Support the development of a global quality infrastructure for hydrogen technologies
Hydrogen plays a central role as energy source, energy storage and an element of sector coupling in the transformation towards a decarbonized economy. Consequently the necessary build up of water electrolysers is crucial to enable the production of green hydrogen at competitive prices. According to the European Hydrogen Backbone from June 2021, around 340 TWh of hydrogen will be required annually in the European Union (EU) + UK in 2030, the majority of it in the industrial sector. Following the REPowerEU plan from May 2022, an electrolysis production capacity of 40 GW needs to be installed in the EU by 2030 to produce the required amount of hydrogen.
Norms and standards, together with legal terms and conditions, form the basic framework for the hydrogen market ramp-up and the associated quality infrastructure. They define terminology, interfaces, security, system and quality requirements, as well as testing and certification basics and thus create a uniform understanding across discipline boundaries and enable the scale-up of this technology. Technical regulation also supports legally compliant action and forms the basis for reliable economic investments. Therefore norms and standards for the introduction and authorization of hydrogen technologies, which are recognized by all parties, play an important role in the development of an efficient global market, also with regard to the desired reduction of non-tariff trade barriers in the global economic exchange.
trade@messe was contracted by a Japanese Testing and Certification Institute in collaboration with the involved Research Agency to carry out an analysis for the introduction of hydrogen electrolysers in Europe and Japan, which may also contribute to the long-term aim to promote mutual recognition and harmonization of standards and testing. The study serves as a basis for the identification of current regulations and processes as well as remaining regulatory gaps for the certification, approval, testing and operation of hydrogen electrolysers, which can help to facilitate trade between the two economic areas.