Certification
The production of sustainable fuels is currently significantly more expensive than their fossil-based alternatives. This price difference is often referred to as the green premium and must be covered by fuel buyers in order to make long-term investments in new production facilities economically viable. To market sustainable fuels at these higher prices, it is essential that their environmental benefits are independently verified and certified. Certification is therefore an integral part of project development in the sustainable fuels sector.
The European Union has established a comprehensive framework for the certification of sustainable fuels under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III). Depending on the feedstocks and conversion pathways used, these fuels can be divided into three main categories:
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Advanced Biofuels
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Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs)
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Low-Carbon Fuels
Over the past years, we have built extensive expertise in this field. For example, we worked closely with our sister organization atmosfair in developing a dedicated standard for the certification of sustainable fuels. Certification under the fairfuel standard is particularly well suited for smaller pilot and demonstration facilities (learn more about the standard here). In addition, we have successfully completed the full certification process for our facility in Werlte together with an accredited certification body and maintain regular exchanges with leading certification organizations in the sustainable fuels sector.
Feel free to contact us if you are planning to invest in a sustainable fuel production facility, particularly for the European market, and require support in the following areas:
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Sustainability Assessment of Biomass Feedstocks According to RED Criteria
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Assessment of the Eligibility of Specific CO₂ Sources
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Calculation of a Fuel’s Carbon Footprint in Accordance with RED Requirements
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Certification under the atmosfair fairfuel Standard
We would be pleased to advise you on the topics outlined above or manage the certification process for your facility on your behalf - whether under the atmosfair fairfuel standard or the Renewable Energy Directive (RED).
Why External Support for Certification Is Worthwhile
Certification under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) is carried out through independent voluntary certification schemes that have been approved by the European Commission. The leading certification schemes currently recognized for Advanced Biofuels and Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs) are ISCC EU, CertifHy, and REDcert.
The voluntary certification schemes, in turn, rely on accredited certification bodies that carry out the actual audits. Certification covers the entire supply chain and ensures compliance with sustainability requirements as well as the accurate calculation of fuel-related emissions. At the final stage of the supply chain, a Proof of Sustainability (PoS) is issued and registered in the Union Database. Only with such a certificate can the fuel purchaser claim benefits under the relevant incentive mechanisms, including the EU ETS, ReFuelEU Aviation, and FuelEU Maritime frameworks, thereby realizing the value associated with the paid green premium.
For a project to achieve successful certification, the requirements of the chosen certification scheme must be considered from the very beginning. This includes, for example, the selection of eligible biomass feedstocks, approved CO₂ sources, and compliance with renewable energy sourcing requirements. It is therefore essential to take the complex certification criteria into account already during the project design phase. With Solarbelt, you have an experienced partner at your side who can guide you through the complexities of European certification frameworks from the earliest stages of project development.