Quality Infrastructure and Legal Framework Meeting of Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force

The Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF) organised the first Subworking Group meeting on Quality Infrastructure and Legal Framework under the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force on 08th December 2022. Dr. Nicole Glanemann, Deputy Head, German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) commenced her welcome remarks by emphasizing the goal of the task force to develop a roadmap for the Indian green hydrogen market ramp up, and the need to delve deeper into the topics of standards and norms, certification, and legal aspects vis-à-vis this subworking group. Mr. Tobias Winter, Director of the Indo-German Energy Forum (IGEF-SO) gave an insight into the structure of the task force and its respective subworking groups highlighting its underlying goal to the participants. Prof. Dr. Chitra Rajagopal, Director, Centre of Excellence, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi and Mr. Markus Hoffmann-von Wolffersdorff, Partner-KNPP and Managing Director-KNPP Indigo introduced themselves to the participants and were approved as the co-chairs of this group. The co-chairs in consultation with IGEF will convene future meetings for this working group under the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force and assist in streamlining topics of discussion. The subworking group discussions kickstarted with an interactive Q&A on topics most relevant to this group. The Q&A gathered the overall understanding of the group members on legal framework conditions for green hydrogen production in India, country specific certification schemes relevant to India, and gap areas in the green hydrogen value chain concerning the standards and norms in India. The floor was then opened to participants to discuss and share views on the next steps and industry needs in connection with the quality infrastructure required for green hydrogen production in India. Key takeaways: A dedicated session is to be organised on permitting requirements to setup a green hydrogen plant in India A dedicated presentation on the EU sustainability criteria and an analysis of compatibility regarding aspects such as banking regulation and bidding zones was proposed to be conducted A gap analysis to be conducted of the existing framework for safety standards in India A national testing facility for new hydrogen related equipment shall be considered under the Indo-German Green Hydrogen Task Force. Analysis of social impacts of green hydrogen plants in rural India to be further examined. The meeting concluded with a presentation by Ms. Johanna Friese, Advisor at the International PtX Hub on the topic of EU requirements for green hydrogen that must be certified to demonstrate compliance. Deliberations and substantial action points were propagated by different participants during the meeting. This subworking group meeting fostered a need to further convert these action points into specific activities that will eventually feed into the Indo-German Green Hydrogen roadmap to be presented to our leaders.