November 2022 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Safety Report
All articles courtesy of Haboon Osmond, FCHEA.
Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Hydrogen Rulemaking
The notice proposes new Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) for fuel containers and fuel systems for hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles. The proposed requirements align with those identified in global technical regulation (GTR) No. 13 (Hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles). The proposal includes requirements to mitigate the burst and explosion of high-pressure hydrogen fuel containers during normal vehicle operations, involvement in a vehicle fire and post-crash, and mitigate the risk of fire due to hydrogen leakage during normal vehicle operation and post-crash.
For further information, please visit here.
2023 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Seminar’s Technical Program and Posters
The 2023 Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Seminar, which is being held February 7-9 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California, is the most established and dynamic hydrogen energy and fuel cell conference in the U.S., bringing together hundreds of international manufacturers, fuel providers, customers, policy makers, supply chain, integrators, academics, investors, media, and other key stakeholders.
The Seminar will include technical posters and breakout sessions covering the top hydrogen and fuel cell applications and topic areas, including one on Safety, Codes, & Standards. There will be two technical sessions on Wednesday, February 8th, and two more sessions on Thursday, February 9th. Below is a list of all the topics included in the technical sessions.
Wednesday, February 8: Session One (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM US Pacific Time)
Hydrogen Production I
Storage & Distribution I
Cost Modelling
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells I
Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicle Applications
Safety Codes & Standards
Wednesday, February 8: Session Two (3:45 PM - 5:45 PM US Pacific Time)
Problem Solving Solutions
Storage & Distribution II
Commercial Applications
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells II
Transportation Research
Thursday, February 9: Session One (1:30 PM - 3:30 PM US Pacific Time)
Hydrogen Production II
Fuel Cell Research
Deployment - Case Studies I
Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells I
Maritime Applications
Cross-Cutting Topics
Thursday, February 9: Session Two (3:45 PM - 5:40 PM Pacific Time)
Hydrogen Production III
Materials Advances
Deployment - Case Studies II
Fuel Cell Production Improvements
Aviation
HyBlend and SHASTA National Laboratory Panel
For further information on the technical sessions, please visit here.
Additionally, the Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Seminar will have a range of posters from esteemed institutions, industry, and universities around the world on various fuel cell and hydrogen technical and research areas. For further information on the technical posters, please visit here.
To register for the 2023 Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Seminar, please click here!
International Conference on Hydrogen Safety’s Call for Abstracts
This tenth International Conference on Hydrogen Safety (ICHS 2023) will be held in Québec City, Québec, Canada, on 19-21 September 2023 under the support of the International Association for Hydrogen Safety (IA HySafe).
The theme for ICHS2023 will address the following hydrogen safety topics:
Safety of large production and supply chain infrastructure,
Hydrogen and hydrogen carrier behaviors,
Physical effects,
Consequence and risk analysis,
Incidents,
Accidents and near misses,
Hydrogen effects on materials and components,
Safety of energy storage,
Power to gas/gas to power related safety issues,
Safety solutions for the implementation of hydrogen technologies,
Risk management,
Best practices,
Regulations, codes, and standards, as well as
Communication strategies for broader public awareness and acceptance of hydrogen.
All contributions to ICHS2023 will be assessed for their scientific content and relevance to the broader uptake and deployment of safe hydrogen as part of the transition to a low-carbon energy system. For a more detailed list of topics, please visit here.
The deadline for abstracts is December 31, 2022. To submit your abstract, please visit here.
IECEx Hydrogen Standards Activities
There has been an expanded coverage of hydrogen within the IECEx portfolio. IECEx, the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres, can bring its expertise to the hydrogen economy. With over 25 years of experience in testing and certifying electrical and non-electrical equipment, repair and overhaul facilities, as well as personnel competence associated with the use of equipment in explosive (Ex) atmospheres, IECEx is well-suited to expand its coverage to other elements related to the hydrogen economy; thus, ensuring the safety and security of equipment and workers operating in a hydrogen environment.
