate the flaring or generation system 
) is to be calculated using the following formula:
| Equation 18 |
where:
= total emissions from consumption of purchased electricity used prior to 1 July 2012 to operate the flaring or generation system, in tonnes of CO2-e.
= quantity of electricity purchased from the electricity grid prior to 1 July 2012 (kilowatt hours). If is measured in gigajoules, the quantity of kilowatt hours must be calculated by dividing the amount of gigajoules by the conversion factor of 0.0036.
= the scope 2 emissions factor for the State, Territory or electricity grid in which consumption occurs as prescribed in Part 6 of Schedule 1 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination, in kg CO2-e per kilowatt hour.
The data collection method for deriving a parameter included in column 1 of the following table must comply with the corresponding measurement procedure and measurement frequency set out in columns 4 and 5 of the following table:
Parameter | Description | Unit | Measurement Procedure | Measurement Frequency |
Qsent,h | Quantity of landfill gas sent to a flaring or generation system (h) | m3 | Measured by a flow meter, corrected to standard conditions. Data to be aggregated monthly and yearly | Continuous (average value in a time interval not greater than 24 hours must be used in the calculations of emissions reductions). |
DEh | Methane destruction efficiency for device h | % | Open Flares: - Default: 98% (factor of 0.98) Enclosed Flares: - Measured efficiency: Duplicate compliance testing, measured every 6 months, by a NATA accredited emission stack testing company, using a method based on US EPA Method 18 - Default: 98% (factor of 0.98) Internal combustion engine: - Measured efficiency: Duplicate compliance testing, measured every 6 months, by a NATA accredited emission stack testing company, using a method based on US EPA Method 18 - Default: 98% (factor of 0.98) | Every 6 months, if using measured efficiency by a testing company. |
| Methane fraction in the landfill gas | m3CH4 / m3 landfill gas | Measured using a continuous gas analyser Measurement must be made on a consistent basis (either wet or dry) Measurement of methane fraction must be made on a consistent basis with flow measurement (wet or dry). See section 3.15 If there is no continuous gas analyser, the default of 50% (factor of 0.50) is to be used | Continuous (average value in a time interval not greater than 24 hours must be used in the calculations of emissions reductions). Values must be paired to flow rate measurement so that measurements are contiguous. |
Electricity (Qelec)
| Quantity of electricity used for abatement activity | Kilowatt hours | Measured using the relevant meter and sub-meter measuring the electricity used by equipment installed: the electricity usage is the value from that meter Estimated from the invoiced amount of electricity supplied to the landfill where the cost per unit of energy is known | If read from a meter or sub-meter, record monthly If estimated from invoices, estimate from total electricity used for the reporting period. Note that only electricity consumed prior to 1 July 2012 must be included |
Fuel used (Qi)
| Quantity of fuel used for abatement activity | For liquid fuels, measured in kilolitres, or for gaseous fuels, measured in m3 unless otherwise specified in the NGER (Measurement) Determination | For each fuel used the amount must be estimated as a proportion of totals for the facility. The estimation can be made from a reading from a meter or from invoices Manufacturer’s specifications must be used to estimate the proportion of totals for the facility | Estimate from total amount of fuel used at least once per reporting period. |
| Quantity of electricity produced by methane combustion in internal combustion engine generator (h) | MWh | Meter data, recording electricity sent to the grid; or meter data recording electricity sent out from internal combustion engine generator (if electricity is used onsite) The accuracy of the meter used must be equivalent to a revenue meter | Amount of electricity sent out from the internal combustion engine generator during the reporting period. |
Electrical efficiency factor (Eff) | The electrical efficiency factor of the internal combustion engine generator | % | As specified by the manufacturer of the generator in the technical specifications for the equipment (with reference to Australian Standard AS 4594.1 or equivalent) or the default value of 36% (factor of 0.36) | A set value as per manufacturer’s specification or the default. |
Qcap | The quantity of methane in landfill gas captured for combustion for electricity generation during the year. | m³ | As prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination. | As prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination. |
Qflared | The annual quantity of methane in landfill gas flared during the year. | m³ | As prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination. | As prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination. |
Qtr | The annual quantity of methane in landfill gas transferred out of the landfill during the year. | m³ | As prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination. | As prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination. |
CH4* | The estimated quantity of methane in landfill gas generated by the landfill during the year. | tCO2-e | As determined and measured in CO2‑e tonnes as prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination. | As prescribed in Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination. |
) and methane captured (Qcap, Qflared, Qtr) The following requirements must be complied with when measuring Qlfg,h, and methane captured (Qcap, Qflared, Qtr):
(a) measurements must comply with the units of measurement required by or under the National Measurement Act 1960;
(b) appropriate measuring equipment must be employed to provide volumetric measurement in cubic metres corrected to standard conditions (temperature and pressure);
(c) volumetric flow rate must be measured as cubic metres per hour;
(d) the volumetric measurement must be calculated using a flow computer that measures and analyses flow signals and gas composition of the gaseous fuel captured for combustion from the landfill at the point of consumption;
(e) the maximum uncertainty of landfill methane flow measurement of the flow device or flow meter must not be greater than ±5%;
(f) the measuring equipment must ensure that landfill gas volumes (in cubic metres) are corrected to standard conditions (temperature and pressure). The data must be accumulated over a time interval of not greater than 24 hours;
(g) the volumetric flow rate and gas composition data must be continuously recorded;
(h) the accumulated data from the previous time interval must be retained by a device separate from the flow computer so that the data can be retrieved in the event that the flow computer fails;
(i) if the proponent is using a continuous gas analyser to determine the methane fraction in the landfill gas, the equipment must continuously acquire data using a flow computer to calculate landfill gas flow and the methane fraction of the landfill gas;
(j) the volumetric flow rate and gas composition data must be accumulated over a time interval of not greater than 24 hours;
(k) paired values of the volumetric flow rate and gas composition data must be used in the calculations.
