Low-carbon hydrogen and e-fuels: Characteristics
Why a carbon certificate matters more than the molecule
What this tab covers The physical and chemical properties that set its grade, price and uses, with the commercial grades and the standards that define them.What matters commercially is certified carbon intensity, not chemistry. Buyers need proof under a named standard (EU RFNBO, India's Green Hydrogen Standard, 45V) that the product meets a threshold, plus purity specs for fuel cells or catalysts.
Properties that matter commercially
| Property | Value / specification | Why it matters | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon intensity threshold | India: at most 2 kg CO2e per kg H2 (well-to-gate); EU RFNBO: 70% saving versus a 94 gCO2e/MJ fossil comparator (indicative) | Decides eligibility for incentives and mandates | hydrogen tile; EU value indicative |
| Hydrogen purity | fuel-cell grade 99.97% (ISO 14687); industrial 99.9% (indicative) | Fuel cells are poisoned by CO and sulphur | Indicative |
| Energy density (carriers) | ammonia about 18.6 MJ/kg, methanol about 20 MJ/kg, jet fuel about 43 MJ/kg (indicative) | Sets tank sizes and shipping cost | Indicative |
Commercial grades
- Green (renewable) hydrogen
- Blue (CCS) hydrogen
- RFNBO-certified hydrogen and derivatives
- Green ammonia
- E-methanol and bio-methanol
- E-SAF (power-to-liquid kerosene)
- E-methane