March/April 2023 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Safety Report
Summaries of the 2023 Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Seminar’s Department of Energy Co-Sponsored Workshop and Safety Technical Sessions
The 2023 Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Seminar, which was 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 hosted a half-day workshop in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) – Enabling Decarbonization with Clean Hydrogen at Scale. The workshop featured key speakers from DOE, National Laboratories, and industry to discuss critical developments and market trends.
The objectives of the workshop were the following:
Inform cross-cutting activities to enable growth in clean hydrogen supply in support of national goals;
Present current state-of-the-art and gaps associated with evaluating climate impacts of hydrogen; and
Identify opportunities and barriers to sustainability in hydrogen deployments.
The half-day workshop started off with a plenary, moderated by Dimitrios Papageorgopoulos (DOE), discussing three topics:
U.S. DOE National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap;
Environmental Justice and Justice40 at DOE; and
Stakeholder feedback.
Afterward, Sunita Satyapal, director of the DOE’s Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Technologies Office, also presented.
The second section of the workshop included two presentations focused on the cross-cutting opportunities, considerations, and challenges to hydrogen scale-up.
Nick Barilo, Executive Director at the Center of Hydrogen Safety, presented on hydrogen safety at scale and workforce development. Barilo discussed hydrogen’s great potential; the impact and common thread of historical incidents; common fuel incidents; the state of hydrogen safety; safety elements for hydrogen project success; the implementation of regulations, codes, and standards; U.S. codes and standards for hydrogen facilities; the Hydrogen Safety Panel; safety resources such as H2Tools (https://h2tools.org/) and the Center of Hydrogen Safety (CHS) (https://www.aiche.org/chs); and CHS activities such as workforce development, academic working group, education and training, outreach, and safety culture.
Chris LaFleur, Manager of Risk and Reliability Analyses/Hydrogen Safety Codes and Standards at Sandia National Laboratories, presented on the considerations in permitting. LaFleur discussed the permitting background in the U.S., permitting process peculiarities, how hydrogen has utility across many sectors, the importance of code compliance, and hydrogen-specific permitting issues.
The two presentations were followed by a panel discussion moderated by Neha Rustagi (DOE), including the following panelists: Nick Barilo (Center for Hydrogen Safety), Chris LaFleur (Sandia National Laboratories), David Blekhman (California State University, Los Angeles), Jennifer Hamilton (Hydrogen Fuel Cell Partnership), and Levi Thompson (University of Delaware).
The third section of the workshop focused on two presentations on the sustainability and environmental impacts of hydrogen.
Dr. Amgad Elgowainy, Senior Scientist and Group Leader at Argonne National Laboratory, provided a presentation on the GREET® model for hydrogen life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Dr. Elgowainy discussed H2@Scale, a DOE initiative for a hydrogen economy; the GREET® (Greenhouse gases, Regulated Emissions, and Energy use in Technologies) model and its models, tools, applications by agencies, and sustainability metrics; the hydrogen production pathway (CH4 reforming with and without CCS) with a water electrolysis example; the potential well-to-gate greenhouse gas emissions of hydrogen production pathways; and how Argonne AWARE-US model addresses regional/seasonal water stress impacts.
Anthony Kane, President and CEO of the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure, gave a presentation on sustainable infrastructure and Envision. Kane provided a background on the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) and its rating system called Envision, a system of criteria and performance objectives to aid decision-makers and help project teams identify sustainable approaches during the planning, design, and construction of infrastructure projects that will continue throughout the project’s operations and maintenance and end-of-life phases. Envision is applicable to all types and sizes of infrastructure. Envision has four components: a guidance manual, a project self-assessment tool, professional training & credentialing, and project verification and awards/recognition based on percent of applicable points achieved. Envision has five categories of sustainability indicators: quality of life, leadership, resource allocation, the natural world, and climate & resilience. Envision is being applied in federal regulations, state legislation, city and county resolutions, funding, RFP requirements, portfolio assessments, and design guidelines.
The two presentations were followed by a panel discussion moderated by Marc Melaina (DOE), including the following panelists: Dr. Amgad Elgowainy (Argonne National Laboratory), Anthony Kane (Sustainable Infrastructure), and Andrew Martinez (California Air Resources Board).
The fourth section of the workshop focused on two presentations on the hydrogen emissions and leakage panel.
