The Hydrogen Safety Program of the US Department of Energy

Demonstrated safety in the production, distribution and use of hydrogen will be critical to successful implementation of a hydrogen infrastructure. Recognizing the importance of this issue, the U.S. Department of Energy has established the Hydrogen Safety Program to ensure safe operations of its hydrogen research and development program, as well as to identify and address needs for new knowledge and technologies in the future hydrogen economy. Activities in the Safety Program range across the entire safety spectrum, including: R&D devoted to investigation of hydrogen behaviour, physical characteristics, materials compatibility, and risk analysis; inspection and investigation into the safety procedures and practices of all hydrogen projects supported by DOE funds; development of critical technologies for safe hydrogen systems such as sensors and design techniques; and safety training and education for emergency responders, code inspectors, and the general public. Throughout its activities, the Safety Program encourages the open sharing of information to enable widespread benefit from any lessons learned or new information developed.

This paper provides detailed descriptions of the various activities of the DOE Hydrogen Safety Program and includes some example impacts already achieved from its implementation.