Validation & Verification Report Templates – RIT Perspective

1. Validation & Verification Report Templates – RIT Perspective Vinay Deodhar, RIT, AP Member Module 3.4 25 March 2012 First SDM JCW, Bonn, Germany

2. Current Formats: Validation/Verification reports • Evolved from IETA format to suit the requirements of the VVM • VVM along with 25 documents giving procedures, guidelines, EB decisions, clarifications had to be considered during validation / verification process • VVS Version 02 incorporates provisions of VVM and all the above mentioned documents as of 25 November 2011 • Important fact to note is: VVS does not bring in any new requirement, it simply consolidates them as Standard • With the entry into force of the VVS DOEs need to modify their validation report templates • An EB accepted uniform template would thus be useful

3. Main issues with current reports • Current format is standardized with respect to validation methodology, description of process and validation opinion • However, in some reports it is noticed that the validation report copies the text from PDD and does not provide the DOE’s independent analysis of the project, its compliance with applied methodology • A validation report is summary of the entire process conducted by the DOE to the outside world. The EB decision fully relies on the validation report. • Therefore, the report is expected to summarize in crisp language the salient features of the project and must bring out where the project design is weak and pose risks to estimation of the emission reductions • The extent of looseness of language in the validation report many a times decides the chance of attracting request for review.

4. Expectation from template • No change in structure of the val report is expected; in fact should not be made in this crucial year of KP I • However, template should identify features of a project that a DOE must study and report independently. • For example, independent evaluation of the capital cost of project as is done by lenders’ due diligence or independent assessment of barriers • Validation of input parameters for additionality assessment and benchmark – DOE should elaborate its independent analysis including the final feasibility report • Other aspects that should be focused in the template are clear review of the monitoring plan, validation of ER calculation in case of SSC methodologies which are silent on these aspects

5. Main issues: current Verification reports • Current format is standardized with respect to verification methodology, description of process and verification opinion • However, it is noticed that verification reports copy text from the monitoring report • Clear description of observations onsite, any changes etc. is not found • Sometimes changes in measuring instruments go unnoticed • DOEs observations from the recorded data are not elaborated

6. Expectations from the template • Template should identify features of a project and monitoring plan that a DOE must study and report independently • For example, independent evaluation of the implementation of the project as per the PDD • Adherence to standards for the monitoring instruments, their calibration and maintenance • DOE’s independent assessment of the emission reduction calculations should be properly elaborated • In general, the templates should give result in V/V reports that gives confidence in through a truly independent assessment

7. Thank you!