IEA TCP TASK 43 – Recommendations for Safety Distances Methodology for Alkaline and PEM Electrolyzers

Currently, local regulations governing hydrogen installations vary by geographical region and by country, leading to discrepancies in safety and separation distance requirements for similar hydrogen systems. This work carried out in the frame of IEA TCP H2 Task 43 (IEA TCP H2 2022) aims to provide an overview of various methodologies and recommendations established for risk management and consequence assessment in the event of accidental scenarios. It focuses on a case study involving industrial electrolyzers utilizing alkaline and PEM technologies. The research incorporates lessons learned from past incidents, offers recommendations for mitigation measures, reviews existing methodologies, and highlights areas of divergence. Additionally, it proposes strategies for harmonization. The study also emphasizes the most significant scenarios and the corresponding leakage sizes.