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Safety Planning and Management in EU Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Projects - Guidance Document
Sep 2021
Publication
The document provides information on safety planning implementation and reporting for projects involving hydrogen and/or fuel cell technologies. It does not intend to replace or contradict existing regulations which prevail under all circumstances. Neither is it meant to conflict with relevant international or national standards or to replace existing company safety policies codes and procedures. Instead this guidance document aims to assist projects and project partners in identifying hazards and associated risks in prevention and/or mitigation of them through a proper safety plan in implementing the safety plan and reporting safety related events. This shall help in safely delivering the project and ultimately producing inherently safer systems processes and infrastructure.
Hydrogen Production: State of Technology
May 2020
Publication
Presently hydrogen is for ~50% produced by steam reforming of natural gas – a process leading to significant emissions of greenhouse gas (GHG). About 30% is produced from oil/naphtha reforming and from refinery/chemical industry off-gases. The remaining capacity is covered for 18% from coal gasification 3.9% from water electrolysis and 0.1% from other sources. In the foreseen future hydrogen economy green hydrogen production methods will need to supply hydrogen to be used directly as fuel or to generate synthetic fuels to produce ammonia and other fertilizers (viz. urea) to upgrade heavy oils (like oil sands) and to produce other chemicals. There are several ways to produce H2 each with limitations and potential such as steam reforming electrolysis thermal and thermo-chemical water splitting dark and photonic fermentation; gasification and catalytic decomposition of methanol. The paper reviews the fundamentals and potential of these alternative process routes. Both thermo-chemical water splitting and fermentation are marked as having a long term but high "green" potential.
Production of H2-rich Syngas from Excavated Landfill Waste through Steam Co-gasification with Biochar
Jun 2020
Publication
Gasification of excavated landfill waste is one of the promising options to improve the added-value chain during remediation of problematic old landfill sites. Steam gasification is considered as a favorable route to convert landfill waste into H2-rich syngas. Co-gasification of such a poor quality landfill waste with biochar or biomass would be beneficial to enhance the H2 concentration in the syngas as well as to improve the gasification performance. In this work steam co-gasification of landfill waste with biochar or biomass was carried out in a lab-scale reactor. The effect of the fuel blending ratio was investigated by varying the auxiliary fuel content in the range of 15e35 wt%. Moreover co-gasification tests were carried out at temperatures between 800 and 1000°C. The results indicate that adding either biomass or biochar enhances the H2 yield where the latter accounts for the syngas with the highest H2 concentration. At 800°C the addition of 35 wt% biochar can enhance the H2 concentration from 38 to 54 vol% and lowering the tar yield from 0.050 to 0.014 g/g-fuel-daf. No apparent synergetic effect was observed in the case of biomass co-gasification which might cause by the high Si content of landfill waste. In contrast the H2 production increases non-linearly with the biochar share in the fuel which indicates that a significant synergetic effect occurs during co-gasification due to the reforming of tar over biochar. Increasing the temperature of biochar co-gasification from 800 to 1000°C elevates the H2 concentration but decreases the H2/CO ratio and increases the tar yield. Furthermore the addition of biochar also enhances the gasification efficiency as indicated by increased values of the energy yield ratio.
A Roadmap for Financing Hydrogen Refueling Networks – Creating Prerequisites for H2-based Mobility
Sep 2014
Publication
Fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) are zero tailpipe emission vehicles. Their large-scale deployment is expected to play a major role in the de-carbonization of transportation in the European Union (EU) and is therefore an important policy element at EU and Member State level.<br/>For FCEVs to be introduced to the market a network of hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) first has to exist. From a technological point of view FCEVs are ready for serial production already: Hyundaiand Toyota plan to introduce FCEVs into key markets from 2015 and Daimler Ford and Nissan plan to launch mass-market FCEVs in 2017.<br/>At the moment raising funds for building the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure appears to be challenging.<br/>This study explores options for financing the HRS rollout which facilitate the involvement of private lenders and investors. It presents a number of different financing options involving public-sector bank loans funding from private-sector strategic equity investors commercial bank loans private equity and funding from infrastructure investors. The options outline the various requirements forn accessing these sources of funding with regard to project structure incentives and risk mitigation. The financing options were developed on the basis of discussions with stakeholders in the HRS rollout from industry and with financiers.<br/>This study was prepared by Roland Berger in close contact with European Investment banks and a series of private banks.<br/>This study explores in details the business cases for HRS in Germany and UK. The conclusion can be easily extrapolate to other countries.
