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Tell us how you�re reducing methane emissions
Please note that this page has been archived. For access to the latest tools, resources, and interactive search to finding information by sector or topic, please visit the Tools and Resources home page.

Tools

The Global Methane Initiative (GMI) provides models, methane emissions calculators, videos, and a variety of other tools for the sectors. Partners, subcommittee delegates, and Project Network members are encouraged to links to other useful resources and tools. Submit the resources as e-mail attachments to the Administrative Support Group.

Agriculture Tools

  • A Global Perspective of Anaerobic Digestion Policies and Incentives (PDF) (39 pp, 2.35 MB) - This report provides an overview of policies, regulations and government incentives used to promote anaerobic digestion (AD) in 30 countries. The target international audience includes GMI Partner Country representatives; GMI Project Network members; local, regional and national policy influencers; project developers and financing organizations; industry representatives; non-governmental organizations; and universities, academics and researchers. Country-specific examples presented in the report showcase successful policies and incentives that foster consideration and development of AD projects.

    A full listing of the policies, incentives and other factors that influence AD that were researched for this report are available in the Comprehensive List of AD Policies and Incentives (XLSX, 351 KB).

    Detailed information for each country is available for download below.

  • Successful Applications of Anaerobic Digestion from Across the World (PDF) (24 pp, 1.62MB) - This document promotes the social, health, financial, and environmental benefits of anaerobic digestion projects and also provides case studies demonstrating the varied technologies and partners involved in these projects throughout the world. It was compiled by the GMI Agriculture Subcommittee using information provided by Partner Country delegates and Project Network members.

Additional Resources for Agriculture

Global Methane Initiative Resources

Other Useful Resources

Using Manure as a Resource
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Methane Mitigation Matters: Biogas
View More Videos »

Coal Mine Tools

International Clearinghouses:

  • China Coalbed Methane Clearinghouse Exiting Global Methane Initiative - Developed jointly by the former State Administration of Coal Industry (SACI) of China and the U.S. EPA, the clearinghouse informs decision makers and mining officials of the coalbed methane potential in China and provides information to international companies interested in developing coalbed methane projects in China.
  • India Coal Mine Methane / Coalbed Methane (CMM/CBM) Clearinghouse Exiting Global Methane Initiative - Developed jointly by India Ministry of Coal and U.S. EPA, the clearinghouse focuses on the study and development of solutions for overcoming barriers to project development and facilitating investment in coalbed and coal mine methane extraction and utilization projects.
  • Uglemetan - Russian Federation CMM/CBM Clearinghouse Exiting Global Methane Initiative - Managed by the International Coal & Methane Research Center, Uglemetan is organized as an autonomous not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting CBM/CMM recovery and utilization in the Russian Federation and other countries of the Former Soviet Union.

Country-Specific Resources

China

Pre-Feasibility Studies

Feasibility Studies

Colombia

Colombia Coal Mine Methane Market Study New
This document (2019; PDF, 1.4 MB, 50pp) serves to provide an overview of Colombia’s energy markets, and specifically to identify opportunities for coal mine methane (CMM) utilization and emissions reduction projects in Colombia.

Pre-Feasibility Study

India

India Coal Mine Methane Market Study New
This document (2019; PDF, 1.4 MB, 45pp) serves to provide an overview of India’s energy markets, and specifically to identify opportunities for coal mine methane (CMM) utilization and emissions reduction projects in India.

Pre-Feasibility Studies

Kazakhstan

Pre-Feasibility Studies

Mexico

Pre-Feasibility Study

Mongolia

Pre-Feasibility Studies

Poland

Pre-Feasibility Study

Russia

Pre-Feasibility Study

Turkey

Pre-Feasibility Study

Ukraine

Pre-Feasibility Studies

Other Useful Links

MSW Tools

From Farm to Table to Energy: Co-digesting China’s Urban Food Waste in Wastewater Treatment Plants (2018, PDF, 40pp, 0.8MB)

Prepared by the Wilson’s Center China Environment Forum with assistance provided by GMI, the report highlights food waste trends in Chinese cities and assesses the possibilities of redirecting food waste to municipal wastewater (MWW) and sludge-to-energy (StE) plants. This report also highlights some specific gaps that GMI and other organizations could help fill and potential Chinese partners to engage with to highlight the environmental and economic benefits of co-digestion.

