> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rainbowstandard.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rainbowstandard.io/modules/infrastructure-and-machinery.md). # Infrastructure and machinery | **Module name** | Infrastructure and machinery | | ------------------- | ---------------------------- | | **Module category** | Transformation | | **Version** | 1.4 | | **Methodology ID** | RBW-MOD-INFRA-V1.4 | | **Release date** | July 1st, 2026 | | **Status** | In use | {% content-ref url="/pages/D1bECpowUAiJorSGzbQY" %} [Glossary](/glossary.md) {% endcontent-ref %} This is a **Transformation Module** and covers the cradle to grave impacts of major infrastructure and machinery. A modular approach allows Project Developers to choose the relevant modules for their project, and shall be used with the necessary accompanying modules and methodology.
How to use this module/pages/Jy6o8q5Q31d2U0OK7Yuo#efpqng3v3ute/files/44lCavW6Ov48oXNcJwNL
BiCRS Methodology/pages/Jy6o8q5Q31d2U0OK7Yuo/files/WBbGVKPBjsK4WhkO6UzS
## Eligibility and scope This module covers the embodied emissions from production and end of life of major infrastructure and machinery used in projects. Specific **infrastructure and machinery vary by project**, and may include but are not limited to: * pyrolysis/gasification/carbonation reactors\* * feedstock shredders, grinders, dryers and conveyors\* * building structure\* * concrete foundations\* * cables used in large quantities * silos and storage facilities * gas cleaning systems * onsite pipelines Items marked with an asterisk are required to be considered in the [GHG reduction quantification](#ghg-reduction-quantification) if they weigh more than 1 tonne. Materials that shall be prioritized are those that are expected to contribute the most to GHG emissions, due to large quantities used and the emission intensity of the material. This includes, for example, **steel and its alloys, concrete, virgin aluminum, and copper**. Other materials that may be considered, but are lower priority because they contribute fewer GHG emissions, include glass, ceramics, various types of plastics and recycled aluminum. Materials not mentioned here may be omitted. Electronic components (e.g. wiring, circuit boards, screens...) are not included due to their small impact and difficulty in data collection.
Items to includeItems to exclude
Items with a lifetime of 1 year or moreItems with a lifetime of less than 1 year are considered consumables, and are considered in the Processing and energy use module.
Items that have been created/are used as a direct result of the project operationsPre-existing infrastructure that would have been used by another company/project, if the present project did not exist (e.g. office buildings, foundations...).
Onsite machinery and equipmentMachinery used in the product life cycle but located outside the direct control of the project (e.g. storage silos at the biomass feedstock collection stage)
This module must be used in conjunction with another Rainbow Methodology. Eligible technologies, certification requirements, and any other requirements shall be taken from the applicable methodology. ## Principles & requirements The principles and requirements specific to this module are detailed in the sections below. Other principles and requirements shall be taken from the accompanying modules and methodologies:
Methodology
  • Additionality
  • No double counting
  • Environmental and social safeguards
/pages/U4Z3Fnknblx87uthmiEP#rainbow-methodologies
Other modules
  • Durability
  • Co-benefits
  • No double counting
  • Environmental and social safeguards
  • Leakage
/pages/eQTO2zpdCEv368f4bRT6
### Monitoring **No default monitoring plan is required for this module** because data are expected to be reported and calculated only once per crediting period. The general [Project Monitoring and Verification](/rainbow-standard-documents/procedures-manual/project-certification-procedure.md#monitoring-and-verification) requirements from the Rainbow Procedures Manual still apply, where Project Developers shall declare any major changes during monitoring, such as if a major piece of machinery was replaced, or a new piece of infrastructure was installed. In such a case, [GHG quantification](#ghg-quantification) shall be performed as described in the previous section, using primary data described in Table 1 and 2. The Project Developer is the party responsible for adhering to the Monitoring Plan. ## GHG quantification The GHG quantification instructions from all other modules used by the project must be used in