India proposes talks on international norms for ‘green, clean & low-carbon hydrogen
India proposed a discussion on global standards for ‘green, clean, and low carbon’ hydrogen, proposing an emission limit of up to 2 kg of carbon dioxide equivalent per kg of hydrogen produced.
Initially, the proposal was only for ‘green hydrogen,’ but after the suggestions of some member countries, ‘clean and low carbon’ consideration was added.
The draught ‘G20 High-Level Principles on Hydrogen’, released for discussion by India, establishes the carbon emissions standard “at the point of production.”
This means that emissions from distribution to end users, as well as life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions, are not included in the proposed standard.
According to sources, the third leg of the meeting discussed what constitutes “green hydrogen” and whether it could be further referred to as “clean” or “low carbon.”
The specifics will be discussed in upcoming online meetings, with the goal of reaching an agreement before the final meeting in July.
During last week’s discussions, some countries wanted to include nuclear, hydro, and low-carbon energy as sources of fuel for the joint outcome of the discussions.
Green hydrogen is defined as that produced from renewable energy by India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission, which was launched in January.
India sees the mission as an opportunity to become a leading producer and exporter of ‘green hydrogen,’ leveraging the country’s abundant solar and other renewable energy resources.
As the world moves towards net zero, agreement on what constitutes green hydrogen is critical. In the coming years, much of the green, clean, or low-carbon hydrogen will most likely be traded internationally.
“Shipping hydrogen between countries could emerge as a key element of a future secure, resilient, competitive and sustainable energy system,” a report from the International Energy Agency said in 2019.
International Requirements
The European Commission has set the permissible emission limit at 3.4 kg CO2 equivalent/kg hydrogen produced and distributed.
The UK, on the other hand, has defined ‘low carbon’ hydrogen as 2.4 kg of CO2 per kg of hydrogen produced, which does not include fuel distribution to the end user.
“Clean hydrogen” was defined by the US Department of Energy as “hydrogen produced with a carbon intensity equal to or less than 2 kgs of carbon dioxide-equivalent ‘at the site of production’ per kilogram of hydrogen produced.”
This was later increased to up to 4kg of CO2 equivalent/kgH2 when lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions were considered.
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Content Credit: ET Auto