--- title: Energy Attribute Certificates | EACs Explained description: Learn what energy attribute certificates are, how EAC markets work, and how buyers and sellers use GreenPowerHub workflows for renewable electricity certificates. --- EAC guide # Energy attribute certificates: what EACs are and how markets work. Energy attribute certificates document renewable electricity attributes separately from physical power. GreenPowerHub helps buyers, sellers, traders, utilities, and service providers connect EAC market coverage to RFQ, Marketplace, and trade workflows. [Compare buying paths](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/buy-energy-attribute-certificates?hsLang=en) [Check certificate markets](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/platform/certificate-markets?hsLang=en) 60+ countries supported across certificate markets. EAC market context **From certificate terminology to market workflow** Common names **EACs, RECs, GOs, I-RECs, REGOs, and related certificate systems** Market question **Country, system, vintage, technology, volume, and delivery route** GPH workflow **Coverage, RFQ, Marketplace, market data, and trade documentation** Choose your route ## What do you need to do with energy attribute certificates? The right page depends on whether you are learning the market, buying certificates, selling supply, or checking country coverage. Buyers ### Buy energy attribute certificates Use the buyer route when you have a country, volume, facility, or sourcing requirement ready for a quote, RFQ, or available purchase option. [Compare buying paths](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/buy-energy-attribute-certificates?hsLang=en) Markets ### Find the relevant certificate system Use certificate market coverage when you need to understand which EAC systems apply by country before sourcing or selling. [Check coverage](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/platform/certificate-markets?hsLang=en) Sellers ### Bring renewable certificate supply to market Use seller workflows when renewable certificate supply needs buyer visibility, structured interest, or marketplace context. [Open seller guide](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/sell-renewable-energy-certificates?hsLang=en) Public GreenPowerHub metrics Used by buyers, sustainability teams, traders, utilities, and service providers working across renewable certificate markets. **60+** Countries supported across certificate markets **700+** Companies registered **100+ TWh** Energy certificates traded EAC basics ## Energy attribute certificates connect renewable electricity claims to specific certificate attributes. An energy attribute certificate, often shortened to EAC, represents the environmental attributes of one unit of generated electricity. The certificate is separate from the physical electricity delivered through the grid. Different markets use different certificate names and systems. Guarantees of Origin are used in many European contexts, I-RECs are used across many international markets, RECs are common in North America, and REGOs are used in the United Kingdom. GreenPowerHub should be positioned around certificate market workflow: coverage lookup, buyer sourcing, seller visibility, RFQs, Marketplace activity, market context, and trade documentation. It is not a replacement for carbon accounting or claims review. [Compare buying paths](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/buy-energy-attribute-certificates?hsLang=en) [Open Scope 2 guide](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/scope-2?hsLang=en) ### Attributes to define - Country, region, or certificate market - Certificate system such as GO, I-REC, REC, or REGO - Volume in MWh - Production year, consumption year, or vintage requirements - Technology, label, project, or premium criteria - Cancellation, redemption, transfer, or delivery route - Documentation needed for internal reporting or buyer review GreenPowerHub workflow ## Use EAC criteria to choose the right GreenPowerHub workflow. EAC needs become easier to compare when the market, certificate attributes, counterparties, and documentation path are clear before engagement starts. 1. 1 **Map the market** Start with country coverage and the certificate systems that apply to the buyer, seller, or asset location. 2. 2 **Define certificate criteria** Clarify volume, year, technology, origin, label, delivery route, and documentation before comparing options. 3. 3 **Choose the workflow** Use facility purchase, Open RFQ, full RFQ, Marketplace, or seller workflows depending on the level of structure needed. 4. 4 **Document next steps** Keep responses, counterparties, confirmations, delivery requirements, and reporting documentation tied to the market activity. Related pages ## Build the certificate-market context around EACs. These pages keep buying, scheme-specific guidance, Scope 2 reporting, and country coverage connected without duplicating intent. Buying ### Buy energy attribute certificates Compare facility purchase, Open RFQ, full RFQ, and Marketplace paths. [Compare buying paths](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/buy-energy-attribute-certificates?hsLang=en) Europe ### Guarantees of Origin Use the GO guide for European renewable electricity certificate context. [Open GO guide](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/guarantees-of-origin?hsLang=en) International ### I-REC Use the I-REC guide for international certificate market context outside many GO markets. [Open I-REC guide](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/i-rec?hsLang=en) Scope 2 ### Scope 2 emissions Understand how EAC sourcing connects to market-based Scope 2 reporting questions. [Open Scope 2 guide](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/scope-2?hsLang=en) Reporting boundary ## EACs support renewable electricity claims, but they do not replace reporting review. EACs are commonly used as contractual instruments for renewable electricity claims where the certificate attributes and reporting guidance fit the use case. The correct treatment depends on market rules, geography, vintage, claim language, disclosure framework, and the buyer's reporting boundary. GreenPowerHub helps with certificate workflows, not final assurance or accounting decisions. When the question is about market-based Scope 2, start with the Scope 2 guidance context. When the question is about buying or selling certificates, start with market coverage and workflow fit. [Location-based vs market-based emissions](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/location-based-vs-market-based-emissions?hsLang=en) [Carbon credits vs renewable certificates](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/carbon-credit-vs-renewable-energy-certificate?hsLang=en) [GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance](https://ghgprotocol.org/scope-2-guidance) FAQ ## Energy attribute certificate questions ### EAC basics What are energy attribute certificates? Energy attribute certificates are instruments that document renewable electricity attributes separately from physical electricity. They can include Guarantees of Origin, I-RECs, RECs, REGOs, and related certificate systems depending on the market. Are EACs the same as RECs? REC is a common term for renewable energy certificates, especially in North America. EAC is the broader umbrella term that can include RECs and other certificate systems such as GOs, I-RECs, and REGOs. ### GreenPowerHub fit How does GreenPowerHub help with EAC markets? GreenPowerHub helps market participants check coverage, structure RFQs, compare supplier responses, review market context, use Marketplace workflows, and move certificate opportunities toward trade documentation. Does GreenPowerHub make final reporting claims for EACs? No. GreenPowerHub supports certificate sourcing and market workflow. Buyers should review reporting, disclosure, and claim requirements with the appropriate internal or external advisers. Official sources ## References for standards, reporting, and market context. [Energy Attribute Certificates **US EPA** ](https://www.epa.gov/green-power-markets/energy-attribute-certificates-eacs) [Scope 2 Guidance **GHG Protocol** ](https://ghgprotocol.org/scope-2-guidance) [I-REC for Electricity **I-TRACK Foundation** ](https://www.trackingstandard.org/product-code/electricity/) Next step ## Turn EAC terminology into the right certificate workflow. When you know the country, certificate system, volume, and documentation needs, compare the GreenPowerHub buying paths or check market coverage before engaging sellers. [Compare buying paths](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/buy-energy-attribute-certificates?hsLang=en) [Check certificate markets](https://www.greenpowerhub.com/platform/certificate-markets?hsLang=en)