France
Risk Management in a Containerized Metal Hydride Storage System
Sep 2024
Publication
HyCARE project supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership of the European Union deals with a prototype hydrogen storage tank using a solid-state hydrogen carrier. Up to 40 kilograms of hydrogen are stored in 12 tanks at less than 50 barg and less than 100°C. The innovative design is based on a standard 20-foot container including 12 TiFe-based metal hydride (MH) hydrogen storage tanks coupled with a thermal energy storage in phase change materials (PCM). This article aims at showing the main risks related to hydrogen storage in a MH system and the safety barriers considered based on HyCARE’s specific risk analysis. Regarding the TiFe MH material used to store hydrogen experimental tests showed that the exposure of the MH to air or water did not cause spontaneous ignition. Furthermore an explosion within the solid MH cannot propagate due to internal pore size. Additionally in case of leakage the speed of hydrogen desorption from the MH is self-limited which is an important safety characteristic since it reduces the potential consequences from the hydrogen release. Regarding the integrated system the critical scenarios identified during the risk analysis were explosion due to release of hydrogen inside or outside the container internal explosion inside MH tanks due to accidental mix of hydrogen and air and asphyxiation due to inert gas accumulation in the container. The identification phase of risk analysis identified the most relevant safety barriers already in place and recommended additional ones if needed which were later implemented to further reduce the risk. The main safety barriers identified were material and component selection (including the MH selected) safety interlocks safety valves ventilation gas detection and safety distances. The risk management process based on risk identification and assessment contributed to coherently integrate inherently safe design features and safety barriers.
Review on Ammonia as a Potential Fuel: From Synthesis to Economics
Feb 2021
Publication
Ammonia a molecule that is gaining more interest as a fueling vector has been considered as a candidate to power transport produce energy and support heating applications for decades. However the particular characteristics of the molecule always made it a chemical with low if any benefit once compared to conventional fossil fuels. Still the current need to decarbonize our economy makes the search of new methods crucial to use chemicals such as ammonia that can be produced and employed without incurring in the emission of carbon oxides. Therefore current efforts in this field are leading scientists industries and governments to seriously invest efforts in the development of holistic solutions capable of making ammonia a viable fuel for the transition toward a clean future. On that basis this review has approached the subject gathering inputs from scientists actively working on the topic. The review starts from the importance of ammonia as an energy vector moving through all of the steps in the production distribution utilization safety legal considerations and economic aspects of the use of such a molecule to support the future energy mix. Fundamentals of combustion and practical cases for the recovery of energy of ammonia are also addressed thus providing a complete view of what potentially could become a vector of crucial importance to the mitigation of carbon emissions. Different from other works this review seeks to provide a holistic perspective of ammonia as a chemical that presents benefits and constraints for storing energy from sustainable sources. State-of-the-art knowledge provided by academics actively engaged with the topic at various fronts also enables a clear vision of the progress in each of the branches of ammonia as an energy carrier. Further the fundamental boundaries of the use of the molecule are expanded to real technical issues for all potential technologies capable of using it for energy purposes legal barriers that will be faced to achieve its deployment safety and environmental considerations that impose a critical aspect for acceptance and wellbeing and economic implications for the use of ammonia across all aspects approached for the production and implementation of this chemical as a fueling source. Herein this work sets the principles research practicalities and future views of a transition toward a future where ammonia will be a major energy player.
Fuzzy Logic-Based Energy Management Strategy for Hybrid Fuel Cell Electric Ship Power and Propulsion System
Oct 2024
Publication
The growing use of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) in hybrid propulsion systems is aimed at replacing traditional internal combustion engines and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Effective power distribution between the fuel cell and the energy storage system (ESS) is crucial and has led to a growing emphasis on developing energy management systems (EMSs) to efficiently implement this integration. To address this goal this study examines the performance of a fuzzy logic rule-based strategy for a hybrid fuel cell propulsion system in a small hydrogenpowered passenger vessel. The primary objective is to optimize fuel efficiency with particular attention on reducing hydrogen consumption. The analysis is carried out under typical operating conditions encountered during a river trip. Comparisons between the proposed strategy with other approaches—control based optimization based and deterministic rule based—are conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. Simulation results indicated that the EMS based on fuzzy logic mechanisms was the most successful in reducing fuel consumption. The superior performance of this method stems from its ability to adaptively manage power distribution between the fuel cell and energy storage systems.
Hydrogen Refuelling Station Calibration with a Traceable Gravimetric Standard
Apr 2020
Publication
Of all the alternatives to hydrocarbon fuels hydrogen offers the greatest long-term potential to radically reduce the many problems inherent in fuel used for transportation. Hydrogen vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions and are very efficient. If the hydrogen is made from renewable sources such as nuclear power or fossil sources with carbon emissions captured and sequestered hydrogen use on a global scale would produce almost zero greenhouse gas emissions and greatly reduce air pollutant emissions. The aim of this work is to realise a traceability chain for hydrogen flow metering in the range typical for fuelling applications in a wide pressure range with pressures up to 875 bar (for Hydrogen Refuelling Station - HRS with Nominal Working Pressure of 700 bar) and temperature changes from −40 °C (pre-cooling) to 85 °C (maximum allowed vehicle tank temperature) in accordance with the worldwide accepted standard SAE J2601. Several HRS have been tested in Europe (France Netherlands and Germany) and the results show a good repeatability for all tests. This demonstrates that the testing equipment works well in real conditions. Depending on the installation configuration some systematic errors have been detected and explained. Errors observed for Configuration 1 stations can be explained by pressure differences at the beginning and end of fueling in the piping between the Coriolis Flow Meter (CFM) and the dispenser: the longer the distance the bigger the errors. For Configuration 2 where this distance is very short the error is negligible.
Green Hydrogen Cooperation between Egypt and Europe: The Perspective of Locals in Suez and Port Said
Jun 2024
Publication
Hydrogen produced by renewable energy sources (green hydrogen) is at the centrepiece of European decarbonization strategies necessitating large imports from third countries. Egypt potentially stands out as major production hub. While technical and economic viability are broadly discussed in literature analyses of local acceptance are absent. This study closes this gap by surveying 505 locals in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (Port Said and Suez) regarding their attitudes towards renewable energy development and green hydrogen production. We find overall support for both national deployment and export to Europe. Respondents see a key benefit in rising income thereby strongly underlying the economic argument. Improved trade relationships or improved political relationships are seen as potential benefits of export but as less relevant for engaging in cooperation putting a spotlight on local benefits. Our study suggests that the local population is more positive than negative towards the development and scaling up of green hydrogen projects in Egypt.
