EU beefs up hydrogen statistics
The European Commission will require EU member states to give more detailed energy statistics from next month including about the types of hydrogen used. The commission said the data will be essential in implementing the bloc's hydrogen strategy.
Whether used as a feedstock, fuel or energy carrier and storage, all hydrogen use must now be reported. But when in a mixture, hydrogen only has to be reported when it is the "main component with a high degree of purity".
Hydrogen is one of several aspects of the EU's annual and short-term monthly energy statistics that the commission says need to be updated. Aside from data on new energy carriers like hydrogen, the commission wants more detailed data on renewable energy sources, as well as improved "timeliness" of annual data collection.
The changes to the EU's 2008 energy statistics regulation will also require data on decentralised power production monitoring small producers like households and firms with their own solar panels, as well as information on large-scale batteries, heat pumps and non-energy use of renewables such as bio-lubricants and bio-asphalt.
The commission said improved data on hydrogen will differentiate green hydrogen derived from renewable energy sources from hydrogen that is produced from oil or gas. It hopes to gain data on how hydrogen is used in the economy, particularly in sectors that are difficult to decarbonise like maritime and air transport. The commission views the new statistics as an essential tool in monitoring the implementation of the EU's hydrogen strategy.
The EU is aiming for at least 6GW of installed renewable hydrogen electrolyser capacity and up to 1mn t/yr of green hydrogen production by 2024, rising to at least 40GW of installed electrolyser capacity and output of up to 10mn t/yr by 2030.
Related news posts
Indonesia aims to launch 15 CCUS projects by 2030
Indonesia aims to launch 15 CCUS projects by 2030
Singapore, 5 July (Argus) — Indonesia aims to bring 15 potential carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects onstream between 2026-30. Indonesia has carbon storage potential in 20 basins, comprising 573bn t of saline aquifer storage and 4.8bn t of depleted oil and gas reservoirs across Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi and Papua, according to the country's ministry of energy and mineral resources (ESDM). The government is pushing for the Sunda and Asri basins as well as the Bintuni basin to become CCS hubs, said the ESDM's director of upstream oil and gas business development, Ariana Soemanto. Indonesia in January issued a presidential regulation on the implementation of CCS activities, which sets out the framework for the country's CCS development. CCS development in Indonesia can be undertaken via two pathways under the regulation, said Ariana. The first is the implementation of co-operation contracts in existing oil and gas areas by upstream contractors. The second pathway allows parties to establish a separate CCS business through target injection zone exploration permits and carbon storage operation permits. The regulation also allows CCS operators to set aside 30pc of the storage capacity from international sources. Singapore was the first country to sign an agreement with Indonesia after the regulation was issued, to co-operate on cross-border CCS. Countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia have the storage space to sequester captured CO2, but not the funds to develop the infrastructure. Direct government investment is necessary to develop and install CCS infrastructure such as pipelines, and carbon pricing could be a solution . Indonesia also launched its carbon exchange in September last year. By Prethika Nair Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Q&A: RAG says EU lacks clear hydrogen storage rules
Q&A: RAG says EU lacks clear hydrogen storage rules
Brussels, 4 July (Argus) — RAG Energy Storage has been one of the front-runners in hydrogen storage, and established the first operational commercial underground hydrogen storage (UHS) in a depleted gas field in April 2023. Argus spoke to its managing director Georg Dorfleutner, who is calling for a clear framework. Are you OK with the EU apparently scaling back from 10mn t/yr of hydrogen imports? We base the modeling of the report for HeartforEurope more or less on 2030 projections from the RepowerEU strategy. The assumptions on our modelling to identify an investment gap for hydrogen storage were rather conservative — that the only demand would come from industry, thus a rather flat profile over the year without seasonal-shift needs yet. From our side we have multiple potential hydrogen storage projects throughout Europe, but the hydrogen market development and support regimes for infrastructure investments will define the timely realisation. How might any scaling back affect your report's projected 36 TWh H2 storage gap? Whatever happens infrastructure needs to be in place very soon. Our report really underlines the need for a clear framework for hydrogen storage. And we come with a toolbox of different possible measures to support this. Storage tariffs alone won't solve the issue of market ramp-up. Policymakers may feel relieved that the gas and hydrogen decarbonisation package was finished before the EU elections. But our report is more or less saying that this alone will not do the trick. Could a strict EU definition of low-carbon hydrogen hinder growth? The wider and more pragmatic the definitions of low-carbon hydrogen are, the easier market ramp-up will be. Market ramp-up is enormously important for infrastructure. You don't build infrastructure just for demand over the next two years but for the next 10-15 years. Do we need more tailored financial support for UHS, at EU and state levels? There's simply no tailored financial support right now. There's a little aid for hydrogen storage research projects. Currently, policy-making appears focused on whether or not hydrogen infrastructure has to be unbundled. As for financial support, we're completely out of the picture for now. And there's this idea that regulated tariffs make commercially viable projects. But that's not true. It's only booked