Abstract Deadline Approaches for ICHS2021

By Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

The 2021 International Conference on Hydrogen Safety will take place in Edinburgh on 21­-23 September 2021. Organizers have sent a last call for papers, with a deadline of January 31, 2021. The themes and topics for the 2021 conference, Safe Hydrogen for Net Zero, are available on their website, and generally fit the following broad areas:

ICHS2021 looks to cover all topics relating to hydrogen and safety, and is open to topics listed below, as well as concepts that may not be listed.

  • ENERGY & INFRASTRUCTURE

  • MOBILITY AND TRANSPORT SAFETY

  • CROSS CUTTING TOPICS

Further details are available at https://hysafe.info/ichs2021/. 

ISO TC 197 2020 Plenary Highlights

by Andrei Tchouvelev, TC 197 Chair, Martine Lemieux, TC 197 Committee Manager and Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

ISO/TC 197, the International Standards Technical Committee responsible for Hydrogen Technologies, held their first ever virtual Plenary meeting on December 9, 2020. Highlights are provided here:

120 experts participated, representing 17 countries and 17 time zones from North America West Coast to Australia. As it was not possible to take the traditional group photo, Sara Marxen of the CSA Group put together the following collage of participants who joined with video.

Figure 1 Participants of the ISO/TC 197 2020 Virtual Plenary Meeting

Figure 1 Participants of the ISO/TC 197 2020 Virtual Plenary Meeting

Following introductions and perfunctory approvals, the Chair presented a traditional annual report. He particularly highlighted an outstanding work of TAB (Technical Advisory Board) that performed a significant effort in reviewing and vetting new work item proposals submitted by P-members within 2020. (For more details on TAB work, please refer to the Interview with the ISO/TC 197 Chair in July 2020 issue of the Safety Report). The Vice-Chair for Developing Countries provided a brief report on the adoption of hydrogen technologies in developing countries, notably, China, India, Russia and Malaysia.

ISO/TC 197 welcomed the offer of ISO/TC 22/SC 41 Road vehicles – Specific aspects for gaseous fuels for expanded collaboration and agreed to establish a new Working Group: Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle fuel system components to develop ISO 19887: Gaseous Hydrogen - Fuel system components for hydrogen fuelled vehicles, as a joint working group (JWG 30) between ISO/TC 197 and ISO/TC 22/SC 41 under the responsibility of ISO/TC 197.  Mr Graham Meadows (Canada) will serve as Convenor.

Mr. Antonio Ruiz was appointed as Convenor for Working Group 24: Gaseous hydrogen fueling stations – General requirements to develop ISO 19885 -1, -2, -3 Gaseous hydrogen – Fuelling protocols for hydrogen-fuelled vehicles – Parts 1, 2 and 3.

ISO/TC 197 extended the timeframe and mandate for WG 29 Basic considerations for the safety of hydrogen systems to continue updating materials compatibility table and relevant sections of the Technical Report, and to update content for the safe use of liquid hydrogen in non-industrial settings based on the finding and recommendations of the PRESLHY project (PWI 24077 Safe Use of Liquid Hydrogen in Non-Industrial Settings). Two Task Forces (TF1 and TF2) are being formed enlisting appropriate subject matter experts. A call for experts will be launched soon.

ISO/TC 197 agreed to start work on a revision for WG 28: Hydrogen quality control, on ISO 19880-8:2019 Gaseous hydrogen — Fuelling stations — Part 8: Fuel quality control (AWI 19880-8) to be harmonized with the revision of ISO 14687:2019 Hydrogen fuel quality — Product specification (AWI 14687), which is underway.

A new work item to publish a Technical Report (WI TR 22734-2: Hydrogen generators using water electrolysis – Part 2: Testing guidance for performing electricity grid service, passed ballot. ISO/TC 197 appointed Mr. Cyril Bourasseau as Project Leader in Joint Working Group (JWG) 32 to advance this effort along with the previously approved convenor Ms. Regine Reissner.

