M-RETS
M-RETS is a mission-driven nonprofit that supports open and transparent markets through its environmental attribute certificate tracking system that validates and manages the activity of clean energy resources.
They have the most expansive registry for renewable energy certificates (RECs) in North America, and a fast-growing renewable thermal certificate (RTCs) system. M-RETS is headquartered in Minneapolis with a team of about 50 staff and contractors mainly focused on software development and programming.
M-RETS has had close ties with Canada since its inception. The nonprofit organization started in 2007 when Manitoba, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, decided they would benefit from creation of a Midwest renewable tracking service to further standards and cross-border tradability of energy certificates. Originally M-RETS software service was contracted out to third party, and in 2018 they brought it all in house to better serve their customers and drive innovation.
M-RETS goes above and beyond to support their clients. Customers can use the M-RETS system on a subscription basis, and the team provides hands-on support to ensure a smooth transition to the software. The company aims to keep fees below one percent per commodity cost and, as a not-for-profit organization, revenues are reinvested back into the system.
Organized as a nonprofit working in the public interest, M-RETS in unique from other book-and-claim providers. Since their system is in-house, they are very willing to make adaptations to meet the needs of the industry.
Rob Davis, Chief Growth Officer shares that “From user-centered design, to implementation of MFA security, to API access, people in the market have appreciated the innovations and improvements M-RETS has made.”
While the RECs system was launched in 2007, the RTC system was created in 2020 and was the first registry in North America to track renewable thermal fuels, like biogas & RNG. The RTC system is being used extensively in United States clean fuel programs in California, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington. The certificate is representative of the environmental benefit and is equal to one dekatherm of renewable thermal energy. The system is flexible as the client can add their own carbon intensity (CI) value to the certificate, as confirmed by a third-party using the required methodology.
M-RETS is very tapped into the biogas sector. Mark Teklinski, Program Administrator with M-RETS, recently joined biogas stakeholders, including the Canadian Biogas Association’s Executive Director, on a fact-finding trip to Denmark.
On the outlook for the biogas & RNG sector, Teklinski shares that “It looks pretty strong. We are seeing a doubling in growth every year in the RTC system that we use in the States. This is a function of regulations and a drive to make things more circular.”
M-RETS joined the CBA as members in October 2023. Davis explains “Being part of a trade association is the right thing to do. As the market matures it’s important to be part of the conversation.”
