Green Hydrogen Standard for India

In a significant move for the progress of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the government has notified the Green Hydrogen Standard for India. The standard issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India outlines the emission thresholds that must be met in order for hydrogen produced to be classified as ‘Green’, i.e., from renewable sources. The scope of the definition encompasses both electrolysis-based and biomass-based hydrogen production methods.

The notification of the Green Hydrogen Standard brings a lot of clarity to the Green Hydrogen community in India and was widely awaited. With this notification, India becomes one of the first few countries in the world to announce a definition of Green Hydrogen.

Definition of Green Hydrogen

The Government of India has approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission. For the purpose of the mission and its ensuing policies and programmes, following are specified: 

The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy has decided to define Green Hydrogen as having a well-to-gate emission (i.e., including water treatment, electrolysis, gas purification, drying and compression of hydrogen) of not more than 2 kg CO₂ equivalent / kg H₂.

"Green Hydrogen" shall mean Hydrogen produced using renewable energy, including, but not limited to, production through electrolysis or conversion of biomass. Renewable energy also includes such electricity generated from renewable sources which is stored in an energy storage system or banked with the grid in accordance with applicable regulations.

Whereas, for Green Hydrogen produced through electrolysis:-

The non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions arising from water treatment, electrolysis, gas purification and drying and compression of hydrogen shall not be greater than 2 kilogram of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of Hydrogen (kg CO₂ eq/kg Hydrogen), taken as an average over last 12-month period.

Whereas, for Green Hydrogen produced through conversion of biomass:-The non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions arising from biomass processing, heat/steam generation, conversion of biomass to hydrogen, gas purification and drying and compression of hydrogen shall not be greater than 2 kilogram of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of Hydrogen (kg CO₂ eq/kg Hydrogen) taken as an average over last 12-month period.

A detailed methodology for measurement, reporting, monitoring, onsite verification, and certification of green hydrogen and its derivatives shall be specified by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency shall be the Nodal Authority for accreditation of agencies for the monitoring, verification and certification for Green Hydrogen production projects.

The notification of the Green Hydrogen Standard for India can be accessed here.

Source : MNRE