Hydrogen production by electrolysis of water: emerging techniques

Emerging techniques are novel techniques for an industrial activity that, if commercially developed, could provide either:

This guidance is for production of hydrogen by electrolysis of water. This is an emerging technique.

You may need to prepare the hydrogen for:

These activities are outside the scope of the guidance and you should discuss other permitting requirements with your regulator.

These environmental regulators (referred to as ‘the regulators’) worked with industry and other stakeholders to develop a review of emerging techniques which informs this guidance:

Except where regulations apply, this guidance on emerging techniques is not a regulatory requirement but identifies best practice to address important environmental issues.

The regulators expect operators to follow this guidance, or to propose an alternative approach to provide the same or greater level of protection for the environment.

This guidance covers all sizes of industrial plant (installations) producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water.

The guidance covers both new plants and variations (changes) to existing plants.

When you apply for an environmental permit for this activity, you must tell your regulator whether you are going to follow this guidance. If not, you must propose an alternative approach which will provide the same or greater level of protection for the environment.