ISO/TC 197 agreed to extend the work of WG 5 Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle refueling connection devices to work toward the next revision of ISO 17268:2020 Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle refuelling connection devices (AWI 17268) focusing on revised H35HF drawings and the incorporation of H70HF receptacle profile. A formal call for additional members will take place to allow this work to proceed in 2021.

ISO/TC 197 agreed to extend the work of WG 18 Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle fuel tanks and TPRDs to focus on technical comments received during FDIS ballots for ISO 19881:2018 Gaseous hydrogen – Land vehicle fuel containers and ISO 19882: Gaseous hydrogen – Thermally activated pressure relief devices for compressed hydrogen vehicle fuel containers (AWI 19981 and AWI 19882) which were put on hold, and incorporate Type 3 and conformable container designs, and to work on harmonization with UN GTR 13 Phase II. A formal call for additional members will take place to allow this work to proceed in 2021.

Updates for the remaining working groups were provided, and Convenor terms were extended as necessary.

The following two documents were published since the 2019 Plenary meeting:

  • ISO 17268:2020 Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle refuelling connection devices; and

  • ISO 19880-1:2020 Gaseous hydrogen -- Fuelling Stations - Part 1: General Requirements

ISO/TC 197 thanked the WG leadership and members of these published documents.

ISO/TC 197 Secretariat (SCC) nominated Mr. Tetsufumi Ikeda of Japan as Chair-Elect, to transition to the role of Chair as Dr. Andrei Tchouvelev’s term limit will be reached at the end of 2021.

ISO/TC 197 welcomed the idea of establishing a new sub-committee dedicated to Hydrogen at Scale and Horizontal Energy Systems introduced by the Chair and encouraged the Chair together with the Chair-elect and Technical Advisory Board to develop a proposal for approval by the TC and ISO TMB by September 2021 with the objective to launch a new SC in January 2022.

ISO/TC 197 accepted an invitation from Korea to hold the next ISO/TC 197 plenary week in Seoul from December 6 to 10, 2021. Building on the success and experience of this virtual meeting, the plenary meeting in Seoul will most likely be a symbiosis of in-person and virtual options to accommodate as many P-members and participants as practical. 

Understanding the IEEE Standards and Processes That Affect Fuel Cells

By Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA and Mark Siira, IEEE

Introduction

IEEE is an organization working to foster technological innovation and excellence to benefit humanity. As the world’s largest technical professional organization focused on technology advancement, IEEE creates industry standards to establish best practices in a broad range of technologies. IEEE is also responsible for maintaining and revising standards as necessary.

IEEE Standards Association  (IEEE-SA) is developing standards through an ANSI – approved process.  

The IEEE standards are developed within one of the many IEEE societies, including:

  • IEEE Communications Society — Information transfer with signals: terminals, computers, systems and operations, transmission media networks, layout, protocol, and architecture.

  • IEEE Computer Society — All major areas of computing and information technology: computer hardware, software, multimedia, IT, security, networking, mobile computing, and more.

  • IEEE Consumer Technology Society — All aspects of the modeling, design, construction, testing, and end-use of mass-market smart devices, systems, software, artificial intelligence, big data technology and services for advanced consumer products and services.

  • IEEE Industrial Electronics Society — Industrial and manufacturing theory and applications of electronics, controls, communications, instrumentation, and computational intelligence.

  • IEEE Industry Applications Society — Global design, development, application, and management of electrical and electronic systems, apparatus, devices and controls.

  • IEEE Intelligent Transportation Systems Society — Engineering and information technologies as applied to systems using synergistic technologies and systems engineering concepts.

  • IEEE Power & Energy Society — Planning, R&D, design, construction, and operation of facilities systems for generation, transmission, and distribution of electric energy.

  • IEEE Power Electronics Society — Development and practical application of power electronics technology; electronic components, circuit theory techniques, and use of analytical tools.

  • IEEE Reliability Society — Attaining reliability, measuring, and maintaining it through the life of the system; availability, liability, quality, and system safety.

  • IEEE Vehicular Technology Society — Land, airborne, maritime mobile communications. Vehicular electro-technology, automotive industry systems. Traction power, signals, control systems.

