Australian producers can calculate the emissions intensity and create Product Guarantee of Origin (PGO) certificates for making batches of hydrogen using solid gasification and pyrolysis.
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.
Producers may define separate batches where production processes differ.
Production modules and emission sources
Minimum production module
All hydrogen produced via this pathway must include the minimum production module:
- solid gasification and pyrolysis.
This is the minimum module which covers the thermochemical conversion of solid carbon-based feedstocks into synthesis gas using a gasifier or pyrolyser, and refining hydrogen from the synthesis gas. It must be used in every eligible batch.
Optional production modules
Include optional modules if the relevant processes exist at your facility. For gasification and pyrolysis, there are 3 optional modules:
- intermediate storage tank for hydrogen
- gas conditioning
- feedstock pre-treatment.
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 gasification and pyrolysis may include:
- electricity supply and use
- fuel supply and combustion
- feedstock supply
- carbonates use
- steam supply
- synthetic gas use
- oxygen supply and use
- carbon containing feedstocks use.
Delivery modules and emission sources
Hydrogen produced via gasification and pyrolysis 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.
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 (the point where hydrogen is ready for delivery) 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 solid gasification and pyrolysis include the:
- type and quantity of feedstocks
- if native forestry residue is used as a feedstock
- the biogenic carbon content percentage of each type of feedstock
- the pressure in kilopascals
- the purity as a percentage of the total volume.