Hydrogen refueling stations: Safety and sustainability

In June 2019, two hydrogen-related accidents occurred independently at a hydrogen refueling station in Norway and at a chemical plant in California while filling a truck due to supply the fuel at stations in California. The accidents raised questions about the safety and reliability of hydrogen for powering both fuel cell electric vehicles and buildings. As a preventive measure, for instance, Germany and Norway closed the hydrogen refueling stations from the same manufacturer of Norway accident, while the hydrogen manufacturer in California ceased supply of hydrogen fuel for more than three months. It is significant to review the outcomes of the two accidents in the context of the emerging solar economy, in which H2 is locally produced from water via simple electrolysis using renewable electricity. This study provides an insight and selected recommendations aiming at hydrogen companies, professionals and trainers and educators in renewable energy and clean technology.