Guard rails for a volatile
Germany recently presented a roadmap establishing the standards for developing a hydrogen economy. In the industry, the paper is regarded as a real milestone but has hardly been noticed by the media and the public. Does that show that the subject of hydrogen is largely underrated?
It does seem like the subject of hydrogen often does not receive the public and media attention it deserves in view of its potential. Hydrogen is deemed to be a central technology for the energy transition process and the decarbonization of various sectors including mobility, industry, and energy generation. In my view, the complexity of transitioning to a hydrogen economy including technological, economic, and political aspects might be a reason why the subject doesn’t always take center stage in media reports. By contrast, extensive discussion and developments are certainly taking place in professional circles and industrial contexts.
“A standardization roadmap establishes important guard rails for the future and demonstrates commitment to the energy transition process.”
Why are standards for the development of hydrogen technologies so important?
To answer that, I’m going to name an example from the Schaeffler world: For decentralized hydrogen production, we offer small and medium-sized electrolyzer units, so-called stacks. Their configuration has been consistently standardized. Consequently, our customers can offer the market flexible and powerful solutions from 50 kW to multi-MW. Without those standards the development of such solutions would take a long time and be cost-intensive. Those standards represent an important contribution to promoting a consistent and reliable hydrogen economy. They stem from a standardization roadmap that’s being developed in five working groups, i.e., Production, Infrastructure, Application, Quality Infrastructure, and Training, Safety & Certification.
“Norms and standards promote the compatibility between different technologies, which facilitates the integration into existing systems.”
What role do norms and standards generally play in terms of accelerating time to market and the spreading of hydrogen technologies?
A crucial one. Norms and standards guarantee safety and create trust with investors, customers, and consumers by establishing clear requirements for production and utilization processes. In addition, they promote the compatibility between different technologies, which facilitates the integration into existing systems. The harmonization of international standards reduces trade barriers, which facilitates global market access. Standards also set quality benchmarks enhancing efficiency and reliability and create a basis for innovations. In addition, they help reduce costs by enabling economies of scale.
The standardization roadmap is part of Germany’s national hydrogen strategy. Do such guard rails help assume a pioneering role in the hydrogen technologies sector?
Yes. Guard rails like those create clear strategic orientation and establish standards promoting safety, efficiency, and system compatibility. That facilitates investments and innovations by offering companies a dependable basis. Due to such guard rails, market economies like Germany in this case can accelerate technological developments and build a leading position in the hydrogen economy.
How standards connect the world
The origins of standards date all the way back to antiquity when systems dedicated to dimensions and weight were developed to facilitate construction projects and trade. These early standards played a pivotal role in terms of enhancing efficiency in the respective societies. With the industrial revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries, standardization became increasingly important. To standardize industrial and trade practices, standards for machines, components, and production methods emerged. A remarkable case in point is the work of British engineer Joseph Whitworth who introduced consistent screw thread standards and, as a result, significantly simplified manufacturing processes.
Other well-known examples
Rail – gauge
Standard: The standard gauge of 1,435 mm/4 ft 81/2 in (normal gauge in Europe).
Success: This standard enables cross-border hauling of goods and passengers because trains in many countries use the same gauge.
Containers – ISO container sizes
Standard: ISO 668 (e.g., 20-ft containers and 40-ft containers).
Success: Standard container dimensions have revolutionized worldwide logistics and heavily simplified global trade.
Fire hoses – couplings
Standard: Storz couplings (DIN 14301 and others).
Success: This standard ensures cross-border exchanges of hoses and pumps especially in international disaster relief missions.
Paper – A4
Standard: ISO 216 (e.g., A4 size).
Success: The standardized paper size facilitates office communications and printing worldwide (except in the United States and Canada).
Pallets – Euro-pallet
Standard: EPAL (1200 mm x 800 mm).
Success: The Euro-pallet enables standardized storage and transportation in worldwide logistics.
Plugs and socket outlets – IEC 60309
Standard: Industrial plugs for electric power connection.
Success: This standard ensures compatibility of electrical equipment and infrastructures in industrial settings.
Telephony – GSM
Standard: GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications, ETSI).
Success: GSM has standardized mobile telephony worldwide and paved the way for smartphones.
“International standards enable faster and more cost-efficient market access by minimizing adjustments to country-specific requirements.”
You already mentioned it: wouldn’t norms and standards have to be internationally valid especially in the case of a key technology like hydrogen?
Yes, ideally, norms and standards should be internationally valid. They facilitate global collaboration, enhance the compatibility of technologies, and reduce trade barriers. International standards enable faster and more cost-efficient market access by minimizing adjustments to country-specific requirements. In addition, such harmonization promotes knowledge transfer and support the worldwide spreading of hydrogen innovations. That’s crucial for the success of the global energy transition process.
“In the long run, the standardization strategy offers us, as well as naturally all stakeholders, stability in a rapidly developing market.”
What specific benefits do you expect due to a consistent standardization strategy in the hydrogen sector for the motion technology company Schaeffler that has long included components for hydrogen applications in its portfolio?
Naturally, Schaeffler benefits from the previously mentioned advantages as well. In addition, by complying with global standards, we minimize regulatory risks and strengthen our reputation as a technology leader. Our customers, not least, benefit from that too and, consequently, customer satisfaction increases. In addition, standardized processes promote the efficiency of the supply chains, enhance flexibility, and facilitate the integration of or change in suppliers.
In the long run, the standardization strategy offers us, as well as naturally all stakeholders, stability in a rapidly developing market. It supports adjustment to technological changes and market trends, and helps implement sustainable practices.
