Hydrogen refueling stations handle a large amount of hydrogen which has possibility to cause serious accidents. Actually, the stations have measures to prevent leaking high-pressure hydrogen, but it is still necessary to diminish the risks so that the hydrogen refueling station can be widely accepted to society. In this paper, the safety of hydrogen refueling is described. This is based on results of researches in various fields and the outcomes of NEDO projects conducted by Japan Petroleum Energy Center (JPEC). This paper introduces the process of re-inspection of regulation for hydrogen refueling station.

Ebina-chuo hydrogen station was constructed and now is operated by JX Nippon Oil and Energy under the joint demonstration program of NEDO and HySUT.

This is the first multi-fuel type gas station which has a hydrogen fueling facility inside of a conventional gas station. The operational and business conditions of the gas station will be examined in terms of its fueling operation and safety management etc. This station was constructed as an off-site hydrogen station. Hydrogen, produced mainly at a refinery is delivered to the station by a hydrogen-trailer exclusively designed for this purpose and stored in storage cylinders.

The hydrogen vehicle, said to be the ultimate “eco-car”, has lately attracted considerable attention. As hydrogen vehicles use hydrogen for its fuel, consideration on safety is greatly required. In this report, the outline and safety of the refueling nozzle will be explained.

Hydrogen has been getting more attention as a clean and eco-friendly alternative energy source in recent years. Major Japanese automakers plan to release fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) to the general public in 2015. FCVs are driven by converting hydrogen to electricity. The construction of hydrogen supply and fueling infrastructures will become inevitable for widespread use of FCVs. Therefore, more than 100 hydrogen stations will be built by 2015 mainly in the 4 biggest Japanese cities. However, hydrogen gas easily ignites and has a wide flammable range. For this reason, prevention of gas leak-related accidents is a big issue. Hydrogen, when used safely, can fulfill its role as a clean energy source and become commonplace in society. In my thesis, I would like to introduce our gas detection and alarm system which prevents gas leak-related accidents at hydrogen stations. Most importantly, I would like to introduce the structure of a diffusion-type gas detector head to be installed on the ceiling of a compressor or accumulator; high-sensitivity and hydrogen-selectivity gas sensors for gas detection at the couplings while gas is being fueled; an indicator with high visibility and good functionality; and some portable gas detectors which are used with the fixed detectors.

The water electrolyzer, High-purity hydrogen and oxygen generator (HHOG), has been commercially supplied for electronics industry, metal-working industry, power plants and so on, as an alternative of hydrogen cylinders. The application is also developing to hydrogen storage systems for surplus electricity of solar cells and hydroelectric power generators. A compact size HHOG has been developed and the commercial type electrolyzer, H₂ BOX, has been placed in the market for mainly academic research institutes. Further efforts must be continued to reduce cost for hydrogen energy systems, for example, hydrogen stations for FCV and the efficient utilization of the renewable energies.