Final Report Summary - HYPER (Installation permitting guidance for hydrogen and fuel cells stationary applications) The aim of the HYPER project was to develop fast-track approval for small stationary hydrogen and fuel cell systems, concerning safe procedures and to enable comprehensive agreed installation process for developers, design engineers, manufacturers and installers across the European Union. More specifically, the project pursued the following objectives: - to identify gaps and deficiencies in current regulations, codes and standards (RCS) with respect to fuel cell installations and fuel supply; - to carry out risk evaluation / assessment of fuel cell systems / installations to identify key scenarios to be investigated as case studies and via experimental and modelling work; - to produce a structured database to support installation permitting guide (IPG) development and enable its evaluation; - to collect comprehensive case studies representing stationary fuel cells and hydrogen applications; - to perform experimental work to fill gaps in current knowledge, e.g. release, ventilation, dispersion, ignition, detection, fire and modelling of hydrogen release, dispersion and combustion phenomena; - to compile the IPG in form of a generic document structured around different types of stationary systems; - to disseminate and implement IPG to ensure guidance developed is widely adopted and applied by all stakeholders (regulatory agencies, codification bodies, industry, local authorities, etc.) to accelerate rate of installation of stationary hydrogen systems across EU. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by securing a cheap and environmentally friendly supply of energy is a major economic and social driver facilitated by hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. Future development and commercialisation of hydrogen and fuel cell systems for stationary power applications will enable usage in urban environments, serving industry, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and domestic premises. Presently small installations provide backup power, renewable energy storage systems, and CHP units utilising a range of fuel cell technologies. In order for this market to grow, harmonised standards and guidance regarding safety issues are required by developers, design engineers, manufacturers, installers and regulatory authorities. To date limited relevant guidance is available for installers of fuel cell and hydrogen stationary systems in Europe. During the HYPER project, the following tasks were carried out: - gaps and deficiencies identified in current regulations, codes and standards (RCS) with respect to fuel cell installations and fuel supply; - risk evaluation / assessment of fuel cell systems / installations to identify key scenarios to be investigated as case studies and via experimental and modelling work; - completion of case studies of stationary fuel cell systems; selected installations were reviewed to identify potential problems, and best practice; - modelling of hydrogen release, dispersion and combustion phenomena, to assist in the design of experiments, validate experimental work and test hypothese; - completion of experimental work to fill gaps in current knowledge e.g. release, ventilation, dispersion, ignition, detection, fire and modelling of hydrogen release, dispersion and combustion phenomena and optical sensors; - review of IPG drafts by Partners and external expert assessors from SCG, regulators and industry; - completion of the report into the current state of the art in hydrogen gas sensors and sensor systems; - completion of the drafts and final version of the IPG. Following the above, the output results can be summarised as follows. - The case studies to present information about fuel cell installations, and identify risk and best practice were attained and summarised for inclusion in the IPG. - The modelling of hydrogen release, dispersion and combustion phenomena was completed out and the final report generated, a summary of the report was prepared for inclusion in the IPG. - The experimental programme, designed to fill in the gaps in the available experimental information, was completed and again a summary report was included in the IPG. - Newsletters were circulated to disseminate the HYPER project activity and inform stakeholders and the public. - A series of dissemination and stakeholders consultative group seminars was held to create synergies and harmonise approaches between EU hydrogen and fuel cell projects and to inform potential users of the IPG of its contents, the relevance to them and provide feedback and evaluation of the IPG drafts. - A research programme was carried out to establish if a viable optical sensor could be developed. The preliminary results showed that a thin coat of palladium and / or a combination of palladium and a red pigment could give a colorimetric sensor capable of detecting hydrogen gas in variable humidity conditions. - A report has been prepared documenting the current state of the art in hydrogen sensors and sensor systems to aid installers in their choice of detection methods. - The main output of the project was the implementation permittance guide (IPG) for stationary fuel cells. This deliverable has been completed. - As a means of disseminating the IPG to a wider audience, a CD Rom has been compiled and an interactive web site developed specifically to make the detailed information held within the appendices readily available. - An executive guide to the IPG has been prepared for those potential users and other interested parties that do not wish to read the whole document in the first instance. - A document detailing the follow-up strategy has been prepared to demonstrate how the IPG will be maintained, improved and adapted in the years following the end of the project. The final goal of the HYPER project was to develop an IPG for small stationary hydrogen and fuel cell systems. By developing an agreed installation permitting process for developers, design engineers, manufacturers, installers and authorities having jurisdiction across the European Union, the IPG provides a means to fast-track approval of safety and procedural issues for these installations. A safe and well-defined installation process facilitates commercialisation of hydrogen and fuel cell systems for stationary power applications in urban environments, servicing industry, small and medium sized enterprises and domestic premises. More information on the project can be found at the website, http://www.hyperproject.eu online. Related documents Final Report - HYPER (Installation permitting guidance for hydrogen and fuel cells stationary applications)
