The CSA Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Generation Technical Committee is currently balloting a new edition of CSA FC 62282-2-100*CSA C22.2 No. 62282-2-100 - Fuel cell technologies — Part 2-100: Fuel cell stacks and fuel cell modules — Safety.

This proposed edition is an adoption of the IEC 62282-2-100 standard; therefore, Technical Committee Members are voting and commenting on the CSA North American deviations to the base IEC standard.

The North American adoption will implement the international standard with deviations. The North American deviations are intended to

a) correct inaccuracies; and

b) replace references to IEC Standards with references to Canadian and U.S. Standards, where applicable.

This North American adoption will replace CSA/ANSI FC 6:19 (adopted IEC 62282-2:2012), Fuel cell technologies — Part 2: Fuel cell modules. It also replaces CSA C22.2 No. 62282-2:18 (adopted IEC 62282-2:2012), Fuel cell technologies — Part 2: Fuel cell modules. In Canada, it is one in a series of Standards issued by CSA Group under Part II of the Canadian Electrical Code.

IEEE 1547 Update

by Karen Quackenbush, FCHEA

IEEE is in the process of revising IEEE 1547-2018 - Standard for Interconnection and Interoperability of Distributed Energy Resources with Associated Electric Power Systems Interfaces. Grid interconnection falls under the guidance of IEEE 1547-2018 for technical requirements. Electric utilities and regulators rely heavily on these requirements for project specification and approval.

The IEEE Standards Coordinating Committee 21 (SCC21) oversees the development of standards in the areas of fuel cells, photovoltaics, dispersed generation, and energy storage. SCC21 holds monthly coordination meetings to track progress on the various moving parts.

SCC 21 sponsors several standards. More detail on sponsored standards can be found here. Sponsored standards include:

1547 Series of Standards:

2030 Series of Standards:

The IEEE list of projects under SSC21 is available here.

IEEE Standard 1547 is a voluntary industry standard for interconnecting distributed energy resources (DERs) with electrical power systems (EPSs). While businesses are not required to adhere to the standard, governing bodies and regulators often use IEEE standards as the foundation for laws.

The first version of IEEE 1547 was created in 2003 to establish technical rules for distributed energy interconnection and did not anticipate significant changes in the penetration of DER connected to the electric power system. With increasing technological and economic advances, the grid has begun to experience high levels of renewable energy sources using inverters in some areas, resulting in a need to revise 1547. The current revision is known as IEEE 1547-2018, there is now a new revision underway, which is expected to be published in 2027.

When the current revision began, we published an article describing the effort here. In addition, FCHEA staff and IEEE SCC21 Chair Mark Siira published a joint article to introduce IEEE 1547 to the fuel cell industry, Understanding the IEEE Standards and Processes That Affect Fuel Cells, here.

IEEE 1547-2018 established DER requirements that will maintain bulk system reliability long-term. With distributed system safety and power quality in mind, the standard provides performance standards that allow flexibility for each distribution system’s needs.

The 2018 edition established a category framework that seeks to create harmonized interconnection requirements and offer flexibility in performance requirements.

The next edition will build upon and help clarify requirements for the use of electrolyzers and other clean energy technologies in Distributed Energy Resources connected to the grid.

The importance of IEEE 1547 for Distributed Energy Resources has been a topic of research and education for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Sandia National Laboratories for over a decade. Here are a few relevant documents and websites for those interested in more details:

The 2014 NREL report can be found here.
The 2025 NREL report can be found here.
The NREL website on resources for IEEE 1547:2018 can be found here.
The 2023 Sandia Report: Introduction To IEEE 1547 Standard For Interconnecting Distributed Energy Resources With Electric Power Systems can be found here.

Five Strategies for More Effective Hydrogen Scalability

by Mhamed Samet, FCHEA based on an article by Chuck Hayes, Swagelok

On August 25, 2025, Chuck Hayes, a 30-year veteran in Swagelok, issued the article, Five Strategies for More Effective Hydrogen Scalability, that explores technical pathways to help hydrogen infrastructure scale more efficiently. Hayes, a fluid systems expert, emphasizes that while policy and regulatory hurdles remain, much of hydrogen’s scalability challenge lies at the production, distribution, and equipment levels. The piece highlights how high-quality fluid systems, knowledgeable teams, and the right partnerships can accelerate deployment.

Five strategies for scaling

Modular designs: Standardizing prefabricated sampling panels can eliminate inefficiencies in electrolyzer builds, simplify training, and reduce errors.
Connection standardization: Reducing variability in welded, threaded, and swaged connections streamlines maintenance and supports faster scaling.
Hydrogen-specific components: Using materials like high-quality 316L stainless steel and two-ferrule fittings minimizes leak risk, hydrogen embrittlement, and safety incidents.
Inventory optimization: Vendor-managed inventory programs prevent costly downtime from missing parts and ensure smoother construction timelines.
Training opportunities: Comprehensive training in design, installation, and materials handling builds workforce competence and ensures reliable long-term operations.