Naucalpan, Mexico Waste Characterization Study (2018, Video)

In March 2017, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – as a lead partner in the Waste Initiative – conducted a waste characterization study at the municipality’s transfer station. The study indicated that approximately 69% of the waste handled at the transfer station could be recycled or otherwise diverted from the landfill, and that more than half of the waste could be used as feedstock in composting or anaerobic digestion projects. The municipality is using the results of the study to inform decision making about the project design and procurement options.

Scaling Sludge Mountains: Breaking Down Barriers for Chinese Cities to Turn Sludge Waste into Energy (2018, PDF, 44pp, 1.9MB)

The Wilson Center’s China Environment Forum (CEF) produced this sludge scoping report for the U.S. EPA and the Global Methane Initiative. The report describes drivers that created mountains of municipal sludge, introduces key political and research entities involved in sludge regulation in China, reviews obstacles in adoption of anaerobic digestion, provides a case study of the challenges facing sludge-to-energy projects, and highlights opportunities for U.S. government, cities, and companies to engage with Chinese government agencies.

OrganEcs Exiting Global Methane Initiative

OrganECS coverOrganEcs aims to help local decision makers in their first evaluation of different treatment options (e.g., composting options and/or anaerobic digestion options). OrganEcs helps users determine the economic feasibility of waste management scenarios by calculating tipping fees, sales of products (e.g., organic compost), and the internal rate of return. OrganEcs use requires expert support.

SWEET Exiting Global Methane Initiative

SWEET coverSWEET is a free Excel tool created by the Waste Initiative. SWEET helps users scope emissions sources such as waste collection and transportation, open burning, landfill gas collection systems, organic waste management projects, waste handling equipment (e.g., bulldozers), and waste incineration facilities. It estimates waste sector emissions including methane, black carbon, and several other pollutants. It also evaluates emissions reduction benefits of multiple alternative waste management scenarios.

International Best Practices Guide for Landfill Gas Energy Projects

IBPG coverThe Global Methane Initiative’s new International Best Practices Guide for Landfill Gas Energy (LFGE) Projects provides a broad overview of the development process for LFGE projects and presents the technological, economic and political considerations that typically affect the success of LFGE projects in international settings. The guide presents best practices that encourage environmentally and economically sound LFGE projects and connects stakeholders with available information, tools and services. It is intended for representatives of national, regional, and local governments; landfill owners; energy service providers; corporations and industries; and representatives of not-for-profit organizations.

Landfill Gas Modeling Tools

Several country-specific landfill gas generation models have been developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Landfill Methane Outreach Program. These models were created to help landfill owners and operators and other interested parties evaluate the feasibility and potential benefits of collecting and using LFG for energy recovery.

Global Methane Initiative Guide to On-Line Landfill Gas Resources (XLS, 221 KB)
This guide has been formatted so that you can filter and search for resources by:

  • Topic: LFG recovery and use, clean development mechanisms, climate change, and renewable energy
  • Type of resource: guidance documents, pre-feasibility studies, databases, case studies, software, approved methodologies, and more
  • Applicable country or region, and
  • Authoring organization

Resource Packet for Industrial Use of Landfill Gas

This resource packet includes several tools to assist in a preliminary evaluation of a direct-use project.

