BRUSSELS – The International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE) and the International Energy Agency’s Technology Hydrogen Collaboration Platform (IEA H2 TCP), with support from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and contributions from the Hydrogen Council and the International Power-to-X Hub, today release the Hydrogen Certification 101 paper developed under the Breakthrough Agenda’s Hydrogen Breakthrough priority action H.1 Standards and Certification.
In the emerging global hydrogen economy, robust tradeable certification schemes for hydrogen and derivatives are due to play a key role to:
- Enable the implementation of government policies as certification can constitute an integral element of policy measures such as targets, quotas and tax credits;
- Evidence of their sustainability attributes, such as carbon footprint – as well as the use of land and water, and social impacts – in a credible and consistent manner internationally;
- Create transparency for consumers and enable consumer choice;
- Allow consumers to signal demand for hydrogen based on its sustainability credentials;
- Create trust between prospective importers and exporters, fostering global, cross-border trade in hydrogen and derivatives based on their sustainability credentials.
To advance global cooperation on certification of hydrogen and derivatives, and development of technical solutions for mutual recognition of certification schemes, in line with the political imperative highlighted in the framework of the latest G7 and G20 energy ministerial meetings, the Hydrogen Certification 101 paper:
- Provides clarity and precision on terminology and concepts used in hydrogen certification;
- Describes the purposes and functionalities of hydrogen certification schemes;
- Offers basic information on certification scheme design; and
- Lays out the concept of mutual recognition of certification schemes for hydrogen and derivatives.
“COP28 is committed to ensuring a just, equitable and orderly energy transition where renewable hydrogen production and renewable energy capacity play a critical part in achieving that. The Hydrogen Certification 101 paper sets out the foundations and common definitions required to establish a cohesive and harmonized market, which can in turn provide the framework of certification needed to accelerate industry decarbonization.”
Adnan Amin, COP28 Presidency CEO
“This document will serve as an important foundation for our continued cooperation with key parties on developing practical solutions for mutual recognition of certification schemes for hydrogen. COP28 will be a key milestone in reinforcing political commitment to this effort underpinned by a robust platform for technical collaboration led by IPHE and IEA H2 TCP.”
Laurent Antoni, IPHE Executive Director
“Creating a common language on hydrogen certification is a crucial starting point, and this is what this Certification 101 paper delivers. We now need to move forward with development of technical solutions. IEA H2 TCP with its Task 47 Certification R&D will continue close cooperation with IPHE and our international partners to support the international call for action on mutual recognition with practical technical input and analysis to advance implementation on the ground.”
Dr. Eric L. Miller, Chief Scientist, Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Technologies Office, US Department of Energy and Eiji Ohira, Strategy Architect of the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO)’s Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technology Office
“Certification is a complex yet absolutely vital instrument to advance hydrogen projects’ delivery. Industrial leaders welcome and fully support the ongoing efforts in improving international cooperation and identifying solutions for mutual recognition of certification schemes being developed at national level. Hydrogen Council was pleased to contribute to this 101 paper with insights and learnings from the real-world use cases of certification for compliance, as well as voluntary reporting and disclosure purposes by companies across geographies.”
Daryl Wilson, Executive Director of the Hydrogen Council
“Certification is essential to de-risk projects and create trust and credibility. This paper is especially relevant for countries currently developing certification schemes for hydrogen and derivatives to understand the value of comprehensive and consistent certification. The International PtX Hub will continue to support these countries and international collaboration for developing truly sustainable hydrogen and Power-to-X value chains.”
Frank Mischler, Director of the International PtX Hub
To read and download the full Hydrogen Certification 101 paper, click here.
About The Hydrogen Council
The Hydrogen Council is a global CEO-led initiative that brings together leading companies with a united vision and long-term ambition for hydrogen to foster the clean energy transition.
The Council understands that hydrogen has a key role to play in reaching global decarbonization goals by helping to diversify energy sources worldwide, to foster business and technological innovation as drivers for long-term economic growth, and to decarbonize especially hard-to-abate industrial sectors.
To find out more visit www.hydrogencouncil.com and follow us on Twitter @HydrogenCouncil and LinkedIn.