Identification of Safety Critical Scenarios of Hydrogen Refueling Stations in a Multifuel Context
Sep 2023
Publication
The MultHyFuel Project funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership aims to achieve the effective and safe deployment of hydrogen as a carbon-neutral fuel by developing a common strategy for implementing Hydrogen Refueling Stations (HRS) in a multifuel context. The project hopes to contribute to the harmonisation of existing regulations codes and standards (RCS) by generating practical theoretical and experimental data related to HRS.<br/>This paper presents how a set of safety critical scenarios have been identified from the initial preliminary as well as detailed risk analysis of three different hydrogen refueling station configurations. To achieve this a detailed examination of each potential hazardous phenomenon (DPh) or major accident event at or near the hydrogen dispenser was carried out. Particular attention is paid to the scenarios which could affect third parties external to the refueling station.<br/>The paper presents a methodology subdivided into the following steps:<br/>♦ determination of the consequence level and likelihood of each hazardous phenomenon<br/>♦ the classification of major hazard scenarios for the 3 HRS configurations specifically those arising on the dispensing forecourt;<br/>♦ proposal of example preventative control and/or mitigation barriers that could potentially reduce the probability of occurrence and/ or consequences of safety critical scenarios and hence reducing risks to a tolerable level or to as low as reasonably practicable.
Techno-Economic Potential of Wind-Based Green Hydrogen Production in Djibouti: Literature Review and Case Studies
Aug 2023
Publication
Disputed supply chains inappropriate weather and low investment followed by the Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to a phenomenal energy crisis especially in the Horn of Africa. Accordingly proposing eco-friendly and sustainable solutions to diversify the access of electricity in the Republic of Djibouti which has no conventional energy resources and is completely energy dependent on its neighboring countries has become a must. Therefore the implementation of sustainable renewable and energy storage systems is nationally prioritized. This paper deals for the first time with the exploitation of such an affordable and carbon-free resource to produce hydrogen from wind energy in the rural areas of Nagad and Bara Wein in Djibouti. The production of hydrogen and the relevant CO2 emission reduction using different De Wind D6 Vestas and Nordex wind turbines are displayed while using Alkaline and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers. The Bara Wein and Nagad sites had a monthly wind speed above 7 m/s. From the results the Nordex turbine accompanied with the alkaline electrolyzer provides the most affordable electricity production approximately 0.0032 $/kWh for both sites; this cost is about one per hundred the actual imported hydroelectric energy price. Through the ecological analysis the Nordex turbine is the most suitable wind turbine with a CO2 emission reduction of 363.58 tons for Bara Wein compared to 228.76 tons for Nagad. While integrating the initial cost of wind turbine implementation in the capital investment the mass and the levelized cost of the produced green hydrogen are estimated as (29.68 tons and 11.48 $/kg) for Bara Wein with corresponding values of (18.68 tons and 18.25 $/kg) for Nagad.
The Evolution of Green Hydrogen in Renewable Energy Research: Insights from a Bibliometric Perspective
Dec 2024
Publication
Green hydrogen generated from water through renewable energies like solar and wind is a key player in sus tainable energy. It only produces water when used making it a clean energy source. However the inconsistent nature of solar and wind energy highlights the need for storage solutions where green hydrogen is promising. This study uniquely combines green hydrogen (GH) and renewable energy (RE) domains using a comprehensive bibliometric approach covering 2018–2022. It identifies emerging trends collaboration networks and key contributors that shape the global landscape of GH research. Our findings show a significant yearly growth in this research field averaging 93.56 %. The study also identifies China Germany India and Italy as leaders among 76 countries involved in this area. Research trends have shifted from technical details to social and economic factors. Given the increasing global commitment to achieving carbon neutrality understanding the evolution and integration of GH within RE systems is essential for guiding future research policy-making and technology development. The analysis categorizes the research into seven main themes focusing on green hydrogen’s role in energy transition and storage. Other vital topics include improving hydrogen production methods assessing its climate impact examining its environmental benefits and exploring various production techniques like water electrolysis and photocatalysis. Our analysis reveals a 93.56 % annual growth rate in GH research highlighting key challenges in storage integration and policy development and offering a roadmap for future studies. The study highlights areas needing more exploration such as better storage methods integration with existing energy infrastructures risk management and policy development. The advancement of green hydrogen as a sustainable energy solution depends on innovative research international collaboration and supportive policy frameworks.
Engineering Models for Refueling Protocol Development: Validation and Recommendations
Sep 2023
Publication
Fouad Ammouri,
Nicola Benvenuti,
Elena Vyazmina,
Vincent Ren,
Guillaume Lodier,
Quentin Nouvelot,
Thomas Guewouo,
Dorine Crouslé,
Rony Tawk,
Nicholas Hart,
Steve Mathison,
Taichi Kuroki,
Spencer Quong,
Antonio Ruiz,
Alexander Grab,
Alexander Kvasnicka,
Benoit Poulet,
Christopher Kutz and
Martin Zerta
The PRHYDE project (PRotocol for heavy duty HYDrogEn refueling) funded by the Clean Hydrogen partnership aims at developing recommendations for heavy-duty refueling protocols used for future standardization activities for trucks and other heavy duty transport systems applying hydrogen technologies. Development of a protocol requires a validated approach. Due to the limited time and budget the experimental data cannot cover the whole possible ranges of protocol parameters such as initial vehicle pressure and temperature ambient and precooling temperatures pressure ramp refueling time hardware specifications etc. Hence a validated numerical tool is essential for a safe and efficient protocol development. For this purpose engineering tools are used. They give good results in a very reasonable computation time of several seconds or minutes. These tools provide the heat parameters estimation in the gas (volume average temperature) and 1D temperature distribution in the tank wall. The following models were used SOFIL (Air Liquide tool) HyFill (by ENGIE) and H2Fills (open access code by NREL). The comparison of modelling results and experimental data demonstrated a good capability of codes to predict the evolution of average gas temperature in function of time. Some recommendations on model validation for the future protocol development are given.
LES of Turbulent Under-expanded Hydrogen Jet Flames
Sep 2023
Publication
In the frame of hydrogen-powered aircraft Airbus wants to understand all the H2 physics and explore every scenario in order to develop and manufacture safe products operated in a safe environment. Within the framework of a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) methodology for modeling turbulence a comparative numerical study of free under-expanded jet H2/AIR flame is conducted. The investigated geometry consists of straight nozzles with a millimetric diameter fed with pure H2 at upstream pressures ranging from 2 to 10 bar. Numerical results are compared with available experimental measurements such as; temperature signals using thermocouples. LES confirms its prediction capability in terms of shock jet structure and flame length. A particular attention is paid for capturing experimental unstable flame when upstream pressure decreases. Furthermore flame stabilization and flame anchoring are analyzed. Mechanisms of flame stabilization are highlighted for case 1 and stabilization criteria are tested. Finally an ignition map to reach flame stabilization is proposed for each case regarding the literature.
Overview of International Activities in Hydrogen System Safety in IEA Hydrogen TCP Task 43
Sep 2023
Publication
Safety and reliability have long been recognized as key issues for the development commercialization and implementation of new technologies and infrastructure and hydrogen systems are no exception to this rule. Reliability engineering quantitative risk assessment (QRA) and knowledge exchange each play a key role in proactive addressing safety – before problems happen – and help us learn from problems if they happen. Many international research activities are focusing on both reliability and risk assessment for hydrogen systems. However the element of knowledge exchange is sometimes less visible. To support international collaboration and knowledge exchange the International Energy Agency (IEA) convened a new Technology Collaboration Program “Task 43: Safety and Regulatory Aspects of Emerging Large Scale Hydrogen Energy Applications” started in June 2022. Within Task 43 Subtask E focuses on Hydrogen Systems Safety. This paper discusses the structure of the Hydrogen Systems Safety subtask and the aligned activities and introduces opportunities for future work.
