September 2, 2025
As hydrogen plays an increasingly pivotal role in Europe’s decarbonised energy future, defining clear and harmonised purity specifications is crucial to ensure infrastructure compatibility, operational efficiency, and smooth market integration. Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), the European association representing gas and hydrogen transmission, storage and terminal operators, explores the vital role of hydrogen purity from an infrastructure perspective. The position paper delves into the implications of hydrogen quality specifications on the operation of infrastructure systems.
Based on insights gathered from a comprehensive questionnaire, many GIE members consider 98%mol hydrogen purity a practical and cost-effective threshold for infrastructure operations, while some members and countries see advantages in setting the level at 99.5%mol to better serve more demanding end-use sectors. Both options come with benefits and challenges, highlighting the importance of a European common hydrogen quality standard that aligns with the practical realities of infrastructure capabilities and avoids undue economic burden on operators.
Lucie Boost, GIE Secretary-General, explains: “Hydrogen infrastructure is a central pillar in enabling the hydrogen market ramp-up. Establishing robust and workable hydrogen purity standards is vital to enable the safe, reliable, and cross-border operation of hydrogen infrastructure, and to support the development of a truly integrated European hydrogen market.”
Nikolas Moneos (DESFA), chair of GIE’s Hydrogen Purity Task Force, added: “Through extensive consultation with our members, we identified key technical considerations related to different hydrogen purity levels. It is clear that various parts of the infrastructure face distinct technical challenges, which must be addressed to define an economic optimum for hydrogen purity while at the same time promoting the uptake of hydrogen.”
GIE and its members remain committed to close collaboration with policymakers, hydrogen producers, and end-users to ensure that quality and purity requirements are met throughout the transportation, storage, and import of hydrogen.
Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE) is the association representing the interests of European gas infrastructure operators active in gas transmission, gas storage and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) regasification. GIE is a trusted partner of European institutions, regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders. It is based in Brussels, the heart of European policymaking. GIE currently represents 72 member companies from 25 countries. GIE’s vision is that by 2050, the gas infrastructure will be the backbone of the new innovative energy system, allowing European citizens to benefit from a secure, efficient and sustainable energy supply.
