• Standards Australia continues to deliver solution-based standards to assist in achieving emissions reductions in line with the Commonwealth’s climate change commitment to the 2015 Paris Agreement and to support the growth of renewable energy and sustainability in Australia.
• In the first of its kind, Standards Australia is developing a hydrogen Technical Specification guideline for the storage and handling of liquefied and gaseous hydrogen.
• Standards Australia announces the kick-off to the Carbon Dioxide Capture, Transportation and Geological Storage (CCS) Project with a Technical Specification in development.

Looking towards a sustainable future, Standards Australia is leading the way in new standards development. With progress across renewable energy areas such as marine, wind and solar photovoltaic (PV), and projects focused on battery storage systems and electrical vehicles, Standards Australia is providing solutions towards sustainable sources of energy use in Australia.

In a recent announcement by the Australian government, new investments in clean hydrogen and carbon capture technologies are set to create around 2,500 jobs to support Australian industry and further drive down emissions.

Focusing on building a low carbon future, Standards Australia’s Hydrogen Technologies committee has been working with industry experts to adopt and further develop hydrogen standards.

“The federal government previously announced they have identified hydrogen as one of the top five priorities for low emission technologies it will be investing in over the next decade. Hydrogen is recognised as having the potential to play a significant role in the future of sustainable energy as a highly versatile energy carrier,” said Kara Chan, Engagement Manager at Standards Australia.

As Australia seeks to become a global exporter of hydrogen, Standards Australia are developing a Technical Specification with the objective to support safety of performance for the storage and handling of hydrogen. Key stakeholders, such as the Australia Hydrogen Council, are supporting the delivery of the framework.

“Australian standards and Technical Specifications for the safe storage, handling and production of hydrogen are significant in building community, investor and trading confidence in Australia’s hydrogen industry. The Australian Hydrogen Council is committed to working with Standards Australia and our members to support the delivery of this new Technical Specification for storage and handling of hydrogen,” said Dr Fiona Simon, CEO of the Australian Hydrogen Council.

In addition to the Technical Specification, Standards Australia has adopted and published 10 international standards with a Technical Report due for publication shortly with the objective to support hydrogen production in Australia. The series of standards aim to provide guidance for the safe use of hydrogen and support best practise for transport, trade and safe use in refuelling stations.

Australia's National Hydrogen Strategy has set a vision for a clean, safe, innovative and competitive hydrogen industry with the aim to position Australia as a major global player by 2030. The work of Standards Australia and the committee responsible for the development of the standards are pleased to be contributing to the strategy and positioning Australia as a global leader within the hydrogen sector.  

In one of Standards Australia’s newest projects to be kicked off, the CCS Project will provide guidance for quantifying and verifying emissions reductions from industrial and energy operations in Australia through the development of an Australian Technical Specification. The project will be of a net benefit to Australia’s environment, public health and safety.

The Technical Specification will complement the regulatory framework currently under development by the Clean Energy Regulator (CER), which focuses on the projects’ purpose and strategy.

“The publication will support the qualifications CCS Projects have under international agreements such as the UNFCCC Paris Accord (and), the International Law of the Sea guidance,” said Ms Chan.

The publication will also align with Australian federal and state Acts and regulations including:

• The federal National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 (NGER)
• The National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (Measurement) Determination 2008, providing methods and criteria for calculating greenhouse gas emissions and energy data under the NGER Act
• The Commonwealth of Australia’s Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Storage Act 2006 and associated regulations
• Respective Australian state petroleum and greenhouse gas storage Acts and regulations.

“With hydrogen being recognised globally for the potential to provide a solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the kick-off for the CCS Project in lowering emissions – Standards Australia looks forward to continuing to deliver solution-based standards to support renewable energy and sustainability,” concluded Ms Chan.

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