A New Dimensionless Number for Type IV Composite Pressure Vessel Designer to Increase Efficiency and Reduce Cost
Sep 2023
Publication
A new dimensionless number (DN) is proposed in order to evaluate the performance of a high-pressure vessel composite structure. It shows that very few composite part is used at its maximum loading potential during bursting. Today for 70 MPa on-board type IV composite tanks DN values close to 20%. The suggested DN will be a useful indicator for an industrial application. By maximizing the DN at the design phase it is possible to minimize the mass of the composite structure of a CPV to reduce the manufacturing time and cost. To increase the DN as close as possible to 100% it is necessary to succeed in increasing the overall loading of the composite structure to have better oriented fibre. For this it seems necessary to find new processes which make it possible to better orient the fibre.
Simulation of DDT in Obstructed Channels: Wavy Channels vs. Fence-type Obstacles
Sep 2023
Publication
The capabilities of an OpenFOAM solver to reproduce the transition of stoichiometric H2-air mixtures to detonation in obstructed 2-D channels were tested. The process is challenging numerically as it involves the ignition of a flame kernel its subsequent propagation and acceleration interaction with obstacles formation of shock waves ahead and detonation onset (DO). Two different obstacle configurations were considered in 10-mm high × 1-m long channels: (i) wavy walls (WW) that mimic the behavior of fencetype obstacles but prevent abrupt area changes. In this case flame acceleration (FA) is strongly affected by shock-flame interactions and DO often results from the compression of the gas present between the accelerating flame front and a converging section of the channel. (ii) Fence-type (FT) obstacles. In this case FA is driven by the increase in flame surface area as a result of the interaction of the flame front with the unburned gas flow field ahead particularly downstream of obstacles; shock-flame interactions play a role at the later stages of FA and DO takes place upon reflection of precursor shocks from obstacles. The effect of initial pressure p0 = 25 50 and 100 kPa at constant blockage ratio (BR = 0.6) was investigated and compared for both configurations. Results show that for the same initial pressure (p0 = 50 kPa) the obstacle configurations could lead to different final propagation regimes: a quasi-detonation for WW and a choked-flame for FT due to the increased losses for the latter. At p0 = 25 kPa however while both configurations result in choked flames WW seem to exhibit larger velocity deficits than FT due to longer flame-precursor shock distances during quasi-steady propagation and to the increased presence of unburnt mixture downstream of the tip of the flame that homogeneously explodes providing additional support to the propagation of the flame.
Designing an Inherently Safe H2 Infrastructure: Combining Analytical, Experimental, and Numerical Investigations to Optimize H2 Refuelling Stations Safety by Passive Mitigation
Sep 2023
Publication
Natural ventilation is a well-known passive mitigation method to limit hydrogen build-up in confined spaces in case of accidental release [1-3]. In most cases a basic design of H2 infrastructure is adopted and vents installed for natural ventilation are adjusted according to safety targets and constraints of the considered structure. With the growing H2 mobility market the demand for H2 refueling infrastructure in our urban environment is on the rise. In order to meet both safety requirements and societal acceptance the design of such infrastructure is becoming more important. In this study a novel design concept is proposed for the hydrogen refueling station (HRS) by modifying physical structure while keeping safety consideration as the top priority of the concept. In this collaborative project between Air Liquide and the University of Delaware an extensive evaluation was performed on new structures of the processing container and dispenser of HRS by integrating safety protocols via passive means. Through a SWOT analysis combined with the most relevant approaches including analytical engineering models numerical simulations [4] and dedicated experimental trials an optimized design was obtained and its safety enhancement was fully evaluated. A small-scale processing container and an almost full-scale dispenser were built and tested to validate the design concepts by simulating accidental H2 release scenarios and assessing the associated consequences in terms of accumulation and potential flammable volumes formation. A conical dispenser and a V-shaped roof-top processing container which were easy to build and implement were designed and tested for this proof-of-concept study. This unique methodology from conception fundamental analysis investigation and validation through experimental design execution and evaluation is fully described in this study.
Safety Challenges Related to the Use of Hydrogen-Natural Gas Blends in Gas Turbines
Sep 2023
Publication
In a context of the decarbonization of the power sector the gas turbine manufacturers are expected tohandle and burn hydrogen or hydrogen/natural gas mixtures. This evolution is conceptually simple in order to displace CO2 emissions by H2O in the combustion exhaust but raises potential engineering andsafety related questions. Concerning the safety aspect the flammability domain is wider and the laminar flame speed is higher for hydrogen than for natural gas. As a result handling fuels with increased hydrogen concentration should a priori lead to an increased the risk of flammable cloud formation with air and also increase the potential explosion violence.<br/>A central topic for the gas turbine manufacturer is the quantification of the hydrogen fuel content from which the explosion risk increases significantly when compared with the use of natural gas. This work will be focused on a risk study of the fuel supply piping of a gas turbine in a scenario where mixing between fuel and air would occur. The pipes are a few dozens of meters long and show singularities: elbows connections with other lines … They are operated at high temperature and atmospheric or high pressure.<br/>The paper will first highlight through CFD modelling the impact of increasing hydrogen content in the fuel on the explosion risk based on a geometry representative of a realistic system. Second the quantification of the explosion effects will be addressed. Some elements of the bibliography relative to flame propagation in pipes will be recalled and put in sight of the characteristics of the industrial case. Finally a CFD model proposed recently for accounting for methane or hydrogen flames propagating in long open steel tubes was used to assess a hydrogen fuel content from which the flame can strongly accelerate and generate significative pressure effects for a flammable mixture initially at atmospheric conditions.
Design of Gravimetric Primary Standards for Field-testing of Hydrogen Refuelling Stations
Apr 2020
Publication
The Federal Institute of Metrology METAS developed a Hydrogen Field Test Standard (HFTS) that can be used for field verification and calibration of hydrogen refuelling stations. The testing method is based on the gravimetric principle. The experimental design of the HFTS as well as the description of the method are presented here.
A Comparative Study on Energy Efficiency of the Maritime Supply Chains for Liquefied Hydrogen, Ammonia, Methanol and Natural Gas
Jun 2023
Publication
To cope with climate change emerging fuels- hydrogen ammonia and methanol- have been proposed as promising energy carriers that will replace part of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) in future maritime scenarios. Energy efficiency is an important indicator for evaluating the system but the maritime supply system for emerging fuels has yet to be revealed. In this study the energy efficiency of the maritime supply chain of hydrogen ammonia methanol and natural gas is investigated considering processes including production storage loading transport and unloading. A sensitivity analysis of parameters such as ambient temperature storage time pipeline length and sailing time is also carried out. The results show that hydrogen (2.366%) has the highest daily boil-off gas (BOG) rate and wastes more energy than LNG (0.413%) with ammonia and methanol both being lower than LNG. The recycling of BOG is of great importance to the hydrogen supply chain. When produced from renewable energy sources methanol (98.02%) is the most energy efficient followed by ammonia with hydrogen being the least (89.10%). This assessment shows from an energy efficiency perspective that ammonia and methanol have the potential to replace LNG as the energy carrier of the future and that hydrogen requires efficient BOG handling systems to increase competitiveness. This study provides some inspirations for the design of global maritime supply systems for emerging fuels.