Aware of the growing need to support the use of hydrogen in the energy sector, IECEx formed a new working group in 2021, WG 19, under the convenorship of the immediate past Chair of the IECEx, Dr. Thorsten Arnhold. WG 19 is dedicated to applying IECEx testing and certification to standards related to hydrogen production, distribution, and dispensing. WG 19 has created the following three Task Teams to assist in advancing its work:
Task Team 1: Development of an additional IECEx Unit of Competence for Hydrogen Safety within its IECEx CoPC Scheme.
Task Team 2: Integration of ISO TC 197 standards with a focus on gaseous hydrogen dispensers and dispensing equipment.
Task team 3: Integration of IEC TC 105 standards within IECEx with initial coverage for the IECEx CoPC Scheme.
The first meeting of WG 19 took place remotely at the end of October. The following potential business cases have been discussed: IECEx’s equipment, service facility, and personal competency schemes. The well-established IECEx Certified Equipment Scheme could be used as a basis for a certification program for complete electrolyzers with reference to ISO 22734 and fuel cell systems with respect to IEC 62282-3 and -5. The IECEx Certified Services Scheme could be used to address tailor-made certification programs for installation companies, engineering and planning companies, and inspection and maintenance providers. Lastly, IECEx has also extended its certification of personnel competence (CoPC) scheme for assessing and certifying individuals working in potentially hazardous areas to address hydrogen safety.
NFPA Update
NFPA 55, Compressed Gases and Cryogenic Fluids Code is open for submission of public input for the next edition (Fall 2025). The closing date for public input is January 4, 2024.
To submit public input using the online submission system, please visit here. Please note that interested individuals will be asked to sign-in or create a free NFPA account before using the system.
CSA Update
The CSA B22734 - Hydrogen generators using water electrolysis — Industrial, commercial, and residential applications, (a North American adoption of ISO 22734:2019, with revisions) document was approved by ballot and will be moved to the final accreditation steps, quality review, and publication. The document is expected to be published in January 2023.
Request for Feedback on the Department of Energy’s Draft National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap
The draft DOE National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap has been posted on the DOE website and comments can be submitted via email to hydrogenfuelcells@ee.doe.gov until December 1, 2022.
The Strategy and Roadmap provides a comprehensive overview of the potential for hydrogen production, transport, storage, and use in the United States and outlines how clean hydrogen can contribute to national decarbonization and economic development goals.
This draft report responds to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) requirements. Feedback will be used to finalize the report and develop updates as required by the BIL.
Summaries of Webinars Related to Hydrogen Safety
CHS-KGS Hydrogen Safety Joint Webinar
On November 2, the Center for Hydrogen Safety and Korea Gas Safety hosted a complimentary joint webinar on liquid hydrogen safety management. Thomas Witte and Harold Beeson from the Hydrogen Safety Panel discussed safety considerations that should be made for liquid hydrogen, including specific considerations for refueling stations. Mr. Hoyeon Joe from Korea Gas Safety presented Korea's plans to use liquid hydrogen.
For further information, please visit here.
CGAConnect Webinar: Safely Accelerating the Future of Hydrogen
On November 18, the Compressed Gas Association (CGA) and fellow CGA partners hosted a live panel discussion on the hydrogen sector’s short- and long-term changes, challenges, and opportunities. Throughout the webinar, the following topics were explored:
Each organization’s unique perspective on the hydrogen industry.
How we can all work collectively to support the growing hydrogen industry.
Why safety is foundational to the successful growth of hydrogen.
What the future of hydrogen might look like.
Detailed below is the list of the panelists:
Rich Gottwald – President & CEO, Compressed Gas Association (Moderator)
Nick Barilo – Executive Director, Center for Hydrogen Safety
Frank Wolak – President & CEO, Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association
Jennifer Hamilton – Technical Director, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership
Michelle Detwiler – Executive Director, Renewable Hydrogen Alliance
To watch the webinar, please click here.
The Safe Transport/Delivery of Hydrogen: A Global Perspective
On October 26, the Center for Hydrogen Safety hosted a webinar discussing the hydrogen fill and delivery infrastructure and its safety considerations with Dave Farese, a Hydrogen Safety Panel member and a Lead Engineer at Air Products, and Thomas Witte, a Hydrogen Safety Panel member and the CEO of Witte Engineered Gases.