Conclusion

Scaling hydrogen infrastructure effectively depends on adopting the right materials, design practices, and supplier partnerships. Hayes stresses that prioritizing safety, reliability, and knowledge transfer is essential to meeting growth targets—and to realizing hydrogen’s role in a cleaner energy future.

To access the article, click here.

Explosion Protection in Electrolyzer Applications

by Mhamed Samet, FCHEA

On July 23, 2025, Draeger, a company headquartered in Germany providing safety technologies, hosted a webinar focusing on hydrogen safety solutions, with particular attention to explosion protection in electrolyzer applications. The panelists were David Wenger (Founder & CEO), Dion Stibany (Marketing Manager), and Markus Oertel (Global Product Manager, Fire and Gas Detection Systems). The following is a summary of the discussion:

Hydrogen safety challenges
Hydrogen is the smallest molecule, making leaks common and difficult to detect due to its colorless and odorless properties. Its ignition energy is 15 times lower than methane, increasing explosion risk. Key incident causes include leaking connections and valve malfunctions, with many failures traced to human error—highlighting the importance of training.

Case study: Trailblazer electrolyzer project (Germany)
Draeger partnered with Air Liquide on the Trailblazer project, a 20 MW electrolyzer producing renewable hydrogen.

Construction phase: Focused on worker protection at a brownfield site, with mobile gas detectors and flexible safety staffing to match contractor demand.
Production phase: Required fixed gas detection systems in key areas: electrolysis hall, compressor hall, purification units, and outdoor installations. Remote sensors were installed under facility roofs to account for hydrogen buoyancy, with control units triggering alarms and safety processes.

Explosion protection standards and equipment selection
Panelist Markus Oertel reviewed international standards (EN 1127-1, IEC/EN 60079 series, EN 60079-29-2) that guide explosion risk assessment, area classification, and gas detection system design. Hydrogen poses special challenges due to its Group IIC classification, demanding stricter equipment certification.

Detection technologies

Catalytic bead sensors: Reliable for hydrogen, but only up to 100% LEL.
Electrochemical sensors: Effective for ppm-level detection and oxygen monitoring in electrolyzer streams.
Thermal conductivity sensors: Can be used; infrared sensors are not suitable for hydrogen.
New methods: Cameras and ultrasonic detectors may supplement, but not replace, certified performance-tested systems.

Best practices

Classify hazardous areas accurately based on hydrogen’s behavior (gas jets, buoyancy, storage conditions).
Use both mobile and fixed detection depending on lifecycle phase.
Install detectors in correct positions (e.g., under ceilings for buoyant hydrogen).
Follow threshold guidance (alarms set below 25% LEL) to allow safety systems time to respond.
Ensure continuous maintenance, calibration, and operator training.

The webinar panelists concluded that safe electrolyzer operation requires layered safety solutions—risk analysis, certified detection technology, proper equipment siting, and trained personnel. The Trailblazer project demonstrates how flexible, scalable safety strategies support both construction and production phases of green hydrogen infrastructure.

Hydrogen Combustion Research and Applications in Gas Turbines

By Mhamed Samet, FCHEA

On August 20, 2025, the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) hosted a webinar presented by Alex Cho, Ph.D. that reviewed hydrogen combustion fundamentals, contrasted them with natural gas, and highlighted existing and emerging technologies that can support turbine adaptation. Dr. Cho is a combustion researcher with deep academic and industry experience in the U.S. and South Korea. The following is a summary of the webinar:

Why Hydrogen?
Hydrogen is viewed as a key enabler of decarbonization due to its abundance and clean combustion byproduct (water). However, production pathways differ in cost and environmental impact:

Gray Hydrogen (steam methane reforming, ~95% of U.S. supply) is inexpensive but carbon intensive.
Blue Hydrogen incorporates carbon capture to reduce emissions.
Green Hydrogen (electrolysis via renewables) offers the cleanest option but remains costly.

Transportation & Storage Challenges
Hydrogen pipelines (~1,600 miles in the U.S., mostly Gulf Coast) remain limited. Alternatives include liquid shipping, cryogenic tanks, and tube trailers, but barriers persist:

Pipeline blending could lower costs but raises safety, embrittlement, and compressor concerns.
Compression demands are higher due to low volumetric density, driving up costs and emissions.
Storage improvements (composite overwrapped pressure vessels, advanced alloys) have improved reliability, but buoyancy and embrittlement risks persist.

