Update on Hydrogen in U.S. Model Codes

by Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

In the United States, Model Codes are updated roughly every three years. This article provides a brief update on activities that are focused on hydrogen energy technologies.

International Code Council (ICC) I-Codes:

The ICC currently has 456 references of hydrogen gas in ICC codes and is engaging with industry to focus on keeping codes and standards up-to-date and addressing any code gaps regarding hydrogen technology. An ICC Hydrogen Working Group recently completed their effort focusing on facilitating the use of hydrogen blends in buildings. It has been brought to ICC’s attention that traditional pipe sizing methodology for natural gas may need to be adjusted depending on the amount of hydrogen to be added to natural gas.

ICC’s goals for 2024 include developing jurisdictional permitting and plan review guidance for U.S. Clean Hydrogen Hub projects, as well as inspection checklists and best practice guidance documents for building and fire officials for hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and end use. Additionally, ICC will also seek to assist in the development and implementation of hydrogen installer credentialing to support safe installation and maintenance of hydrogen systems.

NFPA 55:

The Technical Committee responsible for NFPA 55, COMPRESSED GASES AND CRYOGENIC FLUIDS CODE (2023), has begun work on the 2026 edition. Public Inputs have been received and the Technical Committee is working toward publication of a First Draft Report by October 25, 2024. During this cycle, the Technical Committee will remove requirements for hydrogen, which are to be maintained in NFPA 2.

 NFPA 2:

The Technical Committee responsible for NFPA 2, HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGIES CODE (2023), has begun work on the 2026 edition. Public Inputs have been received, and the Technical Committee is working toward publication of a First Draft Report by October 25, 2024. The Technical Committee will hold an in-person First Draft meeting April 9-11, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana. In the event that more time is needed, a virtual meeting may be held April 23-24, 2024.

ASTM WK60937: New Specification for Design of Fuel Cells for Use in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)

By Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

 This standard defines the requirements for fuel cells and fuel cell-based power systems, including hydrogen-based fuel storage and refueling systems used in electric small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS).

The ballot for this item has just closed and the standard will be published sometime in February 2024.  Once available, it will be available for purchase from the ASTM website at www.ASTM.org.

Introduction to NICKEFFECT

by Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

NICKEFFECT is a project co-funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe program that aims to develop novel ferromagnetic Ni-based coating materials to replace the scarce and costly Platinum and ensure high efficiency in key applications.

 NICKEFFECT began in June 2022 and will run until June 2025.  It is led by a consortium that includes 12 partners from Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Spain, and the United Kingdom.

As part of this project, under the responsibility of UNE (Spanish standardization body) representing ISO/IEC in NICKEFFECT, specific standardization activities are included to:

  • Ensure compatibility with existing technologies by the identification of relevant existing standards;

  • Maximize dissemination to proper stakeholders by addressing the relevant standardization technical committees; and

  • Contribute with the findings and knowledge generated during the project to the development of standardization in the field.

 Applicable Technical Committees in CEN, IEC, and ISO are being contacted to raise awareness of the project and gather feedback. In addition, the second half of the project is intended to contribute to standardization from selected project results.

 For further information about NICKEFFECT, please see their webpage.

ISO Update

by Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

There are three important developments to share regarding activities in ISO/TC 197: Hydrogen Technologies.

  1. ISO/DIS 19885-1, Gaseous hydrogen — Fuelling protocols for hydrogen fuelled vehicles – Part 1: Design and development process for fuelling stations has passed FDIS ballot and is in publication

  2. ISO/TC 197 SC 1 launched its 19870 series

During the Plenary Meeting on November 15, 2023, ISO/TC 197/SC 1 agreed to create a multi-standard series based on ISO/TS 19870 Methodology for determining the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, conditioning and transport of hydrogen to consumption gate as a seed document as follows:

  • ISO 19870-1 on H2 production to production gate.

  • ISO 19870-2 on LH2 to consumption gate.

  • ISO 19870-3 on NH3 to consumption gate.

  • ISO 19870-4 on LOHC to consumption gate.

A Committee Internal Ballot is currently out to member countries to kick-off the development of Part 1 in the existing WG 1 with the same leadership team of Dr. Laurent Antoni, convenor, and Mr. Gabriel Lassery, project leader. The formal title of Part 1 is as follows:   19870-1 Hydrogen technologies — Methodology for determining the greenhouse gas emissions – Part 1: Emissions associated with the production of hydrogen up to production gate. Expected publication is November 2025.

The projected simultaneous launch of Parts 2, 3 and 4 in three new Working Groups is anticipated to take place in December 2024, with publication of Parts 2, 3 and 4 anticipated in November 2026. The exact titles of the other parts will be discussed and finalized later before their official kick-off.

3.       United States to lead Ad Hoc Group on Hydrogen Fueling station Standards

During the ISO/TC 197 Plenary Meeting, held in Vienna, Austria, on November 16-17, 2023, the United States (U.S.) gave a presentation on the need to open for revision ISO 19880-1:2020 - Gaseous Hydrogen - Fuelling Stations - Part 1: General Requirements. The U.S. noted a need to update the document to reflect the publication of other standards in the Gaseous Hydrogen - Fuelling Stations family of documents, address requirements for stations that may offer liquid hydrogen, or both gaseous and liquid hydrogen, address requirements for fueling heavy-duty vehicles, and other updates as needed.

ISO/TC 197 noted that liquid hydrogen is out of scope for the ISO 19880-x series of standards, and offered a way to find a path forward. ISO/TC 197 agreed to create a dedicated Ad hoc group (AHG) with the U.S. lead to draft a recommendation to a pathway forward including the development of one or more proposals to cover both gaseous and liquid hydrogen dispensing including heavy duty road vehicles.

The new AHG is “Update gaseous and liquid hydrogen dispensing” with Jennifer Hamilton as its Convenor. ISO/TC 197 P-member countries are able to nominate up to two experts each to serve on the AHG to analyze comments provided by National Standards Bodies on the draft proposal and presentation, as well as explore and recommend further pathways to address gaseous and liquid hydrogen refueling stations. The Committee Internal Ballot (CIB) for this purpose is currently open.

TÜV SÜD Introduces New Standard for Low Carbon Hydrogen and Blue Hydrogen

by Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

On December 1, 2023, TÜV SÜD issued a press release from Munich, Germany, announcing it has developed a new standard for the certification low carbon hydrogen and blue hydrogen and for its derivatives (currently ammonia). The press release is available here.

Summary of FCHEA Working Group Meetings - December 2023

 Production Working Group:

The Production Working Group (WG) covers the diversity of clean hydrogen production pathways, both from traditional and renewable sources. This WG addresses all aspects of hydrogen production.

A meeting of the Production WG took place on December 12, 2023.  Twenty experts participated. The meeting discussed information dissemination on hydrogen and fuel cell policies, and RCS updates.

 Transportation Working Group:

 FCHEA’s Transportation Working Group covers all applications of hydrogen and fuel cells in transportation across land, sea, and air.

A meeting of the Transportation Working Group took place on December 6, 2023.  Twenty-three experts participated. The meeting discussed information dissemination on hydrogen and fuel cell policies, and RCS updates. Ceres Power, an FCHEA member involved in solid oxide cell technology for power generation and electrolysis refined for over 20 years, presented to the WG. The meeting closed with WG updates.