European Construction Regulations Face Disruption due to Advocacy for Hydrogen Heating - Euractiv
In the heart of Europe, the negotiations for the revamped EU Buildings Directive are in turmoil, with a significant point of contention being the potential use of hydrogen heating. As the deadline for the final meeting, scheduled for 30th January 2023, approaches, the debate continues to rage.
Heating in buildings is a significant contributor to energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. With the EU's ambitious goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, the directive is a crucial step in reducing emissions. However, the latest developments have raised concerns among experts and activists.
In October, EU countries agreed to a 'fragile compromise' on the directive, which was criticized for lacking ambition. This compromise, however, has since been revised, and the spotlight now falls on the European People's Party (EPP), the largest political faction in Parliament.
Central to the negotiations is the EPP's proposal, which aims to revise Article 7. This revision states that hybrid heating systems using renewable fuels will not be considered fossil heating systems in new buildings. However, it's the EPP's stance on hydrogen heating that has sparked controversy.
Jan Rosenow, director of European programs at the green think-tank Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP), has reviewed 32 independent studies on the future of heating and none of them recommend hydrogen heating. Rosenow states that heating with hydrogen is more costly compared to alternatives such as heat pumps, district heating, and solar thermal.
Kelly, representing the EPP, has demands that could allow for the controversial use of hydrogen in heating. This proposal has raised concerns among experts and activists, with hydrogen heating being viewed with scepticism due to its inefficiency and higher cost compared to alternatives.
The author of the revision of Article 7 in the European building energy regulation draft is Sean Kelly himself. Despite the controversy, Kelly aims to hold a vote on the directive by mid-February.
The EU's push for a hydrogen market is not new. In December, a more ambitious compromise was reached by the Parliament's chief negotiator, Ciaran Cuffe. However, the debate continues, and the future of hydrogen heating in the EU remains uncertain.
As the negotiations continue, the EU's Energy Performance of Buildings directive, a key component in its efforts to reduce emissions, remains under scrutiny. For the latest news on the hydrogen market, visit the website.
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