International Work to Revise Hydrides Document to Begin
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

A new International Working Group has been formed in ISO/TC 197 devoted to the revision of ISO 16111:2008: Transportable gas storage devices -- Hydrogen absorbed in reversible metal hydride. 

The abstract of this item, from the ISO catalogue is as follows:

ISO 16111:2008 defines the requirements applicable to the material, design, construction, and testing of transportable hydrogen gas storage systems, referred to as "metal hydride assemblies" (MH assemblies) which utilize shells not exceeding 150 l internal volume and having a maximum developed pressure (MDP) not exceeding 25 MPa (250 bar).

It only applies to refillable storage MH assemblies where hydrogen is the only transferred media. Storage MH assemblies intended to be used as fixed fuel-storage onboard hydrogen fuelled vehicles are excluded.

ISO 16111:2008 is intended to be used for certification purposes.

The first meeting for Working Group 25 will be held in Paris on July 9, 2015.

In addition to considering revisions on the original scope, WG 24 will discuss potential ways to address systems with volumes exceeding 150 L, based on significant due diligence to ensure the standard revision does not affect its compliance with UN Model Regulations and, at the same time, enhances its contents to be in line with the-state-of-the-art of the technology. Solutions developed by WG 25 will be provided to the ISO/TC 197 Technical Advisory Board for review and the ISO/TC 197 for approval.

FCHEA Hosts Hydrogen Component Listing Workshop
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) hosted an Online Hydrogen Component Listing Workshop on April 22, 2015.

The purpose of this online workshop was to begin a dialog between the fuel cell and hydrogen industry and component manufacturers. The workshop engaged over 100 participants from a variety of sectors, including universities, research organizations and National Labs, chemical companies, fuel cell membrane suppliers, financial analysts, state and local governments throughout the US and Canada, nationally recognized testing laboratories, hydrogen suppliers, fueling station operators, fuel cell and FCEV manufacturers, various fuel cell and hydrogen organizations, engineering and construction companies, and manufacturers of critical components including compressors, hoses, valves and fittings, storage tanks, nozzles, sensors, hydrogen production and dispensing equipment, and a number of consulting experts and other interested parties.

The workshop informed stakeholders of plans for wide-scale roll-out of hydrogen infrastructure, highlighted some recent feedback from installation of hydrogen fueling stations, provided an overview of current and developing requirements in US model codes and standards, and provided a forum to better understand concerns and issues of component suppliers. 

This web-based workshop was intended to be a first step in engaging in dialog to provide suppliers of future hydrogen station components the information needed in order to make appropriate business decisions regarding product certification.

FCHEA organizers are optimistic this event may begin to define the issues and possible steps which could be taken by industry, government, research organizations, and other stakeholders to resolve any open issues; and provide the confidence in data and procedures to facilitate informed business decisions in the time-frame best suited for component suppliers and the hydrogen infrastructure roll-out.

The workshop briefly discussed the growing numbers of hydrogen stations completed, in development, or planned in California, the Northeast US, and internationally. The number of hydrogen fueling stations will be growing quite significantly over the next few years. 

California: http://www.cafcp.org/stationmap

Internationally: http://www.netinform.net/h2/H2Stations/Default.aspx

The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association would like to do what we can to ensure the necessary components and systems are available to support this infrastructure roll-out. Hosting this workshop was one small step.

Presentations were made on H2USA's hydrogen infrastructure goals, a review of current listing standards and their requirements, and information from three of the leading Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories who are most active in certifying hydrogen systems in North America. These presentations described available standards and processes for certification of components for hydrogen use. 

The workshop presented an opportunity for component manufacturers and other stakeholders to express concerns and ask questions about codes and standards for hydrogen use.

Industry is currently developing national and international standards for hydrogen fueling stations, compressors, fittings, valves, dispensers and hoses. Participants of the workshop were encouraged to engage directly or indirectly in setting requirements for international or national standards to influence the requirements that components and systems must meet for certification for use in hydrogen fueling stations. 

The materials from the online workshop are now available online athttp://www.fchea.org/workshop-files-april-2015.

FCHEA Initiates Strategic Planning and Code Writing Activities
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association (FCHEA) has launched two new activities under FCHEA's Transportation Working Group (TWG) Hydrogen Codes Task Force (HCTF). One is a Strategic Planning activity, and the other is a code writing activity to support the output from the Strategic activity.

The TWG's Hydrogen Codes Task Force is chaired by Jennifer Hamilton, a FCHEA member representative from the California Fuel Cell Partnership.

