Carbon Credits: Energia Europa’s VER Project

Energia Europa generates carbon credits through a VER project linked to the energy efficiency results achieved with EP-X. The project has been validated by RINA and makes it possible to convert measured reductions in CO₂ emissions, resulting from the energy savings generated by installed devices, into verified carbon credits.

For the 2021-2022 period, RINA verified a reduction of 23,346 tonnes of CO₂, corresponding to 23,346 VERs. The project therefore connects energy efficiency, measurement of results and the valorisation of avoided emissions within the voluntary carbon market.

At the heart of the project is the approach Energia Europa applies to industrial facilities: analysing the conditions of the electrical network, identifying inefficiencies, implementing dedicated technologies and measuring the results achieved. Explore our industrial energy efficiency solutions.

Would you like to understand how the project could apply to your company? Call Energia Europa at +39 0445 510 156 or fill out the contact form.

What are carbon credits?

Carbon credits are tradable certificates representing a reduction or removal of greenhouse gas emissions. One credit generally corresponds to one tonne of CO₂ equivalent that has been avoided or removed through an environmental project.

Projects that generate carbon credits can cover different areas. In Energia Europa’s case, the environmental benefit comes from energy efficiency: reducing the energy required to perform the same amount of work also makes it possible to reduce the emissions associated with electricity consumption.

For this reduction to be recognised within a carbon credit project, the result must be quantifiable, traceable and verifiable according to the methodology adopted.

For a company, the starting point is therefore its actual energy consumption. Reducing the kWh required for business operations means lowering energy costs while also reducing the emissions associated with the energy used. Explore strategies and technologies for energy savings in companies.

Energia Europa’s VER project

Energia Europa has developed a project for the generation of VERs, Verified Emission Reductions, linked to the energy savings achieved through EP-X devices installed at companies’ facilities.

EP-X was considered eligible for the generation of carbon credits on the voluntary market because the project falls within the categories covered by the methodology used and complies with the additionality criteria adopted for its validation.

RINA approved and validated the project, recognising Energia Europa’s right to generate credits based on the verified reductions in greenhouse gas emissions produced by the project.

An important aspect concerns ownership of the credits: the VERs generated within the project are owned by Energia Europa, as the project promoter.

Companies where EP-X devices are installed directly benefit from improved system efficiency, the resulting energy savings and the consequent reduction in emissions associated with their electricity consumption.

EP-X: from energy efficiency to avoided CO₂ emissions

The VER project is based on the ability to accurately measure the energy savings achieved through EP-X, the Power Quality device developed by Energia Europa to improve the efficiency of electrical systems.

EP-X is installed on the electrical line downstream of the medium-voltage transformer and acts on losses and disturbances within the system. The result is a reduction in electricity consumption while maintaining the same amount of work performed, with performance depending on the characteristics of each individual electrical network.

Measurement is a key part of the process. EP-X’s bypass system makes it possible to compare the operating conditions of the electrical system with the device switched on and off, verifying the savings achieved without interrupting power to the loads.

The measured energy savings can then be used to determine the corresponding amount of avoided CO₂ emissions. These data are managed through a monitoring and traceability system that makes it possible to track the results generated by the devices included in the project.

Discover the features and operation of EP-X in detail.

Reducing consumption and emissions starts with data from your electrical system. Talk to an Energia Europa expert to assess the opportunities for improving your company’s energy efficiency.

How carbon credits are generated through the Energia Europa project

The process starts with a concrete result: the energy saved through EP-X.

The devices included in the project are monitored, and their energy-saving results are collected and tracked. The energy saved is then converted into the corresponding amount of avoided greenhouse gas emissions according to the methodology adopted.

The emission reductions are subsequently submitted to the verification process established by the project. One tonne of verified avoided CO₂ equivalent can therefore correspond to one VER.

This system makes it possible to link each carbon credit to a real and measurable energy efficiency result at the facilities where EP-X operates.

This process is part of Energia Europa’s broader approach to power quality: diagnosing electrical network conditions, identifying inefficiencies, installing the most appropriate solution and measuring the performance achieved. Discover how Power Quality can improve the efficiency of industrial electrical systems.

23,346 tonnes of CO₂ avoided and verified

The crediting period for Energia Europa’s project began in January 2021 and has been established for a period of 10 years, with the possibility of renewal for a further 7 years based on the conditions of the project and market developments.

For the 2021-2022 period, RINA verified and certified the data submitted by Energia Europa relating to the devices included in the project.

The result was an overall reduction of:

23,346 tonnes of CO₂

equivalent to:

23,346 VERs

These figures provide a concrete example of the connection between Power Quality, energy efficiency and emission reductions: the credits are based on operating devices installed at real facilities and on energy-saving results measured over time.

Carbon credits and energy efficiency: the process starts with the electrical system

The generation of VERs is one part of a broader energy efficiency process. Before avoided CO₂ emissions can be calculated, a company must first consider its energy consumption and the conditions of the electrical network supplying its machinery and production processes.