Hydrogen Refuelling Stations in the Netherlands: An Intercomparison of Quantitative Risk Assessments Used for Permitting
May 2018
Publication
As of 2003 15 hydrogen refuelling stations (HRSs) have been deployed in the Netherlands. To become established the HRS has to go through a permitting procedure. An important document of the permitting dossier is the quantitative risk assessment (QRA) as it assesses the risks of the HRS associated to people and buildings in the vicinity of the HRS. In the Netherlands a generic prescribed approach exists on how to perform a QRA however specific guidelines for HRSs do not exist. An intercomparison among the QRAs of permitted HRSs has revealed significant inconsistencies on various aspects of the QRA: namely the inclusion of HRS sub-systems and components the HRS sub-system and component considerations as predefined components the application of failure scenarios the determination of failure frequencies the application of input parameters the consideration of preventive and mitigation measures as well as information provided regarding the HRS surroundings and the societal risk. It is therefore recommended to develop specific QRA guidelines for HRSs.
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: Joint Undertaking Programme Review 2011 Final Report
Apr 2012
Publication
The Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) has the ambitious objective to place Europe at the forefront of the development commercialization and deployment of fuel cells and hydrogen technologies as of 2015. About €470 million over a six year period have been granted by the European Union to achieve this and private funds are being attracted to support the same ambition as part of the global European effort embedded in the multi-annual implementation plan MAIP (2008-2013).
Challenges in the Use of Hydrogen for Maritime Applications
Jan 2021
Publication
Maritime shipping is a key factor that enables the global economy however the pressure it exerts on the environment is increasing rapidly. In order to reduce the emissions of harmful greenhouse gasses the search is on for alternative fuels for the maritime shipping industry. In this work the usefulness of hydrogen and hydrogen carriers is being investigated as a fuel for sea going ships. Due to the low volumetric energy density of hydrogen under standard conditions the need for efficient storage of this fuel is high. Key processes in the use of hydrogen are discussed starting with the production of hydrogen from fossil and renewable sources. The focus of this review is different storage methods and in this work we discuss the storage of hydrogen at high pressure in liquefied form at cryogenic temperatures and bound to liquid or solid-state carriers. In this work a theoretical introduction to different hydrogen storage methods precedes an analysis of the energy-efficiency and practical storage density of the carriers. In the final section the major challenges and hurdles for the development of hydrogen storage for the maritime industry are discussed. The most likely challenges will be the development of a new bunkering infrastructure and suitable monitoring of the safety to ensure safe operation of these hydrogen carriers on board the ship.
Urban Buses: Alternative Powertrains for Europe: A Fact-based Analysis of the Role of Diesel Hybrid, Hydrogen Fuel Cell, Trolley and Battery Electric Powertrains
Dec 2012
Publication
A coalition of 40 industrial companies and government organizations financially supported by the FCH JU elaborated a technology neutral and fact-based comparative study on eight different powertrain technologies for urban buses in Europe from 2012 to 2030.<br/>According to the results of the study only fully electric powertrain buses (based on hydrogen batteries or trolley system) have the potential to achieve zero local emissions by drastically reducing well-to-wheel emissions.<br/>Following the positive comparative result for fuel cell hydrogen urban buses the FCH JU will launch a follow-up study that more specifically defines real uptake scenarios for market entry scheduled to starting before summer 2013.
FCH JU – Key to Sustainable Energy and Transport
Jan 2019
Publication
This brochure offers an overview of the main applications of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies and how they work and provides insights into our programme and our accomplishments.
Scientific Assessment in Support of the Materials Roadmap enabling Low Carbon Energy Technologies Hydrogen and Fuel Cells
Apr 2014
Publication
A group experts from European research organisations and industry have assessed the state of the art and future needs for materials' R&D for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The work was performed as input to the European Commission's roadmapping exercise on materials for the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan. The report summarises the results including key targets identified for medium term (2020/2030) and long term (2050) timescales.
Comparison of Hydrogen and Battery Electric Trucks
Jul 2020
Publication
Only emissions-free vehicles which include battery electric (BEVs) and hydrogen fuel cell trucks (FCEVs) can provide for a credible long-term pathway towards the full decarbonisation of the road freight sector. This document lays out the methodology and assumptions which were used to calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO) of the two vehicle technologies for regional delivery and long-haul truck applications. It also discusses other criteria such as refuelling and recharging times as well as potential payload losses.