In cases where the standard project has a scope that crosses into multiple societies – A Standards Coordinating Committee is responsible to Coordinates efforts in these fields among the various IEEE societies and other affected organizations.  The IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee 21 oversees the development of standards in the areas of fuel cells, photovoltaics, dispersed generation, and energy storage

In addition to standards development and disseminating knowledge base among interested parties, the IEEE Industry Standards and Technology Organization (ISTO) helps alliances with programs to advance new technologies for the benefit of particular industries..  The IEEE-ISTO provides value to new and emerging technologies through the promotion and market acceptance of technology solutions through industry consortia, special interest groups (SIGs), trade groups and alliances.   ISTO allows rapid deployment of the required capabilities to industries and groups that have an established core and facilitates the formation and development of industry alliances. The ISTO helps its alliance members reach their goals through a variety of activities including:  standards development, conformity assessment programs, marketing support, conferences and overall technology education and promotion activities.  Standards developed under the ISTO typically are completed in a shorter time than through the IEEE process, and the Intellectual Property of such standards remains with the specific ISTO alliance that developed the standard.

While formally a separate entity from the IEEE, the IEEE-ISTO maintains an affiliation with the IEEE.

The industry playing field for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells is fertile to developing wholistic systems-level white papers, training in existing standards and actions to fill the gaps for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, allowing realization of the industry potential.

This article gives an overview of IEEE standards – we will look at one standard that is focus for today.   The standards that are undergoing revision most relevant to stationary Fuel Cells are the (Grid) Interconnection series (1547 Series) and Smart Grid Interoperability (2030 Series).  Together, these standards provide guidance and a framework for a robust and resilient electric power system. 

Interconnection Standards

The purpose of this article is to introduce the Fuel Cell Industry to the body of standards that can have immediate and relevant impact on fuel cell industry.   The IEEE Standard 1547 (1547) is a voluntary industry standard for interconnecting distributed energy resources (DERs) with electrical power systems (EPSs). While businesses are not required to adhere to the standard, governing bodies and regulators often use IEEE standards as the foundation for laws.

The first version of IEEE 1547 was created in 2003 to establish technical rules for distributed energy interconnection and did not anticipate significant changes in the penetration of DER connected to the electric power system (Area EPS). With increasing technological and economic advances, the grid has begun to experience high levels of renewable energy sources using inverters in some areas., resulting in a need to revise 1547. This new revision is known as IEEE 1547-2018, and we will use the term throughout this article.

The goal of the IEEE 1547-2018 is to establish DER requirements that will maintain bulk system reliability long-term. With distributed system safety and power quality in mind, the revised standard will provide performance standards that allows flexibility foreach distribution system’s needs.

Since DER technologies vary in their ability to achieve performance requirements, treating all the technologies in the same way could exclude certain types of DER from interconnection. The revision mitigates this by establishing a category framework that will create harmonized interconnection requirements and offer flexibility in performance requirements.

Fuel cells that are applied in a stationary application – that may have an electrical connection to the electric utility system will be required to meet these requirements.   These requirements are expected to become mandatory by local regulator authorities by early 2022.

Key IEEE 1547 Requirements  – Voltage Regulation Under Normal Operating Conditions

The IEEE 1547-2018 revision is technology neutral. Instead of creating performance requirements for specific DER technologies, categories that designate performance requirements for a DER under normal and abnormal operating conditions have been established.

All DER will need to provide voltage regulation capability for response to voltage variations within the normal operating range.  This regulation can be performed by injecting reactive power and absorbing reactive power.  The requirements are specified along control modes.  For example, in the Voltage-reactive power mode – if voltage is lower than the reference setting for normal, the DER injects reactive power; if voltage is higher than reference, the DER absorbs reactive power to actively control voltage within the reference range.  

To account for different Area EPS conditions, the requirements for Area EPS voltage regulation are specified in two performance categories:

Category A specifies minimal performance capabilities and are available with most DER technologies.