An Execution Memo, dated March 6, 2015, created a small special task group within the Hydrogen Codes Task Force (HCTF) to develop a strategic action plan for the continued development of regulations, codes and standards (RCS), to enhance and expedite the safe deployment of the hydrogen fueling infrastructure. While initially planned to be a "special task group" this has now evolved into a special focused activity that the HCTF will undertake.

The Execution Memo issued by the TWG stipulates that the Task Force shall consist of no more than 10 invited experts approved by the TWG leadership.

The desired outcome of this activity is a detailed strategic development plan for domestic RCS development. This will reflect both near-term and long-term needs. The activity is directed to also engage in "out-of-the-box" thinking.

The group charter, strategic plan, and recommendations are all subject to approval by the TWG.

A separate Execution Memo, dated April 30, 2015, creates a Hydrogen Codes Improvement Team, charged with performing the code proposal writing activities to support the output of the Strategic Planning activity. This has also evolved to a focused activity within the HCTF. This is also designed to be a small group of no more than 10 participants, and is made up of the same team members that make up the team for the strategic planning activity. This is a team of code content experts to create and move forward change proposals in a timely manner at the direction of the strategic planning activity and only with those activities approved by the TWG.

The desired outcome of this activity is successful code revisions to promote deployment of hydrogen technologies in phase with the 2018/19 revision cycles for the I-Codes and NFPA.

Although these task groups are designed to be small, input from other FCHEA members will be facilitated through the special task group members. Members can raise issues during Working Group meetings or by contacting members of the Task Groups, the Chair, or staff.

The Strategic Planning Group held its initial meeting on April 30th. This was followed by a meeting of the Codes Improvement Team on May 4. The next step is to report back to the full TWG in early June.

Hydrogen Sensor Apparatus Systematic Review
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

ISO 26142:2010, Hydrogen detection apparatus - Stationary applications, is now out for systematic review. U.S. experts are asked to provide input through the U.S. TAG by Monday, July 20, to allow time to come to a consensus response on this item. The scope of ISO 26142:2010 is as follows:

This international standard defines the performance requirements and test methods of stationary hydrogen detection apparatus that is designed to measure and monitor hydrogen concentrations. The provisions in this standard cover the hydrogen detection apparatus used to achieve the single and/or multilevel safety operations such as nitrogen purging or ventilation and/or system shut-off corresponding to the hydrogen concentration. The requirements applicable to the overall safety system as well as the installation requirements of such apparatus are excluded. This standard sets out only the requirements applicable to a product standard for hydrogen detection apparatus, such as precision, response time, stability, measuring range, selectivity, and poisoning.

This standard is intended to be used for certification purposes.

FCHEA members who would like a copy to evaluate this International Standard are requested to contact Karen Hall.

DOE Annual Merit Review to Include Track on Safety, Codes and Standards
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) 2015 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meetings (AMR) for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program and the Vehicle Technologies Office will be held on June 8-12, 2015, in Arlington, Virginia.

Topics include the Hydrogen behavior and Quantitative Risk Assessment work as well as the Materials and Components Compatibility work being performed at Sandia National Laboratory, the Component Standard Research & Development as well as the Hydrogen Sensor Testing Laboratory and Hydrogen Contaminant Detector projects being performed at NREL, Hydrogen Fuel Quality work being performed at LANL, Hydrogen Safety Panel, Safety Knowledge Tools and First Responder Training Resources presented by PNNL, and more!

The presentations relating to safety, codes and standards activities will be made all day on Tuesday, June 9 and the morning of Thursday, June 11.

For a comprehensive schedule of events and presentations, please refer to the meeting agenda, which is updated frequently. Schedule updates may occur until the day of the meeting.

For further information, please visit the official site athttp://www.annualmeritreview.energy.gov/.

DOE Annual Merit Review to Include Track on Safety, Codes and Standards
by Karen Hall, FCHEA

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) 2015 Annual Merit Review and Peer Evaluation Meetings (AMR) for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Program and the Vehicle Technologies Office will be held on June 8-12, 2015, in Arlington, Virginia.

Topics include the Hydrogen behavior and Quantitative Risk Assessment work as well as the Materials and Components Compatibility work being performed at Sandia National Laboratory, the Component Standard Research & Development as well as the Hydrogen Sensor Testing Laboratory and Hydrogen Contaminant Detector projects being performed at NREL, Hydrogen Fuel Quality work being performed at LANL, Hydrogen Safety Panel, Safety Knowledge Tools and First Responder Training Resources presented by PNNL, and more!

The presentations relating to safety, codes and standards activities will be made all day on Tuesday, June 9 and the morning of Thursday, June 11.

For a comprehensive schedule of events and presentations, please refer to the meeting agenda, which is updated frequently. Schedule updates may occur until the day of the meeting.

For further information, please visit the official site athttp://www.annualmeritreview.energy.gov/.