Link to Document Download on Transport & Environment website
Link to Document Download on Transport & Environment website
Study on Hydrogen from Renewable Resources in the EU
Feb 2016
Publication
Hydrogen can be produced from a broad range of renewable energy sources acting as a unique energy hub providing low or zero emission energy to all energy consuming sectors. Technically and efficiently producing hydrogen from renewable sources is a key enabler for these developments.<br/>Traditionally hydrogen has been produced from fossil sources by steam methane reforming of natural gas. At present the technology of choice to produce renewable ‘green’ hydrogen is water electrolysis using renewable electricity. The FCH JU has been supporting research and development of electrolyser technology and application projects aiming to increase the energy efficiency of electrolytic hydrogen production from renewable sources and to reduce costs.<br/>This study complements these activities by focusing on renewable hydrogen generation other than electrolysis. In this report these alternative hydrogen generation technologies are described characterized by their technical capabilities maturity and economic performance and assessed for their future potential.<br/>A methodology has been devised to first identify and structure a set of relevant green hydrogen pathways (eleven pathways depicted in the figure below) analyse them at a level of detail allowing a selection of those technologies which fit into and promise early commercialization in the framework of FCH 2 JU’s funding program.<br/>These originally proposed eleven pathways use solar thermal energy sunlight or biomass as major energy input.
Safety Planning for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Projects
Jul 2019
Publication
The document provides information on safety planning monitoring and reporting for the concerned hydrogen and fuel cell projects and programmes in Europe. It does not replace or contradict existing regulations which prevails under all circumstances. Neither is it meant to conflict with relevant international or national standards or to replace existing company safety policies codes and procedures. Instead this guidance document aims to assist in identifying minimum safety requirements hazards and associated risks and in generating a quality safety plan that will serve as an assisting guide for the inherently safer conduct of all work related to the development and operation of hydrogen and fuel cell systems and infrastructure. A safety plan should be revisited periodically as part of an overall effort to pay continuous and priority attention to the associated safety aspects and to account for all modifications of the considered system and its operations. Potential hazards failure mechanisms and related incidents associated with any work process or system should always be identified analysed reported (recorded in relevant knowledge databases e.g. HIAD 2.0 or HELLEN handbooks papers etc.) and eliminated or mitigated as part of sound safety planning and comprehensive hydrogen safety engineering which extends beyond the recommendations of this document. All relevant objects or aspects that may be adversely affected by a failure should be considered including low frequency high consequences events. So the general protection objective is to exclude or at least minimise potential hazards and associated risks to prevent impacts on the following:
- People. Hazards that pose a risk of injury or loss of life to people must be identified and eliminated or mitigated. A complete safety assessment considers not only those personnel who are directly involved in the work but also others who are at risk due to these hazards.
- Property. Damage to or loss of equipment or facilities must be prevented or minimised. Damage to equipment can be both the cause of incidents and the result of incidents. An equipment failure can result in collateral damage to nearby equipment and property which can then trigger additional equipment failures or even lead to additional hazards and risks e.g. through the domino effect. Effective safety planning monitoring and reporting considers and minimises serious risk of equipment and property damage.
- Environment. Damage to the environment must be prevented. Any aspect of a natural or the built environment which can be harmed due to a hydrogen system or infrastructure failure should be identified and analysed. A qualification of the failure modes resulting in environmental damage must be considered.
Hydrogen: Enabling A Zero-Emission Society
Nov 2021
Publication
Discover the colours of hydrogen debunk the myths around hydrogen and learn the facts and key moments in history for hydrogen as well as innovative technologies ground-breaking projects state-of-the-art research development and cooperation by members of Hydrogen Europe
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Observatory Technology and Market Report
Sep 2021
Publication
The information in this report covers the period January 2019 – December 2019. The technology and market module of the FCHO presents a range of statistical data as an indicator of the health of the sector and the progress in market development over time. This includes statistical information on the size of the global fuel cell market including number and capacity of fuel cell systems shipped in a calendar year. For this first edition data to the end of 2019 is presented where possible alongside analysis of key sector developments. Fuel cell system shipments for each calendar year are presented both as numbers of units and total system megawatts. The data are further divided and subdivided by: • Application: Total system shipments are divided into Transport Stationary and Portable applications • Fuel cell type: Numbers are provided for each of the different fuel cell chemistry types • Region of integration: Region where the final manufacturer – usually the system integrator – integrates the fuel cell into the final product • Region of deployment: Region where the final product was shipped to for deployment The data is sourced directly from industry players as well as other relevant sources including press releases associations and other industry bodies.