Category B covers all requirements within Category A and specifies supplemental capabilities needed where the DER penetration is higher or where the DER power output is variable.

IEEE 1547 Requirements – Abnormal Operating Conditions

To improve the stability of the Area EPS, the requirements DER system’s response should consider the performance requirements of the Area EPS and the bulk power system (BPS) to which the Area EPS is connected.  These requirements specify DER actions under abnormal conditions such as faults, open phase conditions, reclosing operation, and voltage. 

A significant improvement in this standard is the precision of language used in the terminology for response to abnormal voltage and frequency.  For example, the description of actions required during and after disturbance have distinct definitions for certain actions under certain specified conditions.

  • Mandatory operation-

  • Momentary cessation

  • Permissive operation

  • Cease to energize

  • Trip

It is anticipated that the improved clarity in these requirements will improve the security and stability of the electric power system.

Restoring output and return to service requirements are also specified in the same manner.

The required capabilities for response to abnormal Area EPS conditions are specified in three operating performance categories: Category I, Category II, and Category III.   These will be specified by the EPS operator.  It is anticipated that the majority of DER should have Category II disturbance ride-through performance.

Other IEEE 1547 Requirements

Units v. System — The new revision will change the way in which the standard is applied. Previously, the industry has applied IEEE 1547 and IEEE 1547.1 as an equipment standard, focusing on individual DER units. With the revision, the standard can be applied to the performance of DER units or the DER system as a whole.  This may be particularly attractive for stationary fuel cell systems that are modular in nature.

Reference Point of Applicability — IEEE standards provide requirements that are intended to ensure the power grid is maintained and running efficiently. IEEE 1547-2018 will aid in this by establishing performance standards based on the reference point of applicability for distributed energy resources.   This allows for small systems or systems supporting their own load to have different performance requirements for DER facilities.

  • The point of DER connection (PoC) - used to indicate the point where a DER unit connects to the local EPS (or facility point of connection).

  • The point of common coupling (PCC) - the connection where a Local EPS meets an Area EPS.

Most DER facilities that are designed to predominately export power to the gird or are larger than 500KVA aggregate rating will be held to 1547 requirements at the PCC.

The new revision to 1547 will have a significant impact on testing and certification.

Interoperability Requirements — All DER units and systems must have provisions for a local interface capable of communicating.  IEEE 1547-2018 specifies the information to be exchanged (i.e. nameplate, configuration etc.), communication performance requirements and communication protocol requirements.

Verification — Additional steps to verify the performance of a system require a design review, and as-built installation evaluation in addition to a comprehensive commissioning requirement.

History/Timeline of IEEE Standard 1547

  • 2003 — IEEE Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electrical Power Systems (1547-2003) was published as a voluntary industry standard.

  • 2005-2007 — Policy Action in 2005-2007: Energy Policy Act (2005) – The act cites IEEE 1547 Standard as the best practice for interconnection and it is adopted by all states.

  • 2007-2011 — Energy Independence and Security Act (2007) – The act cites IEEE as a standards development organization partner to NIST and lead to coordinate framework and roadmap for Smart Grid Interoperability standards. IEEE 1547 is adopted by the majority of jurisdictional entities across North America that set DER interconnection rules.

  • 2013 — Amendment 1 (IEEE 1547a) was passed to avoid bulk power systems reliability risk by allowing ranges of settings for tripping distributed resources for abnormal voltage and frequency. December 2013 – the process began to completely revise IEEE 1547.

  • 2014-2017 — Working Group meetings to develop IEEE 1547-2018.

  • 2017 — IEEE IEEE 1547-2018 balloted and approved

  • 2018 — Revision of the testing standards of IEEE P 1547.1 and final editing of this standard.

  • 2020 — 1547.1 Test and Verification procedures approved NARUC resolution recommends State commissions adopt IEEE 1547-2018 and align implementation of the Standard with the availability of certified equipment. For most systems over 500KVA, it is now required that commissioning tests be performed after the interconnection system is fully constructed / upgraded and installed prior to activation.

