22 September 2022
HSE hydrogen scientists, whose knowledge has been captured
in a new training course aimed at those working towards net
zero
HSE has today launched a new training course helping those
working to realise hydrogen's potential as a low carbon energy
vector, to do so safely.
Hydrogen is one of the low carbon energy solutions that will be
critical for the UK's transition to net zero. But using hydrogen as
an energy carrier is not a new phenomenon - hydrogen has been
manufactured, used or dealt with as a biproduct by industry for
over 100 years across a number of sectors, and has been handled
safely by a professional workforce with few incidents and
accidents.
With more novel and innovative applications for hydrogen
anticipated as the UK makes progress towards its 2050 net zero
deadline, individuals and workplaces need to be kept safe from new
risks, whilst not forgetting those that existed before. A
fundamental understanding of hydrogen's physical properties and key
behaviours will be key to safely developing and deploying it as a
net zero energy vector and HSE is addressing the need for a
baseline level of knowledge with the launch of a new training
course.
Entitled 'The Fundamentals of Hydrogen', the one-day course is
based on HSE's twenty years of experimental hydrogen safety
research and is designed for those working with hydrogen so that
they can understand how it may behave differently to incumbent
fuels and how they might need to engineer for those
differences.
The knowledge gained from the course will aid delegates to
identify hazards posed by the introduction of hydrogen into their
own environments, so they can design appropriate procedures to
mitigate risk. Delegates will also learn about the regulations that
relate to the use of hydrogen and when they apply, helping to
ensure a safer transition to the low carbon energy vector.
Speaking about the launch, Stuart Hawksworth, Head of HSE's
Centre for Energy and President of HySafe, the International
Association for Hydrogen Safety, said:
'Hydrogen is seen as a key replacement for a number of
difficult-to-decarbonise applications. Looking to 2035, and beyond
to 2050, we foresee massive growth in its use and for this to
happen safely, it is essential that we grow a workforce with the
necessary skills and knowledge. This unique training from us at HSE
is key to help society achieve this at pace'.
Hear from Stuart in our two-minute launch video on the
course page, where you'll also find further information,
including the dates for our open courses and details on how to
book.