Interview with the ISO/TC 197 Chairman

by Dr. Andrei V. Tchouvelev, Chair, ISO/TC 197, and Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

In this fifteenth installment of FCHEA’s "Interview with the ISO/TC 197 Chairman" series of articles, Dr. Andrei V. Tchouvelev, focuses on a proposal to establish the first Sub-Committee (SC 1) within ISO/TC 197 Technical Committee (TC). The intent to establish a subcommittee on “Hydrogen at Scale and Horizontal Energy Systems” and the development of a proposal for it was approved by a Resolution of the TC at the last plenary meeting in December 2020. Per the above Resolution, a draft proposal has been developed by the TC Chair, the Chair-elect and Technical Advisory Board (TAB) members and has been circulated to ISO/TC 197 member countries for feedback. This interview provides an opportunity for Dr. Tchouvelev to share the concepts with a broader audience.

I asked Dr. Tchouvelev what has prompted ISO/TC 197 to consider the need to establish a Sub-Committee at this time. “ISO/TC 197 Hydrogen Technologies has been fulfilling the need for world-wide standards for hydrogen technologies since 1990,” Dr. Tchouvelev noted.  “The scope has been limited exclusively to pure hydrogen on one hand and to fundamental technologies on the other,” he added.  Dr. Tchouvelev went on to note “However, within the past decade, the ‘hydrogen footprint’ has overgrown its initial size and overlapped with other fuel options including conventional ones looking to reduce their carbon, GHG and environmental impacts.”  He acknowledged that these overlaps need to be addressed in partnership with other international standard and regulatory bodies, as well as other stakeholders. “Since more industries are looking to use clean energy solutions in their operations, they inevitably consider hydrogen as part of their low-carbon portfolios. As a universal carbon-free energy carrier and fuel, hydrogen quickly becomes a central link in the energy chain connecting these diverse industries together. This starts new hydrogen-based economy, which is horizontal by nature,” he added.

I asked Dr. Tchouvelev for some examples of such activities where hydrogen experts and other stakeholders may be able to work together to address this need.

“Yes, absolutely,, Dr. Tchouvelev offered. He noted TC 197 has been approached to consider new activities which were not a good fit for the traditional work of TC/197, but which could be a good fit with the concept of a dedicated Sub-Committee, where collaborative work could take place.

“The new SC 1 could provide a home for work when we take the lead, or provide support, to systems that involve hydrogen,” Dr. Tchouvelev explained.  Many examples relate to standards in areas where the regulatory regimes/requirements are different from those we traditionally consider, he noted. “New expertise is needed to advance items such as rail applications, maritime applications, aerial vehicles, power grid interconnections, and adding hydrogen to natural gas grids,” he stated.  “Other areas might include fuel quality for different application (beyond PEM FC road vehicles), and heating or cooking using hydrogen in domestic appliances,” he continued.

Dr. Tchouvelev further explained that while SC 1 would be an integral part of ISO/TC 197, it would serve to provide a home for prospective work items that, by their nature, require a broader set of stakeholders to address. Dr. Tchouvelev was also ready to share some examples of already requested activities related to an expanded ‘hydrogen footprint’, scaling up and new horizontal energy schemes that SC 1 would be able to tackle in collaboration with other TCs (ISO, IEC, CEN) and stakeholders (e.g. IPHE, Hydrogen Council):

  • Integration of electricity and natural gas grids into “energy grids” (IEC TCs, CEN/TC 234, CEN/CLC JTC 6)

  • Electric grid balancing and energy storage to accommodate the use of RES and their integration into energy systems (IEC TCs, CEN/CLC JTC 6)

  • Sustainability of hydrogen technologies including Guarantees of Origin (GO and GO +) schemes of zero and low-carbon hydrogen, GHGs and other sustainability elements (IPHE H2PA TF, ISO/TC 207/SC7, Hydrogen Council)

  • Residential markets: cooking appliances (ISO/TC 291)

  • Large scale hydrogen production by electrolysis of water (can be linked to electric grid balancing) (IEC TCs, CEN TCs, Hydrogen Council)

  • Large scale (both liquid and compressed gas based) land, underground, watercraft and aircraft infrastructure and applications: rail, maritime, aviation, mining (IEC/TC 9, ISO/TC 8, ISO/TC 67/SC9, FRA, IMO, ICAO, Mining regulators)

  • Testing of scaled-up components and multi-energy systems (National test bodies).