This article is intended to introduce opportunities for the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Industries that may result from current activities or added capabilities to the industry. We look forward to sharing many more cases and discussions.

First Mobile Hydrogen Testing Facility for United Kingdom in Development

By Connor Dolan, FCHEA

In November 2020, the TÜV SÜD National Engineering Laboratory announced that it had secured funding to build the United Kingdom’s (UK) first mobile hydrogen refueling station testing facility.  The purpose of the facility is to ensure accurate and consistent measurement of dispensed hydrogen.  TUV SUD received funding from the UK Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for this project. 

This program is similar to the Hydrogen Station Equipment Performance (HyStEP) device developed in the United States under the H2FIRST project.  The HyStEP device was funded through the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and developed by Sandia National Laboratories and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.  The purpose of the HyStEP device is to measure hydrogen station dispensing with respect to the required fueling protocol standard.

More information on the UK testing facility is available on the TUV SUD website at https://www.tuvsud.com/en-gb/press-and-media/2020/november/first-mobile-facility-for-testing-dispensed-quantity-at-hydrogen-refuelling-stations. 

More information on the U.S. HyStEP device is available on the H2 Tools website at https://h2tools.org/h2first/HyStEp.

Did You Know?

By Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

NFPA has recently announced that their 2021 NFPA Conference & Expo® will be an all-virtual and all-new experience.  In celebration of their 125th Anniversary in 2021, NFPA will hold a new, innovative virtual experience entitled the 125th Anniversary Conference Series. This will be a continuous lineup of comprehensive education sessions and innovative elements.

For up to date information regarding the 2021 Technical Meeting, please visit www.nfpa.org/2021techsession.

Hydrogen Strategies in Foreign Countries Will Bolster Safety Development

By Quailan Homann, FCHEA

The past few years have seen a significant increase in hydrogen and fuel cell interest. Among many stakeholders, including industry, academics, investors, and more, governments have become more and more proactive in their approach to ramping up hydrogen development, many by publishing national strategies that plans their country’s future relationship with the clean energy source.  

This remarkable development, while obviously beneficial to the broad deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technology, tacitly promotes the development of safety codes, regulations, and standards pertaining to the technology. Broad investment into fuel cells and hydrogen will surely bring an increased call for international codes and standards harmonization, buffing an already vibrant community of scientists and engineers who are working to ensure the proper implementation of safety measures.

The world is waiting in anticipation for what these national strategies will bring for technological development. As more countries publish hydrogen strategies, the plans reinforce commitment to a worldwide movement to support hydrogen. Below are some countries that have already published national hydrogen strategies.

Europe 

European Union

Following a push from Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, and Luxemburg to increase European funding and support for hydrogen, the European Commission followed up on a pledge to allocate part of a €750 billion (~$825 billion) coronavirus recovery fund to support a clean hydrogen economy by publishing the EU Hydrogen Strategy in early July 2020. The plan was released concurrently with the EU Strategy for Energy System Integration to provide a full transition plan by addressing energy efficiency, electrification, and more.

The European Commission detailed how hydrogen energy can support deep decarbonization of industry, transport, power generation, and buildings, while providing a guide to investments, regulation, market creation, and research and development. The Strategy describes a phased approach with goals set for the next five, ten, and thirty years. By 2024, Europe aims to install at least six gigawatts (GW) of electrolyzer systems to produce one million tonnes (~1.1 million tons) of renewable hydrogen annually. Between 2025 and 2030, the European Commission states hydrogen must become an intrinsic part of the energy system.  To accomplish this the Commission sets the goal of at least 40 GW of electrolyzers producing ten million tonnes of hydrogen (~11 million tons). By 2050 Europe hopes renewable hydrogen technologies will permeate through all hard-to-decarbonize sectors, becoming an essential and standard energy source.