conjunction with the present module in order to obtain full life-cycle GHG quantifications. The system boundary of this quantification section includes the raw material extraction, processing, and end of life waste treatment of major infrastructure and machinery used in the project life cycle (excluding transport machinery, which are covered in the [Transportation module](/modules/transportation.md)). **Quantification shall be done once during validation,** and GHG emissions shall be allocated temporally to each verification year that credits are issued for (see more details in the [Temporal Allocation](#ly65klblzpa9) section). This module may be considered during monitoring and subsequent verifications only if new infrastructure/machinery are declared by the Project Developer for that year. No Baseline scenario shall be considered by default for this module. It may be included if required by the applicable methodology. Project Developers may choose between two modeling options: * [Full approach](#full-approach): This includes detailed measuring, reporting and modeling of important infrastructure and machinery used. Data collection is more difficult, but fewer conservative assumptions/discounts are made. * [Simplified approach](#simplified-approach): For projects performing pyrolysis and/or gasification a proxy facility with infrastructure and machinery may be used. Data collection is simplified and uncertainty is higher, so efforts are taken to ensure this approach overestimates GHG emissions rather than underestimates. * If the simplified approach shows that Infrastructure and machinery contribute to **more than 5%** of the project's induced emissions (**not** net emissions, including removals), then this life cycle stage is deemed too important for the project and **the simplified approach may not be used**. The project must use the Full approach. ### Data sources The required **primary data** for GHG quantification are presented in Table 1 and 2. These data shall be provided once during validation, and made publicly available. *Table 1 Summary of primary data needed from projects and their source for initial project certification and validation for the full quantification approach. Two asterisks (\*\*) indicate which data are optional, where a conservative default choice will be applied.*
ApproachParameterUnitSource
FullItem typeSelectionNA
FullMaterial typeSelectionTechnical specifications, bill of materials, invoices, building design documents
FullMaterial amountkg, tonne, m^3Same as above
FullItem lifetime**yearsSame as above
FullList of items that were excludedSelectionDescription of the system and transparent justification
SimplifiedTonnes of biomass processed annually (dry matter)tonneContract with biomass supplier, operations tracking, invoices
Data shall be reported in terms of items (e.g. pyrolysis reactor) and the materials that make up each item (e.g. stainless steel, ceramics). Material amounts may be directly provided in the sources, or may be calculated using basic conversions based on a primary source plus justified conversion factors (e.g. density). The [ecoinvent database](#user-content-fn-1)[^1] version 3.12 (hereafter referred to as ecoinvent) shall be the main source of emission factors unless otherwise specified. Ecoinvent is preferred because it is traceable, reliable, and well-recognized. The ecoinvent processes selected are detailed in [Appendix](#appendix). If the available emission factors do not accurately represent the project, a **different emission factor may be submitted by the Project Developer, and approved by the Rainbow Certification Team and the VVB**. Any emission factor must meet the data requirements outlined in the [Rainbow Standard Rules](/rainbow-standard-documents/rainbow-standard-rules/ghg-quantification.md#input-data), and come from traceable, transparent, unbiased, and reputable sources. No other secondary data sources are used in this module. ### Temporal allocation Infrastructure and machinery have significant GHG emissions over their entire lifespan. However, for the purpose of issuing carbon credits, these emissions must be distributed proportionally across the specific monitoring period ("amortized"), rather than being counted entirely upfront. {% hint style="info" %} For example, if a pyrolysis machine has an expected lifetime of 7 years, and its embodied life cycle GHG emissions are 35 t CO$$\_2$$eq, then its emissions amortized to 1 year are $$35/7=5$$ t CO$$\_2$$eq/year. For the annual verification and issuance of the project, 5 t CO$$\_2$$eq would be counted towards the project emissions for the pyrolysis machinery. {% endhint %} The lifetimes provided in Table 2 shall be used by default for various types of items. Note that they are very conservative estimates for lifetimes in order to avoid over-crediting, and due to the high uncertainty around the durability of such items. Project Developers may provide proof to justify a different lifetime, subject to the approval of the VVB and the Rainbow Certification Team. *Table 2 Assumed expected lifetimes are presented for various types of machinery and infrastructure.