Towards hydrogen definitions based on theiremissions intensity
Dr. Timur Gül, Chief Energy Technology Officer, IEA
Third International Conference on Fuel Ammonia, Tokyo, 29 September 2023

Page 1Interest in hydrogen trade is growing, but barriers remain
Announced low-emission hydrogen trade flows in 2030
Importers

Mt H2Exporters

Low-emission hydrogen trade20

Unknown

15
Australia 7.5 Mt

Synthetic
hydrocarbons

No target country
8.5 Mt

Nooff-taker

10Ammonia

Central and SouthAmerica 2.2 Mt
North America
2.4 Mt50Middle East &Africa 1.6 Mt
Other 1.3 Mt

Compressed H2Liquefied H2Europe 4.9 Mt

CarrierAsia 1.6 Mt

Off-taker

Status2030

Planned hydrogen exports could reach 16 Mt by 2030, though almost all projects are at early stages andless than one-third have identified a potential off-taker.
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Transparency on the emissions intensity can facilitate investment

Electrolysis

Coal
Natural gas gasification

Comparison of the emissions intensity of different hydrogen production routes, 2021
w/o CCS

w CCS 93%
w CCS 98%
w/o CCS
SMR w CCS 60%

SMR w CCS 93%
POx w CCS 99%2021 global grid
Nuclear power

Onshore wind
Solar PV
Biomass w/o CCS
Biomass w CCS- 25- 20- 15- 10-5

Upstream and midstream emissions - methane0510152025

Upstream and midstream emissions - CO₂303540kg CO₂-eq/kg H₂Direct emissions

Analysis based on the Methodology for Determining the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with the Production of Hydrogen of the IPHE.

Using colours to refer to different production routes, or terms such as “sustainable”, “low-carbon” or “clean”
hydrogen, obscures many different levels of potential emissions.
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Page 3

First steps on regulation and certification of hydrogen
Selected existing and planned certification systems and regulatory frameworks for hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels
PurposeName

Market /jurisdiction

Systemboundary

Product

Production
pathways

Emissions
intensity level(kg CO2-eq/kg H2)Regulatory

Low Carbon Hydrogen
Standard andcertification scheme

UnitedKingdom

Well-to-gate

HydrogenElectrolysis, natural
gas with CCS,
biomass and waste

2.4

Regulatory

Renewable Energy
Directive IIEuropeanUnion

Well-to-wheel

Hydrogen,Hydrogen-based
synthetic fuelsRenewableelectricity and lowcarbon electricity

3.4

Regulatory

Clean Hydrogen
Production Tax Credit

United States

Well-to-gate

HydrogenAll

0.45-4 (various tiers)

Regulatory

Clean Hydrogen
Investment Tax Credit

CanadaWell-to-gate

Hydrogen andammonia

Electrolysis, natural
gas with CCUS

0.75-4 (various tiers)

Regulatory

Ordinance
No. 2021-167

FranceWell-to-gate
Includingmanufacturing

Hydrogen

All

3.38

Voluntary

Guarantee of Origin
certificate scheme

Australia

Well-to-gate

Hydrogen, hydrogen
carriers

Renewable
electricity-Using emissions intensity of hydrogen production, based on an agreed methodology, in regulation and certification
can enable certain interoperability and minimise market fragmentation
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Page 4

Using simple scales for ease of communication
7.0

Example of a potential quantitative system for emissions intensity levels of hydrogen production
I

5.5
H

Natural gas/w CCS

4.0

Coal /w CCSG
3.0
F

2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
0.0
-19.0

EDCB

Biomass /w
CCS

Natural gas, partial
CO2 capture

Biomass w/oCCS

Electrolysis
renewables

Electrolysis
nuclearA

The ranges indicate the variability for upstream and midstream emissions with the upper value showing the world median and the lower value the best available technologies

Feedback from non-expert stakeholders indicates that using a smaller set of clear categories could make emissions
levels more understandable, alongside the precise numbers
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IEA recommendations for the G7
1.

Work towards an international emissions accounting framework for hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels,
putting a workable system in place2.

Foster dialogue in the IPHE to address any outstanding methodological or accounting issues

3.

Develop interim measures for the implementation of the framework

4.

Open a dialogue with other relevant countries, including but not limited to major potential exporters andimporters of hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels

5.

Outline institutional requirements for an effective international emissions accounting framework

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IEA 2022. All rights reserved.

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