Combustion Fundamentals & Risks
Hydrogen combustion differs markedly from natural gas:

Faster flame speeds → higher risk of flashback.
Shorter ignition delays → more prone to premature ignition.
Wide flammability range & low ignition energy → increased explosion hazards.
Joule-Thomson inversion → hydrogen warms on expansion, complicating cooling and liquefaction.

Environmental Considerations
Hydrogen combustion yields water, but NOx emissions remain a concern:

Lean premixed combustion reduces peak flame temperature.
Advanced injector designs (e.g. micromixers, multi-tube injectors) improve mixing while minimizing flashback risks.

Design & Safety Implications
Adapting gas turbines for hydrogen requires redesigning injectors, seals, and piping to handle hydrogen’s low density and high diffusivity. Safety standards must exceed those for natural gas, given hydrogen’s unique risks. Past incidents underscore the need for specialized workforce training and rigorous protocols.

Key Takeaways

Hydrogen offers high energy density but presents storage, transport, and combustion challenges.
Infrastructure limitations (pipelines, compressors, storage) remain key barriers.
Combustion science—flashback, flame speed, NOx—drives safer, low-emission turbine designs.
Demonstration projects are essential to validate hydrogen’s viability in industrial and power applications.

For questions or further information contact Dr. Cho here.

The Process Safety and Environmental Protection Journal Releases Hydrogen-Focused Special Issue

by Aidan Dennehy, FCHEA

The Process Safety and Environmental Protection journal published a special issue on July 30th, with a focus on hydrogen safety issues. The special issue, titled Safety of Hydrogen Energy in Production, Storage and Use, features twelve peer-reviewed articles investigating a variety of hydrogen safety topics. The journal is published by the Institution of Chemical engineers, a UK-based qualifying body for chemical, biochemical, and process engineers. Its editorial board is helmed by Professor Guohua Chen, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Professor Faisal Khan, Texas A&M University.

The special issue includes the following articles:

Experimental study on the detonation characteristics in ammonia-hydrogen-air mixtures;
Dynamic risk assessment framework for chemical industrial park storage facilities: Integration of enhanced TOPSIS and Bayesian networks;
Numerical study on spontaneous ignition of high-pressure hydrogen release into air;
Numerical simulation of hydrogen leakage and accident consequence of hydrogen explosion in compact confined hydrogen-electric coupling systems;
Numerical study on the influence of vent burst pressure on vented hydrogen explosions using a turbulent combustion model;
A machine learning-based predictive model for estimating the potential impact radius of hydrogen-blended natural gas pipelines;
Hydrogen jet fire due to high-pressure pipeline leakages in pits;
Experimental study on the suppression effect and reusability of copper foam materials for methane/hydrogen mixture explosion;
Explosion characteristic in hydrogen-air mixtures: The comprehensive effect of blockage ratio and obstacle shape in confined spaces;
Experimental research on the suppression of hydrogen deflagration by flame-retardant composite ultrafine dry powder fire extinguishing agents containing aluminum hydroxide;
Risk assessment of refueling Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles;
Experimental study on the effect of thermal radiation on the performance and temperature of PEM electrolyzer stacks.

To access the special-issue, click here.

Allianz Report on Hydrogen Safety Through an Insurance Lens

by Aidan Dennehy, FCHEA

Allianz’s July 2025 report, titled Hydrogen: Opportunities, Uses and Risks in the Energy Transition, discusses hydrogen safety as a question of insurability. It outlines where risk originates, how it scales, and what that means for insurance purposes. Allianz is a German-based financial services company which offers insurance solutions globally. Their report highlights the key role that insurance plays in determining whether a hydrogen project is pursued, how long it takes, and how much it costs.

General hydrogen safety risks

Hydrogen’s properties- its tiny molecules, low minimum ignition energy, wide flammability range, and invisible flame- make leaks the precursor to many serious events. Buoyant dispersion helps in open air, but fast releases can still produce jet fires, overpressure, and secondary damage in layouts with less breathing room. Materials degradation (embrittlement and fatigue in steels, alloys, etc.) slows create leak paths and weakens structures. From an insurance standpoint, mitigating these risks is crucial for ensuring cost-effectiveness, coverage availability, and limiting exclusions.

Controls that mitigate risk

Allianz highlights a set of controls that consistently reduces safety risks:

Siting & ventilation: Open-air placement or reliable mechanical ventilation helps disperse a potential leak quickly; separation helps protect adjacent assets, especially in the case of natural disasters
Ignition control: Engineer electrical installations and surfaces to avoid sparks and static buildup.
Leak detection & fast isolation: Deploy robust hydrogen sensors and ensure rapid shut-off to prevent escalation if a leak occurs.
Materials discipline: Stick to hydrogen-compatible materials/coatings; reassess any repurposed components for embrittlement susceptibility.
People & process: Constantly refresh operating, safety, and emergency procedures; deploy clear labels; maintain incident learning loops.

