A safety update on hydrogen use

Like all energy sources, hydrogen presents risks that need to be understood and managed. Hydrogen has different physico-chemical properties to other gases or fuels such as natural gas or petrol, and therefore requires a different approach to risk management. Hydrogen is a synthetic gas that has been used for decades in industry. It is therefore a secure and regulated technology, both nationally and internationally. When it comes to new uses for hydrogen, such as mobility, regulations and standards guarantee the highest levels of reliability and safety: Vehicles are crash-tested; Equipment, especially fuel tanks, undergo stringent safety tests to ensure their integrity in accident situations and the reliability of safety devices. Since 2018, recharging stations have been subject to regulations governing the way these facilities are designed and operated to guarantee user safety. In terms of the safety measures in place, the hydrogen vehicle presents no more risk than combustion or battery-powered vehicles, but the risks are different. The development of these new technologies needs to be accompanied by the acculturation or training of players in hydrogen-related risks, ensuring that each player has the right level of information and skills, throughout the value chain