Experiments and Simulations of Large Scale Hydrogen-Nitrogen-Air Gas Explosions for Nuclear and Hydrogen Safety Applications
Sep 2023
Publication
Hydrogen safety is a general concern because of the high reactivity compared to hydrocarbon-based fuels. The strength of knowledge in risk assessments related to the physical phenomena and the ability of models to predict the consequence of accidental releases is a key aspect for the safe implementation of new technologies. Nuclear safety considers the possibility of accidental leakages of hydrogen gas and subsequent explosion events in risk analysis. In many configurations the considered gaseous streams involve a large fraction of nitrogen gas mixed with hydrogen. This work presents the results of a large scale explosion experimental campaign for hydrogen-nitrogen-air mixtures. The experiments were performed in a 50 m3 vessel at Gexcon’s test site in Bergen Norway. The nitrogen fraction the equivalence ratio and the congestion level were investigated. The experiments are simulated in the FLACS-CFD software to inform about the current level of conservatism of the predictions for engineering application purposes. The study shows the reduced overpressure with nitrogen added to hydrogen mixtures and supports the use of FLACS-CFD-based risk analysis for hydrogen-nitrogen scenarios.
Knowledge Production in Technological Innovation System: A Comprehensive Evaluation using a Multi-criteria Framework based on Patent Data - A Case Study on Hydrogen Storage
Jan 2025
Publication
Knowledge production activity is central within a technological innovation system. The number of patent ap plications is commonly used to evaluate this activity. However it is subject to bias and inaccurate evaluations can occur. This article proposes a multi-criteria framework based on seven complementary patent indicators taking into account the persistence commitment and coherence of knowledge production activities for a more comprehensive evaluation. We demonstrate the value of our proposal through a case study on hydrogen storage comparing patent data since 2000 about three technological solutions: physical chemical and adsorption technologies. Our framework clearly shows that physical hydrogen storage is the most advanced in terms of knowledge production despite not having the highest number of patent applications.
The Impact of Methane Leakage on the Role of Natural Gas in the European Energy Transition
Sep 2023
Publication
Decarbonising energy systems is a prevalent topic in the current literature on climate change mitigation but the additional climate burden caused by methane emissions along the natural gas value chain is rarely discussed at the system level. Considering a two-basket greenhouse gas neutrality objective (both CO2 and methane) we model cost-optimal European energy transition pathways towards 2050. Our analysis shows that adoption of best available methane abatement technologies can entail an 80% reduction in methane leakage limiting the additional environmental burden to 8% of direct CO2 emissions (vs. 35% today). We show that while renewable energy sources are key drivers of climate neutrality the role of natural gas strongly depends on actions to abate both associated CO2 and methane emissions. Moreover clean hydrogen (produced mainly from renewables) can replace natural gas in a substantial proportion of its end-uses satisfying nearly a quarter of final energy demand in a climate-neutral Europe.
IEA TCP Task 43 - Subtask Safety Distances: State of the Art
Sep 2023
Publication
The large deployment of hydrogen technologies for new applications such as heat power mobility and other emerging industrial utilizations is essential to meet targets for CO2 reduction. This will lead to an increase in the number of hydrogen installations nearby local populations that will handle hydrogen technologies. Local regulations differ and provide different safety and/or separation distances in different geographies. The purpose of this work is to give an insight on different methodologies and recommendations developed for hydrogen (mainly) risk management and consequences assessment of accidental scenarios. The first objective is to review available methodologies and to identify the divergent points on the methodology. For this purpose a survey has been launched to obtain the needed inputs from the subtask participants. The current work presents the outcomes of this survey highlighting the gaps and suggesting the prioritization of the actions to take to bridge these gaps.
Detailed Assessment of Dispersion for High-pressure H2 in Multi-fuel Environment
Sep 2023
Publication
The MultHyFuel project notably aims to produce the data missing for usable risk analysis and mitigation activity for Hydrogen Refuelling Stations (HRS) in a multi-fuel context. In this framework realistic releases of hydrogen that could occur in representative multi-fuel forecourts were studied. These releases can occur inside or outside fuel dispensers and they can interact with a complex environment notably made of parked cars and trucks. This paper is focused on the most critical scenarios that were addressed by a sub-group through the use of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling. Once the corresponding source terms for hydrogen releases were known two stages are followed:<br/>♦ Model Validation – to evaluate the CFD models selected by the task partners and to evaluate their performance through comparison to experimental data.<br/>♦ Realistic Release Modelling – to perform demonstration simulations of a range of critical scenarios.<br/>The CFD models selected for the Model Validation have been tested against measured data for a set of experiments involving hydrogen releases. Each experiment accounts for physical features that are encountered in the realistic cases. The selected experiments include an under-expanded hydrogen jet discharging into the open atmosphere with no obstacles or through an array of obstacles. Additionally a very different set-up was studied with buoyancy-driven releases inside a naturally ventilated enclosure. The results of the Model Validation exercise show that the models produce acceptable solutions when compared to measured data and give confidence in the ability of the models and the modellers to capture the behaviour of the realistic releases adequately. The Realistic Release Modelling phase will provide estimation of the flammable gas cloud volume for a set of critical scenarios and will be described at the second stage.
Hydrogen Energy Storage: New Techno-economic Emergence Solution Analysis
Aug 2015
Publication
The integration of various renewable energy sources as well as the liberalization of electricity markets are established facts in modern electrical power systems. The increased share of renewable sources within power systems intensifies the supply variability and intermittency. Therefore energy storage is deemed as one of the solutions for stabilizing the supply of electricity to maintain generation-demand balance and to guarantee uninterrupted supply of energy to users. In the context of sustainable development and energy resources depletion the question of the growth of renewable energy electricity production is highly linked to the ability to propose new and adapted energy storage solutions. The purpose of this multidisciplinary paper is to highlight the new hydrogen production and storage technology its efficiency and the impact of the policy context on its development. A comprehensive techno/socio/economic study of long term hydrogen based storage systems in electrical networks is addressed. The European policy concerning the different energy storage systems and hydrogen production is explicitly discussed. The state of the art of the techno-economic features of the hydrogen production and storage is introduced. Using Matlab-Simulink for a power system of rated 70 kW generator the excess produced hydrogen during high generation periods or low demand can be sold either directly to the grid owners or as filled hydrogen bottles. The affordable use of Hydrogen-based technologies for long term electricity storage is verified.
A New Method to Quantify the Leakage Scenarios (Frequencies and Flowrates) on Hydrogen High Pressure Components
Sep 2023
Publication
This work is part of the MULTHYFUEL E.U. research program [1] aiming at enabling the implementation of hydrogen dispersers in refuelling stations. One important challenge is the severity of accidents due to a leakage of hydrogen from a dispenser in the forecourt. The work presented in this paper deals with the quantification of the leakage scenarios in terms of frequencies and severities. The risk analysis exercise although performed by experts showed very large discrepancies between the frequencies of leakages of the same categories and even between the consequences. A large part of the disagreement comes from the failure databases chosen as shown in the paper. The mismatch between the components on which the databases have been settled and the actual hydrogen components may be responsible for this situation. However as it stands limited confidence can be laid on the outcome of the risk analysis.<br/>A new method is being developed to calculate the frequencies of the leakage and the flowrate based on an accurate description of each component and of each hazardous situation. For instance the possibility for a fitting to become untight due to pressure cycling is modelled based on the contact mechanics. Human errors can also be introduced by describing the tasks. In addition of the description of the method the application to a disperser is proposed with some comparison to experiments. One of the outcomes is that leakage cross sections can be much larger than expected.