Germany

One of the leading proponents of hydrogen technology, Germany is solidifying its commitment to a low-carbon hydrogen economy with the adoption of a national hydrogen strategy. Enacted on June 9th as part of a broader COVID-19 economic stimulus package, Germany plans to invest €7 billion (~$7.9 billion) into new businesses and research, as well as an additional $2 billion to foster international hydrogen partnerships. The country is committed to focusing on renewably produced hydrogen, especially through the use of offshore wind farms. Germany intends to increase electrolyzer hydrogen production capacity to five GW by 2030 and 10 GW by 2040.

Netherlands

The Netherlands has expressed interest in transitioning to hydrogen energy through the new unveiling of the “Government’s vision on hydrogen” letter in March 2020. To scale up production for the country, the Netherlands aims to provide €35 million (~$39 million) annually to ramp up hydrogen technology deployment.

France

France has launched a €100 billion (~$121 billion) recovery plan that includes €2 billion (~$2.34 billion) for developing a renewable hydrogen sector in the country. The fund will support regional hydrogen projects and a support mechanism for electrolysis to generate hydrogen, which includes a call for tenders and additional remuneration, along with a demonstration project. 40% of the funding will come from the European Commission’s recovery plan.

Expanding on the hydrogen provisions within the country’s recovery plan, France launched a €7 billion (~8.52 billion) clean hydrogen plan to invest in infrastructure and research by 2030. The plan focuses on decarbonizing industrial sectors which already make hydrogen, as well as calling for 6.5 gigawatts (GW) of electrolysis capacity by 2030.

Spain

Spain has approved a hydrogen plan focusing on clean hydrogen production. Spain estimates the hydrogen ambitions will cost €8.9 billion (~$10.83 billion) over the next ten years, much of which the country expects to come from the private sector. The country intends to install 4 GW of electrolyzers by 2030.

Finland

Finland has launched their National Hydrogen Roadmap through Business Finland. It focuses on low carbon hydrogen production, hydrogen for green chemicals and fuels, storage, transport, and end use over the next ten years. The Roadmap will serve as a knowledge base for future work, and hydrogen is expected to play an important role to help Finland achieve their goal of net neutrality by 2035.

Italy

Italy has prepared a draft document called the National Hydrogen Strategy Preliminary Guidelines as a way to decarbonize the economy while the country phases out coal and boosts renewable energy production. The Italian Industry Ministry intends to invest €10 billion (~$12 billion) into the hydrogen sector to 2030. Half the money will come from European funds and private investments. The document includes plans to introduce 5 GW of renewable-powered electrolysis over the period. It estimates that by 2030, hydrogen could make up 2% of Italy’s final energy demand while eliminating 8.8 million tons of CO2, creating more than 200,000 jobs, and contribute €27 billion (~$32,9 billion) to Italy’s gross domestic product (GDP). By 2050, the document estimates hydrogen could make up 20% of energy demand.

United Kingdom

In September 2020, the UK House of Lords discussed the possibility of a UK hydrogen strategy, noting the global hydrogen economy is set to be worth $2.5 trillion and create 30 million jobs by 2050. The discussion was reiterated in October, and the United Kingdom is expected to release a hydrogen strategy in the first quarter of 2021.

Asia

Japan

When looking at the international history of hydrogen support, one cannot pass up the first country to adopt a comprehensive plan: Japan. Home to two of the three automakers offering commercial fuel cell vehicles (FCV), Toyota and Honda, Japan displayed recognition of FCV and fuel cell importance by issuing a Basic Hydrogen Strategy in December 2017. Throughout the plan, Japan sets markers of 2030 and 2050 to achieve hydrogen goals that reduce the cost to the same of conventional energy. Japan’s plan is to create a carbon-free hydrogen society.

The Japanese government has also taken the lead by supporting the Fukushima Hydrogen Energy Research Field (FH2R), which finished construction of a solar-powered 10-megawatt hydrogen production plant at the end of February 2020. As part of the Basic Hydrogen Strategy, the plant will offer hydrogen for stationary fuel cell systems, fuel cell cars, fuel cell buses, and more.