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Observatory 2019 EU and National Policies Report
Sep 2021
Publication
The policy module of the FCHO presents an overview of EU and national policies across various hydrogen and fuel cell related sectors. It provides a snapshot of the current state of hydrogen legislation and policy. Scope: While FCHO covers 38 entities around the world due to the completeness of the data at the moment of writing this report covers 29 entities. The report reflects data collected January 2019 – December 2019. Key Findings: Hydrogen policies are relatively commonplace among European countries but with large differences between member states. EU hydrogen leaders do not lag behind global outliers such as South Korea or Japan.
Boosting the H2 Production Efficiency via Photocatalytic Organic Reforming: The Role of Additional Hole Scavenging System
Nov 2021
Publication
The simultaneous photocatalytic H2 evolution with environmental remediation over semiconducting metal oxides is a fascinating process for sustainable fuel production. However most of the previously reported photocatalytic reforming showed nonstoichiometric amounts of the evolved H2 when organic substrates were used. To explain the reasons for this phenomenon a careful analysis of the products and intermediates in gas and aqueous phases upon the photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from oxalic acid using Pt/TiO2 was performed. A quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS) was used for the continuous flow monitoring of the evolved gases while high performance ion chromatography (HPIC) isotopic labeling and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) were employed to understand the reactions in the solution. The entire consumption of oxalic acid led to a ~30% lower H2 amount than theoretically expected. Due to the contribution of the photoKolbe reaction mechanism a tiny amount of formic acid was produced then disappeared shortly after the complete consumption of oxalic acid. Nevertheless a much lower concentration of formic acid was generated compared to the nonstoichiometric difference between the formed H2 and the consumed oxalic acid. Isotopic labeling measurements showed that the evolved H2 HD and/or D2 matched those of the solvent; however using D2O decreased the reaction rate. Interestingly the presence of KI as an additional hole scavenger with oxalic acid had a considerable impact on the reaction mechanism and thus the hydrogen yield as indicated by the QMS and the EPR measurements. The added KI promoted H2 evolution to reach the theoretically predictable amount and inhibited the formation of intermediates without affecting the oxalic acid degradation rate. The proposed mechanism by which KI boosts the photocatalytic performance is of great importance in enhancing the overall energy efficiency for hydrogen production via photocatalytic organic reforming.
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Observatory Standards Report
Sep 2021
Publication
Purpose: The Standards module of the FCHO presents a large number of standards relevant for the deployment of hydrogen and fuel cells. The standards are categorized in order to enhance ease of access and usability. The development of sector-relevant standards facilitates and enhances economies of scale interoperability comparability safety and many other issues. Scope: The database presents European and International standards. Standards from the following standards developing organizations are included: CEN CENELEC ISO IEC OIML. The report spans January 2019 – December 2019. Key Findings: The development of sector relevant standards on an international level continued to grow in 2019 on European level many standards are still in the process of being drafted. The recently established CEN-CLC JTC 6 (Hydrogen in energy systems) has not published standards yet but is working on drafting standards on for example Guarantees of Origin.
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: Joint Undertaking Programme Review 2012 Final Report
Mar 2013
Publication
Initiated in 2011 the 2012 programme review edition covered 71‘live’ projects from the 2008 2009 and 2010 calls for proposals together with some projects from the 2011 call. Total funding for these projects stands at close to € 450 million 50% of which comes from FCH JU financial contributions and 50% of which comes from industry and research in-kind contributions.
Powering a climate-neutral economy: An EU Strategy for Energy System Integration
Jul 2020
Publication
To become climate-neutral by 2050 Europe needs to transform its energy system which accounts for 75% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions. The EU strategies for energy system integration and hydrogen adopted today will pave the way towards a more efficient and interconnected energy sector driven by the twin goals of a cleaner planet and a stronger economy.<br/><br/>The two strategies present a new clean energy investment agenda in line with the Commission's Next Generation EU recovery package and the European Green Deal. The planned investments have the potential to stimulate the economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis. They create European jobs and boost our leadership and competitiveness in strategic industries which are crucial to Europe's resilience.
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