BraveTrace

What BraveTrace does

BraveTrace is a New Zealand-based private company founded in 2018 that operates the New Zealand Energy Certificate System (NZECS), the national digital registry for issuing, transferring, and redeeming New Zealand Energy Certificates (NZ-ECs). The platform enables renewable energy generators (Registrants) to register production devices — including hydro, wind, solar, and since October 2022, biomethane, biogas, hydrogen, and bioLPG — and issue NZ-ECs that are transferred via Participants (energy retailers and intermediaries) to energy users, who redeem the certificates against their electricity consumption to support zero-carbon Scope 2 emissions reporting aligned with the GHG Protocol and RE100 requirements. As the sole operator of NZECS, BraveTrace also publishes the Residual Supply Mix (RSM), a monthly and annual emissions factor that signals the carbon intensity of uncertified grid electricity and creates a self-reinforcing incentive for broader market participation.

The company runs NZECS Registry v2 (launched March 2026 after approximately two years of redevelopment), a purpose-built platform supporting the full certificate lifecycle, Statement of Position reporting, and Scope 3 T&D loss redemption. BraveTrace generates revenue through transaction-based fees on certificate issuance and redemption; pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Distribution is hybrid: direct enterprise engagement (via a Head of Partnerships and a "Let's Talk" contact flow) combined with a channel network of energy retailers and intermediaries (Meridian Energy, Pioneer Energy, Total Utilities, STX, Strive) that aggregate end-customer energy users. The company has grown to 300+ network members (307 energy users in 2023/24, up from 212), with 1.78 million NZ-ECs redeemed annually (~1.8 TWh, roughly 4.5% of NZ electricity consumption), and certificate volumes grew 41% year-over-year.

Name

BraveTrace

Legal name

BraveTrace

Website

https://bravetrace.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BraveTrace operates New Zealand's national energy certificate registry (NZECS), enabling renewable generators to issue NZ-ECs and corporate energy users to redeem them. The platform serves enterprises across New Zealand seeking verified renewable electricity claims and zero-carbon Scope 2 emissions reporting.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Energy Attribute Certificates

akta.pro primary industry

REC/GO Issuance Registries & Tracking Systems (EUAMAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

REC/GO Compliance & Reporting (Disclosure, Claims, ESG/Scope 2) (EUAMAKAJ), REC/GO Certification, Verification & Auditing (EAC Standards) (EUAMAKAB), REC/GO Trading Platforms & Exchanges (EUAMAKAD)

Keywords

• Renewable energy certificates
• Energy attribute certificates
• Renewable electricity procurement
• Scope 2 emissions reporting
• Energy certificate registry

Headquarters

HQ city

Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. NZ-EC Issuance and Redemption Fees: Fees charged to Registrants (renewable generators) for issuing NZ-ECs when production devices generate electricity, and to Participants (energy retailers/intermediaries) or Energy Users for redeeming certificates against consumption. The system processes approximately 1.78 million certificates redeemed annually (2023/24). Fee structure is not publicly disclosed — quote-based.
2. Renewable Gas Certificate Fees: From 1 October 2022, renewable gas certification (biomethane, biogas, hydrogen, bioLPG) is available within the NZECS, generating additional transaction fees from gas producers and buyers registering and trading renewable gas certificates.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

BraveTrace operates the New Zealand Energy Certificate System (NZECS), the national registry for issuing, transferring, and redeeming New Zealand Energy Certificates (NZ-ECs). Renewable generators register production devices and issue NZ-ECs, which energy retailers/intermediaries (Participants) transfer to corporate energy users and redeem against electricity consumption to enable verified zero-carbon Scope 2 emissions reporting. The platform supports both electricity and renewable gas (biomethane, hydrogen, biogas, bioLPG) certification and publishes the Residual Supply Mix as a market-based emissions factor.

