MBase: Cement 1.1 Beta is a spreadsheet tool designed to calculate benchmarks emissions rates for GHG emission reduction projects and to estimate the actual reduction in emissions. It is intended for use by GHG trading program administrators and project consolidators who wish to develop multiproject baselines applicable to multiple projects, as opposed to project-specific baselines for each proposed project. Using data entered by the user on the annual throughput and energy use at each stage of cement production for a proposed GHG reduction project, MBase: Cement 1.1 Beta calculates total annual GHG emission reductions in addition to the benchmark emissions rates. Thus, project developers can also use MBase: Cement 1.1 Beta to estimate total annual GHG savings using various benchmark scenarios.

The benchmarks are reported as carbon-equivalent GHG emissions (or energy consumed) per unit of output, for example kilograms of carbon per metric ton of cement produced. Generally, the benchmarks will be based on the performance of recently built plants in the country or region where the proposed project(s) will be located. MBase Cement produces benchmarks for varying levels of stringency (average, top 25%, top 10%, best plant), by fuel as well as sector-wide averages.

To download the tool, go to: http://ies.lbl.gov/MBaseCement/index.html