Example: methane fraction of landfill gas averaged over time interval “x” must be used with landfill gas flow which is averaged over the same time interval “x”.
If measuring equipment uses a flow computer, the flow computer must record the instantaneous values for all primary measurement inputs and must also record the following outputs:
(a) instantaneous volumetric flow corrected to standard conditions; and
(b) cumulative volumetric flow corrected to standard conditions.
For the analysis of landfill gas composition, landfill gas must be analysed in accordance with one of the following standards, or with a standard that is equivalent to a standard set out below:
(a) ASTM D 1945 – 03;
(b) ASTM d 1946 – 90 (2006);
(c) ISO 6974
(d) GPA 2145 – 03; or
(e) GPA 2261 – 00.
(1) The destruction efficiency of a flare is contingent upon it being operational. Flare operation can be detected using either temperature measurement or a UV detection sensor coupled to a flare management system.
(2) If flare operation is detected using temperature measurement, then the flare is taken not to be operational and the destruction efficiency taken to be zero in any particular hour if there is no record of the temperature of the exhaust gas of the flare or the recorded temperature is less than 500°C for any period exceeding 20 minutes in that hour.
(3) Project proponents must document which type of flare and which approach to determining DEh is used. If using a default value, the flare must be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.
For the purposes of subsection 106 (3) of the Act, a project proponent of an offsets project to which this Methodology Determination applies must comply with the monitoring, record-keeping and reporting requirements of this Part.
(1) The measurement of landfill gas must be carried out using equipment that complies with the following accuracy and transmitter requirements:
(a) Pressure <±0.25%;
(b) Differential Pressure <±0.25%;
(c) Temperature <±0.50%.
(1) Monitoring instruments must be inspected, cleaned and calibrated on a regular basis.
(2) All gas flow meters and continuous methane analysers must be:
(a) cleaned and inspected as required to ensure the equipment reads measurement within an accuracy threshold of ±5%, with the activities performed and the “as found/as left” condition of the equipment documented;
(b) field checked for calibration accuracy, with the percent drift documented, no earlier than two months before the end of the reporting period by a third-party technician:
(i) using an appropriate instrument or apparatus; or
(ii) as per the manufacturer’s guidance; and
(c) calibrated by the manufacturer or an accredited third-party calibration service as per the manufacturer’s guidance, or every 5 years, whichever occurs with greater frequency.
(3) The requirements of 4.3 (2) (b) do not apply if the requirements of 4.3 (2) (c) are completed within two months of the end of the reporting period.
(4) Field checks of monitoring instruments must determine whether the instrument reads measurement within the accuracy threshold of ±5%.
(5) If a field check of a monitoring instrument determines that its accuracy is outside of the accuracy threshold of ±5% then the instrument must be calibrated by the manufacturer or an accredited third-party calibration service. The calibration must ensure that the instrument reads measurement within the accuracy threshold of ±5%.