These risks are compounded by the sector’s high speed of change and innovation. Allianz recommend early dialogue between project managers, risk engineers, and insurers so that hazards are identified while designs can still be modified.

To read Allianz’s full report, click here.

Book Chapter Covering Hydrogen Safety Issues and Relevant Policy Published

by Aidan Dennehy, FCHEA

On August 22, prominent academic publisher Springer-Nature, released Safety and Standards: Hydrogen Safety, Policy, Regulations, and Standards by Dr Chaouki Ghenai. The Book Chapter, featured in a larger collection of work called Fundamental Principles of Sustainable Hydrogen Energy Value Chain, provides an overview of hydrogen safety issues and relevant regulations at the international and national level. Dr Ghenai is a Professor of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering and leads the department’s Research Funding at the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Dr Ghenai also holds a non-resident Senior Fellowship for Energy Strategy and Policy at the New Lines Institute, Washington D.C.- based think tank.

The chapter covers several topics, including:

Hydrogen safety (properties and handling & leak detection and emergency response)
Public awareness and education of safety measures
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards
National standards
Hydrogen codes and regulations
Policies for hydrogen safety
Hydrogen infrastructure safety
Coordination with emergency services
Environmental impacts and sustainability
Certification & compliances.

To read the abstract and access the full chapter, click here

New Research Published on The Joule-Thompson Effect in Hydrogen Fuel Cells

by Aidan Dennehy, FCHEA

Researchers from Ludong University, the University of Birmingham, Shandong University of Technology, and Hoseo University published a paper in the academic journal Energies, that investigates the Joule-Thomson effect in high-pressure hydrogen systems. The study offers new insights for the safe design and operation of hydrogen refueling stations and fuel cell vehicles.

The Joule-Thomson effect describes the change in temperature that occurs when a gas expands from high pressure to low pressure without exchanging heat with its environment. For most gases under typical conditions, this throttling leads to cooling. In hydrogen systems, the effect is particularly important because rapid expansion during refueling, or pressure regulation can cause sharp temperature changes.

The study analyzed ten equations of state (EOS), with four (Van der Waals, Redlich-Kwong, Soave-Redlich-Kwong, and Beattie-Bridgeman) selected for detailed comparison with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) reference data. Each EOS models how hydrogen gas behaves under realistic temperature and pressure conditions, with slightly different assumptions. Researchers use these equations to predict phenomena like the Joule-Thomson effect, enabling engineers to properly account for hydrogen behavior in the design phase.

Key Findings:

Temperature changes caused by throttling are strongly pressure-dependent, less so by temperature.
Each equation of state has a pressure range where it performs best, underscoring the importance of model selection in engineering applications.
The empirical formula accurately predicted throttling temperature rise across pressures of 22–87.5 MPa, validating its use in system design.
By improving prediction accuracy, this study aids efforts to reduce operational hazards such as embrittlement, seal failures, and pressure-induced stress in hydrogen systems.

To read the full publication, click here.

Robert Zalosh Award for Hydrogen Safety Excellence Opens for Nominations

By Aidan Dennehy, FCHEA

The Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS) has opened nominations for the 2026 Robert Zalosh Safety Excellence Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to advancing hydrogen and fuel cell safety from individuals, organizations, and projects.

Named in honor of Dr. Robert Zalosh, whose two-decade career spanned academia, industry, government, and standards organizations, the awards celebrate his lasting legacy in shaping hydrogen and fuel cell safety practices worldwide.

Three categories are open for nomination:

Individual Award - Recognizes major contributions to hydrogen safety made by individuals over a lifetime.
Project award - Recognizes groups of people who have made worked on impactful projects over the past year.
Organization Award - Recognizes academic institutions, companies, government entities, or other organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to hydrogen safety.

The inaugural Robert Zalosh Safety Excellence Awards took place last year. The following is a brief description of the winners:

The individual award went to Derek Miller of Air Products, recognized for driving advancements in consequence prediction methodologies, industry collaboration, education, and mentorship.
The project award went to the Zero-Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU) of the San Bernardino County Transit Authority for its impact on safety standards for hydrogen in rail transportation.
The organization award went to BakerRisk for its outstanding performance in risk management and foster a healthy safety culture.

The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, October 31st. Nominations will be reviewed by the CHS Award Selection Committee, which will announce the winners on March 1st, 2026. To make a nomination or learn more about the awards, click here.

September 2025

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