HyRes aims to provide the science and tools needed to measure and manage hydrogen emissions, supporting a responsible transition to a low-emission hydrogen economy. By harmonizing existing hydrogen emissions research, facilitating new scientific investigations, and convening stakeholders across hydrogen supply chains, HyRes works to fill critical data gaps and advance effective measurement and mitigation strategies.

HyRes also develops protocols and planning tools to support the most accurate hydrogen emissions inventories possible, working across organizations to develop tools for measuring hydrogen emissions. This data will help companies across the hydrogen value chains to be leaders in the sector, setting the standard for responsible growth, advancing technical excellence, and shaping the future of low-emission energy systems.

“Hydrogen emissions” refer to the release of hydrogen molecules into the atmosphere at any point along the supply chain – from production and storage to transport and use. While HyRes compares the impacts of hydrogen emissions with the life cycle emissions of hydrogen supply chains, comprehensive life cycle analysis is the focus of the Open Hydrogen Initiative.

While hydrogen is not a direct greenhouse gas, its presence in the atmosphere affects other climate-relevant compounds. Hydrogen emissions contribute to indirect radiative forcing by increasing atmospheric levels of ozone and water vapor and by extending the lifetime of atmospheric methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Furthermore, hydrogen is expensive to make, move, and store. Minimizing losses is critical to making the hydrogen economy viable at scale.

Commercially available sensors, which are primarily designed for hydrogen safety, can detect higher concentrations (parts per million or ppm level) of hydrogen emissions. However, these sensors are not sensitive enough to measure lower concentrations (parts per billion or ppb level), which are important for understanding hydrogen’s true impact. This limitation makes it difficult to accurately assess emissions across the supply chain.

HyRes supports the development of hydrogen sensors by convening sensor developers, industry, government, and academia. Through collaborating and testing at GTI Energy’s state-of-the-art facilities in Illinois and the H2@Scale proto-hub in Texas, HyRes helps accelerate sensor innovation. HyRes leverages GTI Energy’s methane sensing expertise and hydrogen emissions research to design field measurement campaigns and create robust protocols for precise hydrogen emissions measurement.

Yes, we are working with partners around the world to conduct actual measurements of hydrogen emissions beginning in winter 2025. Gathering empirical data is critical to HyRes’ goal of developing protocols for accurate and precise measurement of hydrogen emissions.

While HyRes is not directly participating, GTI Energy is involved in three hydrogen hubs: the HyVelocity Hub, the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub (ARCH2), and the Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2). Insights gained from HyRes will contribute to hub development.

The Hydrogen Emissions eXchange at the University of Texas at Austin (HEX@TEX) is an annual conference hosted by HyRes, bringing together hydrogen stakeholders from around the globe. This premier event gathers representatives from a diverse array of organizations, including government agencies, academia, the oil and gas industry, natural gas utilities, hydrogen producers, environmental NGOs, and sensor technology companies. HEX@TEX serves as a collaborative platform to advance knowledge, share best practices, and drive innovation in hydrogen emissions detection. A key focus of the conference is engaging with cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to measure and manage hydrogen emissions.

HyRes connects members with stakeholders in the hydrogen emissions industry and provides first-hand access to emerging research and data within this space. In the future, HyRes will provide the tools needed to conduct your own hydrogen emissions inventory.

If you are interested in getting involved with HyRes, please reach out to us at hyres@gti.energy.