Assessing the Impacts of Net Zero Transport Scenarios in France on Biomass Resources, Hydrogen and Electricity Consumption
May 2025
Publication
The transport sector in France accounts for 30% of national emissions and will require significant decarbonization effort to achieve carbon neutrality in 2050. Various technological solutions from electric vehicles to renewable fuel such as biofuels and e-fuels as well as changes in demand are envisioned to reach this target. We build three technological foresight scenarios and two sufficiency variants mainly based on different readings of the European regulations banning the sale of internalcombustion-engine vehicles and setting Sustainable Aviation Fuel incorporation rates. The transport hydrogen and biomass sectors are modeled in system dynamics to assess the detail impacts of these scenarios on biomass resources and energy consumption. In all scenarios the total electricity demand increases drastically regardless of the technological choices made for the vehicle fleets mainly due to the production of e-fuels for aviation. None of the technological scenarios studied suggest that biomass supply is unfeasible. However in a scenario with low electrification there is a potentially increased dependence on imports for waste oils and fats and competing uses or tensions with other demand sectors may arise over some biomass for anaerobic digestion and lignocellulosic resources. To reduce these potential tensions and the demand for electricity sufficiency measures seem necessary in addition to technological advancements.
A Thermodynamically Consistent Methodology to Develop Predictive Simplified Kinetics for Detonation Simulations
Sep 2023
Publication
The number of species and elementary reactions needed for describing the oxidation of fuels increases with the size of the molecule and in turn the complexity of detailed mechanisms. Although the kinetics for conventional fuels (H2 CH4 C3H8...) are somewhat well-established chemical integration in detonation applications remains a major challenge. Significant efforts have been made to develop reduction techniques that aim to keep the predictive capabilities of detailed mechanisms intact while minimizing the number of species and reactions required. However as their starting point of development is based on homogeneous reactors or ZND profiles reduced mechanisms comprising a few species and reactions are not predictive. The methodology presented here relies on defining virtual chemical species such that the thermodynamic equilibrium of the ZND structure is properly recovered thereby circumventing the need to account for minor intermediate species. A classical asymptotic expression relating the ignition delay time with the reaction rate constant is then used to fit the Arrhenius coefficients targeting computations carried out with detailed kinetics. The methodology was extended to develop a three-step mechanism in which the Arrhenius coefficients were optimized to accurately reproduce the one-dimensional laminar ZND structure and the D−κ curves for slightly-curved quasi-steady detonation waves. Two-dimensional simulations performed with the three-step mechanism successfully reproduce the spectrum of length scales present in soot foils computed with detailed kinetics (i.e. cell regularity and size). Results attest for the robustness of the proposed methodology/approximation and its flexibility to be adapted to different configurations.
Experimental Study of the Mitigation of Hydrogen-Air Explosions by Inhibiting Powder
Sep 2023
Publication
The development of hydrogen production technologies and new uses represents an opportunity to accelerate the ecological transition and create a new industrial sector. However the risks associated with the use of hydrogen must be considered. Mitigation of a hydrogen explosion in an enclosure is partly based on prevention strategies such as detection and ventilation and protection strategies such as explosion venting. Even if applications involving hydrogen probably are most interesting for vented explosions in weak structures the extreme reactivity of hydrogen-air mixtures often excludes the use of regular venting devices such as in highly constrained urban environments. Thus having alternative mitigation solutions can make the effects of the explosion acceptable by reducing the flame speed and the overpressure loading or suppressing the secondary explosion. The objective of this paper is to present experimental studies of the mitigation of hydrogen-air deflagration in a 4 m3 vented enclosure by injection of inhibiting powder (NaHCO₃). After describing the experimental set-up the main experimental results are presented for several trial configurations showing the influence of inhibiting powder in the flammable cloud on flame propagation. An interpretation of the mitigating effect of inhibiting powder on the explosion effects is proposed based on the work of Proust et al.
Performance Comparison of Hydrogen Dispersion Models in Enclosure Adapted to Forced Ventilation
Sep 2023
Publication
In confined spaces hydrogen released with low momentum tends to accumulate in a layer below the ceiling; the concentration in this layer rises and can rapidly enter the flammability range. In this context ventilation is a key safety equipment to prevent the formation of such flammable volumes. To ensure its well-sizing to each specific industrial context it is necessary to dispose of reliable engineering models. Currently the existing engineering models dealing with the buoyancy-driven H2 dispersion in a ventilated enclosure mainly focus on the natural-ventilation phenomenon. However forced ventilation is in some situations more adapted to the industrial context as the wind direction and intensity remains constant and under control. Therefore two existing wind-assisted ventilation models elaborated by Hunt and Linden [1] and Lowesmith et al. [2] were tested on forced ventilation applications. The main assumption consists in assuming a blowing ventilation system rather than a suction system as the composition and velocity of the entering air are known. The fresh air enters the down opening and airhydrogen mixture escapes through the upper one. The adapted models are then validated with experimental data releasing helium rather than hydrogen. Experiments are conducted on a 1-m3 ventilated box controlling the release and ventilation rates. The agreement between both analytical and experimental results is discussed from the different comparisons performed.
Power and Green Hydrogen Trade Potential between North African and European Countries: Conditions, Challenges, and Sustainability Prospects
Dec 2024
Publication
This study investigates the implications of hydrogen demand and trade between Europe and North Africa emphasizing how renewable energy system (RES) capacity limitations impact both regions. Growing hydrogen demand for decarbonization has fueled interest in North Africa’s potential to export green hydrogen to Europe. Using the eTIMES-EUNA model this study examines how demand trade and RES development challenges shape the energy landscapes of both regions. The findings indicate that hydrogen demand amplifies renewable electricity requirements in both regions with Europe particularly benefiting from importing hydrogen to alleviate additional RES capacity installation. Hydrogen trade reduces overall costs by 1 % yet it shifts a considerable financial burden onto North Africa demanding a rapid RES capacity expansion at a rate significantly higher than the current pace. Slower RES development in North Africa could hinder the region’s ability to meet both domestic and export targets thereby complicating Europe’s hydrogen sourcing strategies which are also challenged by social acceptance issues that limit RES deployment. These constraints in Europe necessitate adjustments to the technological mix and place additional pressure on North Africa to increase production. Furthermore the varying implications and stakes at the national level highlight the need for further analysis as individual countries may prioritize their own interests potentially leading to conflicts with neighboring nations under different development schemes. Consequently the results underscore the importance of coordinated financial and policy support to ensure equitable trade that aligns with both regions’ sustainability goals.