I asked Dr. Tchouvelev if he could provide some additional clarity regarding the workload sharing between the parent committee and the proposed SC 1.  “ISO/TC 197 will continue focusing on basic / fundamental requirements for hydrogen technologies in production, storage, handling, built environment, protocols and components including road (LD and HD) vehicles and their fueling infrastructure for ’pure‘ hydrogen within familiar regulatory regimes,” he replied. “ISO/TC 197/SC1 will focus on applications’ requirements of hydrogen technologies at large scale and in horizontal energy systems where hydrogen plays central or significant role and where an overlap or blending with other fuels and energy carriers and systems is considered; or where different expertise and approaches are required due to different global technical regulations,” he added.

I asked Dr. Tchouvelev how the leadership structure for ISO/TC 197, as well as the proposed SC 1, might operate. “Mr. Tetsufumi Ikeda (the ISO/TC 197 Chair-elect), will be taking over the Chair for TC/197 in January 2022, Dr. Tchouvelev announced. “I will stay involved through leadership of the new SC 1, with the existing Technical Advisory Board to start with,” he added. I asked Dr. Tchouvelev how he imagined the SC 1 structure to evolve. He responded “New program leaders may be appointed in the future as specific work activities are started and expand.” “My expectation is that new leadership and expertise will first appear as convenors and project leaders of new projects,” he suggested. “We will have to wait to see what develops,” he noted.

I asked Dr. Tchouvelev whether TC/197 should consider adding several new SCs, to address the myriad technology areas we envisage. “I think this is inevitable and logical, but we need to start somewhere,” he noted. “This is just the beginning.”

I asked Dr. Tchouvelev if he had any final thoughts he wanted to share as we wrapped up the interview. “Yes,” he replied. “The important thing today is to give a home to these activities where we see industry and governments wanting to move forward, to thrive with collaborations to address the expanded footprint and scaling up of integrated hydrogen and fuel cell technologies and systems.”

Hazardous Materials: Harmonization with International Standards

by Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

On August 10, 2021, the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

PHMSA proposes to amend the Hazardous Materials Regulations to maintain alignment with international regulations and standards by adopting various amendments, including changes to proper shipping names, hazard classes, packing groups, special provisions, packaging authorizations, air transport quantity limitations, and vessel stowage requirements. Additionally, PHMSA proposes an amendment to the Hazardous Materials Regulations that would allow for better alignment with Transport Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations.

A copy of this notice can be found at https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2021-08-10/pdf/2021-15425.pdf. The notice includes instructions for submitting comments, which are requested by October 12, 2021.

Opportunity for Fuel Cell Experts to Shape Changes in IEEE 1547

By Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA and Mark Siira, IEEE

The 2018 edition of IEEE 1547 - IEEE Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces, introduced new technical requirements which are dramatically different than the 2003 edition. These requirements are on a track to be mandatory for Distributed Energy Resource (DER) Interconnections starting in January 2022 based on legislative / regulatory action underway for interconnection in many states.  This was followed by the publishing of IEEE 1547.1 that specifies the test procedures.   There are several additional standards in this series that add clarity in certain applications of the standard.

IEEE P1547.9: Guide to Using IEEE Standard 1547 for Interconnection of Energy Storage Distributed Energy Resources with Electric Power Systems, is open for public review.   This Guide provides information on and examples of how to apply the IEEE Std 1547, for the interconnection of Energy Storage Distributed Energy Resources (DER ES). The IEEE P1547.9 scope includes DER ES connected to area Electric Power Systems (EPS) that are capable of bidirectional real and reactive power flow and are capable of exporting real power to the EPS. Guidance is also provided for non-exporting DER ES, such as Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) type systems that support onsite loads, or Electric Vehicle (EV) chargers, with charging attributes that could have power system impacts, e.g. modulating rate of charge proportionally to system frequency.

