Update on International Standardization on Hydrogen Technologies
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

The International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee on Hydrogen Technologies (ISO/TC 197) held its annual plenary meeting and working group meetings in Japan in early December 2014. These activities facilitate global commercialization of hydrogen energy technologies. Specific topics include cylinders, basic safety considerations, fueling station, components, tanks, and many others.

FCHEA staff participated in the Working Group and Plenary meetings to advance the work items and bring noteworthy items back to the appropriate FCHEA work groups and other stakeholders.

ISO TC197 Plenary Meeting Report

On December 4th and 5th, ISO/TC 197 held its 23rd plenary meeting in Fukuoka, Japan. Approximately 60 delegates from Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, Norway, Russia, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States were in attendance. Also represented were the European Commission (EC) and the European Industrial Gases Association (EIGA). 

Dr. Mao (China) was introduced, and was earlier appointed by ISO TMB as vice-chair of ISO TC 197. He explained the commitment from China to engage in a "peaceful" fuel, and seeming suggestion that ISO TC 197 plenary meeting to be held in China in the near future.

Changes to the ISO document development process were reviewed:

  • A Committee Draft (CD) ballot is optional, but the procedure allows for a "ballot" to be collected or not. ISO/TC 197 in the future will use the ballot option as CD within the committee has been valuable in collecting feedback. It requires only 2 months; whereas, a DIS takes 5 months.
  • FDIS will be skipped as default. It is still possible to have an opportunity to review the final version of the post-DIS document within ISO/TC 197 before submittal to publishing.

Report and discussion of WG 15 activities for stationary ground tanks:
The new, simplified approach to developing standard requirements for stationary storage tanks has not received sufficient consensus in order to move forward. A 3-party discussion including Herve Barthélémy (of France for EU), Sam Miyashita (of Japan for Asia), and Glenn Scheffler (of USA for North America) will be conducted to resolve this matter. The target date to complete recommendations is June 1. A resolution was passed to this effect. In the meantime, the work of WG 15 is suspended.

Report and discussion of WG 17 activities for PSA:
The work has been de-scoped to focus on the PSA absorber and vacuum system - and not address compressor and other ancillary equipment as this equipment is covered by other standards.

A second working draft is expected to be circulated in March, followed by CD ballot in July.

Dr. Gao (China) was unanimously approved by resolution as the convener.

Report and discussion of WG 18 activities for vehicular containers and T-PRDs:
Technical issues were resolved in the WG meeting and a CD 19881 for containers is targeted for January.

Review of WD 19882 for T-PRDs ran out of time and the convener will complete those for review at a later meeting.

Livio Gambone (Canada) was unanimously approved by resolution as the convener.

Report and discussion of WG 19 activities for hydrogen dispensers:
Dr. Watanabe described results of the WG 19 meeting held on the 1st & 2nd of December.

Local code references (hangover from CSA seed document) and units are to be converted to international equivalent as appropriate. A Committee Draft (CD) is expected by the end of February 2015.

A mid-June meeting anticipated, aim to be in conjunction with WG24 meeting.

A Committee Draft is expected to be circulated by end of February, and a DIS is scheduled for 2016.

Dr. Watanabe was unanimously approved by resolution as the convener.

After a lunch break, a descriptive presentation and tour of the HyTReC facilities was conducted. The facility is really impressive! For example, there are test cells for hydraulic and hydrogen gas testing of 70 MPa tanks and systems to the SAE/GTR test protocols. There is also a test fixture that fits a full size Japanese passenger vehicle for environmental testing.

Report and discussion of WG 20 activities for hydrogen valves:
WG 20 met on December 1st. A CD is expected at the end of February 2015. A mid-June meeting anticipated, aim to be in conjunction with WG24 meeting. 

Dr. Watanabe was unanimously approved by resolution as the convener.

Report and discussion of WG 21 activities for compressors:
The kick-off meeting was held on December 3rd based on the CSA "seed document."

The document will be converted to SI units for compliance with ISO convention.

A Working Draft (WD) will be created immediately, and a CD is expected in the Fall of 2015.

Karen Hall was unanimously approved by resolution as the convener.

