Risk analysis and safety of installations in the hydrogen economy

Abstract

Green hydrogen is seen as a key element of the future of zero-emission energy and sustainable industry. Its production is to become distributed in the coming decades, and thanks to the development of technology (e.g. electrolyzers), the ecological method of obtaining hydrogen from water electrolysis will become increasingly important. The development of hydrogen technologies is a key element of the energy transformation, but it is associated with specific safety challenges resulting from the properties of hydrogen, such as flammability, a wide range of flammability and hydrogen embrittlement. Safe hydrogen storage and transmission require the use of appropriate materials, detection systems and compliance with national and EU standards and regulations (ATEX, PED, SEVESO III). The transmission infrastructure must be designed taking into account the risk of leaks and explosive mixtures. As part of this work, an analysis and assessment of the risks associated with installations operating within the hydrogen chain was carried out, the hydrogen economy was presented as an innovative and future technology that can play an important role in the process of moving away from fossil fuels. Attention was drawn to the specific physicochemical properties of hydrogen, which require strict compliance with standards, regulations and guidelines regarding the safe operation of installations in which hydrogen is produced, stored or transported.