Workshop on Quality Infrastructure for Green Hydrogen

The use of green hydrogen (GH₂) as a low-carbon vector is now recognised as a key element to address the decarbonisation of large energy use sectors, such as industry and transport. As a result, an increasing number of countries across the globe are defining ambitious plans and strategies for the production, trade and use of GH₂. For a successful implementation of national and international GH₂ strategies, it is of paramount importance to ensure that (i) the technology and infrastructure used to produce and transport GH₂ can be monitored, measured and validated that they perform as required; and (ii) GH₂ can be traded at a global scale, whilst ensuring the sustainability and safety of GH₂ production and its derivatives. This can be facilitated by developing a quality infrastructure for green hydrogen.

These two objectives require to have in place a robust quality infrastructure (QI). QI consists of all activities which provide confidence that a technology will meet the expectations of consumers, investors and other stakeholders, such as standards, metrology, testing, certification, inspection, accreditation and quality management systems for the production and trade of GH₂. One of the challenges for the deployment of GH₂ is the perceived technical risk: the diffusion of GH₂-related technologies with poor quality and safety could undermine the sustainable energy transition. Operationalising QI can address this risk and at the same time spur technological improvement. A well-functioning QI can attain quality assurance and generate confidence in the market about the conformity of GH₂ products, processes and services.

IRENA is developing a roadmap for the development of the QI to ensure the quality, sustainability, and safety in GH₂ production and trade. IRENA will provide an analysis on the role of QI services as an instrument for a successful global production and use of GH₂ and selected GH₂ derivatives. Accordingly, the services of QI need to be in place to ensure that policy makers´ plans and targets for green hydrogen are met most efficiently. The roadmap will provide the technical foundation and strategic orientation for national and global stakeholders for the analysis of the existing QI, and its development according to the main requirements of the GH₂ sector. Furthermore, it will elaborate recommendations for the development of a national action plan to implement QI, and directions to move from the national level to the finalisation of the global roadmap.

QI implementation requires strong coordination and cooperation of key stakeholders as well as information and awareness on the importance of QI, including required services which in part are still missing among priority areas of intervention. Therefore, the long-term objective of IRENA’s work is to support the production and use of GH₂ as a key vector for deep decarbonisation of the energy sector; by developing the proposed roadmap for the development and implementation of the QI services needed to scale-up a global GH₂ production and trade. In this way, stakeholders will have a tool to increase coordination between each other, and stay informed about the role of QI. They will also be able to support the development of QI in line with identified priority areas shown on the roadmap for the sustainable production and trade of global GH₂ as well as selected derivatives. The stakeholders’ network can also ensure long-term replicability and sustainability.

Closed event, by invitation only.