Australian producers can calculate the emissions intensity and create Product Guarantee of Origin (PGO) certificates for making batches of hydrogen using electrolysis.
To do this, you’ll need to:
- identify and understand hydrogen emissions sources
- understand co-products and losses
- provide your quantity information.
We’re developing calculators that will help you calculate emissions intensity using the supplied quantity information.
Measuring hydrogen for certificates
For hydrogen, the functional unit is 1 kg. Each PGO certificate represents 1 kg of hydrogen.
We only issue certificates for the whole kilogram amount. For example, if a batch contains 10.9 kg, we will only issue 10 certificates.
Production modules and emission sources
Minimum production module
All hydrogen produced via this pathway must include the minimum production module:
- electrolysis.
Optional production modules
Include optional modules if the relevant processes are part of the production pathway. For electrolysis, there are 2 optional modules:
- intermediate storage tank production module for hydrogen
- gas conditioning production module.
Production emission sources
Depending on how hydrogen is produced, emissions may need to be accounted for from different sources. Only emissions sources that occur for the batch need to be reported.
Emission sources for hydrogen production via electrolysis may include:
- electricity supply and use
- water supply
- steam supply
- synthetic gas use
- fuel supply and combustion.
Oxygen co-product
Producing hydrogen via electrolysis also produces oxygen as a co-product.
- If oxygen is sold at market value, a reduction in reported emissions may apply.
- The reduction is proportional to the share of oxygen sold compared to oxygen produced for the batch.
- Only emissions associated with the minimum electrolysis module are eligible for this reduction.
If oxygen is not sold, or is vented or used on site without sale, no co-product reduction applies.
The co-product reduction is calculated in accordance with the method and reflected in both:
- total production emissions
- emissions intensity reported for the batch.
Delivery modules and emission sources
Hydrogen produced via electrolysis may include delivery modules, each with their own associated emission sources.
Emission sources for the delivery of hydrogen via vehicle transport may include:
- fuel supply and combustion
- electricity supply and use
- synthetic gas use.
Emission sources for the delivery of hydrogen via pipeline transport may include:
- electricity supply and use
- fuel supply and combustion
Emission sources for the storage of hydrogen may include:
- electricity supply and use
- steam supply
- synthetic gas use
- fuel supply and combustion.
A delivery profile is not required if hydrogen moves directly from the production gate (the point where hydrogen is ready for delivery) to the delivery gate without using a delivery module. For example, when it is self-consumed at the production facility.
Delivery-related losses
Losses may occur during the delivery stage of the hydrogen’s lifecycle. These losses can result from:
- leakage
- venting
- self consumption within delivery equipment
- storage inefficiencies.
Where delivery modules apply:
- the amount of hydrogen that reaches the delivery gate must account for any losses
- losses are calculated using measured inputs and outputs, or approved default loss rates (where applicable).
No losses are applied if hydrogen moves directly from the production gate to the delivery gate without using a delivery module.
Attributes shown on certificates
As well as the attributes listed on PGO certificates, certificates for hydrogen produced via electrolysis include:
- whether oxygen was sold as a co-product, and any co-product reduction in emissions intensity
- the type and quantity of water used per kilogram of hydrogen in a batch
- the pressure in kilopascals
- the purity as a percentage of the total volume.