Fabien Paulot, from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, went over a presentation on hydrogen’s global warming potential. Paulot discussed how hydrogen is not a greenhouse gas, but its oxidation perturbs the Earth’s radiative budget; how H2 is similar to CH4 from a chemical standpoint; H2- CH4 feedback in action; how hydrogen has a large non-atmospheric sink; an estimate of H2 GWP100; and how H2 present-day sources/sinks are now well constrained.
Bill Buttner, Kevin Hartmann, Matt Post, Dave Pearman, and Ian Palin, a team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), presented on hydrogen leakage and detection. The presentation went over the NREL Sensor Laboratory, an overview of hydrogen releases; reasons for monitoring hydrogen releases; the difference between a sensing element, a sensor, and an analyzer; an overview of sensor technologies for hydrogen detection; strategies to improve sensor performance metrics and measurement outcomes; NREL Sensor Laboratory’s emerging hydrogen detection technology; leak rate quantification through failed components; the characteristics of leaks with defined orifice size; and an overview of NREL’s Hydrogen Safety Research and Development (HSR&D) Program within the Hydrogen Power, Production, and Storage Group.
Pavol Pranda and Guy de Reals from Air Liquide provided a presentation on a supply chain overview of hydrogen release. The presentation started with a disclaimer that within the context of a plausible scenario informed by current knowledge, the following is meant to provide rough orders of magnitude of what could be the potential impact of hydrogen released into the atmosphere following the deployment of the hydrogen economy. It aims at giving conservative figures to evaluate whether hydrogen released as a result of the hydrogen economy deployment actually represents a significant potential contribution to climate change or not. The presentation provided an overview of three supply chains (compressed gas supply chain, LH2 supply chain, and pipelines), current and target 2030 hydrogen releases in production, the three supply chains, and the refueling stations. The presentation also covered the global hydrogen budget vs. hydrogen productions and releases.
The three presentations were followed by a panel discussion moderated by Christine Watson (DOE), including the following panelists: Fabien Paulot (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Bill Buttner (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), Pavol Pranda (Air Liquide), Tianyi Sun (Environmental Defense Fund), and Chris San Marchi (Sandia National Laboratories, HyBlend).
The Seminar also hosted several technical sessions covering the top hydrogen and fuel cell applications and topic areas, including one on Safety, Codes, & Standards. Richard Gottwald, President and CEO of Compressed Gas Association, moderated the technical session. Detailed below is a list of the presentations in the technical session.
Richard Gottwald, President and CEO of Compressed Gas Association (CGA), started with a presentation on CGA’s Safe Hydrogen Project. The presentation started with a background on CGA and then an overview of the Safe Hydrogen Project. The Safe Hydrogen Project is a new safety initiative working to establish and promote industry-wide standards for the production, transportation, and storage of hydrogen and the safe operation of hydrogen systems. CGA’s existing publications include a standard for hydrogen vent systems, a standard for bulk hydrogen supply systems, a standard for hydrogen pipeline systems, a standard for hydrogen piping systems at user locations, and a standard for cryogenic storage systems. CGA is currently developing new standards for small-scale hydrogen production and delivery, standard procedures for hydrogen systems, safe operation of hydrogen pipeline systems, design of bulk liquid hydrogen loading and unloading connections, and hydrogen plant integrity management.
Mélanie Pinatton, Manager of Strategic Initiative at CSA Group, followed with a presentation on CSA Group standards initiatives for hydrogen deployment. The presentation started with a background on CSA Group and its standards activities. CSA Group promotes standards development, research, education, and advocacy. Pinatton discussed CSA Group’s standards for the hydrogen ecosystem, standards research, enabling hydrogen use through standards, harmonization, international standardization, North American codes, education and advocacy of standards, and coordination efforts.
Dr. Thomas Bayer from Lloyd’s Register Group Limited gave a presentation on the rules and regulations for the safe integration and use of fuel cells onboard ships. Dr. Bayer provided background on Lloyd’s Register Group Limited, a global professional services company specializing in engineering and technology for the maritime industry. Dr. Bayer discussed the drivers for adopting fuel cell technology in the shipping industry, the regulatory framework in the industry, Lloyd’s Register’s fuel cell rules, and the guidance notes for installing fuel cells onboard ships.