* | Item | Lifetime (years) | | ------------------------------------------ | ---------------- | | Industrial pyrolysis reactor | 7 | | Kon Tiki kiln | 7 | | Feedstock shredder, grinder, dryer | 7 | | Gas cooling, cleaning, and energy recovery | 10 | | Silos, hoppers | 10 | | Buildings, sheds | 20 | | Aboveground pipelines | 20 | | Underground pipelines | 40 | | Building foundations | 50 | ### Assumptions * The estimated lifetimes presented in Table 2 are assumptions. * The end of life waste treatment methods are assumed, because it is impossible to know what waste treatment methods will be common many years in the future. * Emission factors for items and materials are grouped together under the most common representative type available in ecoinvent. For example, hundreds of ecoinvent processes are available that describe various production, processing, and waste treatment of steel, but only a selection of steel-related processes are made available in the Rainbow platform (see options in [Appendix 1](#appendix)). ### Project scenario First all **total GHG emissions** from infrastructure and machinery are quantified. Then they are **amortized to the duration of the monitoring period** based on the expected lifetime of each item. Finally they can be **normalized to the functional unit of 1 tonne of carbon storage solution**, based on the amount of carbon storage solution generated during the monitoring period. They can optionally be normalized to the Batch, or to the tonne of carbon storage solution in a given Batch, for informational purposes only. RCCs are ultimately verified and issued based on the mitigation activity output during monitoring period. #### Full approach Project Developers shall select items/materials used among the options in [Appendix 1](#appendix). If the relevant input is not listed, it may be added/considered on a case by case basis, and approved by the Rainbow Certification Team and the VVB. For each material, Project Developers shall provide the item it corresponds to (e.g. steel for pyrolysis reactor, steel for silo...) and the amount used in the item. Items may be composed of multiple materials, or only one main material. Default lifetimes provided in Table 2 shall be applied, unless Project Developers justify a different lifetime.
Calculations: Full approach $$\textbf{(Eq.1)}\ E\_{item, total} = \sum (\text{Amount}*{material, i}\times EF*{material, i}) \div 1000$$ Where, * $$E\_{item, total}$$ represents the total emissions from one item over its service lifetime * $$Amount\_{material, i}$$ represents the amount of the material of type $$i$$ used in that item, in the same units as the emission factor described below * $$EF\_{material,i}$$ represents the emission factor/s for the material of type $$i$$ in kgCO$$\_2$$eq per given unit from ecoinvent. Based on the available ecoinvent process, some materials require compiling raw material, processing, and waste treatment processes, and some already include these multiple steps. * It is divided by 1000 to convert kgCO$$\_2$$eq to tCO$$\_2$$eq, to be compatible with the Rainbow quantification framework in other modules and methodologies. $$\textbf{(Eq.2)}\ E\_{item, MP} = E\_{item, total} \times \frac{MP\ duration}{lifetime\ item}$$ Where, * $$E\_{item, MP}$$ represents the emissions of one item amortized to the duration of the monitoring period, i.e. the duration for which RCCs are issued * $$E\_{item, total}$$ was calculated in Equation 1 * $$MP\ duration$$ represents the duration of the monitoring period, in days or years. The units shall match the $$lifetime\ item$$ units used below. * $$lifetime\ item$$ represents the expected service lifetime of the item type, as presented in Table 2 in years. It may be converted to days to match a $$MP\ duration$$ reported in days. $$\textbf{(Eq.3)}\ E\_{infra,machinery} = \sum (E\_{item,MP})$$ Where, * $$E\_{infra,machinery}$$ represents the total emissions from this module allocated to the project for the **annual verification period** * $$E\_{item,MP}$$ was calculated in Equation 2.
