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HYDROGEN AND THE PUBLIC:

RISK, SAFETY AND PUBLIC PERCEPTION - 7 December 2004

The critical importance of public acceptance of hydrogen technology was underlined at a Cambrensis seminar in London on Friday 3 rd December 2004. Delegates heard leading figures address the scientific, academic, industry and social science aspects of this centrally important question at a meeting of Cambrensis’ Renewables and Hydrogen Group.

Contributors and participants included representatives of –

• Shell
• BP
• Department for Transport
• London Hydrogen Partnership
• Marches Energy Agency
• NESTA
• Impax Capital
• Air Products
• Universities of Cardiff, Imperial College, Salford,
• Cambridge, University College London
• Cambrensis, and
• Individual participants

Dr David Slater, Director of Cambrensis and former Chief Inspector of HM Inspectorate of Pollution and Dr Phil Bowen, Reader at the Institute of Sustainability, Energy and Environmental Management, Cardiff University re-examined the Hindenberg airship disaster. They picked apart and analysed the scientific case represented in a much quoted NASA paper “exonerating” hydrogen from playing any part in the explosion and fire. They went on to criticise the way in which the science was being used by some parts of the hydrogen industry to support an unquestioning and uncritical approach to hydrogen safety, which risked misleading the public and ensuring an adverse overreaction to any future hydrogen safety incident. Parallels were drawn with the nuclear and offshore oil and gas industries.

Mr Peter Newboult, Senior Engineer with the Future Energy Solutions Group at Air Products plc gave a presentation on the detailed and in-depth safety training courses and materials prepared by that group for different audiences and levels of skills. He addressed the challenges in moving from an industrial and technical client base, which could readily assimilate technical information and industrial safety procedures, to a wide potential retail market for hydrogen where none of that will apply. He was questioned about the issue of potential environmental impacts of leaked hydrogen, and the way in which these were addressed and explained to the public.

Ms Tanya O’Garra from EPMG and Imperial College gave a much debated presentation on her research into public acceptance and preferences, public awareness, attitudes to hydrogen, and the large percentage of people who wanted more information. There was so much interest in this session that the seminar overran its timetable.

The future work plan for Cambrensis’ Renewables and Hydrogen Contact Group in 2005 was discussed, and further ideas from all participants will be welcomed. It is likely to include a more detailed look at Hydrogen Policy; and update on Biomass issues; a day seminar on the question ‘Does the UK Have an Energy Policy?’ and a day seminar on Energy and the Environment in China, India and Brazil.

Enquiries about joining the Cambrensis Renewables and Hydrogen Group are welcome, please contact us Group membership is presently £500 for four seminars and newsletters, £125 for attending single seminars, with concessions for non-funded bodies and individuals with a real interest and able to make an active contribution to the Group’s discussions.

 

 

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