capacity based on a cost-covering approach that delivers a financially viable project. You don't build infrastructure just to have nice infrastructure without customers. Do we need EU and member state UHS targets? We're not looking for a strict mandatory goal. But if there is a certain goal for hydrogen uptake in the market, then you should ensure that you have the necessary infrastructure in place. That said, targets may be helpful at state level in setting a framework for state aid. But we also have to recognise that Europe is very diversified. Some areas may have very well-functioning hydrogen supply while other landlocked countries might depend on longer supply chains, thus being more dependent on storage. Are markets ready for UHS? Firms are already approaching us. The market is willing, but they need to know what the costs are. The best way forward then is providing clear rules for storage and giving industry a clear pricing idea. There also need to be clear state support mechanisms until we get to cheaper hydrogen and sufficient infrastructure utilisation. In the process of creating UHS capacities we need to keep in mind the SOS for natural gas, which currently is crucial. That's why we focus on new sites — caverns, porous reservoirs and aquifers — rather than repurposing. But at some point, post-2030 with a market ramp-up, decisions on repurposing gas into hydrogen storage will need to be taken. Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
EU’s centre-right EPP mulls Green Deal tweaks
EU’s centre-right EPP mulls Green Deal tweaks
Brussels, 3 July (Argus) — The European Parliament's largest group, the centre-right EPP, is working to complete the bulk of its strategy programme on 4 July at a meeting in Portugal. Key elements in the party's 2024-29 policy agenda include significant changes to the bloc's climate and energy policy for 2030. A draft of the five-point policy plan lists revising CO2 standards for new cars and vans to "allow for the use of alternative zero-emission fuels beyond 2035". The EPP also calls for a new e-fuel, biofuel and low-carbon fuel strategy "with targeted incentives and funding to accompany the EU hydrogen strategy". Additionally, the EPP wants the incoming European Commission to create a "single market for CO2" with a market-based framework for carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU), through an accompanying legislative package similar to that adopted for the EU's gas and hydrogen markets. The strategy document discusses a "Green Growth Deal" aiming to achieve the EU's 55pc emission reduction target by 2030 — from 1990 levels — and climate neutrality by 2050, while boosting the EU's competitiveness and ensuring technological neutrality. The draft document emphasises the need to transition "away from fossil fuels towards clean energy", also by ramping up international hydrogen production. And the draft advocates for a "simple, technology-neutral, and pragmatic definition for low-carbon hydrogen" in upcoming technical legislation from the commission. More controversial points include postponing application of the EU's deforestation regulation and addressing problems related to its implementation. The EPP also wants to split the EU's industrial emissions directive into "industrial and agricultural parts", conduct a "full-scale" inquiry into why farmers are not receiving fair prices for their products, and require robust impact assessments for the economic viability of farms for any new animal welfare proposals. The group's members of parliament are meeting until 5 July. Commission president Ursula von der Leyen is also attending. She was [recently nominated](https://direct.argusmedia.com/newsandanalysis/article/25825320 by EU leaders for re-election. The EPP programme will significantly influence policy priorities that von der Leyen would support, if she is approved by an absolute majority of 361 votes at a session in Strasbourg on 15-18 July. But von der Leyen may need to drop more controversial points to secure a majority with liberal, centre-left and green support. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Mexico to tap economist for energy minister
Mexico to tap economist for energy minister
Mexico City, 27 June (Argus) — Mexican president-elect Claudia Sheinbaum appointed economist and lawyer Luz Elena Gonzalez to become energy minister in her government that will take office on 1 October. Gonzalez has a long record in public service and served as finance director of the Mexico City government during Sheinbaum's tenure as the capital's mayor from 2018-2024. She has no direct energy industry experience. Sheinbaum won a convincing victory in the 2 June presidential elections and will take office on 1 October when Morena political party founder and current president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador ends his six-year term. Gonzalez will face a range of challenges as energy minister including completion of the long-delayed Olmeca refinery, development of a plan to tackle state-owned Pemex's enormous debt, expansion of Mexico's electricity generation and grid capacity with a renewed focus on clean energy and the construction of natural gas storage. She will also be in charge of policy decisions that will define the role of private-sector investors in the energy sector. Gonzalez will replace Miguel Angel Maciel, appointed following energy minister Rocio Nahle's resignation in October 2023 to pursue the Veracruz gubernatorial election. Nahle, who took office as energy minister in 2018, led efforts to build the Olmeca refinery and has been a strident supporter of Lopez Obrador's energy sovereignty policy that has sought to restrict private-sector investment. Sheinbaum also appointed Jesus Esteva as transport minister, Raquel Buenrostro as civil service minister, David Kershenobich as health minister and Edna Elena Vega as urban and rural development minister. All of the candidates appointed today have either worked with Sheinbaum during her period as Mexico City mayor or in Lopez Obrador's government. By Rebecca Conan Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.
Business intelligence reports
Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.
Learn more