ISO/TC 197 Updates

ISO TC 197 Plenary Report

by Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

ISO/TC 197, the international body dedicated to developing standards for hydrogen technologies, held a series of meetings in Sydney, NSW, Australia, during the week of December 5, 2022. The meetings took place at Standards Australia with the opportunity to participate in person as well as remotely.

Monday and Tuesday were reserved for Working Group meetings.

Wednesday was reserved for the SC 1 plenary and a Strategic Planning Meeting, which highlighted hydrogen activities in Australia and around the world.

The ISO/TC 197 Plenary meeting took place on Thursday and Friday. This report provides highlights of this meeting.

112 members, representing 15 countries, participated either in person or remotely.

The following new Technical Program Directors (TPDs) were announced and welcomed:

  • Nha Nguyen as the new TPD for Safety and Built Environment for the next 3 years;

  • Nick Hart as new TPD for Production, Storage and Distribution for the next 3 years; and

  • Graham Meadows as the new TPD for Components and Vehicular Applications for the next 3 years.

Herve Barthelemy, Craig Webster, and Dr. Jay Keller will serve as TPDs throughout their term until June 2023. TC 197 also reappointed Dr. Andrei Tchouvelev as TAB convenor for a period of three years.

Working Group reports were provided, with project extensions granted where applicable, and Convenors reappointed to complete the ongoing work.

In response to the recent changes in ISO directives for Technical Report, the convenor of WG 29, Dr. Jay Keller, was asked to poll WG 29 members regarding the future direction of ISO TR 15916.

A new working group, with Convenor Batiste Ravinel, will be initiated to revise ISO 13984, which will introduce new liquid hydrogen fueling protocols.

ISO/TC 197 agreed to create a multipart series based ISO/AWI 17268 developed by WG 5 - Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle refuelling connection devices, under Livio Gambone convenorship.

ISO/TC 197 agreed to revise ISO/AWI 17268 “Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle refuelling connection devices” as ISO/AWI-1 for a 24-month project duration. The proposed title is “Gaseous Hydrogen land vehicle refuelling connection devices – Part 1: Flow capacities up to and including 120 g/s”.

ISO/TC 197 invited United States to formally submit an NP to develop ISO/AWI 17268-2 - Gaseous hydrogen – Land vehicle refuelling connection devices, for a 36 month project duration. The new title is proposed to be “Gaseous Hydrogen land vehicle refuelling connection devices – Part 2: Flow capacities greater than 120 g/s”.

WG 15 presented its progress report. TC 197 approved to create a multi-part series, renumber ISO 19884 to be ISO 19884-1 - Cylinders and tubes for stationary storage, create ISO/TR 19884-2 - Technical Report to present test methods & data for materials, and ISO/TR 19884-3 - Technical Report for data on shallow cycle life estimation, to provide data necessary to support the work of this working group.

TC 197 approved to move project ISO/AWI 22734-2 - Hydrogen generators using water electrolysis – Part 2: Testing guidance for performing electricity grid service, from Technical Report to Technical Specification, and to transfer the project to ISO/TC 197/SC 1.

TC 197 confirmed the following liaisons pending ISO CS approval:

  • World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) - Category A liaison

  • International Hydrogen Fuel Cell Association (IHFCA) - Category A liaison

ISO/TC 197 accepted the invitation from UNIDO to hold the next ISO/TC 197 plenary week in late 2023 in Vienna.

ISO TC 197 Subcommittee 1 Holds First Plenary Meeting

by Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

The first Plenary Meeting for ISO/TC 197’s new subcommittee, SC 1 - Hydrogen at scale and horizontal energy systems, took place on Wednesday, December 7, 2022. As this is the first subcommittee under TC 197, there was much discussion regarding the structure, responsibilities, and balance between the technical committee and the subcommittee. TC 197 Chair Tetsufumi Ikeda and SC 1 Chair Andrei Tchouvelev noted that the structure may evolve as other subcommittees are approved in the future. In the meantime, the appointment of a dedicated Committee Manager for ISO/TC 197, as well as utilization of a shared Technical Advisory Board (TAB) will help ensure the necessary collaboration between the technical committee and subcommittee.

Seungkyu Kang of Korea presented on “Safety requirements for hydrogen fueling for ships”. During the discussion, it was agreed that this item needs further investigation and consultation with relevant stakeholders to better understand the approach to collaboration and standard development of this topic.

Yong Nam Choi of Korea presented on “Liquid hydrogen- Aerial vehicle fuel tanks”. The subcommittee agreed it is appropriate to create a Preliminary Work Item (PWI), with Mr. Yong Nam Choi as project leader, to better prepare a New Work Item Proposal. The next steps will include discussions with relevant SAE/EuroCAE groups to determine any future collaboration under TC 197 SC 1.

SC 1 agreed to the planned transfer from ISO/TC 197 of ISO/AWI TR 22734-2 Hydrogen generators using water electrolysis – Part 2: Testing guidance for performing electricity grid service, subject to corresponding ISO/TC 197 resolution.

SC 1 also agreed to establish a number of liaisons with stakeholders relevant to the planned work of the subcommittee.