Dr. David Blekhman, Technical Director and Professor at California State University, Los Angeles, presented on Cal State LA’s Hydrogen Infrastructure Engineering Workforce Training Program. Dr. Blekhman discussed the need for a workforce, Cal State LA’s hydrogen research and fueling facility, CSULA’s hydrogen station specs, Cal State LA’s electrolyzer, the CEC ZEV Workforce Program, the curriculum design, the partnership with Cerritos Community College, and collaboration with industry.
Tetsufumi Ikeda, Director General at the Association of Hydrogen Supply and Utilization Technology (HySUT) and ISO/TC 197 Chair, gave a presentation on ISO/TC197 Hydrogen Technologies. Ikeda discussed the origins, structure, and activities of HySUT; ISO/TC 197’s background, scope, high-level organization chart, and its Working Groups; ISO/TC 197’s work program by 2020, approved new projects from 2020 to 2022, and approved new projects from 2023 onward; ISO/TC 197 SC 1 and its scope; and topics in Japan such as the number of registered FCVs in Japan, the refueling data at retail HRS, the number of retail HRS and FCVs, and the new R&D facility for HDV.
Christine Watson, ORISE Fellow at the U.S. Department of Energy, went over a presentation on the overview of the U.S. DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office safety, codes & standards activities. Watson discussed the U.S. energy landscape and key goals; DOE’s Hydrogen Program; how hydrogen safety is an overarching priority; the Support Codes & Standards Development portfolio; FY23 projects involving hydrogen risk and behavior, safety sensors and components, best safety practices and workforce development, and regulations, codes, and standards coordination.
The half-day DOE workshop was a great kickoff to the Seminar and was only the start of the Seminar’s success. We are pleased to report that Seminar had over 1,000 attendees, 70+ exhibitors, and nearly 200 presentations and posters throughout the event. We look forward to sharing more details on the next Seminar in the near future. Please click here to check out the Seminar website, and please click here to sign up for the mailing list for future updates.
Important Upcoming Hydrogen Codes and Standards Meeting Dates
Detailed below are important upcoming meeting dates of several international codes and standards organizations:
IEC/TC 105 Plenary will meet in Paris, France, from November - 17, 2023
ISO/TC 197 and SC 1 Plenary will meet in Vienna, Austria, from November 13-17, 2023
The Center of Hydrogen Safety 2023 Europe Conference will be held in Rotterdam, Netherlands, from May 9-11, 2023. The conference will bring together academics, industry, and government representatives to create a space for applied hydrogen safety topics to be discussed, to provide a space for collaboration and community, and to give opportunity for your questions.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hydrogen Program is holding its 2023 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meeting (AMR) from June 5-8 at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City Hotel in Crystal City, Virginia. At the DOE Hydrogen Program AMR, hydrogen and fuel cell projects funded by DOE are presented, and projects and programs are reviewed for their merit.
Recent Developments in the Industry Outside of the United States
The European Commission Publishing Rules Defining Renewable Hydrogen
On February 13, the European Commission adopted two Delegated Acts that define what qualifies as renewable hydrogen. The rules apply to all renewable fuels of non-biological origin produced in and imported to the European Union. The announcement marks an important step towards establishing a stable regulatory framework for green hydrogen in Europe.
If a company aims to produce renewable hydrogen, it must do so via one of the following pathways outlined below:
Direct Connection
The hydrogen plant is directly connected to a renewable asset. The renewable asset cannot come into operation earlier than 36 months before the hydrogen plant.
Grid Connection
If the proportion of renewable power exceeds 90% over the previous calendar year in the bidding zone where the hydrogen plant is operating.
Hydrogen production takes place in a bidding zone where the emissions intensity of the grid is lower than 18gCO2e/MJ. However, the hydrogen plant must acquire a renewable PPA, temporal and geographical correlation also apply.
Power supply can be considered renewable if taken from the grid during an imbalance period. The power is either redispatched or avoids redispatch.
A renewable power purchase agreement (PPA) is signed for the supply of power, and the principles of additionality, temporal and geographical correlation apply.
Furthermore, detailed below are the associated principles for the production of renewable hydrogen:
Additionality
To count towards a member state's renewable energy targets, from January 1, 2028, the renewable power used in hydrogen production must come from new production assets brought online no more than three years before the electrolyzer.
Temporal correlation
Up to December 31, 2029: Hydrogen production occurs within the same calendar month as the renewable power was generated under the renewable PPA.
Beyond January 1, 2030: Hydrogen production occurs within the same hour as the renewable power was generated under the renewable PPA.
