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Hydrogen as our fuel of the future takes a step closer with 13 newly published standards

New Zealand sits at the point of an energy revolution with thirteen new standards set to energise how the energy sector changes over the years ahead and lead the way for innovation, export opportunities and decarbonisation.

Artists impression of hydrogen use

These adopted versions of international standard represent so much more than technical specifications. They represent New Zealand industries’ ability to safely and effectively adopt hydrogen use and set a path for scaled-up domestic production and export. They also represent our government’s ability to enact change, ensure adherence to safety and tap into new markets. To fully appreciate the impact of the standards we need to look at the bigger picture they play a role in. New Zealand Hydrogen Council’s Chief Executive Dr Linda Wright, also Chair of the committee that reviewed and endorsed the standards’ adoption, explains more.

‘Trillions of dollars have been invested globally on hydrogen and zero emission transport fuel and New Zealand has a role to play leading the global decarbonisation of energy. This is big and important change we’re talking about. Hydrogen as a source of energy has a whole range of applications including in road vehicles, airplanes and marine transport and for electricity supply and definitely as a tradeable energy commodity.

‘In real terms implementing standards-based change means job opportunities, improved safety, economic growth, and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Implementing these standards and growing our use of and production of hydrogen gives a particular opportunity for New Zealand through our extensive renewable energy potential.‘

New Zealand’s clean green hydrogen

‘To create ‘green’ hydrogen that doesn’t use fossil fuels for the generation you need renewable energy sources – on a global stage New Zealand is seen as ahead of many other countries with around 85% of our electricity generated by renewables like our 21 wind farms, the Taupō Volcanic Zone geothermal plants and hydro generation at places like Waitaki and Manapōuri in the south island. We are well positioned to be a global leader in the generation and trade of green hydrogen and other countries are keeping a close eye on how we develop this area.’

From racing boats to home deliveries

‘These standards will be important to a wide range of users. The New Zealand Hydrogen Council has only officially been around since 2018 and yet we have 67 members already. These are companies in diverse industries, some of which aren’t just following international practice, they are actually global leaders in hydrogen use and delivering the infrastructure required to grow the use of hydrogen in New Zealand and internationally.

‘There are amazing and inspiring examples like the Emirates Team New Zealand’s hydrogen powered foiling chase boat ‘Chase Zero’ will five being used in the America’s Cup next month. This started as an incredible prototype her in New Zealand that could help influence the global marine industry. There’s New Zealand Post who were the first company to add a hydrogen powered Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell truck to their fleet for commercial heavy transport. Already that’s done over 100,000km equivalent to more than 100,000 kg or over 100 tons of CO2. And that’s just one truck. Auckland Transport have trialled a GBV Christchurch-built hydrogen bus on the Botany to Waitematā route. HW Richardson, New Zealand’s largest transport company, has introduced the first hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel truck in the Southern Hemisphere. Christchurch-based engineers Fabrum are creating liquid hydrogen storage facilities and mobile tanks, refuelling stations and electrolysers used in generation.

‘Up to now all of this has happened under a regulatory frame written before hydrogen was deployed. At the same time some international standards for hydrogen have been in existence for over a decade so having these standards in play will support government to lay the path for modern and more reflective regulation.’

Standards are the cornerstone

‘For hydrogen use and production in New Zealand standards are the absolute cornerstone for industry and public confidence in safety. They are a fundamental pre-requisite so that all these individual companies and industries operate and acknowledge associated safety standards.

‘Adopting international standards and recognising them within New Zealand’s regulatory framework not only prevents barriers to trade but is the most streamlined and effective means of bringing about necessary change. Importantly by adopting them for use in New Zealand it means we are not starting from scratch or reinventing the wheel. These standards will be critical for the success of all industries working with hydrogen, and we could not have done this work without Standards New Zealand, those on the P3652 – hydrogen standards committee, including Hydrogen Council members and WorkSafe New Zealand – Energy Safety.

‘This is just the start of our evolution towards wider hydrogen use and supports opportunities to help us decarbonise domestically, grow capability in skilled workforce, create new innovation opportunities and generate export revenue. And importantly, to lead from the front. The government recently put out their Emissions Reduction Plan which mentioned hydrogen nearly 20 times. So, this work is absolutely aligned with government’s thinking.’

Below is the list of thirteen newly adopted standards, which are available through Standards New Zealand’s webshop and listed below.

More to come

Standards New Zealand’s Principal Project Manager Chris Forsman, who has been leading standards development involving New Zealand’s energy transition, adds, ‘This was a complex and deeply challenging project that cut across six ministerial portfolios and multiple industries. This first tranche of adoptions did not happen in isolation and has been coordinated with the activities of our P4206 - Reticulated Gas Committee (chaired by David Innes). The second phase of this project is expected to get underway shortly and involves enabling the blending of hydrogen into the distribution leg of the natural gas network to approximately 20%.

'Meanwhile, the P3652 – hydrogen standards committee is expected to focus attention on the proposed modified adoption of an additional ten standards - covering electrolysis and onsite H2 production, to further support the refuelling of heavy transport. These standards are expected to  be reviewed for implementation over the next 12 months.’