This standard project has entered the balloting process.   You may review the document at the following link: https://publicreview.standards.ieee.org/public-review-web/public-app.

To ensure that fuel cell systems meet the new requirements, FCHEA, though our Stationary Power Working Group (SPWG) along with IEEE Industry Technology Systems Organization, is leading the industry discussion to facilitate overall clarification and coordination on electrical aspects of fuel cell systems. Electric utilities, engineers, and other stakeholders are included in the discussions.

The technical specifications for, and testing of, the interconnection and interoperability between utility EPSs and DERs are addressed in this standard. It provides requirements relevant to the performance, operation, testing, safety considerations, and maintenance of the interconnection. It also includes general requirements, response to abnormal conditions, power quality, islanding, and test specifications and requirements for design, production, installation evaluation, commissioning, and periodic tests. The stated requirements are universally needed for interconnection of DER, including synchronous machines, induction machines, or power inverters/converters and will be sufficient for most installations. The criteria and requirements are applicable to all DER technologies interconnected to EPSs at typical primary and/or secondary distribution voltages. Installation of DER on radial primary and secondary distribution systems is the main emphasis of this document, although installation of DERs on primary and secondary network distribution systems is considered. This standard is written considering that the DER is a 60 Hz source.

To be prepared for the requirements in IEEE 1547 to become mandatory for DER Interconnections starting in 2022, overall clarification and coordination on Electrical Aspects of Fuel Cell Systems is needed. The industry would derive value from a technical forum to identify gaps in standards and develop communication to develop best practices.  For Example, IEEE would see value in reviewing typical typologies and applications of fuel cell systems to ensure that fuel cell systems in grid connected applications are able to meet the requirements in the adopted standard. Consideration must be given to inverters, energy storage, and the demands for reactive power, to name a few. Conversely, FCHEA members would benefit from guidance on specific issues from IEEE Subject matter experts. The potential need for a topology of fuel cell systems which includes performance of the system relative to interconnection has been raised by the SPWG.

IEEE encourages stakeholders who encounter challenges in interpreting specific language in IEEE 1547, to work with IEEE or a joint liaison committee to better understand these issues or concerns to inform IEEEs efforts.  FCHEA members may contact Karen Quackenbush to engage in these ongoing discussions.

Fuel Quality Control Document Published

by Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

ISO 19880-8:2019/Amd 1:2021, Gaseous hydrogen — Fuelling stations — Part 8: Fuel quality control — Amendment 1: Alignment with Grade D of ISO 14687, has been published and is now available from ISO and ANSI.

This document specifies the protocol for ensuring the quality of the gaseous hydrogen at hydrogen distribution facilities and hydrogen fuelling stations for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells for road vehicles.

This revision replaces ISO 19880-8: 2019.

EHSP Launches Two New Documents for Safety Planning and Management

By Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

The European Hydrogen Safety Panel (EHSP) has published two new documents for safety planning and management, including a new guidance document for the Safety Planning and Management in EU hydrogen and fuel cell projects.  The new document builds on a 2019 safety planning guidance document and provides further information on safety planning, monitoring, and reporting for hydrogen and fuel cell projects in Europe.

Safety Planning and Management in EU Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Projects – Guidance Document 

The European Hydrogen Incidents and Accidents Database (HIAD 2.0) shows the number of events increased from about 250 events in 2018 to almost 500 events in 2020.  The second EHSP document is an analysis of safety data and events contained in the HIAD 2.0 database and is meant to highlight lessons learned with regards to hydrogen safety and provide further general recommendations to all stakeholders.

Statistics, lessons learnt and recommendations from the analysis of the Hydrogen Incidents and Accidents Database (HIAD 2.0)

The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) launched the EHSP in 2017 to assist the FCH JU Programme and projects in assuring that hydrogen safety is adequately managed and to promote and disseminate a high-level hydrogen safety culture within the FCH JU and beyond.