
Unlocking Funding and Trust with EU-Backed Green Hydrogen Certifications
December 26, 2024European Commission Grants Certification Schemes for Renewable Hydrogen and RFNBOs
The European Commission has taken a major step towards decarbonizing the energy and industrial sectors with its formal approval of certification schemes for Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs), including renewable green hydrogen. This new framework sets standardized criteria for designating fuels as “green,” helping align international hydrogen producers with the European Union’s stringent renewable energy goals.
Prospective producers can now certify their renewable hydrogen and other RFNBOs under approved schemes like REDcert-EU, ISCC EU, and CertifHy. These certifications demonstrate compliance with EU regulations and open access to funding opportunities. Additionally, they support broader adoption across member states and sectors like industry, transport, and maritime shipping.
For the legal documents: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202403176
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=OJ:L_202403180
Recognizing the Importance of Certification
The EU’s certification process ensures accountability and transparency in hydrogen production, paving the way for greater trust in renewable technologies. Certification metrics include lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions assessments to confirm that renewable hydrogen cuts emissions by at least 70% compared to fossil fuels. Criteria such as ‘additionality’ guarantee producers use only new and unsupported renewable electricity sources for hydrogen production, preventing dependence on pre-existing capacities.
With these guidelines in place, renewable hydrogen becomes a compliant and reliable energy carrier for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries. Sectors like steel, fertilizer manufacturing, and aviation—where other renewable solutions are impractical or costly—can adopt certified RFNBOs as cleaner alternatives.
Advancements in RFNBO Technology
The hallmark of RFNBOs lies in their method of production, specifically electrolysis. Electrolysis technology, powered by renewable electricity from sources like wind or solar, splits water into hydrogen and oxygen without producing GHG emissions. Key developments in this field aim to increase efficiency and scalability.
Innovations in electrolysis cell technologies, such as Solid Oxide Electrolyzers (SOE) and Polymer Electrolyte Membrane (PEM) systems, are reducing energy consumption while increasing hydrogen yield. Improved energy storage solutions are also helping bridge challenges posed by intermittent renewable electricity. These advancements make hydrogen a more accessible and economically viable option for decarbonizing large-scale operations.
Additionally, alternative RFNBOs like renewable ammonia and methanol, synthesized from nitrogen and captured carbon dioxide respectively, are emerging as low-emission fuels. Ammonia, which needs fewer resources to produce compared to methanol, could significantly reduce fuel costs in sectors like shipping.
Aligning with Europe’s Larger Hydrogen Strategy
The European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and complementary frameworks like FuelEU Maritime underscore ambitious targets for renewable hydrogen integration. By 2030, at least 42% of hydrogen used in industrial applications must come from renewable sources, increasing to 60% by 2035.
EU initiatives such as the FuelEU Maritime regulation highlight the potential of hydrogen in reducing emissions from the shipping sector. The regulation aims for an 80% reduction in shipping emissions by 2050, aided by mandatory RFNBO usage onboard vessels. Such decisive regulatory action builds momentum for hydrogen-powered transportation across Europe.
To meet these ambitious goals, certification schemes play a central role. They not only simplify compliance for hydrogen producers but also ensure fuels align with sustainability objectives. International producers exporting renewable hydrogen to the EU will now certify their products under consistent and rigorous standards.
Recent Developments Driving Progress
The recent formal adoption of two delegated acts in June 2023 has further delineated the roadmap for RFNBO production. These acts define methodologies for calculating lifecycle emissions and regulate producer requirements, such as signing power purchase agreements with renewable electricity providers. Producers can use existing renewable installations for these agreements until at least 2028, sometimes easing initial investment costs.
Further, advancements in project scale, like the Zeevonk project in the Netherlands—combining a 2GW offshore wind farm and a 1GW hydrogen electrolyzer—illustrate how renewable electricity and hydrogen production are being integrated to expand capacity. These test cases serve as demonstrations for other global initiatives moving toward renewable energy transitions.
Why It Matters
The significance of renewable hydrogen certification lies in its role as a linchpin for meeting net-zero emissions goals. Decarbonizing tough sectors like manufacturing and heavy transport is essential to achieving climate targets. Hydrogen and RFNBOs offer practical and scalable solutions, capable of displacing fossil fuels in key applications.
Their adoption also helps stabilize Europe’s energy system. Hydrogen can store renewable energy produced during peaks and release it during shortages, improving grid reliability. This dual role as both an energy carrier and storage medium anchors hydrogen firmly in Europe’s clean energy future.
Applying the Technologies Now and Looking Ahead
Immediate applications for RFNBO technology include expanding hydrogen use in heavy industry. For example, substituting fossil-based hydrogen with renewable sources in chemical production could instantly lower manufacturing emissions. Further, maritime shipping is positioned to benefit from integrating RFNBOs like renewable ammonia, which holds potential as a low-cost and scalable fuel of the future.
On the horizon, ambitions laid out in RED III and FuelEU Maritime stretch toward 2050, signaling the timeline needed to fully transition sectors dependent on fossil fuels. Yet incremental steps—like increased production efficiency, early regulatory compliance, and public-private partnerships—can accelerate progress. Efforts to harmonize policies globally will also be crucial in ensuring hydrogen’s viability beyond Europe.
By capitalizing on these new certification schemes, stakeholders in energy, logistics, and industry can drive innovation today. Applying these practices now gives Europe and the world a platform to convert climate promises into meaningful action—paving the way for a sustainable and accountable renewable energy economy.
“Turquoise Hydrogen” needs to be in the mix.
Hi Carl, I fully agree, but you avoided mentioning what turquoise hydrogen is. It is the splitting of biomethane, produced from waste organic material such as plant and other vegetable matter, at high temperature, usually around 900C directly into hydrogen and solid carbon. This is already being done by the Hazer process in Perth, Western Australia: hazergroup.com.au
I have no financial interest in the Hazer Group.
The key problem with the roll-out of fossil-free fuel cell grade hydrogen (cleaner than 99.99%) is the high cost of it which in turn is the cost of electricity used to power the electrolysers. Here in the UK we have the highest electricity prices in Europe which is why we have the greatest growth in wind farms as those that build them secure the best return on their investments, paid for by consumers who suffer the high electricity price. What is missing from your article Bret is a mention of the huge potential for tidal power around the UK which flows 24/7 unlike wind or sun; this is well developed and has been producing reliable power in the Solway Firth north of Scotland for more than 10 years.