Hydrogen Production by Catalytic Supercritical Water Gasification of Black Liquor-Based Wastewater
Apr 2025
Publication
In this work the wastewater obtained from the hydrothermal liquefaction of black liquor was treated and valorized for hydrogen production by supercritical water gasification (SCWG). The influence of the main process parameters on the conversion yield was studied. The experiments were conducted at three different temperatures (below and above the critical point of water): 350 ◦C 450 ◦C and 600 ◦C. The results showed that by increasing the temperature from 350 ◦C to 600 ◦C the total gas yield was highly improved (from 1.9 mol gas/kg of dried feedstock to 13.1 mol gas/kg of dried feedstock). The H2 composition was higher than that of CH4 and CO2 at 600 ◦C and the HHV of the obtained gas was 61.2 MJ/kg. The total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiency was also improved by increasing the temperature indicating that the SCWG process could be used for both applications: (i) for wastewater treatment; (ii) for producing a high calorific gas. The experiments with the Raney-nickel catalyst were performed in order to study the catalyst’s influence on the conversion yield. The results indicated that the catalyst enhances carbon conversion and gas production from mild to higher temperatures. The maximum total gas yield obtained with this catalyst was 32.4 mol gas/kg of dried feedstock at 600 ◦C which is 2.5 times higher than that obtained at the same operating conditions without a catalyst. The H2 yield and the HHV of the obtained gas with the catalyst were 20.98 mol gas/kg dried feedstock and 80.2 MJ/kg respectively. However the major contribution of the catalytic SCWG process was the improvement of the total gas yield at mild operating temperatures (450 ◦C) and the obtained performance was even higher than that obtained at 600 ◦C without catalyst (17.81 mol gas/kg dried feedstock and 13.1 mol gas/kg dried feedstock respectively). This is a sustainable approach for treating wastewater at mild temperatures by catalytic SCWG.
A Techno-economic Assessment of the Viability of a Photovoltaic-wind-battery Storage-hydrogen Energy System for Electrifying Primary Healthcare Centre in Sub-Saharan Africa
Jun 2024
Publication
Healthcare facilities in isolated rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa face challenges in providing essential health services due to unreliable energy access. This study examines the use of hybrid renewable energy systems consisting of solar PV wind turbines batteries and hydrogen storage for the electrification of rural healthcare facilities in Nigeria and South Africa. The study deployed the efficacy of Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources software for techno-economic analysis and the Evaluation based on the Distance from Average Solution method for multicriteria decision-making for sizing optimizing and selecting the optimal energy system. Results show that the optimal configurations achieve cost-effective levelized energy costs ranging from $0.336 to $0.410/kWh for both countries. For the Nigeria case study the optimal energy system includes 5 kW PV 10 kW fuel cell 10 kW inverter 10 kW electrolyzer and 16 kg hydrogen tank. South Africa's optimal configuration has 5 kW PV 10 kW battery 10 kW inverter and 7.5 kW rectifier. Solar PV provides more than 90% of energy with dual axis tracking yielding the highest output: 8889kWh/yr for Nigeria and 10470kWh/yr for South Africa. The multi-criteria decisionmaking analysis reveals that Nigeria's preferred option is the hybrid system without tracking. In contrast the horizontal axis weekly adjustment tracking configuration is optimal for South Africa considering technical economic and environmental criteria. The findings highlight the importance of context-specific optimization for hybrid renewable energy systems in rural healthcare facilities to accelerate Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 7.
Power Ultrasound as Performance Enhancer for Alkaline Water Electrolysis: A Review
Dec 2024
Publication
The industry is advancing decarbonization in hydrogen production through water splitting technologies like water electrolysis which involves the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at the cathode and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the anode. Alkaline water electrolyser (AWE) is particularly suited for industrial applications due to its use of cost-effective and abundant nickel-based electrodes. However AWE faces significant challenges including energy losses from gas bubble coverage and poor detachment known as “bubble resistance”. Recent research highlights the role of power ultrasound in mitigating these issues by leveraging Bjerknes forces. These forces facilitate the ejection of larger bubbles and the coalescence of smaller ones enhancing gas removal. Additionally ultrasound improves mass transfer from the electrolyte to electrodes and boosts heat transfer via acoustic streaming and acoustic cavitation which the latter also enhances electrocatalytic properties for both HER and OER. However employing ultrasonic fields presents both benefits and challenges for scaling the system.
Advancing Energy Management Strategies for Hybrid Fuel Cell Vehicles: A Comparative Study of Deterministic and Fuzzy Logic Approaches
Aug 2025
Publication
The increasing depletion of fossil fuels and their environmental impact have led to the development of fuel cell hybrid electric vehicles. By combining fuel cells with batteries these vehicles offer greater efficiency and zero emissions. However their energy management remains a challenge requiring advanced strategies. This paper presents a comparative study of two developed energy management strategies: a deterministic rule-based approach and a fuzzy logic approach. The proposed system consists of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) as the primary energy source and a lithium-ion battery as the secondary source. A comprehensive model of the hybrid powertrain is developed to evaluate energy distribution and system behaviour. The control system includes a model predictive control (MPC) method for fuel cell current regulation and a PI controller to maintain DC bus voltage stability. The proposed strategies are evaluated under standard driving cycles (UDDS and NEDC) using a simulation in MATLAB/Simulink. Key performance indicators such as fuel efficiency hydrogen consumption battery state-of-charge and voltage stability are examined to assess the effectiveness of each approach. Simulation results demonstrate that the deterministic strategy offers a structured and computationally efficient solution while the fuzzy logic approach provides greater adaptability to dynamic driving conditions leading to improved overall energy efficiency. These findings highlight the critical role of advanced control strategies in improving FCHEV performance and offer valuable insights for future developments in hybrid-vehicle energy management.
Hydrogen Revolution: Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Driven Policies, Feasibility, Challenges and Opportunities: Insights from Asian Countries
Aug 2025
Publication
Green hydrogen a zero-carbon emission fuel has become a real competitor to transform the energy market thanks to improvements in the electrolysis process decreased costs and the presence of renewable energy resources. Energy industries have shown considerable progress in hydrogen production due to the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge through algorithms AI-based models and data programs. These techniques can greatly enhance the production storage and transportation of hydrogen fuel. The main goal of this article is to demonstrate the recent technological advancements and the influence of various AI techniques algorithms and models on the hydrogen energy sector along with this further examination of the energy policies of countries like China Japan India and South Korea. The key challenges related to these energy policies are addressed through standardized datasets AI models and optimized environmental conditions. This paper serves as a valuable resource for researchers engineers and practitioners interested in applying cutting-edge technologies to enhance hydrogen safety systems. AI-based models contribute to the overall shift towards a sustainable energy future by enhancing efficiency reducing costs and facilitating hydrogen energy commerce for Asian countries. This study accelerates the global investigation and tremendous applications of sophisticated machine-learning methodologies for producing renewable green hydrogen.
