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Supporting the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel for energy and transport applications

EMPIR project <link research-innovation/search-research-projects/details/?%20%20tx_eurametctcp_project[project]=1461>‘Metrology for hydrogen vehicles’</link> (16ENG01, MetroHyVe) is developing methods, standards and calibration facilities to ensure accurate flow metering and fair pricing for customers at hydrogen refueling stations, and methods, reference gases and online analysers to provide quality assurance of the hydrogen dispensed. The work of the project will support the uptake of low-emission hydrogen vehicles and the growth of Europe’s hydrogen economy by increasing confidence among both manufacturers and consumers.

New primary standard

Guidance around accuracy requirements for hydrogen metering and stations (OIML R 139-1) specifies that the flow meter should have a maximum error of 1.5 %. In order to achieve this challenging accuracy, National Measurement Institutes need to provide primary standards that ensure the flow meters are traceable to the kilogram.

As part of the project METAS developed a new gravimetric primary standard that can be used to accurately determine the amount of hydrogen dispensed at refuelling stations. This was subjected to preliminary tests at the Empa hydrogen refuelling station in Switzerland. The gravimetric standard worked as expected and achieved an uncertainty of 0.33% for the primary standard.  

Project partners present keynote speech at international conference

Arul Murugan from project partner NPL provided a keynote speech on 'Metrology for Hydrogen Vehicles' at the World Hydrogen Energy Conference (WHEC 2018) in Brazil. The presentation focused on the aims and results of EMPIR MetroHyVe. Arul also chaired a session on 'Energy applications and products'.

Over 700 delegates attended the conference from around the world, with most people coming from Japan, China, Germany and USA and Brazil.

This EMPIR project is co-funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the EMPIR Participating States.

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