GHG Emission Reductions through Truck Stop Electrification

The American Carbon Registry (ACR), a non-profit enterprise of Winrock International, welcomes feedback from its members, project proponents and other interested parties on version 1.1 of its Methodology for GHG Emission Reductions through Truck Stop Electrification. This methodology is applicable to projects that result in a reduction in direct GHG emissions from diesel engine idling of long-haul trucks, through the installation and use of single-system Truck Stop Electrification (TSE) technologies.

TSE systems eligible under this methodology must use grid-connected electrical power, and must operate with the truck’s main propulsion (diesel) engine fully shut off. The methodology is currently only applicable in the United States due to its use of U.S.-specific references and emission factors. Baseline emissions from diesel idling are calculated using California Air Resources Board emission factors, and project emissions from electricity generation are calculated using USEPA eGRID factors.

Proposed modification

Version 1.0 of Methodology for GHG Emission Reductions through Truck Stop Electrification requires Project Proponents to interview a minimum of 51% of TSE customers. If the average age of trucks as determined by the survey is less than five years, the baseline CO₂ emission rates (based on California Air Resources Board EMFAC 2011 data) are discounted by 5%, based on the assumption is that younger trucks are more efficient and will consume less diesel when idling in the baseline scenario. The discount to baseline emissions is used to ensure conservativeness in crediting.

In a proposed modification, IdleAir argues that the 51% survey is unnecessary and onerous. A survey of TSE customers is still required, but the 51% sample is replaced with a random statistical sample of TSE customers designed to achieve minimum precision criteria. If the Project Proponent opts not to survey enough TSE customers to reach the required level of precision, then the uncertainty (i.e. margin of error in the survey) must be added to the overall uncertainty deduction.

This change is highlighted yellow in the public comment draft. There are no other differences between v1.0 and v1.1.

Please send all comments by close of business July 12, 2013 to ACR@winrock.org.

This methodology was developed by ACR in collaboration with IdleAir, and approved through ACR’s public consultation and scientific peer review process.

Process documentation:

• Original methodology as submitted for approval
• Scientific peer review comments and responses
• ACR Approved Methodology for GHG Emission Reductions through Truck Stop Electrification v1.0