PNNL develops hydrogen safety app

September 23, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

The use of fuel cells, which generate electricity by driving electrochemical reactions using hydrogen and air, producing power with dramatically reduced emissions compared to traditional hydrocarbon-based fuels, is growing. Hydrogen and fuel cells offer potential benefits for the environment, economy and energy security but safety is a concern. Engineers and scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory have developed an app for that.

Click to enlarge. Credit: PNNL

The Hydrogen Tools app, available for free download on iTunes, incorporates a variety of resources and web-based content to help those involved in designing, approving or using hydrogen fuel cell systems and facilities, including information about ventilation, safe distances and pressures for storage, and best practices for safe handling. The tool was developed with funding from DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, which accelerates development and facilitates deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions that strengthen U.S. energy security, environmental quality and economic vitality.

"In addition to being a clean energy option, fuel cells can offer some real advantages in certain applications. Last year, during Hurricane Sandy, for instance, cell phone towers that relied on a fuel cell as a backup energy source continued to work throughout the storm, with just a few exceptions, even in areas where cell towers relying on other power sources were rendered inoperable," said Nick Barilo who led the PNNL product development team. "With hydrogen being deployed in a greater number of applications, it's the perfect time to make a safety tool like this app broadly available. Many people are unfamiliar with the technology, and this app is intended to make the information they need available at their fingertips."

For more:
- get the app

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/pnnl-develops-hydrogen-safety-app/2013-09-23