The webinar addressed liquefied and gaseous hydrogen and the global safety issues for over-the-road hydrogen transport and delivery into the final receiving systems. The webinar also examined delivery vehicles/containers, including liquid hydrogen delivery vehicles; tube trailers (Type 1– 4); cylinders; and portable banks. Additionally, the webinar delved into safety categories such as fill, transport, and delivery procedures, as well as codes, standards, and other laws. Lastly, the webinar looked through a study of incidents involving the transport/transfer of hydrogen.
The webinar focused on the following topics:
The important safety considerations for the transport of gaseous or liquid hydrogen over the road
The safety aspects of tube trailers for both gaseous and liquid hydrogen
Safe work practices for the filling of tube trailers at hydrogen production sites
Safe work practices for the transfer of gaseous/liquid hydrogen at a delivery site
Learnings from incidents involving the transport/transfer of hydrogen
To watch the webinar, please click here.
Hydrogen: The Importance of Collaboration for a Safe and Sustainable Future
On November 4, the Center for Hydrogen Safety hosted a webinar discussing recent progress and activities driving the market today and highlighting the importance of collaborations and partnerships to accelerate the development of a safe and sustainable hydrogen market. Nick Barilo, Executive Director of the Center for Hydrogen Safety, and Bill Elrick, Executive Director of the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership, were the webinar presenters.
To watch the webinar, please click here.
EFCF 2023
The European Fuel Cell Forum, a high-level international fuel cell and electrolyzer event, will be held in Lucerne, Switzerland, from July 4-7, 2023.
The EFCF 2023 will focus on low-temperature hydrogen and direct liquid fuel cells such as PEM, HT-PEM, AFC, PAFC, and AEM-based systems; water electrolysis based on PEM, AEL, and AEM; materials and technologies for CO2 reduction. EFCF 2023 will cover the following topics:
The fundamental understanding of relevant materials and interfacial phenomena;
The complex interplay of reaction kinetics with the transport of mass, heat, and water;
Advanced modeling and diagnostics;
Accelerated materials development;
The implementation and demonstration in real-world devices requiring optimized engineering design, system integration, and testing; and
H2 purification, dehumidification, and compression.
For further information, please visit here.
Summaries of FCHEA’s WG Meetings
Commercial Working Group Meeting Summary (October 4th)
On October 4, FCHEA’s Commercial Working Group held its third meeting since the realignment of the working groups. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, the American Iron and Steel Institute presented an overview of the use of hydrogen in the American steel industry. The meeting closed with a messaging discussion on hydrogen/natural gas blending and walk-in items.
Transportation Working Group Meeting Summary (October 4th)
On October 4, FCHEA’s Transportation Working Group held its third meeting since the realignment of the working groups. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal and state hydrogen and fuel cell policies, Arkema, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group. The meeting closed with transportation updates.
Distribution Working Group Meeting Summary (October 7th)
On October 7, FCHEA’s Distribution Working Group held its second meeting since the realignment of the working groups. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, Chart Industries, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group, and a Democratic perspective on permitting reform and hydrogen interstate pipeline regulation was shared with the working group. The meeting closed with a discussion on hydrogen/natural gas blending and hydrogen embrittlement.
Distribution Working Group Meeting Summary (November 7th)
On November 7, FCHEA’s Distribution Working Group held its third meeting since the realignment of the working groups. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, Saint-Gobain, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group. The meeting closed with walk-in items.
Production Working Group Meeting Summary (November 9th)
On November 9, FCHEA’s Production Working Group held its third meeting since the realignment of the working groups. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, Monolith, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group. The meeting closed with a discussion on hydrogen leakage and hydrogen certification.
Transportation Working Group Meeting Summary (November 14th)
On November 14, FCHEA’s Transportation Working Group held its fourth meeting since the realignment of the working groups. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, Sandia National Laboratories presented to the working group. The meeting closed with a discussion on transportation updates, the H2-Aero white paper, and walk-in items.
Power Working Group Meeting Summary (November 15th)
On November 15, FCHEA’s Power Working Group held its third meeting since the realignment of the working groups. The working group discussed updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies. The meeting closed with a discussion on working group updates.
Commercial Working Group Meeting Summary (November 29th)
On November 29, FCHEA’s Commercial Working Group held its fourth meeting since the realignment of the working groups. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, Ionomr, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group.