DOE OSTI2023
This report presents an introduction and summary on hydrogen safety issues, as they relate to hydrogen production, storage, and use in the energy sector, primarily as related to electricity generation by gas turbines, and solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), and hydrogen production from gasification and steam methane reforming processes. The impetus behind this effort is the U.S. DOE goal for decarbonization of the power generation sector by the year 2035. In many cases, hydrogen is expected to replace natural gas as the primary fuel source (or form of energy storage) to achieve this goal. Advanced technologies for large-scale energy production using hydrogen as a fuel source which can be deployed over the next 5–10 years will be required. However, to develop and mature these hydrogen-based technologies, it will be critical to identify the safety issues related to widespread use of hydrogen as a fuel source, so that they may be addressed prior to widespread deployment.