Comparative risk assessment with focus on hydrogen and selected fuel cells: Application to Europe

In this study, a first-of-its-kind comparative risk assessment is presented for accidents in the energy sector in EU28 with focus on hydrogen (H2) and selected fuel cells, namely proton exchange membrane (PEM), phosphoric acid (PAFC), alkaline (AFC) and molten carbonate (MCFC) fuel cells. The analysis is based on PSI's well-established framework for comparative risk assessment, using available historical experience from its ENergy-related Severe Accident Database (ENSAD). For H2, the technological risks are first identified and characterized to set up the so-called H2 ENSAD, a subset of ENSAD including historical observations related only to H2 accidents only. Afterwards risk indicators, namely fatality rate and maximum consequence, have been estimated for H2 and selected fuel cells, and then compared to fossil fuels, hydro-power and selected new renewable technologies. H2 and selected fuel cells showed fatality rates lower than natural gas, whereas maximum consequences were similar to other new renewables.