In-Depth Analysis of Green Hydrogen Certification Processes in the EU | Advisory Report as Guidance for the Development of Digital Solutions (Extended version)

In-Depth Analysis of Green Hydrogen Certification Processes in the EU Advisory Report as Guidance for the Development of Digital Solutions (Extended version)

Careful study to understand their background and essential PtX features as well as the involved steps, eligibility criteria and documentation requirements of the certification process. For the sake of completeness, the essential PtX features of the TÜV SÜD CMS 70 standard were also examined. To ensure comparability, the same characteristics were analyzed for all certification systems, which were assigned to the four groups ‘availability’, ‘GHG emission savings’, ‘technologies’ and ‘monitoring and control system’.

Regarding the applicability all examined certification scheme can be assigned to the category of customized schemes and are therefore not suitable for demonstrating target compliance for RFNBOs. Except for the CertifHy™ Scheme, all schemes are globally applicable, which means that they could in principle also be used for domestic purposes by companies in Brazil. GHG emission savings criteria vary widely across the certification systems due to differing Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) calculation methodologies and associated life cycle coverage. Technological requirements of the different PtX certification schemes are not uniform. TÜV Rheinland Standard H2.21 mandates electrolysis for hydrogen production, while other schemes are less prescriptive, focusing on energy source requirements.

Biomass is an accepted energy source in some schemes, and there is a general absence of stipulations on water source technology. Depending on the intended type and purpose of certification, the chain of custody models used differ. Both the book-and-claim model, which is typically used for GoO certificates, and the mass balancing model, which is prescribed for PoS certificates, are used. CertifHy™ Scheme and ISCC PLUS provide detailed guidance on how to deal with their chain of custody models as part of the certification process, while TÜV Rheinland Standard H2.21 is unclear in this regard. There is a variance in the availability and detail of guidance documents across certification schemes, affecting transparency and the ease of assessing a certification’s suitability for a company’s needs.

The certification process for products varies in complexity and effort required from different companies, with all schemes involving an audit of the production facility. ISCC PLUS emerges as a promising template for digital certification solutions, given its alignment with ISCC EU, which is EC-recognized for biofuel sustainability under RED II, and its detailed mass balancing procedures that address the complexities of multi-stakeholder supply chains. This is where digital solutions can unleash their potential by significantly improving the integrity, efficiency, and safety of processes along the value chain and driving forward a modern, global green hydrogen economy.

Finance for the Green Economy