Hydrogen leaks pose huge risk along value chain; insufficient data makes development of technology difficult.
Here’s an article posted in Energy Policy that unmasks the hidden leakage risks across the hydrogen value chain.
According to the article,
- Hydrogen is being considered as a climate solution, but it poses a potential risk due to leakage.
- The expansion of the hydrogen economy will increase the chance of leakage and therefore risk levels.
- Leakage risks have been identified along the entire value chain of hydrogen, including production, delivery, and end use.
The main challenges in detecting hydrogen leaks include:
Lack of Data: Actual hydrogen leakage rates along the current value chain are not well-documented. Most available estimates rely on theoretical assessments or simulations rather than operational measurements.
Our specialty focus areas include 
Insufficient Monitoring: There is a scarcity of technologies for hydrogen leakage detection and monitoring. More commercial products are needed, especially for distributed sources such as fueling stations, fuel-cell vehicles, and end-use appliances.
Regulatory Frameworks: Many countries do not have specific legislation or regulatory frameworks for hydrogen production, transportation, storage, and end-use, including hydrogen leakage monitoring. This results in a market shortage of commercial products for hydrogen leakage detection.
Research and Development: There is a lack of research on preventing and mitigating hydrogen leakage. Hydrogen sensors need to detect leaks at much lower thresholds than currently available, and various technologies need to be scaled and developed further.
Economic and Environmental Impact: Hydrogen leakage can exacerbate climate change by extending the lifetime of methane and other greenhouse gases. Addressing hydrogen leakage risks is crucial for the overall efficiency and sustainability of the hydrogen economy.
These challenges highlight the need for more research, data gathering, and regulatory support to effectively detect and mitigate hydrogen leaks across the emerging hydrogen economy.
Interestingly, we have some other posts related to this content:
- Hydrogen Production Major Risks, Threats
- Discusses how hydrogen production can entrench fossil fuel use, require significant water resources, and result in pollution, particularly affecting frontline communities, presenting a complex challenge for achieving U.S. energy goals.
