The Need for Standards in the Global Hydrogen Market

How setting proper standards is key to the growth of the global scenario of the hydrogen market

A blog found in EDF helps us understand this in so much detail.

According to them,

• Worldwide investments in producing hydrogen are being made to address climate change and air pollution. However, the current lack of comprehensive climate, safety, social, and sustainability standards poses significant risks to the energy systems.
• Blue hydrogen, derived from natural gas with captured CO2 emissions, is a low-carbon option that requires stringent control of methane emissions and efficient carbon capture during production. This is vital for reducing CO2 emissions around the globe
• While various certification systems are being created to categorize hydrogen based on its environmental impact, clear carbon intensity benchmarks, thorough lifecycle assessments, and strong safety measures for hydrogen safety are needed, coupled with proactive community involvement and transparent reporting on all aspects of hydrogen technology

Does India have a set of standards for hydrogen?

Indeed, we do!

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Here are some Indian standards for hydrogen, focusing on hydrogen safety and hydrogen technology, outlined in the following documents:

1. IS 15201:2002 – Hydrogen Safety:
   • Details hydrogen’s properties, associated hazards, preventive measures, and guidelines on storage, handling, labelling, transportation, waste disposal, personnel training, PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), first aid, and firefighting.
     
2. IS 7285:Part 1:2018 – Gaseous Hydrogen Storage Systems:
   • Defines standards for cylinder sizes up to 400 liters for storing gaseous hydrogen.
     
3. AIS 195 – Hydrogen Fuel for H2ICE (Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine):
   • Details specifications and safety considerations for using hydrogen fuel in internal combustion engines with a focus on air pollution control.
     
4. AIS 157 – Fuel Cell Hydrogen Vehicles:
   • The standard covers safety and procedural requirements for type approval of OEM-manufactured compressed gaseous hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in categories M and N
   • Also specifies performance criteria to prevent harm from fire, explosion, or electric shock, detailing specifications for components like hydrogen fueling receptacles and storage systems

These standards provide comprehensive guidelines for hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and use in fuel cell electric vehicles within a hydrogen economy. They also address the environmental impact and efficiency of these processes.

However, these standards still have their own flaws. A proper addressing of these flaws and timely correction is of absolutely necessary, and will prove key to enabling further development of this great resource in our country.

Here are some other posts related to the need for standards on Hydrogen:

1. Hydrogen Leakage Risks Along Value Chain
   • Highlights potential risks due to hydrogen leakage across the production, delivery, and end-use phases, emphasizing the need for careful management to minimize environmental impacts and ensure safety.
2. Hydrogen Production Major Risks, Threats
   • Discusses how hydrogen production can entrench fossil fuel use, require significant water resources, and result in pollution, particularly affecting frontline communities, presenting a complex challenge for achieving U.S. energy goals.