A framework for evaluating measurable and verifiable greenhouse gas emission reductions from electricity generated using heat from the Earth’s interior.
The Quality Magma heat to Electricity Standard™ covers a wide range of geothermal technologies where electricity generation driven by heat from the Earth’s interior can lead to greenhouse gas emission reductions across the system. The standard can be applied to both current and future technologies.
QMES™ evaluates technological solutions that use heat from the Earth’s interior for electricity generation.
The standard evaluates the process, energy conversion and related input/output data of Magma heat to Electricity technological solutions.
QMES™ aims to determine and credit the quantifiable CO₂e gain resulting from geothermal electricity generation.
QMES™ is intended to evaluate all potential geothermal technological solutions and techniques that may be capable of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The standard allows the assessment of both current and future technologies that do not yet exist.
The technology description, key processes, process steps, inputs and outputs, and the project carbon footprint.
The standard takes the assessment through comparison of the base project and the “Magma heat to Electricity” project results, benchmarking, determination of the CO₂e gain and credit conversion.
The mission of QMES™ is to provide a future-proof, hands-on methodology for all interested parties in the Voluntary Carbon Market.
Appropriate access to relevant basic data and documentation supports cross-checking of the credibility of calculations.
The project owner is responsible for the validity, integrity and accuracy of submitted input data and documentation. Data retrievability is a fundamental operating condition of the VCM.
Continuous improvement of QMES™ is driven by quality management, technological development and sustainability goals.
Full-scale technology mapping, process, material and energy flows, the pre-project state and a long-term results perspective of at least 100 years.
Assessment of technology, process, inputs, outputs and calculations, with professional cross-checking of every calculation and use of up-to-date variables.
Ownership of the project CO₂ result and exclusion of double use must be supported by legally binding declarations; without them, assessment or registration cannot proceed.
The QMES™ process logic connects determination of the base project and “Magma heat to Electricity” project carbon footprints, process and carbon calculations, benchmarking, determination of the CO₂e gain and credit conversion.
Detailed mapping of the technological processes and key elements.
Calculation of the carbon footprints of the base project and the “Magma heat to Electricity” project.
Comparison of the results of the two projects to determine the CO₂e gain.
Quantification of the annual CO₂e gain and use of up-to-date variables.
Credit conversion based on the calculated and verified CO₂e result.
The QMES™ standard also defines the methodological framework for creating Quality Magma heat to Electricity Credit™, or QMEC™.
According to QMES™, one carbon credit represents one tonne of CO₂e greenhouse gas emissions in the Voluntary Carbon Market. QMEC™ is linked to an actual GHG emission reduction, prevention or elimination result determined under QMES™.
According to the document, crediting follows an ex-post financing logic: payment for registered credits is not a donation, sponsorship or support for a future project, but post-financing linked to work already completed and a verified result.
The QMES™ credit generation Numeric Counting Model is based on the Technology Scan Model and the process presented in the standard. The calculation framework compares the carbon footprints of the base project and the “Magma heat to Electricity” project, applies benchmarking and determines the annual CO₂e gain.
The iCC-designed calculation tables and methodological details associated with the individual models are iCC intellectual property and, according to the standard, are not published openly.
QMES™ applies a conservative approach when estimating or deriving necessary data so that CO₂e elimination, reduction or prevention is not overestimated.
This website presents the purpose, scope, principles and general calculation logic of the Quality Magma heat to Electricity Standard™. The full standard contains detailed technological, calculation, documentation and legal requirements.
The 2024 standard describes the assessment of projects generating electricity from magma heat, the technological process, the calculation model and credit generation.
Request access to the full standard documentation, or submit the basic data of your electricity generation project using magma heat for a preliminary assessment.
Request information about access to the full QMES™ documentation, licences or conditions of professional use.
Submit the basic data of your electricity generation project using magma heat for a preliminary QMES™ assessment.