#### Simplified approach Although it is more precise to accurately measure and report all machinery and infrastructure, this represents a large data collection burden for a life cycle stage that is not expected to be a major contributor to GHG emissions in many projects. Therefore, Project Developers that perform pyrolysis and/or gasification may choose between a **full, detailed model** of their infrastructure and machinery using primary data, or a **simplified approach using a proxy** biomass gasification factory with approximately 400-500 tCO2eq over the lifetime (see Appendix 1 for the ecoinvent processes details). The proxy represents a global average biomass gasification factory, so it is adapted by replacing heat and electricity inputs with country-specific sources. It includes the production and waste treatment of buildings, facilities, dryer, gasifier, communication equipment, and gas treatment and conditioning equipment. Note that due to high uncertainty in the simplified approach, **conservative assumptions will be made that likely lead lead to overestimating project emissions** from the infrastructure and machinery life cycle stage. For example, although the ecoinvent process represents a facility with a 50 year lifetime, a 15 year lifetime shall be assumed here (see [Temporal allocation](#ly65klblzpa9) section). Project Developers shall provide the amount of biomass processes annually, which is used to adjust the default facility to the project size. {% hint style="info" %} For example, if the default facility has * a life cycle impact of 400 t CO$$\_2$$eq and * a rate of 10,000 tonnes of dry biomass processed annually then a project that processes 5,000 tonnes of biomass is assumed to be half the size and have half the impacts of the default option. Therefore, the project would have 200 t CO$$\_2$$eq from infrastructure and machinery. {% endhint %}
Calculations: Simplified approach $$\textbf{(Eq.4)}\ E\_{infra, machinery} =\frac{Biomass\_P}{Biomass\_D} \times EF\_D \times \frac{MP\ duration}{lifetime\ item} \div 1000$$ Where, * $$E\_{infra, machinery}$$ is described in Equation 3 * $$Biomass\_P$$ represents the annual amount of biomass processed by the project, in tonnes of dry matter * $$Biomass\_D$$ represents the annual amount of biomass processed by the default facility according to ecoinvent, in tonnes of dry matter * $$EF\_D$$ represents the emission factor for the default facility, described above and in [Appendix 1](#appendix), in kgCO2eq * It is divided by 1000 to convert kgCO$$\_2$$eq to tCO$$\_2$$eq, to be compatible with the Rainbow quantification framework in other modules and methodologies. * $$MP\ duration$$ represents the duration of the monitoring period, in days or years. The units shall match the $$lifetime\ item$$ units used below. * $$lifetime\_{facility}$$ represents the assumed lifetime of the default facility, used to amortize impacts to the monitoring period. As described above, this is assumed to be 15 years.
### Uncertainty assessment See general instructions for uncertainty assessment in the [Rainbow Standard Rules](/rainbow-standard-documents/rainbow-standard-rules/ghg-quantification.md#uncertainty-assessment). The outcome of the assessment shall be used to determine the percent of RCCs to eliminate with the [**discount factor**](#user-content-fn-2)[^2]. Uncertainty may come from project data, but this is estimated to be negligible, since it is required to come from a primary source. The uncertainty of the assumptions in this module is assessed below: * There is high uncertainty in default expected lifetimes for infrastructure and machinery items, and results are very sensitive to this parameter. Conservative values within a reasonable range were taken. * There is high uncertainty in the future waste treatment methods, but results are not very sensitive to this parameter. * There is moderate uncertainty in assuming that the selection of ecoinvent processes for a given material/item are representative of all its uses. It is expected that the overall project emissions will typically not be very sensitive to the infrastructure and machinery module emissions and uncertainty, since they usually make up a small fraction of the total emissions. The uncertainty for projects from this module is therefore estimated to be low. This translates to an **expected discount factor of at least 3%** for projects that have significant GHG impacts from infrastructure and machinery. ## CRCF requirements
🇪🇺 CRCF requirements: Infrastructure and machinery **Scope and requirements** For CRCF-projects, the following requirements apply for the quantification of embodied emissions from infrastructure and machinery: * Embodied emissions shall be assessed for facilities that first came into operation or have been expanded or refitted within 15 years prior to the validation date of the project, or will be expanded or refitted within the certification period. * For any other facility, embodied emissions shall be considered to be zero * A materiality assessment according to the [Rainbow Standard Rules](/rainbow-standard-documents/rainbow-standard-rules/ghg-quantification.md#project-system-boundary) may be undertaken for the sum of the embodied emissions across all relevant facilities. If the embodied emissions are considered to be material, they shall be fully quantified. * Embodied emissions shall only be assessed for the part of the facility or equipment that is directly required for the carbon removal activity. * Any embodied emissions associated with non-biomass renewable energy generating equipment shall be excluded from that calculation. * The scope of processes to include in quantification shall also include