Green Hydrogen Standard

This revised edition of the Standard also includes the Green Ammonia Protocol.

The majority of export-oriented green hydrogen projects plan to ship ammonia. Ammonia is preferred for three reasons: its energy density; its proven synthesis technology and existing supply chains; and its potential to drive decarbonisation in its own right. As with green hydrogen, a clear definition of green ammonia is needed.

The Protocol expects green ammonia projects to operate at <=.3 kg CO2e per kg NH3 (taken as an average over a 12-month period). In both cases, GH2 will review the performance of GH2 accredited projects on an annual basis, with the expectation that the boundaries of the emissions assessment framework can be widened and that the emissions threshold will be lowered in accordance with emerging best practice. GH2 will also extend this work to other green hydrogen derivatives. GH2’s definition of renewable energy is based on the technologies that are the leading candidates for scaling up green hydrogen production: hydropower, wind, solar, geothermal, tidal and other ocean energy sources.

Some countries believe that there is a role for nuclear energy to accelerate the shift from more polluting activities, such as coal generation. However, nuclear power has environmental and safety related issues which this Standard is not designed to address. Similarly, there are sustainability issues related to biomass and waste to energy that require careful scrutiny. GH2 welcomes the Green Hydrogen Standard inspiring further rules and standards for nuclear and other forms of energy production with close to zero emissions.

The Standard requires that the environmental, social and governance aspects of green hydrogen production are addressed. It requires that the development opportunities and impacts of green hydrogen production and use are considered. These are vital considerations for investors, customers, consumers and the communities that host green hydrogen projects. GH2 has been established to build the energy systems of the future.

Green hydrogen is a vastly superior technology to fossil fuels and will inevitably replace them. The only question is when, and we are running out of time. If you are committed to the energy transition, reach out to us here at GH2. We have a planet to save and no time to waste.

Stay informed:  Ammonia and Hydrogen