(1) The project proponent must make and keep records of the information specified in this section as follows:
General information
(a) copies of all relevant landfill licences, including their conditions;
(b) copies of Landfill Environment Management Plans where these relate to the flaring or generation system requirements;
(c) copies of all relevant regulations or associated documents, used in estimating the proportion of methane generated from the landfill that is required to be captured and destroyed to meet regulatory requirements;
(d) all maintenance records relevant to the extraction system, monitoring equipment and flaring or generation systems (for each device);
(e) logs of operations of the flaring or generation system including notation of all shut-downs, start-ups, process adjustments;
(f) corrective measures taken if instruments do not meet performance specifications;
(g) independent audit records and results;
(h) NATA certificates from stack testing laboratory/ies as evidence of measured methane destruction efficiency (for each device, if relevant);
(i) if relevant, the date of a report under section 19 or section 22G of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 and the factors and parameters used in that report, as prescribed in the NGER (Measurement) Determination or NGER Regulations;
Flaring or generation system information
(j) information about the model, serial number and calibration procedures for each flaring or generation system;
(k) all data produced in relation to the monitoring of each flaring or generation system, including flare temperatures or UV detection system for each device;
(l) all data relevant to the calibration of each flaring or generation system;
(m) all results from flaring or generation system destruction efficiency testing, for each device, if relevant.
Monitoring device information
(n) information about the model, serial number and calibration procedures for the landfill gas flow meter;
(o) information about the model, serial number and calibration procedures for the landfill gas analyser;
(p) for each flow meter, all landfill gas flow meter calibration data;
(q) for each gas analyser, all landfill gas analyser calibration data;
Data required on the direct and indirect measurement
(r) all values and calculations used in the equations set out in Part 3;
(s) monthly and annual CO2-e tonnage calculations;
(t) electronic recording of values of logged primary parameters (as set out in sections 3.14 and 3.15) for each measurement interval, for each meter. This includes:
(i) landfill gas flow data for each measurement (for each flow meter);
(ii) methane content of landfill gas (% by volume) for each measurement noting the date, time and location of measurement, notes of non-compliance to performance specifications and remedial actions taken to correct instrument;
(iii) temperature data from temperature measurement device (for each device) or record of flare operation if UV detection system is used;
(u) evidence of fuel use (including invoices and receipts);
(v) evidence of grid-delivered electricity use (including invoices and receipts);
(w) evidence of the amount of electricity sent out from the internal combustion engine generator (if using equation 2 (a)); and
Legacy waste proportion data
(x) all data inputs for the calculation of the quantity of methane generated from legacy waste and the quantity of methane generated from post legacy waste in accordance with Part 5.2 of the NGER (Measurement) Determination, including the weight of landfill in relation to each waste mix type.
(1) The following information is required to be included in the first offsets report for a project to which this Methodology Determination applies:
(a) carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the project;
(b) the proportion of methane generated from the landfill that is required to be captured and destroyed to meet regulatory requirements, if applicable;
(c) justification for the proportion of methane generated from the landfill that is required to be captured and destroyed to meet regulatory requirements;
(d) if applicable, the total volume of methane sent to flaring or generation systems, in cubic metres (sum of Qsent,h) and total volume of methane destroyed by flaring or generation systems, in cubic metres (sum of Qcom,h);
(e) if applicable, the quantity of methane destroyed as a consequence of an internal combustion engine, in tonnes CO2-e (Acom,ice);
(f) total amount of fuel and/or electricity (prior to 1 July 2012) used by the project, in kilolitres (kL), cubic metres (m3) or kilowatt hours (kWh);
(g) destruction efficiency of each flaring or generation system (DEh);
(h) electrical efficiency (Eff) of the internal combustion engine generator (with reference to Australian Standard AS 4594.1 or equivalent);
Note: Australian standards are available from the government website at www.standards.org.au
(i) if applicable, the date of a report required under section 19 or section 22G of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 and the factors and parameters used in that report, as prescribed in the NGER (Measurement) Determination or NGER Regulations.
(1) The following information is required to be included in the second and subsequent offsets reports:
(a) carbon dioxide equivalent net abatement amount for the project;
(b) the proportion of methane generated from the landfill that is required to be captured and destroyed to meet regulatory requirements, if applicable;
(c) if applicable, the total volume of methane sent to flaring or generation systems, in cubic metres (sum of Qsent,h) and total volume of methane destroyed by flaring or generation systems, in cubic metres (sum of Qcom,h);
(d) if applicable, the quantity of methane destroyed as a consequence of an internal combustion engine, in tonnes CO2-e (Acom,ice);
(e) total amount of electricity prior to 1 July 2012 or fuel used by the project, in kilolitres, cubic metres or kilowatt hours;
(f) destruction efficiencies of flaring or generation systems;
(g) electrical efficiency (Eff) of the internal combustion engine generator (with reference to Australian Standard AS 4594.1 or equivalent);
Note: Australian standards are available from the government website at www.standards.org.au
(h) if applicable, the date of a report under section 19 or section 22G of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 and the factors and parameters used in that report, as prescribed in the NGER (Measurement) Determination or NGER Regulations.
[1] The term "captured for combustion" in the NGER (Measurement) Determination is intended to mean landfill methane captured for combustion for electricity generation.
[2] The term "captured for combustion" in the NGER (Measurement) Determination is intended to mean landfill methane captured for combustion for electricity generation.
