Hydrogen success hinges on safety standards

Hydrogen has been powering industrial applications for years and has established itself as a central part of the energy picture. It produces no direct pollutants or greenhouse gases and is light, energy-dense and storable. However, its adoption in the transportation sector has been limited. In order to make a meaningful impact on the shift to clean energy, that needs to change.

The Compressed Gas Association’s remit covers a range of products including helium, carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Chief Executive and President Rich Gottwald and his team write safety standards for the production, transportation, disposal and use of all these gases. Historically the trade association has focussed on the industrial sector but more recently it has become active in the mobility space as automakers and suppliers introduce hydrogen-based powertrain applications. Interest is strong but momentum, warns Gottwald, will ultimately be gated by safety standards.