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Business Field Sustainability

Proof of Origin for Green Electricity

TÜV NORD CERT independently verifies the information for certificates of origin so that electricity from renewable sources can be correctly registered and allocated.

Contact us in just 1 minute for proof of origin for green electricity
An engineer is observing a wind turbine that generates green electricity.

What is a Proof of Origin?

The Federal Environment Agency maintains an electronic registry of guarantees of origin for electricity from renewable energy sources. The environmental verifiers at TÜV NORD CERT Prüf- und Umweltgutachtergesellschaft mbH confirm the accuracy of the information provided in the plant registration and verify compliance with the requirements for issuing guarantees of origin, as specified in the Implementing Regulation. We can offer our services in the following scenarios:
 

Plant Registration (> 100 kW):

  • Plants for which no payments under Section 19 of the Renewable Energy Sources Act have been claimed for the electricity generated in the five years prior to the application for registration
  • Biomass plants (plants that use biomass exclusively, as well as co-firing plants)
  • High-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) plants

Issuance of certificates of origin:

  • Coupled issuance of certificates of origin (confirmation that plant operators have sold and delivered the amount of electricity underlying the certificate of origin to the applicant electricity supply company (EVU))
  • Pumped-storage power plants with natural inflows or run-of-river power plants that regulate the head difference through pumping operations
  • Confirmation of the amount of electricity and the share of renewable energy in the energy content of the fuels used
  • Confirmation of the amount of electricity for plants > 250 kW, if the amount of electricity has not been reported by the electricity grid operator
  • For high-efficiency CHP plants

For whom is a proof of origin for green electricity intended?

The proof of origin for green electricity is intended for operators of renewable energy plants whose generated electricity is not compensated through the EEG surcharge. The certificate of origin is particularly relevant for energy suppliers and electricity providers who wish to label and market the electricity they produce as green electricity.

Your benefits of TÜV NORD certification

  • By obtaining certification for proof of origin for electricity from renewable energy sources, you, as an electricity producer, comply with the requirements of the Energy Industry Act and the Renewable Energy Sources Act.
  • In addition, the proof of origin provides the basis for selling electricity to energy suppliers — since they can only resell the electricity to end consumers as green electricity if it is accompanied by a certificate of origin.
  • The independent audit by TÜV NORD helps build additional trust among your customers.

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Product Data Sheet

Certificates of origin for renewable energy
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Making the most of market opportunities

The issuance of Proofs of Origin by an accredited environmental verifier organization creates new market opportunities for operators of renewable energy generation facilities. It enables access to new customer groups and markets that place a strong emphasis on sustainable energy. In addition, operators can generate additional revenue through the sale of Proofs of Origin. An environmental verifier organization supports operators in making the most of these opportunities and strengthening their competitive position.

Frequently asked questions

FAQs on Green Heating

The issuance of Proofs of Origin requires that the installation be registered with the German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) and that confirmations be provided by a recognized body such as TÜV NORD CERT Prüf- und Umweltgutachtergesellschaft mbH. The specific requirements depend on the type of installation and determine what must be verified. This may include, for example, electricity generation volumes and efficiency factors or compliance with specific installation quality criteria. Verification involves both an on-site inspection and a review of the relevant documentation.

Proofs of Origin can be issued for electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydropower, or biomass, provided that neither a feed-in tariff under the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) nor a market premium is granted for the electricity produced. This enables electricity producers to comply with the applicable legal requirements while creating the basis for successfully marketing their renewable electricity.

Proofs of Origin are issued by TÜV NORD CERT Prüf- und Umweltgutachtergesellschaft mbH, as it is recognized as an authorized verification body. 

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TÜV NORD CERT GmbH

TÜV NORD's environmental verification unit TÜV NORD CERT Prüf- und Umweltgutachtergesellschaft mbH is an internationally recognized and reliable partner for verification services. Our environmental assessors have in-depth knowledge and are always permanently employed by TÜV NORD. This guarantees independence and neutrality as well as continuity in the support of our customers. The benefit to you is clear: assessors accompany and support the development of your company and provide you with objective feedback.