The UK Government is set to launch a new certification for hydrogen sourcing aimed at providing further transparency and “reliable” tracing of its production.
The new certification is set to be launched by 2025 and will be moulded via consultation with industry. It is hoped this will allow companies to source accurate, low carbon hydrogen as the UK looks to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors.
This could be a crucial development for the hydrogen market. Should hydrogen be able to be traced and sourced to a particular generation method, this could bolster its adoption and equally support decarbonisation in a range of sectors.
Currently there is no “reliable” method in determining emission credentials of hydrogen, the UK Government said.
“Consumers and businesses care about investing sustainably. Thanks to this new scheme, investors and producers will be able to confidently identify and invest in trusted, high-quality British sources of low carbon hydrogen, both home and abroad,” said Minister Graham Stuart, from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), which replaced the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy earlier this week.
“I look forward to working with industry as we deliver hydrogen as a secure, low carbon replacement for fossil fuels that will help us move towards net zero, secure jobs, and boost investment.”
With a respected method in ensuring tracing hydrogen production, companies will be confident in the sourcing of low carbon hydrogen and will therefore be able to accurately verify its carbon emissions.
Equally the new certification could promote international trading of the energy carrier and stimulate growth within the sector. It could also incentivise further low carbon hydrogen production within the UK and drive additional investment within the UK hydrogen sector.
“Hydrogen is an essential piece of the puzzle to decarbonise UK industry, support clean growth and improve our long-term energy security. It’s great to see progress being made towards setting up a UK certification scheme – this is key to growing a low carbon hydrogen economy,” said UK Hydrogen Champion Jane Toogood.
“I am pleased to be continuing in the role as Hydrogen Champion and to share this news ahead of the International Day for Women and Girls in Science. Over the next six months, my priority will be to ensure that industry and government work together to generate investment in the hydrogen economy, kickstart hydrogen production and develop a UK hydrogen supply chain.”
The UK Government has been cautious in its approach to hydrogen. Despite major backing, its initial Hydrogen Strategy set a goal of just 5GW of low-carbon hydrogen production by 2030 – significantly lower than countries such as the US, Germany and Australia.
A negative response from industry prompted this figure to be increased to 10GW, with 5GW to come from green hydrogen.
