Safety must be the number one priority

Safety must be the number one priority, says Olav Roald Hansen, a hydrogen expert at Lloyd's Register: “The properties of hydrogen and ammonia are very different from conventional fuels. Producers of vessels, vehicles and infrastructure must understand these differences and design safe systems.” For the first time, a safety guide for hydrogen-based infrastructure has been made publicly available in Norway.

If we are to achieve national and international climate targets, emissions must be halved by 2030 and reach zero by 2050. This will require cutting emissions in all sectors, including shipping. Since zero emission fuel based on hydrogen is somewhat new, there is still uncertainty about both the fuel itself and how best to produce, transport and bunker it. It has been reported to the hydrogen cluster Ocean Hyway Cluster by several interested parties that an overview of the safety risks is essential for them to be comfortable with investing in groundbreaking innovation.

"Hydrogen-based fuel is absolutely manageable. But compared to the fuel we are used to, the risk of explosion is greater for hydrogen. Furthermore, ammonia, among other things, has the challenge of being toxic. Therefore, extra attention must be given to designing safe systems”, explains Olav Roald Hansen of Lloyd's Register. The report will serve as a guide for the member companies in the OHC when it comes to production, transport, storage and bunkering. 41 companies in the hydrogen industry are members of the OHC. The report is seen as a starting point for the further work on safety and social acceptance.

The authorities must be present in the field

Hansen is keen to understand the properties of the various fuels in order to ensure safety. "It's not the energy carriers themselves that are dangerous, but the way they are handled," Hansen explains.

What is needed for Norway to get the safest possible hydrogen and ammonia infrastructure?

"The properties of hydrogen and ammonia are very different from the fuels that people are familiar with. Producers of vessels, vehicles and infrastructure need to understand the differences and design the systems safely for users with varying levels of expertise and for different environments" says Hansen. "If you do not have the knowledge yourself, you should seek expert assistance. Relevant authorities such as the Norwegian Maritime Directorate and the Directorate for Social Security and Emergency Management must also do their best to guide and care for us", Hansen concludes.

Facts about the HyInfra project

• HyInfra aims to reduce uncertainty and risk so that actors may take the necessary steps to realize hydrogen projects in Norway;
• By the end of 2021, the goal is for one infrastructure project to be started by members of Ocean Hyway Cluster;
• On 30th April 2020, the first findings from the project were presented to the 38 member companies of the OHC;
• The first discoveries include an interactive map of the future hydrogen demand in Norway and reports related to speedboats, ferries, the offshore industry and cruise ships.

Facts about Ocean Hyway Cluster (OHC)

• OHC is a hydrogen cluster working to get started with the use of hydrogen in the maritime sector in Norway;
• They are a driver for green growth, innovation within the hydrogen industry and with other industries;
• They create meeting places for 41 national and international member companies affiliated with the hydrogen industry;
• OHC is supported by Norwegian Innovation Clusters and run by Hub for Ocean.

Read the original press article (Norwegian).

Ammonia discharge information and image source.