The Global Shift to Hydrogen and Lessons from Outside Industry

The recognition of hydrogen as a technically viable combustion fuel and as an alternative to more carbon intensive technologies for all forms of industrial applications has resulted in significant global interest leading to both public and private investment. As with most shifts in technology, public acceptance and its safe production and handling will be key to its growth as a widespread energy vector. Specific properties of hydrogen that may prompt concern from the public and that need to be considered in terms of its use and safe handling include the following:
• Hydrogen, in its natural state, is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless gas that is combustible with very low ignition energy, burns nearly invisibly, and is explosive at a very wide range of concentrations with an oxidate.
• Hydrogen as any other gas except oxygen is an asphyxiant in a confined space.
• Hydrogen is an extremely small molecule and interacts with many materials which, over time, can alter the physical properties and can lead to embrittlement and failure. Additionally, due to the small molecular size its permeation and diffusion characteristics make it more difficult to contain compared to other gases.
As hydrogen production, use, and storage increases, these properties will come under greater scrutiny and may raise questions surrounding the cost/benefit of the technology. Understanding how the public sees this technology in relation to their safety and daily lives is important in hydrogen’s adoption as a low carbon alternative. A review of deployable experience relevant to the handling of hydrogen in other industries will help us to understand the technology and experience necessary for ensuring the success of the scaling up of a hydrogen economy. The social considerations of the impacts should also be examined to consider acceptance of the technology as it moves into the mainstream.