GE Vernova selected to lead innovative hydrogen safety project with DOE

GE Vernova Selected to Lead Innovative Hydrogen Safety Project with DOE

GE Vernova has been appointed by the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HFTO) to spearhead a pioneering project focusing on the permitting and safety requisites for hydrogen deployment. This significant initiative, which is designed to tackle the primary challenges associated with the siting, permitting, and installation across the entire hydrogen value chain—from production to end-use—is prominently positioned to bolster the United States’ clean energy future.

Central to this venture is the formulation of H2Net, a diverse project team led by GE Vernova that includes prestigious collaborators such as Clemson University and the Roper Mountain Science Center. Together, these entities will concentrate on developing an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant specifically tailored for the safe handling and permitting of hydrogen, a critical facet given the element’s expanding role in energy markets.

The AI assistant, known as HySAGE, which stands for Hydrogen Smart Assistant for Governance Execution, is at the forefront of this project. HySAGE will undergo validation at GE Vernova’s Gas Turbine Manufacturing and Technology Center in Greenville, South Carolina. This validation process is crucial as it tests the software against real-world requirements and assimilates lessons learned in a specialised manufacturing environment. The resulting AI tool aims to provide state-of-the-art modeling capabilities, incorporating a flexible framework that can align with all pertinent codes, standards, and environmental conditions, thereby enhancing its versatility and precision.

Dr. Sunita Satyapal, director of the HFTO and coordinator of the DOE Hydrogen Program, highlighted the project’s significance, stating, “The success of our regional clean hydrogen hubs—and the national clean hydrogen strategy—hinges in large part on advances in technology that will grow clean hydrogen’s economic potential.” Dr. Satyapal further elaborated on the necessity of ensuring efficient and safe siting and permitting processes as hydrogen infrastructure expands, indicating that these advancements will complement larger investments within the clean hydrogen sector supported by the Biden-Harris administration.

This initiative stands as a testament to the collaborative effort required to surmount obstacles within the hydrogen sector, promising to play a critical role in directing the trajectory of the nation’s clean energy strategies. Through projects like this, the US seeks to substantiate its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and fostering sustainable energy solutions over the coming decades.

Source: Noah Wire Services