At the end of stage 1, you will have developed a strategy for further action: selling credits, buying credits or implementing emission reduction measures. Whichever strategy you adopt, you will need to draw up a monitoring protocol.

If emission reduction is your chosen strategy, it is important to consider the instrumentation to be used, as well as the technical options for realization of the planned reductions. Likely technical options include installing an SCR-system, fitting your gas turbine with low-NOx burners, taking energy conservation measures and making use of renewable energy.

KEMA is also able to assist with the establishment of a management information system – creating an IT-infrastructure, setting up accounting arrangements and organizing the trading.

All companies involved in NOx emission trading are required to have monitoring protocols that conform to the Schedule of Requirements for NOx Monitoring Protocols published by the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (VROM). A monitoring protocol stipulates how the data used for NOx emission trading is to be gathered, processed, recorded and reported within the relevant business.

A similar system is likely to be introduced for CO2 emission trading.

KEMA provides customized support with emission protocol design. We have drawn up detailed guidelines for the creation and maintenance of continuous measurement systems. We also have handbooks on the measurement, verification and reporting of emissions and annual discharge quantities at large combustion plants. These documents cover the use of a wide variety of fuels, including gas, coal, oil and biomass.

We can formulate monitoring protocols for individual pieces of equipment or complete plants. In all cases, we adhere to the document structure called for in the schedule of requirements. KEMA’s consultants are able to ascertain whether the necessary degree of accuracy will be attained. Where class 1 installations are concerned, the implementation of comparative measurements in accordance with NEN-EN 14181 is also provided for. The protocol can also cover CO2, with a view to facilitating future CO2 emission trading. Once you have a monitoring protocol and your operating data, you are in a position to produce an Annual Emission Report. KEMA has already formulated monitoring protocols for several clients.

The most direct way of measuring NOx emissions is to place appropriate instruments in your plant’s chimney. KEMA operates a number of mobile test stations equipped with sophisticated calibrated analysis equipment, which can be used to measure all relevant components in flue gases, process gases and exhaust gases. We also have a great deal of experience in the accurate determination of NOx emissions. We work to standardized methods and our Emission Measurement Department is both STERLAB-accredited and ISO 9001-certified. All relevant components in flue gases, process gases and exhaust gases can be measured. Using the data collected, we design a Predictive Emission Measurement System (PEMS) or define reference figures for the installation. Furthermore, emission measurements are easily combined with performance measurements: comparative measurements in accordance with NEN-EN 14181 are obligatory for class 1 installations. 

The measurement of CO2 emissions is not so straightforward. As a result, these emissions and any reduction in them are often determined mathematically.

SCR
To ensure that the amount of NOx leaving your combustion plant does not exceed the applicable limit, it is important that your SCR system (Selective Catalytic Reduction system or DeNOx system) is working optimally. And, even with an efficient SCR system, process optimization can produce attractive savings. With a catalyst test rig and sophisticated modeling tools at our disposal, we are able to accurately determine the performance of your SCR system.

Gas turbine
Co-generation plants are valuable assets designed for many years of use. And the gas turbine is both the most powerful and the most critical single item of machinery at such a plant. From an operating viewpoint, good problem-free performance and low emissions are of particular importance. In relation to maintenance, the priorities are short stops, low costs and reliable inspection results.

NOx-reduction measures
Electric power generators and other heavy industries must leverage significant capital investments and strategic planning in NOx-reduction measures to ensure compliance and to avoid costly consequences.

Energy conservation measures
Emission reduction is not dependent solely on technical measures; a great deal can also be achieved by good housekeeping. By looking carefully at the processes operated within your business and at the associated energy flows, KEMA will be able to identify ways of cutting energy consumption and thus bringing down emissions.

Renewable energy
KEMA has been actively involved in the development and implementation of bio-energy and co-firing projects. Consequently, KEMA is able to clearly identify all the options open to you and to advise you on the best route. We can provide support and guidance from initial concept development, through the permit application phase, environmental impact reporting, technical feasibility and economic viability assessment, and ultimately on to the design, realization and implementation of your bio-energy plant.

Another possible way of achieving emission reductions is the use of wind turbines. Our expertise in the field of wind energy provides extensive background information regarding the establishment of wind energy projects.

A management system can support the implementation of the measures required in the context of your emission strategy. You might choose to set up a steering committee, for example, to develop an emission trading vision for your business and to help design your central emission registration system.

When designing a central emission registration system, a number of points need to be addressed, including:

• size of the system (what gases and what equipment are to be covered, etc) 
• bookkeeping methods to be used 
• links to other processes (annual reporting, etc) 
• accuracy     

Our organizational expertise and experience with management system IT and implementation issues means that KEMA can provide support in all the relevant fields.For more information please contact us.