[ safety ]
• Ventilation and flaring : Emergency systems are activated to disperse or safely burn off hydrogen , reducing the risk of hazardous accumulation and potential explosions .
• Evacuation : Procedures are established to ensure the safe evacuation of personnel , minimizing the risk to human life and ensuring that emergency response protocols are followed .
Towards comprehensive risk management Effectively managing the risks associated with hydrogen requires a comprehensive approach that spans every stage of its use . From preventing risks through design and procedural controls to preparing for effective emergency response , each level of the safety hierarchy is critical . By systematically applying these principles and leveraging advanced detection technologies , the hydrogen industry can mitigate inherent risks and unlock clean hydrogen ’ s full potential as an important component for emission reductions for hard-to-abate sectors in the global energy transition .
Innovations and regulatory advances : shaping the future of hydrogen safety
As clean hydrogen scales up , its regulation and standardization are evolving – some say not rapidly enough – to address its unique challenges . Developing a robust regulatory framework requires a multi-layered approach , encompassing international , regional , and local regulations , as well as industry standards and best practices .
Regulatory and standardization needs Regulating hydrogen spans multiple dimensions , from international agreements and regional directives to national laws and industry standards . Organizations like the International Organization for Standardization ( ISO ) and the European Committee for Standardization ( CEN ) are at the forefront of updating and creating technical guidelines that ensure the safe and efficient use of hydrogen .
In recent years , several key standards have been developed and are being updated based on gap assessments by industry panels to address the safety and operational challenges of new and larger-scale hydrogen production and use , including standards for electrolyzer design , pipeline repurposing , and large-scale storage solutions like hydrogen salt caverns . These standards are critical as they provide a common framework for the industry to follow , ensuring consistency and safety across global hydrogen projects .
DNV ’ s work contributes to the hydrogen sector in this respect by supporting regulatory compliance and assisting in the development of best practices that serve as a foundation for new standards . Its management of Joint Industry Projects ( JIPs ) plays a role in shaping guidelines that facilitate the industry ’ s move towards standardization . DNV has recently issued several publications designed to address the safety and operational requirements of hydrogen facilities and equipment , which can be found in DNV ’ s standards library . Selected examples include :
• Verification of PtX Facilities ( DNV-SE-0656 ): Guidelines for verifying Power-to-X ( PtX ) facilities to ensure they meet established safety and performance standards .
• Electrolyser Design and Performance ( DNV- ST-J301 ): Specifications for the design and performance of electrolyzers , essential for hydrogen production , aimed at ensuring their reliability .
• Hydrogen Readiness and Repurposing of Pipelines and Infrastructure ( DNV-SE-0657 ): Standards for adapting existing pipelines and infrastructure for hydrogen , focusing on technical and safety aspects .
• Verification and Certification of Power-to-X Equipment ( DNV-SE-0674 ): Frameworks for the verification and certification of PtX equipment to ensure compliance with industry standards .
24 Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 18 | October 2024