Listed below are descriptions of the content and use for each tool in the packet:

  • Direct-Use of Landfill Gas for Energy - This fact sheet provides a brief introduction to direct-use project types, the economic and environmental benefits of these projects, and considerations that should be addressed during the development of a direct use project.
  • Adapting Boilers to Utilize Landfill Gas - This fact sheet discusses the technical and engineering issues associated with using LFG in boilers originally designed to burn other fuels. Since the most common application of LFG at an industrial facility is boilers, this fact sheet will help you understand what type of modifications are required to utilize LFG in a boiler. Although it is focused on boilers, many of the modifications required to allow a boiler to utilize LFG also pertain to other equipment considered for LFG utilization.
  • Industrial Facility Data Collection Form - Outlines the basic information needed to begin an evaluation of an industrial facility for a direct-use project by understanding its energy utilization profile. This data collection form is intended as a general guide for preliminary evaluation and should not be assumed to capture all important aspects critical to a successful direct-use project.
  • Direct-Use of Landfill Gas for Energy - This fact sheet provides a brief introduction to direct-use project types, the economic and environmental benefits of these projects, and considerations that should be addressed during the development of a direct use project.
  • Solid Waste Disposal Site Data Collection Form - Outlines the basic information needed to evaluate an SWD for its energy potential and suitability for a direct-use project.
  • International Unit Conversion Table - Units of measurement for SWD sites and energy projects can vary throughout the world, and this table will help translate units common to LFGE projects.

The material in this packet can help you conduct a preliminary evaluation of a direct-use project. Successfully capitalizing on the value of these opportunities requires careful evaluation, and GMI can provide assistance with all the steps of the evaluation process.

World Bank Data Collection Tool for Urban Solid Waste Management

The new Data Collection Tool for Urban Solid Waste Management was developed by the World Bank Exiting Global Methane Initiative in collaboration with the Global Methane Initiative’s MSW sector. The tool provides a framework to assist with collecting important solid waste and waste management data to facilitate new and ongoing strategic planning, support and project development. It is intended for use by municipalities and local representatives, project developers, site operators, and potential investors.

Additional Resources for Municipal Solid Waste

Oil & Gas Tools

ON TIME Tool displays interactive flow diagrams of the oil and gas industry. The goal of the ON TIME Tool is to give users easy access to information on cost-effective technologies and practices that reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas industry. The development of this Tool was sponsored by the Government of Canada Exiting Global Methane Initiative, a Global Methane Initiative partner. The Global Methane Initiative Program would like to acknowledge the Government of Canada for sponsoring this work and the other individuals and organizations that contributed time and resources to facilitate development of the ON TIME Tool.

This Tool is a work in progress and the Global Methane Initiative is soliciting feedback on its usefulness. Please send your comments to the Global Methane Initiative Administrative Support Group.

Various Natural Gas STAR Videos

These videos were taken at various Natural Gas STAR Partner facilities using Infrared (IR) cameras to show leaking and fugitive emissions from various pieces of equipment. The videos highlight the importance of using an IR camera for leak detection because gas leaks are often invisible to the naked eye. The videos show “before and after” footage of a leak using a regular camera, followed by the same footage using an IR camera.

Additional Resources for Oil & Gas Systems

Wastewater Tools

Biogas Wastewater Assessment Technology Tool (BioWATT)

Originally developed by the World Bank and enhanced by GMI, the Biogas Wastewater Assessment Technology Tool (BioWATT) (XLS, 1.8 MB) provides a quick and preliminary assessment of wastewater-to-energy projects.

Based on simple inputs provided by the user, BioWATT provides the following:

  • Biogas production estimate for various wastewater-to-energy technologies
  • Electricity generation potential from the produced biogas
  • Greenhouse gas savings associated with biogas-generated electricity
  • Preliminary assessment of the wastewater treatment facility’s electricity demand that can be met through biogas-generated electricity
  • Preliminary design parameters of major components of a wastewater-to-energy project, such as required digester volume, required gas holder volume, and total combined heat and power (CHP) electric power output
  • Impact on a wastewater treatment facility’s operating expenses (OPEX) by investing in energy generation technology

Files:

Additional Resources for Municipal Wastewater

Tools and Resources