fuel combustion, electricity use, and heat use from the construction process. These shall be either: * already embedded in the emission factor chosen, * or added in the [Processing and energy use](/modules/processing-and-energy-use.md#ghg-quantification) module calculations, to complement the material emission factors described here. * Expected service lifetimes of 15 or 20 years shall be used. No default lifetimes from Table 2 may be used. * If a facility has equal or lower material requirements for construction than a previously constructed facility of the same type, Project Developers may use the embodied emissions for that previous facility for an estimate of embodied emissions for the new facility. **Data sources** Project Developers shall provide: * Expected annual average utilization of the facility or equipment over its operational lifetime, in e.g. hours/year, tCO2 handled/year, from technical specifications * Annual average utilization of the facility or equipment by the project, in e.g. hours/year, tCO2 handled/year, from internal tracking documents, invoices, or contracts. **Calculations** The amortized total embodied emissions for each facility (i.e the part of the facility and equipment directly required for the carbon removal activity) shall be calculated using Eq. 5. This continues until either the 15th or 20th year after the facility came into operation, was expanded, or was refitted, depending on the chosen amortization period. $$\textbf{(Eq.5)}\ E\_{infra, machinery, CRCF} = \frac {Q\_{project}}{Q\_{total}}\* \frac {E\_{fuel}+E\_ {electricity}+E\_ {heat}+E\_ {material}}{T}$$ * $$E\_{infra,machinery, CRCF}$$ represents the total emissions from this module allocated to the CRCF-project for the **annual verification period** * $$Q\_{project}$$ represents the annual average utilization of the facility or equipment by the project in a relevant unit (e.g. hours/year, tCO2 handled/year). * $$Q\_{total}$$ represents the estimated annual average utilization of the facility or equipment over its operational lifetime, in the same unit as $$Q\_{project}$$. * $$E\_{fuel}$$ represents the total emissions from fuel combustion in the construction of the facility, in tCO2 eq. Calculated according to Eq. 6 below. * $$E\_{electricity}$$ represents the total emissions from electricity used in the construction of the facility, in tCO2 eq. Calculated according to Eq. 6 below. * $$E\_{heat}$$ represents the total emissions from heat used in the construction of the facility, in tCO2 eq. Calculated according to Eq. 6 below. * $$E\_{material}$$ represents the total emissions from materials in the construction of the facility, in tCO2 eq. Calculated according to Eq. 6 below. * $$T$$ represents the amortization period of either 15 or 20 years.
**🇪🇺CRCF requirement: Emission factors** For projects that comply with the EU [Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202403012) (EU/2024/3012), emission factors shall be calculated according to the rules set out below.
🇪🇺 CRCF emission factors for electricity The emission factor for electricity consumption shall be calculated in accordance with paragraphs 5 and 6 of Part A of the Annex to [Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1185](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R1185#anx_1). **Paragraph 5: Fully renewable electricity** Where electricity qualifies as fully renewable under Article 27(3) of the [Renewable Energy Directive (RED)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32018L2001#art_27), its emission factor is **zero**. Electricity qualifies as fully renewable under either of the following conditions: * It comes from a **direct connection** to a dedicated renewable generation installation, provided that Project Developers can demonstrate compliance with the rules set out in Article 3 of the [Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2023/1184/oj), summarized below for information purposes * The installation comes into operation after, or at the same time, as the carbon removal project; and * The installation is either not connected to the grid, or is connected to the grid but evidence can be provided that the electricity consumed by the project has been supplied without drawing from the grid. * It is **taken from the grid** and Project Developers can demonstrate compliance with the rules set out in Article 4 of the [Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2023/1184/oj). According to Article 4, electricity taken from the grid qualifies as fully renewable if: * the project is located in a bidding zone where the grid is already over 90% renewable, within a capped number of operating hours proportional to that renewable share. * the grid's emission intensity at the project location is below 18 gCO2eq/MJ and the Project Developer has a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) backed by electricity that meets temporal and geographical correlation requirements. * it is consumed during periods when renewable generators were being curtailed (redispatched downwards), meaning the project is effectively absorbing excess clean energy that would otherwise be wasted. * Where none of the above apply, grid electricity can still be counted as fully renewable if it meets the full set of requirements: additionality, temporal correlation, and geographic correlation as defined in Articles 5, 6, and 7 of that same Regulation. **Paragraph 6: Electricity not qualifying as fully renewable** Where electricity does not meet the above conditions, one of the following three methods shall be used to determine its GHG emission factor * Use the default GHG emission values calculated according to Part C of the Annex to [Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1185](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R1185#anx_1). This gives a country- or bidding-zone-specific average emission factor for grid electricity, based on the actual energy mix of the grid where the facility operates. * The GHG emission factor is determined by comparing the number of hours the production facility operates per year against a regulatory threshold, defined as the number of hours in which renewable generators or nuclear power plants set the marginal electricity price in the preceding calendar year. * **If the facility operates for a number of hours equal to or below that threshold**, it is considered to draw electricity only during periods when the grid is predominantly supplied by clean energy. Grid electricity is therefore assigned a GHG value of **0 gCO2eq/MJ**. * **If the facility operates for more hours than that threshold**, the facility is also running during periods when fossil fuels set the electricity price. Grid electricity is therefore assigned a GHG value of **183 gCO****2****eq/MJ,** which is the standard fossil electricity comparator under RED III. * Where publicly available, the GHG emission factor of the specific unit generating electricity **at the exact time of electricity consumption by the project** can be used, as published by the national transmission system operator (TSO) of the relevant bidding zone. {% hint style="info" %} If the emission factor is determined by comparing the operating hours against a regulatory threshold (method 2), this methods shall be applied to **all** electricity consumed by the project, including any electricity that would otherwise qualify as fully renewable under Paragraph 5. Developers cannot combine this method for grid electricity with a zero-emission factor for their dedicated renewable supply. The choice of method is therefore a commitment that applies across the entire electricity input of the project. {% endhint %} **Additional information for the calculation of the electricity emission factor** **Calculation timeframe.** By default, emission factors are calculated over a full calendar year. Where the project's monitoring period does not align with calendar year boundaries, the following flexibility applies: * If the monitoring period falls **entirely within a single calendar year**, the emission factor may be calculated either for the exact monitoring period or for the full calendar year. * If the monitoring period **spans two calendar years**, a separate emission factor shall be calculated for each calendar year, either based on the exact portion of the monitoring period falling within each year, or based on the full respective calendar years. **Temporal correlation.** Where required by Article 4 of the [Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1184](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg_del/2023/1184/oj), Project Developers shall demonstrate temporal correlation between the consumption and generation of renewable electricity in accordance with the rules set out in Article 6 of that same Regulation, except where the derogation below applies. Project Developers of new carbon capture facilities or biochar production facilities can apply **annual temporal correlation**, provided that a final investment decision has been made and construction has started no later than 31 December 2029. This derogation applies until the earlier of the following: * 31 December 2044, or * The end of the first CRCF crediting period **Different electricity sources.** Project Developers can choose **different methods** to calculate the electricity emission factor for different project sites and different electricity sources.
🇪🇺 CRCF emission factors for heat The emission factor applied to heat inputs shall be determined according to the heat source, as follows: * The emission factor is **zero for heat** * recovered from a process that is part of the project's activity; * generated from non-biomass renewable sources; * generated from nuclear energy production; * recovered from a process from which heat was not previously recovered until a maximum of three months prior to the start of the project's activity. * Heat generated by **combustion of fossil fuels**. The emission factor shall be the lifecycle emission factor for fossil fuel supply and combustion, taken from the latest version of the Joint Research Centre's [*Definition of input data to assess GHG default emissions from biofuels in EU legislation*](https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/7d6dd4ba-720a-11e9-9f05-01aa75ed71a1/language-en), and divided by the thermal efficiency of the heat generation process. * Heat generated from **biomass, biofuel, bioliquid, or biomass fuel** (Excluding own-heat consumption by a facility capturing CO2 from biomass combustion for energy generation). The emission factor shall cover supply and combustion emissions, excluding CO2 from combustion, of the relevant biomass-derived fuel, calculated in accordance with Annex VI of the [Renewable Energy Directive (RED)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32018L2001#art_27), and divided by the thermal efficiency of the heat generation process. * Heat recovered from an **existing process**, or from a **new process** coming into operation less than 6 months prior to the start of the project, and not directly related to the project. The emission factor shall be set to the EU ETS benchmark emission factor for heat. * Heat **supplied from a heat network.** The emission factor shall be set to the EU ETS benchmark emission factor for heat. * In the case of **net heat export from the project**, the emission factor shall be zero.
