By Ciara Mina
A new, global research project is underway to monitor hydrogen emissions from operational infrastructure in North America and Europe.
The study aims to measure the rates of hydrogen emissions from oil refineries, liquefaction facilities, pipelines and compressors, steam methane reformers, fuelling stations, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other hydrogen infrastructure.
Research partnership
The study includes the Environmental Defence Fund, a global non-profit organisation, who is said to have fully-funded the study through philanthropic contributions; academic scientists from Utrecht University, the University of Rhode Island, West Virginia University and Cornell University; as well as applied research and technology development firms Aerodyne Research, TNO and Transport Energy Strategies.
They will work with four major players in the global industry: Air Products, Air Liquide, Shell, and TotalEnergies.
The four industrial partners are making their facilities available to the academic researchers to collect data and offer operational context for high-quality insights.
According to the partners, field measurements started March 2025 and are expected to continue until early 2026.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Health news: Philippines hospital leads shift to helium-free MRI
The study
The first commercial high-precision, fast hydrogen analysers and mobile/portable sensing systems are being used by researchers to quickly and accurately detect and characterise hydrogen emissions at the site and component levels.
The expected climate benefits of hydrogen deployment may be diminished if the indirect warming caused by chemical reactions from hydrogen emitted into the atmosphere is not addressed, according to studies.
Reliable emissions data can help guide policies and procedures to stop leaks and other emissions from hydrogen systems, both new and old.
After being combined and anonymised, the data will also be released to the public and published in peer-reviewed journals.
READ NEXT: Philippine province tests water-saving rice farming with Japanese support
Bobbie Ysabelle Matias 
Adam Peaker 
Angelica N. Hall