Geographic correlation (considered met if one of the following is fulfilled)
The renewable asset and hydrogen plant are in the same bidding zone.
The renewable asset and hydrogen plant are located in interconnected bidding zones. The renewable asset is located in a bidding zone where the power price is equal to or higher than that of the hydrogen plant.
The renewable asset is located in an offshore bidding zone to the hydrogen plant.
The two Acts will now be passed on to the European Parliament and the Council, with one month to consider and accept or reject the proposals.
To read the two Delegated Acts, please click here for the first Act and click here for the second Act.
India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission
Earlier this year, the Government of India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy released its National Green Hydrogen Mission. The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to provide a comprehensive action plan for establishing a green hydrogen ecosystem. The primary objective of the Mission is to make India the global hub for the production, usage, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.
The Mission will build capabilities to produce at least five million metric tonnes (MMT) of green hydrogen per annum by 2030, potentially 10 MMT per annum with the growth of export markets, and a renewable energy capacity addition of ~125 GW. Additionally, the Mission aims to leverage nearly 100 billion dollars of investments and prevent 50 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions per annum by 2030. The Mission aims to decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, aviation, shipping, and heavy-duty transportation. This Mission will support green hydrogen in ammonia production and petroleum refining, green hydrogen blending, green steel, and using green hydrogen-derived synthetic fuels in sectors such as shipping and aviation. The Mission also aims to make India a leader in the manufacturing of electrolyzers. Overall, this Mission has the intent of helping India become energy independent by 2047 and achieve net zero by 2070.
To access the Mission, please click here.
The European Union’s Roadmap on Standardization
The European Commission is paving the way for new European standards to accelerate the roll-out of large-scale hydrogen solutions. Earlier this month, the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance, which brings together stakeholders such as industry and national/state authorities to support the large-scale deployment of clean hydrogen technologies by 2030, published its Roadmap on hydrogen standardisation. Setting European standards in this area supports the European Union’s ambitions for a climate-neutral carbon economy and the uptake of hydrogen in the European market.
The Roadmap provides a comprehensive overview of standardization gaps, challenges, and needs throughout the hydrogen value chain identified by European Clean Hydrogen Alliance members. Such gaps still pose an essential barrier to the roll-out of hydrogen technologies, applications, and investments. Additionally, the Roadmap includes a set of recommendations to streamline and accelerate the process of implementing European standards. For instance, it will allow the Commission to prepare a standardization request for identified hydrogen standards to the European Standardization Organizations.
The Roadmap reflects the identified priorities in the Standardization Annual Work Programme for 2023 and follows the 2021 European Clean Hydrogen Alliance’s Report, which identified the lack of hydrogen standards as a barrier to the rollout of new hydrogen solutions.
To read the Roadmap, please click here.
Summaries of FCHEA’s WG Meetings
Commercial Working Group Meeting Summary
FCHEA’s Commercial Working Group met on February 14, 2023. This month’s meeting discussed information dissemination on hydrogen and fuel cell policies, and RCS updates. The meeting closed with a discussion on working group updates and walk-in items.
Power Working Group Meeting Summary
FCHEA’s Power Working Group met on February 14. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, HyAxiom, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group. The meeting closed with walk-in items. The Working Group also met on March 14. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, Bloom Energy and Southern Company, members of FCHEA, presented to the working group. The meeting closed with walk-in items.
Production Working Group Meeting Summary
FCHEA’s Production Working Group met on February 15. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, World Resources Institute, a global research non-profit organization, presented to the working group. The meeting closed with walk-in items. The Working Group also met on March 15. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, AJW, Inc., a strategic advisory firm, presented to the working group.
Transportation Working Group Meeting Summary
FCHEA’s Transportation Working Group met on February 22. In addition to updates on applicable codes and standards and information dissemination on federal hydrogen and fuel cell policies, Kaizen Clean Energy, a member of FCHEA, presented to the working group. The meeting closed with walk-in items. The Working Group also met on March 22. The meeting discussed information dissemination on hydrogen and fuel cell policies and RCS updates. The meeting closed with a messaging discussion on zero emission long-haul heavy-duty trucking and transportation updates.
Distribution Working Group Meeting Summary
FCHEA’s Distribution Working Group met on March 13. This month’s meeting discussed information dissemination on hydrogen and fuel cell policies and RCS updates. The meeting closed with a discussion on working group updates and walk-in items.