Report and discussion of WG 22 activities for hoses:
The kick-off meeting was held on December 1st based on the CSA "seed document."

Focus (based on industry need) will be dispenser hoses as durability is major issue with current hoses.

A WD will be created immediately, and a CD is expected in the Fall of 2015.

Karen Hall was unanimously approved by resolution as the convener.

Report and discussion of WG 23 activities for fittings:
The kick-off meeting was held on December 1st based on the CSA "seed document."

A WD will be created immediately, and a CD is expected in the Fall of 2015.

Karen Hall was unanimously approved by resolution as the convener.

Report and discussion of WG 24 activities for filling stations:
Work is progressing amazingly well. The schedule requirements are very challenging, and three subteams for station acceptance criteria, hydrogen quality, and safety distances have been formed to handle these subjects in parallel. See the attached presentation.

The plan is to have a DTR for ballot in March 2015 and finish the TR in June. The WG will work toward the IS in parallel with the TR development activities. A CD is planned for December 2015, and DIS in March 2016.

Jesse Schneider and Guy Dang-Nhu were unanimously approved by resolution as co-conveners.

Report and discussion of WG5 activities for hydrogen fueling connectors:
Livio Gambone proposed that work be resumed to update the document. Since there is no change in scope, ISO Central has ruled that a NWIP is not required.

The restart of the WG5 was confirmed and Livio Gambone was unanimously approved by resolution as convener.

A resolution was approved to give WG5 the option to skip the CD and move directly to DIS.

Subsequent to this meeting, Mr. Gambone announced a meeting of WG 5 to begin this work on March 12, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

New Work Item Proposals (NWIP)s
The French NWIP for ISO 16111 (metal hydrides) was discussed.

Please see our article here for history and current status of this item. 

A draft NWIP by the US to revise ISO 22734 for electrolyzers was discussed. It was concluded that the US should modify the NWIP to reflect new market opportunities (such as intermittent operation instead of base load operation) that may affect requirements.

Action Item: Larry Moulthrop will be asked to consider the above comments and resubmit the proposal.

The Japanese will prepare two proposals:

  • A NWIP to combine the 3 parts of ISO 14687 into a single document will be submitted in mid-2015. Messrs. Takagi and Tajima will be proposed as co-convenors.
  • Start a new document for hydrogen quality control in 2016 (or perhaps sooner if the document is urgently needed).

ISO Central Secretariat is requiring that all inactive WGs be disbanded. A resolution to disband WGs 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, and16 was approved. The convenors will be retained for consultation.

Liaisons of ISO/TC 197 were reviewed. It was proposed to cancel the liaison relationships with --

  • ISO/TC 20 (aerospace) liaison relationships
  • ISO/TC 207 for environmental management

A resolution was also approved to establish relationships with --

  • CEN/TC 268 mirror activity to adopt 19880-1
  • CEN Strategic WG on Hydrogen Energy under Sector Forum Energy Management

Additionally, a relationship with FCHEA will be explored.

Liaison reports were provided by from ISO/TC 158, which deals with gas sampling and analysis; HySafe; and IEC/TC 105, which deals with fuel cell standards.

The ISO/TC 197 Business Plan was discussed. The Chair listed some gaps:

  • Hydrogen blends
  • Making methanol from flue gas using hydrogen
  • Co-location of hydrogen with other fuels at fuelling stations

The feedback from the floor was that ISO/TC197 footprint expansion beyond pure hydrogen is reasonable in view of expanding power-to-hydrogen and other renewable-based initiatives. From this perspective, the issues related to co-location of hydrogen with other fuels (which has already been demonstrated in practice) and hydrogen blends with natural gas can legitimately be considered within the revised business plan; at the same time, the methanol pathway appears to be too big of a stretch. In principle, ISO/TC 197 should not lead such initiatives but rather establish initiatives with such efforts if and when they exist. The Chair indicated that we could establish a liaison relationship with CEN (who is dealing with the subject).

The US has agreed to investigate hosting the 2015 meeting. The US will identify a location and date and provide this information to the U.S. TAG Administrator, who would forward the details to ANSI. ANSI would send the formal invitation to ISO/TC 197 leadership. An invitation from the European Commission JRC IET in Petten (Netherlands) was received to host the plenary meeting in 2016. South Korea and China are candidates for 2017.