🇪🇺 CRCF emission factors for fossil fuel and material input Emission factors can be taken either from the ecoinvent database or from the following hierarchical list, sourcing the emission factors from the first source in the list from which it is available and using, where available, the most recent version of the sources * part B of the Annex to [Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1185](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32023R1185#anx_1); * the most recent version of the Environmental Footprint datasets, or EF-compliant datasets; * the Joint Research Centre's [*Definition of input data to assess GHG default emissions from biofuels in EU legislation*](https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/7d6dd4ba-720a-11e9-9f05-01aa75ed71a1/language-en)*;* * the [JEC Well-to-Wheels report](https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/7a2ecdc8-fed8-11ea-b44f-01aa75ed71a1/language-en); * the ecoinvent database, version 3.5 or a more recent version * official sources such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), International Energy Agency (IEA), or government; * other reviewed sources or peer-reviewed publications. Emission factors shall cover all emissions linked to sourcing and delivering inputs up to the point of use. Where needed, emission factors shall be adjusted to remove any carbon contained in the input material itself. If that carbon is later released through processes within the activity, it shall be recorded as a direct emission source. {% hint style="info" %} **Example: Diesel use** Consider diesel consumed by machinery on site. The emission factor for diesel covers upstream emissions such as crude oil extraction, refining, and transport to the point of use. The carbon contained in the diesel itself is excluded from this factor. When diesel is combusted, the resulting CO2 emissions are recorded separately as a direct emission source. Project Developers shall therefore apply two distinct emission factors: one for the upstream supply chain of diesel, and one for its combustion. {% endhint %}
## Appendix The table below presents a non-exhaustive selection of Ecoinvent activities that may be used in the GHG reduction calculations for this module. Additional activities may be used for any project, if the following selection does not cover all relevant activities. *Table A1 List of ecoinvent 3.12 processes used in the GHG reduction quantification model, all processes are from the cutoff database*
InputEcoinvent activity name
Steel alloy, stainless steel productionmarket for steel, chromium steel 18/8, hot rolled, GLO
Unalloyed steel productionmarket for steel, low-alloyed, hot rolled, GLO
Reinforcing steel (building)market for reinforcing steel, GLO
All steel end of lifemarket for waste reinforcement steel, RoW
Concrete productionmarket for concrete, normal strength, RoW
Concrete end of lifemarket for waste concrete, not reinforced, Europe without Switzerland
Copper productionmarket for copper, cathode, GLO
Aluminum productionmarket for aluminium, wrought alloy, GLO
Default facility for simplified approach
  • synthetic gas factory construction, RoW
  • heat, district or industrial, other than natural gas, Europe without Switzerland
  • market group for electricity, medium voltage, European Network of Transmission Systems Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E)
## Version history
ChangeJustificationDateVersion changed
Adapt equations to accommodate non-annual monitoring periodsMonitoring periods and credit issuance on timeframe other than annualJuly 1st, 2026V1.3 to V1.4
Add rules for emission factor calculation for CRCF projectsCompliance with the EU Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) Regulation (EU/2024/3012)July 1st, 2026V1.3 to V1.4
Add Kon Tiki kilns to list of machinery, with 7 year lifetimeFor use in Distributed Biochar methodologyApril 24th, 2026V1.2 to V1.3
Change GHG quantification from ecoinvent v3.11 to v3.12Using more recent version of databaseJanuary 21st, 2026V1.1 to V1.2
Restructure sections: added Baseline Scope, renamed Eligible technologies to Eligibility and scope, renamed Eligibility criteria to Principles & requirements, moved Monitoring Plan to Principles & requirementsAlign with Standard Rules V7 structureJanuary 21st, 2026V1.1 to V1.2
Change from BiCRS module to general module, remove BiCRS specific contentMake module more widely usable, e.g. for enhanced rock weathering and carbonationSeptember 10, 2025V1.0 to V1.1
Change GHG quantification from ecoinvent v3.10 to v3.11Using more recent version of databaseSeptember 2025V1.0 to V1.1
First release of module-December 4th, 2024V1
[^1]: Wernet, G., Bauer, C., Steubing, B., Reinhard, J., Moreno-Ruiz, E., Weidema, B., 2016. The ecoinvent database version 3 (part I): overview and methodology. Int J Life Cycle Assess 21, 1218–1230. [^2]: A percentage of verified Rainbow Carbon Credits eliminated from each project and never issued. This acts as a safeguard against uncertainty in GHG reduction quantifications and overestimated carbon removal/avoidance. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.rainbowstandard.io/modules/infrastructure-and-machinery.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.