Product overview

BraveTrace operates the New Zealand Energy Certificate System (NZECS), a unified certification platform comprising the core Registry v2 software, NZ-EC certificate products, and Renewable Gas Certification modules. The system enables renewable energy generators to register production devices and issue certificates, which are then transferred to energy consumers via Participants and redeemed against actual consumption. Supporting products include Statement of Position reports for audit purposes and Residual Supply Mix calculations for emissions reporting. The Flexible Transaction Period Process extends transaction windows and aligns certification with carbon reporting cycles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NZECS (New Zealand Energy Certificate System) The national registry platform for issuing, transferring, and redeeming New Zealand Energy Certificates (NZ-ECs), enabling energy users to demonstrate that electricity consumed is matched with verified renewable sources. Used by Registrants (generators), Participants (intermediaries), and Energy Users (corporates).
• NZ-ECs (New Zealand Energy Certificates) Digital certificates that track and verify ownership of renewable energy attributes, allowing organisations to claim that electricity consumed is matched with renewable generation and report zero-carbon Scope 2 emissions.
• Renewable Gas Certification Certification system for renewable gas (biomethane, biogas, hydrogen, bioLPG) that enables producers and consumers to credibly claim ownership of lower-emission renewable gas, extending the NZECS beyond electricity to support decarbonisation of gas networks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1.78 million NZ-ECs redeemed in 2023/24 (~1.8 TWh), covering ~4.5% of NZ electricity consumption
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship and core.

• Energy Marlborough (Marlborough Lines)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2025Energy Marlborough, established by Marlborough Lines, registered some of its generation assets (Taylor Pass Solar Farm 853 kW, Seaview Solar Farm 4MW, Ward Solar Farm 9MW under construction) with BraveTrace, enabling sale of NZ-ECs. Supports Marlborough Lines' goal to own 50MW of renewable generation by 2030.
• IKEA New ZealandflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 January 2025The new IKEA store at Sylvia Park, Auckland joined the BraveTrace NZECS, contributing to IKEA's ambition of net-zero GHG emissions across its value chain by 2050 with a 50% reduction milestone by 2030. IKEA's rooftop solar PV system supplies ~50% of the building's energy, with the remainder supported by NZ-EC certification.
• EcoGas and First Renewables (Clarus)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024BraveTrace congratulated EcoGas and First Renewables on injecting NZ's first biomethane into a Firstgas pipeline. BraveTrace will certify and track the biomethane on the NZECS. EcoGas joined the BraveTrace Network and registered NZ's first large-scale food waste-to-bioenergy facility near Reporoa on the NZECS.
• The Warehouse Group and Lodestone EnergyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2024BraveTrace certified the landmark solar deal between The Warehouse Group (260+ sites) and Lodestone Energy (NZ's first utility-scale solar farm operator). This historic partnership was one of the largest corporate renewable energy procurement deals in NZ, with BraveTrace NZ-ECs verifying that electricity consumed at Warehouse sites is matched against solar electricity from Lodestone solar farms.
• Lodestone EnergyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 October 2024Lodestone Energy is NZ's first utility-scale solar farm operator and key Registrant on NZECS. Generating NZ-ECs from solar farms in Kaitāia, Edgecumbe, Waiotahe Valley, Whitianga, and Dargaville. NZ-EC income assists in financing more utility-scale solar farms. Key customers include The Warehouse Group (260+ sites), Inghams NZ, and Hall's Group.
• One NZ and Meridian EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 September 2024One NZ partners with Meridian Energy using the NZECS to match 100% of One NZ's directly purchased electricity with certified renewable generation. Meridian issues Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) via NZECS for certified hydro and wind, allocated to One NZ based on electricity consumption during Certified Renewable Energy purchase periods.
• Carbon and Energy Professionals (CEP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2024BraveTrace is a proud Silver Partner of the Carbon and Energy Professionals (CEP) association, contributing to industry events and engagements throughout the year. This partnership supports industry visibility and collaboration on energy certification best practices.
• Business Energy Council (BEC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 July 2024BraveTrace maintains a continued partnership with the Business Energy Council (BEC), contributing to industry engagement and supporting the energy sector's transition to renewable sources.
• Manawa Energy and Southern Spars (via Total Utilities)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 June 2024Total Utilities spearheaded the landmark sustainable energy collaboration between Manawa Energy (generator) and Southern Spars (energy user). BraveTrace validates that electricity consumed by Southern Spars is matched and verified against renewable electricity from Manawa Energy. Southern Spars is an iconic NZ company known for cutting-edge marine spars and rigging.
