Safety Challenges of Hydrogen Fuelling-Station

We have long heard the terms sustainable future and renewable energy coming from many directions. But many people think of them as challenges for the future. However, robots, self-driving cars and smart houses around us also prove that the future is only a matter of hours. With artificial intelligence developing at a rapid pace, we need to find a safe way to cover our energy hunger. Currently, we can almost find fossil fuels or electrically powered vehicles on the roads. However, non-renewable energy sources are already being replaced by renewables day by day. However, renewable energy generated by the most used weather-dependent solar and wind farms has to be stored due to uneven energy use. The solution is not only batteries, but also hydrogen produced by water splitting. The energy storage potential of hydrogen lies in its high specific energy content, zero-emissions and can be produced in almost unlimited quantities. The domestic hydrogen strategy is also related to this, which provides guidance for phasing out diesel use as part of the transition to clean modes of transport. Reducing the carbon footprint of vehicle traffic from hydrogen use and extending hydrogen mobility to bus, train and waste transport requires the deployment of new hydrogen refueling infrastructure. However, these goals, new operating conditions and their integration into new applications that are in direct contact with consumers pose security challenges. Safety is the most important element for the smooth development and acceptance by society of new technologies. Therefore, in this article we will deal with the safety risks and dangers of hydrogen refueling stations. We describe the advantages, dangers and physical chemical properties of hydrogen. We present the system elements and operating principle of a hydrogen fueling station. Finally, we list the risk reduction measures and safety approaches that promote the safe design, operation and management of hydrogen-based technologies in Hungary.