South Korea

Home to FCV manufacturer Hyundai Motors, South Korea seeks to bolster hydrogen and fuel cell presence within its borders through the use of a “roadmap for hydrogen economy” unveiled in January 2019. The initial roadmap set targets including producing 81,000 FCVs in 2022, 1.8 million in 2030, and 6.2 million in 2040, but was expanded upon in June 2020 with the announcement of a fund targeted for the growth of the hydrogen economy.

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, South Korea committed to invest 34 billion won (~$28 million) into hydrogen and fuel cell technology, 28.9 billion won (~$24 million) for existing indirect investment and 5.1 billion won (~$4.2 million) for private and government funds. Among other goals, South Korea intends to target hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, transport, fuel cell and hydrogen charging, energy efficiency, repair and maintenance for solar and wind power, and companies specializing in hydrogen production as recipients of the investment.

South Korea has also bolstered its international government-industry relations. In February 2020, the South Korean hydrogen and fuel cell industry association Korea’s Hydrogen Convergence Alliance (H2Korea) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with FCHEA to collaborate and further the global interests of the industry. The partnership represents the worldwide interest expressed for industry to work with governmental entities, highlighting the necessary connections required between the two for success.

India

India is developing a roadmap for hydrogen by encouraging the private sector to scale up a focus on renewable hydrogen. The Indian government is looking at schemes to create a large market for hydrogen with policies that encourage hydrogen use and fuel cell adoption.

China

China has signaled strong support for development of hydrogen technologies through its policies, including the release of an update to its 2017 new energy vehicles development plan., which includes provisions for fuel cell vehicles. China also rolled out new policies specifically designed to support hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, by requiring local governments and companies to work toward the establishment of a robust hydrogen supply chain and business model, with the goal of strengthening the industry. In addition, China’s newest Five-Year Plan called for half of the country’s vehicles to be electric by 2035, including fuel cell vehicles as a qualifying electric vehicle.

Oceania

Australia

Australia is seen as a land of opportunity for renewable energy, and the government has taken note of the opportunities presented by hydrogen for creating fuel, energy storage, and even export revenue. Western Australia recognized this in July 2019, publishing the Western Australian Renewable Hydrogen Strategy, which saw the region as a producer, user, and exporter of the fuel. The plan included strategic focus area of export, remote applications, blending into existing gas networks, and transport applications. Through the publication of this plan, pressure has been put on the rest of Australia to follow suit in the pursuit of hydrogen technology.

As such, the central government created a National Hydrogen Strategy in November 2019 that focuses on advancing hydrogen production, developing export and domestic supply chains, establishing hydrogen hubs, and supporting projects building domestic demand for hydrogen.

Following up on the Strategy in May 2020, the Australian Minister for Energy and Emissions Reductions created the “Advancing Hydrogen Fund,” offering AUD 300 million (~$207 million) to finance projects growing a clean, innovative, and competitive hydrogen economy within Australia.

South America

Chile

In South America, the Chilean Government has unveiled a national hydrogen strategy to boost renewable hydrogen opportunities in the country. Goals include increasing electrolysis capacity by building or beginning development of 5 gigawatts (GW) of electrolyzers by 2025 and reaching 25 GW by 2030. The strategy estimates renewable hydrogen exports and derivatives could reach $2.5 billion annually over this timeframe. Chile plans to kickstart this reality by investing $50 million to develop these projects.

North America

Canada

In June 2020, Canada announced the development of a national hydrogen strategy. While it was in development, the Canadian province of Alberta took initiative by releasing the Natural Gas Vision and Strategy, which focuses on growing hydrogen production via steam reformed methane combined with carbon capture. While not a national strategy, the interest at the local and provincial level reflects the growing importance of hydrogen. In December, Canada finally unveiled a hydrogen strategy, speculating a need for CAD 5 billion – CAD 7 billion (~$3.93 billion – $5.50 billion) in near-term investments to grow the hydrogen industry. Though no new money was dedicated to the efforts, the strategy will guide policy to come. The Strategy estimates that by 2050, 30% of Canada’s end-use energy will be supplier by hydrogen technology, and the hydrogen sector will create 350,000 jobs, and $50 billion in direct revenue.