As one of its first acts, the current federal government adopted the Guarantees of Origin Register Act (HkNRG) on 1 January 2022, which is to introduce a register of origin for gas, heating and cooling. A few weeks ago, this act was specified in more detail by the Gas, Heating and Cooling Guarantees of Origin Register Ordinance. Although using the register is not mandatory for energy suppliers, it is likely to be advantageous.
A register of guarantees of origin has existed for electricity for more than ten years
The introduction of a register of origin for gas, heating and cooling is intended to promote trade in climate-friendly energy. To this end, gaseous energy carriers are to be placed on an equal footing with electricity, for which a register of origin has existed at the German Environment Agency (UBA) for years.
Specifically, since 2013 energy suppliers may only label electricity as electricity from renewable energy sources, or invoice it as such, if a guarantee of origin has previously been issued in the register of guarantees of origin for the electricity supply concerned.
The German Environment Agency is also to verify the origin of gaseous energy carriers
The German Environment Agency has now also been authorised to set up a register of origin for gas, heating and cooling. In future, the UBA is therefore also to ensure that everything is above board, particularly in the certification of different types of hydrogen and thermal energy, and that, for example, a distinction is made between green, blue, orange and turquoise hydrogen.
Hydrogen is green if it has been produced by electrolysis using exclusively renewable energy such as photovoltaics, wind or hydropower. If, on the other hand, electricity from biomass or waste recovery was used for electrolysis, orange hydrogen is produced.
Blue hydrogen is produced using fossil fuels. However, the CO2 generated in the process is stored underground using the so-called carbon capture and storage process. Turquoise hydrogen is hydrogen produced from methane using renewable energy, with the solid carbon produced in the process being stored safely.
Register is expected to open in 2025 – preparatory steps should be taken
There is no obligation for energy suppliers to use the register of origin for gas, heating and cooling. However, based on its experience with the register for electricity, the federal government expects great interest from the industry. After all, climate-friendly hydrogen will play a major role in decarbonising industry in the coming years, so selling certified climate-friendly hydrogen can be a real competitive advantage for energy suppliers.
Energy suppliers should therefore already prepare everything necessary to open an account with the German Environment Agency as soon as the authority has opened the register of guarantees of origin for gas, heating and cooling. The German Environment Agency itself expects the register to open in the course of 2025.