Energia Europa starts by analysing the electrical system to identify potential losses, disturbances, imbalances, reactive power and other conditions that may affect the efficiency or reliability of the network.

Based on the results, the most appropriate technologies are identified. EP-X is the solution directly linked to the VER project, while Energia Europa’s portfolio also includes the PQ-LINE range for managing reactive power, imbalances and harmonics, PQ-GUARD for protection against voltage issues, Aladin for electrical network diagnostics and E-LED solutions for high-efficiency lighting.

The objective is to develop an intervention based on the actual characteristics of the electrical system and subsequently verify the results achieved. Learn more about Energia Europa’s approach to industrial energy efficiency.

How to sell carbon credits

To sell a carbon credit, there must first be an emission reduction generated within an eligible project, measured and verified according to the rules of the applicable scheme.

Following verification, credits can be registered and subsequently transferred or sold on the voluntary carbon market according to the procedures established by the project and the registry used.

For this reason, generating and selling carbon credits requires a structured process: an intervention capable of producing an actual reduction in emissions, a calculation methodology, a monitoring system, verification of the results and the subsequent management of the credits generated.

Within the project developed by Energia Europa, the validation assigns Energia Europa ownership of and the right to generate the VERs resulting from the emission reductions included in the project.

Who certifies carbon credits in Italy?

Carbon credit certification depends on the type of project, the market and the scheme used. There is therefore no single organisation responsible for certifying all carbon credits generated in Italy.

Within individual programmes, independent organisations are responsible for verifying the project, the methodology used and the reported emission reductions.

In the case of Energia Europa’s project, RINA carried out the validation of the VER project and the verification of the data relating to avoided emissions.

The quality of the measurement process is therefore essential: each credit must be linked to a documented and traceable emission reduction.

Why carbon credits are relevant for companies

The voluntary carbon market makes it possible to assign an economic value to projects capable of producing verified emission reductions.

For companies, carbon credits can form part of broader strategies focused on energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact. The first objective remains the direct reduction of energy consumption and emissions generated by business activities.

This is where Energia Europa operates: starting from the actual conditions of the electrical network, the company identifies areas where efficiency can be improved and proposes technologies capable of delivering measurable results.

The VER project adds a further element to this process by linking the energy savings achieved through EP-X to the measurement of avoided emissions and the subsequent generation of carbon credits.

Would you like to assess the energy efficiency potential of your electrical system? Call +39 0445 510 156 or fill out the form to talk to Energia Europa.

Frequently asked questions about carbon credits

How can carbon credits be sold?

To sell carbon credits, emission reductions or removals must first be generated in accordance with the requirements of a specific project or programme. The reductions must be measured, verified and converted into credits before they can be transferred or sold on the voluntary carbon market. Within the VER project linked to EP-X, ownership of the credits generated is assigned to Energia Europa.

What are the benefits of investing in carbon credits?

Carbon credits make it possible to support and create value from projects that deliver verified emission reductions. For companies, they can form part of broader environmental strategies alongside direct measures aimed at reducing energy consumption and emissions.

Who buys carbon credits?

On the voluntary carbon market, carbon credits can be purchased by companies and organisations interested in supporting emission reduction projects and integrating them into their climate strategies. The way credits are used and the objectives they support depend on each organisation’s environmental goals and reporting criteria.

Who certifies carbon credits in Italy?

This depends on the programme and the project. Independent organisations responsible for validation and verification assess whether the project and the reported emission reductions comply with the applicable requirements. For Energia Europa’s project, the validation and verification activities were carried out by RINA.

How much is a carbon credit worth?

There is no single price for all carbon credits. Their value can vary depending on the characteristics of the project, the type of credit, the scheme used, the year in which the credit was generated and conditions on the voluntary carbon market.

How much CO₂ does one carbon credit represent?

One carbon credit generally represents one tonne of CO₂ equivalent that has been avoided or removed. Using CO₂ equivalent makes it possible to express the climate impact of other greenhouse gases using a common unit of measurement.

Does EP-X generate carbon credits for the company that installs it?

EP-X can deliver measurable energy efficiency improvements that may result in a reduction in the emissions associated with electricity consumption. Within the VER project validated by RINA, however, the credits resulting from the emission reductions included in the project are generated and owned by Energia Europa as the project promoter.

Reduce energy consumption and emissions with Energia Europa

The path towards greater efficiency starts with understanding the electrical system. Energia Europa supports companies in analysing their electrical networks, identifying inefficiencies and selecting the technologies best suited to the conditions identified.

EP-X acts on losses and disturbances within the electrical network, reducing energy consumption while maintaining the same amount of work performed and making the resulting savings measurable. This ability to turn an energy efficiency result into verifiable data is the foundation of the VER project developed by Energia Europa.

Would you like to find out whether EP-X can be applied to your electrical system and what results it could deliver? Call Energia Europa at +39 0445 510 156 or request a consultation through the contact form.