Impacts of Intermittency on Low-temperature Electrolysis Technologies: A Comprehensive Review
May 2024
Publication
By offering promising solutions to two critical issues – the integration of renewable energies into energy systems and the decarbonization of existing hydrogen applications – green hydrogen production through water electrolysis is set to play a crucial role in addressing the major challenges of the energy transition. However the successful integration of renewable energy sources relies on gaining accurate insights into the impacts that intermittent electrical supply conditions induce on electrolyzers. Despite the rising importance of addressing intermittency issues to accelerate the widespread adoption of renewable energy sources the state-of-the-art lacks research providing an in-depth understanding of these concerns. This paper endeavors to offer a comprehensive review of existing research focusing on proton exchange membrane (PEM) and alkaline electrolysis technologies operating under intermittent operation. Despite growing interest over the last ten years the review underscores the scarcity of industrial-scale databases for quantifying these impacts.
Comparison of Large Eddy Simulation with Local Species, Temperature and Velocity Measurements in Dual Swirl Confined Hydrogen Flames
Oct 2025
Publication
Developing new injection systems and combustion chambers for hydrogen is a central topic for the new generation of engines. In this effort simulations take a central role but methods developed for conventional hydrocarbons (methane kerosene) must be revisited for hydrogen. Validation then becomes an essential part and clean well documented experiments are needed to guaranty that computational fluid dynamics solvers are as predictive and accurate as expected. In this framework the HYLON case is a swirled hydrogen/air burner used by multiple groups worldwide to validate simulation methods for hydrogen combustion in configurations close to gas turbine burners with experimental data available through the TNF web site. The present study compares recent Raman spectroscopy and Particle Image Velocimetry measurements and Large Eddy Simulations (LES). The LES results are evaluated against a dataset comprising mean and RMS measurements of H2 N2 O2 H2O molar fractions temperature and velocity fields offering new insights into flame stabilization mechanisms. The simulations incorporate conjugate heat transfer to predict the combustor wall temperatures and are conducted for two atmospheric-pressure operating conditions each representing distinct combustion regimes diffusion and partially premixed. Novelty and significance statement Data on confined hydrogen flames in burner similar as industrial ones are limited. This work aims to fill this gap by performing multiple and simultaneous diagnostics on the swirled hydrogen-air flame called HYLON. For the first time in such a swirled configuration mean and RMS fields of temperature main species and velocities are compared to LES allowing new insight into the potential and limits of the models as well as the physics of these flames. These experimental results will be made available on TNF as over 30 research groups worldwide have expressed interest in using them.
Hydrogen Mole Fraction Distributions Inferred from Inverse-LIF Measurements on High-pressure Hydrogen Injections
Oct 2025
Publication
The mixing of fuel and ambient in a compression-igniting combustion engine is a critical process affecting ignition delay burn duration and cycle efficiency. This study aims to visualize and quantify hydrogen mole fraction distributions resulting from high-pressure (10 MPa) hydrogen injections into an inert pressurized (1 MPa) nitrogen ambient at room temperature. Using inverse planar laser-induced fluorescence in which the ambient rather than the jet is seeded with a fluorescent tracer two different injectors (nozzle hole sizes of 0.55 and 0.65 mm) and two different tracers (toluene and acetone) are compared. It is concluded that a non-intensified CCD camera for fluorescence detection is superior to the use of an intensified one due to the linear behavior on contrast. The two injectors produce similar jets in terms of jet penetration and angle. Jet penetration derived from inverse-LIF measurements agree with Schlieren data on nominally the same jets but the hydrogen mole fractions are generally 2.5-5 percent lower than those obtained by planar Rayleigh scattering. Quasi-steadiness and self-similarity were found for ensemble-averaged mole fraction distributions of both injectors which aligns with theory and highlights the importance of using RANS simulations or time-averaged experiments for future comparisons.
Modeling and Simulation of Coupled Biochemical and Two-phase Compositional Flow in Underground Hydrogen Storage
Aug 2025
Publication
Integrating microbial activity into underground hydrogen storage models is crucial for simulating longterm reservoir behavior. In this work we present a coupled framework that incorporates bio-geochemical reactions and compositional flow models within the Matlab Reservoir Simulation Toolbox (MRST). Microbial growth and decay are modeled using a double Monod formulation with populations influenced by hydrogen and carbon dioxide availability. First a refined Equation of State (EoS) is employed to accurately capture hydrogen dissolution thereby improving phase behavior and modeling of microbial activity. The model is then discretized using a cell-centered finite-volume method with implicit Euler time discretization. A fully coupled fully implicit strategy is considered. Our implementation builds upon MRST’s compositional module by incorporating the Søreide–Whitson EoS microbial reaction kinetics and specific effects such as bio-clogging and molecular diffusion. Through a series of 1D 2D and 3D simulations we analyze the effects of microbialinduced bio-geochemical transformations on underground hydrogen storage in porous media.These results highlight that accounting for bio-geochemical effects can substantially impact hydrogen loss purity and overall storage performance.
AI-driven Advances in Composite Materials for Hydrogen Storage Vessels: A Review
Sep 2025
Publication
This review provides a comprehensive examination of artificial intelligence methods applied to the design optimization and performance prediction of composite-based hydrogen storage vessels with a focus on composite overwrapped pressure vessels. Targeted at researchers engineers and industrial stakeholders in materials science mechanical engineering and renewable energy sectors the paper aims to bridge traditional mechanical modeling with evolving AI tools while emphasizing alignment with standardization and certification requirements to enhance safety efficiency and lifecycle integration in hydrogen infrastructure. The review begins by introducing HSV types their material compositions and key design challenges including high-pressure durability weight reduction hydrogen embrittlement leakage prevention and environmental sustainability. It then analyzes conventional approaches such as finite element analysis multiscale modeling and experimental testing which effectively address aspects like failure modes fracture strength liner damage dome thickness winding angle effects crash behavior crack propagation charging/discharging dynamics burst pressure durability reliability and fatigue life. On the other hand it has been shown that to optimize and predict the characteristics of hydrogen storage vessels it is necessary to combine the conventional methods with artificial intelligence methods as conventional methods often fall short in multi-objective optimization and rapid predictive analytics due to computational intensity and limitations in handling uncertainty or complex datasets. To overcome these gaps the paper evaluates hybrid frameworks that integrate traditional techniques with AI including machine learning deep learning artificial neural networks evolutionary algorithms and fuzzy logic. Recent studies demonstrate AI’s efficacy in failure prediction design optimization to mitigate structural risks structural health monitoring material property evaluation burst pressure forecasting crack detection composite lay-up arrangement weight minimization material distribution enhancement metal foam ratio optimization and optimal material selection. By synthesizing these advancements this work underscores AI’s potential to accelerate development reduce costs and improve HSV performance while advocating for physics-informed models robust datasets and regulatory alignment to facilitate industrial adoption.
Green Hydrogen Viability in the Transition to a Fully-Renewable Energy Grid
Sep 2025
Publication
With the transition to a fully renewable energy grid arises the need for a green source of stability and baseload support which classical renewable generation such as wind and solar cannot offer due to their uncertain and highly-variable generation. In this paper we study whether green hydrogen can close this gap as a source of supplemental generation and storage. We design a two-stage mixed-integer stochastic optimization model that accounts for uncertainties in renewable generation. Our model considers the investment in renewable plants and hydrogen storage as well as the operational decisions for running the hydrogen storage systems. For the data considered we observe that a fully renewable network driven by green hydrogen has a greater potential to succeed when wind generation is high. In fact the main investment priorities revealed by the model are in wind generation and in liquid hydrogen storage. This long-term storage is more valuable for taking full advantage of hydrogen than shorter-term intraday hydrogen gas storage. In addition we note that the main driver for the potential and profitability of green hydrogen lies in the electricity demand and prices as opposed to those for gas. Our model and the investment solutions proposed are robust with respect to changes in the investment costs. All in all our results show that there is potential for green hydrogen as a source of baseload support in the transition to a fully renewable-powered energy grid.