SC 1 agreed to establish liaison relationships with the following standards development organizations:

  • IEC/TC 31/SC 31 J - Classification of hazardous areas and installation requirements; IECEx IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres;

  • IEC/TC 9/PT 63341-2 - Electrical equipment and systems for railways;

  • ISO/TC 269 Railway applications, AHG2 Rail vehicle hydrogen refuelling equipment;

  • IEC/TC 67/SC 9 - Production, transport and storage facilities for cryogenic liquefied gases;

  • ISO/TC 207 Environmental management; and

  • ISO/TC 207/SC 7 - Greenhouse gas and climate change management and related activities.

In addition, SC 1 agreed to establish liaison relationships with the following non-standards development organizations:

  • Category B Liaison with United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO);

  • Category B Liaison with International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA);

  • Category B Liaison with International Partnership for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE); and

  • Category A Liaison with Hydrogen Council.

During the discussion, it was suggested to approach International Energy Agency (IEA) Hydrogen Technology Collaboration Program with a proposal to establish a liaison.

ISO/TC 197/SC 1 agreed to hold the 2023 ISO/TC 197/SC 1 annual plenary meeting in conjunction with ISO/TC 197 plenary week.

Call for Experts for New ISO/TC 197 Working Groups

by Haboon Osmond, FCHEA

The following three Working Groups are seeking experts to participate:

  • ISO/TC 197/WG 1 - “Liquid hydrogen - Land vehicles fuel tanks”

  • ISO/TC 197/SC 1/WG 1 - “Methodology for Determining the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Associated with the Production, Conditioning and Transport of Hydrogen to Consumption Gate”

  • ISO/TC 197/WG 35 – “Liquid Hydrogen Land Vehicle Fueling Protocol”

If interested, please reach out to Thomas Deary by email at tdeary@cganet.com.

NFPA Update

by Haboon Osmond, FCHEA

The 2023 edition of NFPA 2, Hydrogen Technologies Code, is now available here.  

The next edition, in the Fall 2025 revision cycle, is open for public input until January 4, 2024.

To submit public input using the online submission system, please visit here. Please note that interested individuals will be asked to sign-in or create a free NFPA account before using the system.

Center of Hydrogen Safety’s Liquid Hydrogen: Safety and Design Considerations Webinar

by Haboon Osmond, FCHEA

On January 26, the Center for Hydrogen Safety hosted a webinar focused on liquid hydrogen and the operational, design, and construction considerations surrounding them. Additionally, the webinar explored the delivery of liquid hydrogen, hydrogen safety, and liquid hydrogen tanks.

The webinar discussed how to:

  • address design considerations for liquid hydrogen systems

  • understand the equipment and components in a liquid hydrogen system

  • recognize what to consider when choosing a location for a liquid hydrogen system

  • identify codes, standards, and regulation governing liquid hydrogen systems

  • manage the unique properties and hazards of liquid hydrogen

  • implement the process for delivery of liquid hydrogen at a site

Dr. Harold Beeson and Thomas Witte from the Hydrogen Safety Panel were the webinar presenters.

For further information, please visit here.

Summaries of FCHEA’s WG Meetings

by Haboon Osmond, FCHEA

Distribution Working Group Meeting Summary

On December 5, 2022, FCHEA’s Distribution Working Group held its third meeting since the realignment of the working groups. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards, a Republican perspective on permitting reform and hydrogen interstate pipeline regulation was shared with the working group. The meeting closed with walk-in items. 

Production Working Group Meeting Summary

On December 7, 2022, FCHEA’s Production Working Group held its fourth meeting since the realignment of the working groups. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal and state hydrogen and fuel cell policies, the primary focus of the meeting was on ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code proposal. Additionally, Friem, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group.

Power Working Group Meeting Summary

On December 13, 2022, FCHEA’s Power Working Group held its fourth meeting since the realignment of the working groups. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, Aris Energy Solutions, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group. The meeting closed with a discussion on working group updates.

Transportation Working Group Meeting Summary

On December 14, 2022, FCHEA’s Transportation Working Group held its fifth meeting since the realignment of the working groups. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, Hexagon Purus, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group. 

Commercial Working Group Meeting Summary

On January 3, FCHEA’s Commercial Working Group held its first meeting of 2023. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, FuelCell Energy, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group. The meeting closed with walk-in items.

Production Working Group Meeting Summary

On January 4th, FCHEA’s Production Working Group held its first meeting of 2023. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, Terrestrial Energy, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group. The meeting closed with walk-in items.

Distribution Working Group Meeting Summary

On January 10, FCHEA’s Distribution Working Group held its first meeting of 2023. The working group discussed updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies. Additionally, Proteum Energy, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group. The meeting closed with a discussion on working group updates and walk-in items.

Power Working Group Meeting Summary

On January 17, FCHEA’s Power Working Group held its first meeting of 2023. The working group discussed updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies. The meeting closed with a discussion on working group updates and walk-in items.

Transportation Working Group Meeting Summary

On January 18, FCHEA’s Transportation Working Group held its first meeting of 2023. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, ZeroAvia, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group. The meeting closed with a messaging discussion on policy considerations for medium and heavy-duty vehicles and a discussion on transportation updates and walk-in items.