Karen Hall (USA) and Jim Ferrero (Canada) were named to the permanent editing committee, which is responsible for:

  • Updating and editing enquiry drafts (DIS) and Final Draft International Standards (FDIS) considered at meetings or circulated between meetings; and
  • Ensuring their conformity with Part 2 of the ISO/IEC Directives.

Meeting resolutions were discussed and approved.

Following closure of the meeting, many attendees went on a tour at Kyushu University.

The author wishes to thank Dr. Jay Keller (FCHEA), Mr. Glenn Schefler (US TAG Head of Delegation), Dr. Nick Hart (UK Head of Delegation) and Dr. Andrei Tchouvelev (ISO/TC 197 Chair) for their contributions to this article.

Scope Change Announced for Compressed Hydrogen Station and Components for Fueling Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

CSA Group's HPIT 2 document is now focused on developing requirements for compressed hydrogen fueling dispensers for industrial trucks. 

CSA Group's Automotive Technical Committee recently approved a proposed Scope change for the HPIT 2 project which covers compressed hydrogen station and components for fueling hydrogen powered industrial trucks. The new scope is provided below. Effectively, this change reduces the scope of the HPIT 2 document to cover the dispenser, rather than the entire industrial truck refueling station.

This standard applies to:

a.     The mechanical and electrical features of newly manufactured dispensers, which includes the unit's control system and any ancillary equipment, used to dispense compressed hydrogen gas directly to onboard fuel systems located in hydrogen powered industrial trucks (HPITs) use for mobility/propulsion in a non-public application.

b.     Systems that refuel hydrogen powered industrial vehicles to a service pressure of up to 35 MPa at a refueling rate of no more than 2 kilograms per minute to one or more vehicles simultaneously.

This scope change provides an opportunity to focus discussions to the unique requirements of hydrogen dispensers for industrial trucks. 

If you have the technical background and are interested in being a part of the standards development committee working on this project, please contact Sara Marxen, Project Manager, Alternative Energy, CSA Group, at sara.marxen@csagroup.org. 

Update on International Work Item Proposal to Revise ISO 16111
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

At the end of 2014, ISO/TC 197 circulated a New Work Item Proposal (NWIP) from France to revise ISO 16111:2008, Transportable gas storage devices - Hydrogen absorbed in reversible metal hydride [N630]. The proposal included modifying the scope of 16111 to include metal hydride assemblies greater than 150 liters in size.

During the ISO/TC 197 plenary meeting in Fukuoka, Japan in December, there was much discussion of this proposal, with France describing the need to update the published document, as well as a desire to cover larger metal hydride assemblies. There were concerns expressed from a few participating countries, with the USA noting that ISO 16111:2008 is incorporated into the UN Model Regulations and the ICAO Technical Instructions. The concern related to uncertainty whether the proposed changes in scope would be acceptable to the UN and ICAO, or if such a modification might put the existing approvals at risk. 

As a result of the discussions at the Plenary meeting and subsequently, the French mirror committee has agreed to withdraw the NWIP that was being balloted. The NWIP ballot that was to close on January 31st has been cancelled. The Secretary of ISO/TC 197 has informed member experts that there will be a new ballot concerning the revision of ISO 16111 that will be posted in the near future. This new ballot is currently being processed by the Secretary for distribution. 

The new ballot proposes to revise ISO 16111 within its original scope, thereby mitigating concerns of compromising its reference in UN Model Regulations. A revised standard can be easily "plugged-in" to UN Model Regulations along with the existing ISO 16111:2008, which will then be phased out within a set period of time (5 years is typical) after the publication of the new revision. The new proposal includes a rationale for revision and the Table of Contents with highlighted sections proposed for revision, and a recommendation by the Technical Advisory Board (TAB), with a full account of background for the item, to revise ISO 16111:2008 within its original scope on a 24-months track and create a new Working Group for this purpose and nominate experts. A Joint Working Group (JWG) with ISO/TC58/SC3 is suggested, since the original document was developed by a JWG with ISO/TC58/SC3. Collaboration with European CEN/TC268 may be considered under Vienna Agreement (similar to what is being set up for WG24) to facilitate the future standard adoption within the EU. A mandate will be given to the new JWG to develop a solution how best to address larger than 150 L systems (for further TAB review and TC approval). 

