H
2
Cost of H 2 vs. scale and units/year
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Number of vehicles supported
Cost of
$/kg
-
10 units/y
50 units/y
100 units/y
10
100
1000
260
Alternative Fuels for Transportation
Figure 9.5
Hydrogen costs projections according to (GE Energy & Environmental Research, 2002.)
9.7 Hydrogen Safety
The safety use of hydrogen was elaborately analyzed by Carcassi and Grasso
(2004) and the summary is as follows: We analyze the safety risks (unintended hazards due to natural or technological causes) rather than security
related risks (intended hazards, i.e., malicious acts) and in particular the
risks due the use of hydrogen. Technologies are a key element in the world
we are living in. Public authorities, society and community, besides making technologies possible and favoring them, should be responsible for their
safety. Every technological innovation should guarantee a level of safety and
reliability that prevents potential hazards for human beings. It follows that,
in every technology, rules must regulate technical aspects while the choices
on responsibility and resulting risks management must be taken at a political level (Carcassi and Grasso 2004).
Therefore, an in-depth knowledge of the relation between the technical
and legal points of view is indispensable to manage any potential hazard;
this knowledge is possible only after a comprehensive agreement on the
basic philosophy, whose acceptance depends on the position taken up from
society in relation to the technologies and the related hazards. At the same
time, in view of the technology importance in life and work, conformation of
the limits imposed by technological processes need to be defined at a political level.
Hydrogen related technology is a potential future energy option with
the potential to limit the increasing global climate problem and the greenhouse effect. However, increasing safety requirements have to be fulfilled
2
Cost of H 2 vs. scale and units/year
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Number of vehicles supported
Cost of
$/kg
-
10 units/y
50 units/y
100 units/y
10
100
1000
260
Alternative Fuels for Transportation
Figure 9.5
Hydrogen costs projections according to (GE Energy & Environmental Research, 2002.)
9.7 Hydrogen Safety
The safety use of hydrogen was elaborately analyzed by Carcassi and Grasso
(2004) and the summary is as follows: We analyze the safety risks (unintended hazards due to natural or technological causes) rather than security
related risks (intended hazards, i.e., malicious acts) and in particular the
risks due the use of hydrogen. Technologies are a key element in the world
we are living in. Public authorities, society and community, besides making technologies possible and favoring them, should be responsible for their
safety. Every technological innovation should guarantee a level of safety and
reliability that prevents potential hazards for human beings. It follows that,
in every technology, rules must regulate technical aspects while the choices
on responsibility and resulting risks management must be taken at a political level (Carcassi and Grasso 2004).
Therefore, an in-depth knowledge of the relation between the technical
and legal points of view is indispensable to manage any potential hazard;
this knowledge is possible only after a comprehensive agreement on the
basic philosophy, whose acceptance depends on the position taken up from
society in relation to the technologies and the related hazards. At the same
time, in view of the technology importance in life and work, conformation of
the limits imposed by technological processes need to be defined at a political level.
Hydrogen related technology is a potential future energy option with
the potential to limit the increasing global climate problem and the greenhouse effect. However, increasing safety requirements have to be fulfilled