At the 2024 Hydrogen Technology Expo North America in Houston, TÜV SÜD America CEO Dr. Fabian Schober provided valuable insights about the burgeoning hydrogen market. His presentation highlighted the critical role of safety, transparency, and certification in ensuring the successful global adoption of hydrogen as a key energy carrier.
Download Dr. Schober’s slide deck using the form on this page.
Dr. Schober underscored hydrogen's potential as a global commodity, noting that approximately 1,500 hydrogen project proposals have been announced globally, requiring an estimated $570 billion in investment through 2030, according to a 2023 report by the Hydrogen Council and McKinsey & Company. By 2050, a quarter of hydrogen and its derivatives are projected to be traded internationally, meaning hydrogen is set to have an even more pivotal role in the future of the energy landscape.
Dr. Schober explained that the emerging hydrogen market comes with several key challenges.
Guiding experience needed. Companies must develop or outsource expertise in financing, qualifications, and practical experience.
Unknown complexity. Building Power-to-X plants involves a lengthy process with many risks, including technical and safety challenges, requiring successful navigation of multiple project phases.
Risk of inefficiency and delays. Project interdependencies and unknown factors can lead to costly delays and complications with plant certification.
Broad regulations. Regulations impact project feasibility and phases, requiring an up-to-date understanding of political developments and current rules.
Emphasizing the importance of market access, Dr. Schober discussed TÜV SÜD’s commitment to enabling global trade in hydrogen. He highlighted the organization's long-standing expertise in green hydrogen certification, which has been part of TÜV SÜD's portfolio since 2011. With over 600 hydrogen experts operating in more than 20 countries, TÜV SÜD provides comprehensive services across the hydrogen value chain, from production to application.
Dr. Schober detailed various hydrogen certification standards including ISCC PLUS, CertifHy, and CMS 70 Green Hydrogen. These certifications ensure that hydrogen produced meets stringent sustainability and greenhouse gas emission criteria, facilitating market access and ensuring compliance with international regulations.
The session also focused on building a robust hydrogen ecosystem, highlighting the necessity of a holistic approach that combines technical, regulatory, and strategic perspectives. Dr. Schober outlined the various stages of hydrogen project development, from strategy and planning to operation and maintenance, where TÜV SÜD provides critical support.
He explained that TÜV SÜD offers:
Hydrogen production: Services such as project due diligence, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance inspections for electrolyzers and Power2Gas facilities.
Transmission, distribution, and storage: Services include material compatibility testing and pipeline integrity testing to ensure the safe and efficient transport and storage of hydrogen.
Usage and consumption: Certification for fuel cells, vehicle homologation, and testing for hydrogen refueling stations, supporting the deployment of hydrogen in various applications.
Dr. Schober concluded his presentation with a case study featuring TÜV SÜD’s work as Owner’s Engineer for Porsche. The luxury car company made an investment in the Haru Oni plant in Punta Arenas, Chile, with a facility producing so-called e-fuels by synthesizing green hydrogen with atmospheric CO2 to methanol – then converting the methanol to fuel for conventional combustion engines. TÜV SÜD provided comprehensive support throughout the project, including risk assessments, QA/QC of construction activities, document design review, on-site inspections, and more.
The session emphasized that the scale of hydrogen projects is growing rapidly, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Dr. Schober reiterated that TÜV SÜD's holistic approach, combining deep technical knowledge with regulatory and strategic insights, is essential for navigating the complexities of the hydrogen market. He invited companies to partner with TÜV SÜD to ensure their hydrogen projects are safe, compliant, and positioned for success in the global market.
For more information or to discuss your hydrogen challenges, contact TÜV SÜD. Together, we can pave the way for a sustainable, hydrogen-powered future.
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