This inspired solution will address the concerns expressed by the US and others, and allow work to begin to address the needs expressed by the French mirror committee.

The revised proposal and TAB recommendation support the appointment Dominique Perreux as Convenor of the new WG for a 3-year term.

The process and willingness of the Technical Committee to fully explore the issue, merits and concerns associated with this proposal clearly reflects the spirit of openness and cooperation which the TC 197 Chair, Dr. Andrei Tchouvelev, emphasizes in the Technical Committee. 

It is worth noting that as the current proposal from France covers the standard revision within its original scope, a formal NWIP and associated ISO process are not required, however in the spirit of cooperation and transparency, the proposal is to be submitted to a one month Committee Internal Ballot (CIB) requiring a simple majority approval by P-members.

NFPA 2 Second Draft Report is Now Available
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

The National Fire Protection Association has posted the Second Draft Report for the next edition of NFPA 2: Hydrogen Technologies Code, at http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=2&tab=nextedition.

The Second Draft Report is posted on the NFPA website. The Second Draft Report serves as documentation of the Comment Stage and is published for public review. It consists of the Second Draft, Public Comments with corresponding Committee Actions and Committee Statements, Correlating Notes and their respective Committee Statements, Committee Comments, Correlating Revisions, and Ballot Statements. The Report also contains a list of Technical Committee and Correlating Committee Members. The public may review the Report in order to decide if they want to submit a Notice of Intent to Make a Motion (NITMAM).

NFPA 2 is on the Annual 2015 revision cycle. March 6, 2015 is the deadline to file a NITMAM on documents in the Annual 2015 revision cycle.

Where authorized, anyone who is not satisfied with the work of the Committee can submit a NITMAM. A NITMAM is an amending motion that will be heard by the NFPA Membership for consideration and debate at the NFPA Technical Meeting; these motions are attempts to change the resulting final Standard from what the Committee submitted for consideration as the Second Draft. 

If no amending motions are certified by NFPA by March 6, 2015, NFPA 2 will move directly to Standards Council for issuance.

FCHEA Year End Regulatory Matrix
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA), maintains a matrix of prioritized safety, codes, standards, and regulations activities which support commercialization, are important for commercialization, or are critical for commercialization. This Regulatory Matrix is a living document which is reviewed by FCHEA Working Groups at their regularly scheduled meetings, as well as the broader fuel cell and hydrogen industry stakeholders during the monthly webinars of the National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Codes and Standards Coordinating Committee.

Once each quarter, FCHEA posts the Regulatory Matrix online to inform FCHEA members of changes in the status of regulatory activities which impact wide-scale commercialization of fuel cell and hydrogen energy systems. The matrix is also reviewed with applicable codes and standards development organizations for review and comment, ensuring CDOs/SDOs have opportunities to inform FCHEA stakeholders of progress in the development of the regulations, codes and standards that industry is tracking. 

The FCHEA Regulatory Matrix was reviewed by industry during FCHEA working group meetings at the end of 2014, and revisions were made to update the status and relevance of the activities to commercialization. Duplicate entries were removed, along with entries where it was determined no activity was taking place or being requested by industry. 

The most recent version of the matrix is provided here. This version is a clean copy, after accepting all the changes proposed by industry and codes and standards developers. 

Those interested in following progress of the activities, learning about new initiatives which impact commercialization, and discussing industry priorities in regulations, codes and standards are encouraged to join FCHEA's working groups. Information on these, as well as other FCHEA activities, can be found at http://www.fchea.org/activities/.

State of California Adopts NFPA 2
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

California State Fire Marshall Information Bulletin 14-010 communicates California's adoption of NFPA 2 (2011 version), which will be published on January 1, 2015 and become effective statewide July 1, 2015.

Early use of NFPA 2 can be used on a case-by-case basis in accordance with alternate means and methods provisions included in the California Fire Code or California Building Code Section 1.11.2.4.