• Genesis Energy and Spark NZcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 202410-year renewable energy partnership (signed May 2024, effective January 2025) between Genesis and Spark. Genesis supplies electricity to Spark purchased from the national grid at volumes equivalent to Lauriston solar farm generation. Energy is provided alongside BraveTrace NZ-ECs, tracking the renewable attributes on the NZECS.
• NZ WindfarmscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2023NZ Windfarms registered its Te Rere Hau wind farm (91 turbines, 45.5 MW) on the NZECS as a Registrant. The wind farm powers ~16,000 households. NZ Windfarms reinvests NZ-EC income into development pipeline including wind farm repowering with Meridian Energy and pioneering new greenfield wind farm sites.
• Total UtilitiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 May 2022Total Utilities manages ~$500 million of utility purchases annually in NZ energy, waste, and IT markets. Registered as an NZECS Participant, providing services to companies with electricity consumption in NZ to procure energy attribute certificates and redeem them against consumption. Spearheaded landmark Manawa Energy-Southern Spars collaboration certified by BraveTrace.
• STXminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 May 2022STX is a market maker in environmental commodities providing market access and liquidity in renewable energy, biofuels, energy efficiency, and carbon markets. Registered as an NZECS Participant with offices in Amsterdam, Gothenburg, New York, and Singapore. Has facilitated NZ-EC transactions on behalf of clients helping them achieve global sustainability goals.
• Strive (Vertis Environmental Finance)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 6 May 2022Strive is the climate action brand of Vertis Environmental Finance (Europe's oldest emissions trading firm, 20+ years, 1 billion carbon units traded, 1,800+ clients). Registered as an NZECS Participant, offering tailor-made net-zero services including sustainability advisory, renewable energy/EACs, and carbon offsetting.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Garantir (German GO Registry): Garantir is the registry operator for Guarantees of Origin (Herkunftsnachweisregister) in Germany, the largest European GO market. It issues, transfers, and redeemes GOs for renewable electricity across the German market, providing the closest European analogue to BraveTrace's NZECS infrastructure.
• I-REC Standard: I-REC Standard operates an international framework for issuing renewable energy certificates across more than 50 countries that lack domestic certificate systems. It enables corporate Scope 2 claims in markets without local registries, making it directly comparable to BraveTrace's role enabling renewable claims in NZ.
• M-RETS (Midwest Renewable Energy Tracking System): M-RETS is a North American REC tracking system covering multiple US states and Canadian provinces, issuing and tracking renewable energy certificates using similar attribute-tracking methodology to BraveTrace's NZECS. It serves generators, retailers, and end users with comparable use cases (Scope 2 reporting, compliance claims).
• APX (S&P Global Commodity Insights): APX (acquired by S&P Global) operates multiple EAC registries globally, including M-RETS, GATS, NEPOOL-GIS, and ERCOT REC registry. It is the most directly comparable registry operator to BraveTrace, running the infrastructure for issuing, tracking, and redeeming renewable energy certificates across multiple North American jurisdictions.
• Evident: Evident is the UK and Ireland's renewable energy guarantee of origin (REGO/GO) registry, issuing and tracking certificates for renewable electricity across these markets. It is functionally analogous to BraveTrace's NZECS, providing the infrastructure for corporate renewable energy claims and emissions reporting.
• PJM Environmental Information Services (GATS): PJM-EIS operates the Generation Attribute Tracking System (GATS) for the PJM Interconnection region, tracking Tier 1 and Tier 2 RECs across 13+ US states. It is one of the largest REC tracking systems by volume and offers a comparable platform model to BraveTrace's NZECS.

Emerging players

• EnergyTag: EnergyTag is an industry-led initiative developing certification schemes for green hydrogen and low-carbon fuels/transport. Its hydrogen GO functionality overlaps with BraveTrace's October 2022 renewable gas certification module covering hydrogen, biomethane, and bioLPG.
• CertifHy: CertifHy developed a European scheme for issuing and trading Guarantees of Origin for renewable and low-carbon hydrogen. Its hydrogen certification focus directly overlaps with BraveTrace's October 2022 renewable gas certification module covering hydrogen.

Broad incumbents

• Green-e (Center for Resource Solutions): Green-e is the leading North American certification program for renewable energy and carbon offsets, operated by the Center for Resource Solutions. It is a broader certification body that relies on underlying registries (like M-RETS, GATS) for certificate issuance — comparable to how BraveTrace combines registry operation with verification/auditing services.

Others

• RECS International: RECS International is the industry association for European Guarantees of Origin markets, representing registry operators, traders, and energy companies. While not a direct registry competitor, it shapes the international GO/REC ecosystem standards with which BraveTrace aligns its NZECS methodology.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brave-trace

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BraveTrace