Hydrogen is a highly promising option for future energy needs chiefly because it can be combusted without producing any pollutants. The emergence of clean or green hydrogen, which is produced through an electrolysis process using renewable electricity, and produces little or no carbon emissions, is also an area where technology is helping to bring down renewable energy costs and reduce carbon impact. The more that renewable energy sources are brought online, the more opportunities there are to not only reduce emissions, but to also create a useful byproduct in the form of green hydrogen. This in turn can help to further accelerate efforts to decarbonise society. 

The potential applications for hydrogen are varied. In industry, it can be used as a clean combustion fuel, replacing natural gas. It may also be used in primary metal production, manufacture of semiconductors and fuel cells, along with a wide range of other manufacturing processes. In transport, hydrogen is a viable fuel for road vehicles, and is increasingly being considered as an environmentally friendly alternative for shipping and even aerospace. Hydrogen can be blended with natural gas, using existing networks, for space-heating and water heating in buildings, while it can also be used as a means of storing renewable energy. 

As the rollout of hydrogen as an energy source becomes more widespread, the economy for transporting, storing and trading it as a resource will rapidly and necessarily grow. Accurate flow measurement is therefore crucial in custody transfer. Minor errors can potentially create high financial impact, but precision can be hard to maintain when operating in harsh field conditions. Even a minor misreading can accumulate into a major error over time and ultimately undermine confidence in the process. For a growing industry like hydrogen, it is crucial that this is avoided. 

Hydrogen is usable in two physical states — gas or liquid — and is often pressurized when stored. Its low energy density compared to natural gas means that metering must be highly accurate and be able to handle high flow rates. Furthermore, hydrogen is the smallest observed molecule in the universe, which can result in a higher likelihood of leakage. This can be difficult to detect since hydrogen is odorless. For these reasons, accurate measurement of hydrogen flow is a challenge using traditional technologies. 

In order to facilitate the increased adoption of hydrogen, the regulatory landscape must be robust to ensure standardization across countries and markets. Custody transfer across borders is a particular challenge, as differing regulations and standards may apply. Collaboration between countries, regions and organizations will be fundamental in navigating the challenges of the growing hydrogen industry. In response, the American Gas Association (AGA) standard sets out the calculations required for measurement of hydrogen in normal conditions, and calculations in the field are certified against this standard. 

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