Certification Gap Analysis for Normal-Category and Large Hydrogen-Powered Airplanes
Mar 2025
Publication
The transition to hydrogen as an aviation fuel as outlined in current decarbonization roadmaps is expected to result in the entry into service of hydrogen-powered aircraft in 2035. To achieve this evolution certification regulations are key enablers. Due to the disruptive nature of hydrogen aircraft technologies and their associated hazards it is essential to assess the maturity of the existing regulatory framework for certification to ensure its availability when manufacturers apply for aircraft certification. This paper presents the work conducted under the Clean Aviation CONCERTO project to advance certification readiness by comprehensively identifying gaps in the current European regulations. Generic methodologies were developed for regulatory gap and risk analyses and applied to a hydrogen turbine aircraft with non-propulsive fuel cells as the APU. The gap analysis conducted on certification specifications for large and normal-category airplanes as well as engines confirmed the overall adequacy of many existing requirements. However important gaps exist to appropriately address hydrogen hazards particularly concerning fire and explosion hydrogen storage and fuel systems crashworthiness and occupant survivability. The paper concludes by identifying critical areas for certification and highlighting the need for complementary hydrogen phenomenology data which are key to guiding future research and regulatory efforts for certification readiness maturation.
Hydrogen Energy Systems for Decarbonizing Smart Cities and Industrial Applications: A Review
Oct 2025
Publication
Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a key energy vector for achieving deep decarbonization across urban and industrial sectors. Supporting global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) it is essential to understand the multi-sectoral role of the hydrogen value chain spanning production storage and end-use applications with particular emphasis on smart city systems and industrial processes. Green hydrogen production technologies including alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) are evaluated in terms of efficiency scalability and integration potential. Storage pathways are examined across physical storage (compressed gas cryo-compressed and liquid hydrogen) material-based storage (solid-state absorption in metal hydrides and chemical carriers such as LOHCs and ammonia) and geological storage (salt caverns depleted gas reservoirs and deep saline aquifers) highlighting their suitability for urban and industrial contexts. In the smart city domain hydrogen is analyzed as an enabler of zero-emission transportation low-carbon residential and commercial heating and renewable-integrated smart grids with long-duration storage capabilities. System-level studies demonstrate that coordinated integration of these applications can deliver higher overall energy efficiency deeper reductions in life-cycle GHG emissions and improved resilience of urban energy systems compared with sector-specific approaches. Policy frameworks safety standards and digitalization strategies are reviewed to illustrate how hydrogen infrastructure can be embedded into interconnected urban energy systems. Furthermore industrial applications focus on hydrogen’s potential to decarbonize energy-intensive processes and enable sector coupling between electricity heat and manufacturing. The environmental implications of hydrogen deployment are also considered including resource efficiency life-cycle emissions and ecosystem impacts. In contrast to reviews addressing isolated aspects of hydrogen technologies this study synthesizes technological infrastructural and policy dimensions integrating insights from over 400 studies to highlight the multifaceted role of hydrogen in sustainable urban development and industrial decarbonization and the added benefits achievable through coordinated cross-sector deployment strategies.
IEA TCP Task 43 - Recommendations for Safety Distances Methodology for Alkaline and PEM Electrolyzers
Sep 2025
Publication
Elena Vyazmina,
Richard Chang,
Benjamin Truchot,
Katrina M. Groth,
Samantha E. Wismer,
Sebastien Quesnel,
David Torrado,
Nicholas Hart,
Thomas Jordan,
Karen Ramsey-Idem,
Deborah Houssin-Agbomson,
Simon Jallais,
Christophe Bernard,
Lucie Bouchet,
Ricardo Ariel Perez,
Lee Phillips,
Marcus Runefors,
Jerome Hocquet and
Andrei V. Tchouvelev
Currently local regulations governing hydrogen installations vary by geographical region and by country leading to discrepancies in safety and separation distance requirements for similar hydrogen systems. This work carried out in the frame of IEA TCP H2 Task 43 (IEA TCP H2 2022) aims to provide an overview of various methodologies and recommendations established for risk management and consequence assessment in the event of accidental scenarios. It focuses on a case study involving industrial electrolyzers utilizing alkaline and PEM technologies. The research incorporates lessons learned from past incidents offers recommendations for mitigation measures reviews existing methodologies and highlights areas of divergence. Additionally it proposes strategies for harmonization. The study also emphasizes the most significant scenarios and the corresponding leakage sizes
The Climate Benefit of a Greener Blue Hydrogen
Sep 2025
Publication
Previous studies have demonstrated the potential benefit of a future hydrogen economy in terms of reducing CO2 emissions. The hydrogen leakage rate and the green hydrogen fraction in the mix were identified as key factors in maximising the climate benefit of this energy transition. This study highlights the importance of blue hydrogen production hypotheses for a climate-beneficial transition to a hydrogen economy. The benefits are substantial when blue hydrogen is produced properly using an efficient CO₂ sequestration hydrogen production plant and minimizing the rate of upstream CH₄ leakage. The rate of hydrogen leakage remains an important parameter to consider throughout the entire value chain. Based on various scenarios of the development of a 21st century hydrogen economy we estimate significant CO₂ emission reductions of 266–418 GtCO₂eq (up to 395–675 GtCO2eq in the case of a “high hydrogen demand” scenario) between 2030 and 2100. This cumulative reduction in CO₂ emissions translates into a reduction in global warming of 0.12–0.19 °C (0.18–0.30 °C for a “high hydrogen demand”) by the end of the century.
Sizing of Fuel Distribution and Thermopropulsion Systems for Liquid-Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft Using an MBSE Approach
Jun 2025
Publication
Hydrogen-powered aircraft constitute a transformative innovation in aviation motivated by the imperative for sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation solutions. This paper aims to concentrate on the design of hydrogen powertrains employing a system approach to propose representative design models for distribution and propulsion systems. Initially the requirements for powertrain design are formalized and a usecase-driven analysis is conducted to determine the functional and physical architectures. Subsequently for each component pertinent to preliminary design an analytical model is proposed for multidisciplinary analysis and optimization for powertrain sizing. A doublewall pipe model incorporating foam and vacuum multi-layer insulation was developed. The internal and outer pipes sizing were performed in accordance with standards for hydrogen piping design. Valves sizing is also considered in the present study following current standards and using data available in the literature. Furthermore models for booster pumps to compensate pressure drop and high-pressure pumps to elevate pressure at the combustion chamber entrance are proposed. Heat exchanger and evaporator models are also included and connected to a burning hydrogen engine in the sizing process. An optimal liner pipe diameter was identified which minimizes distribution systems weight. We also expect a reduction in engine length and weight while maintaining equivalent thrust.
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