European integrated hydrogen project
Encyclopedia
The European integrated Hydrogen Project (EIHP) was a European Union
project to integrate United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
(UNECE or ECE) guidelines and create a basis of ECE regulation of hydrogen vehicle
s and the necessary infrastructure replacing national legislation and regulations. The aim of this project was enhancing of the safety of hydrogen vehicles and harmonizing their licensing and approval process.
EIHP was launched in 1998. It was coordinated by Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH, a German consultancy company. Its phase 1 lasted from 1998–2000. It consists of 10 partners including research institutes, energy companies and automotive industries such as BMW
, Renault
, and Volvo
. During the phase 1, information about the existing legislation and safety of alternative propulsion vehicles and related infrastructure was collected. As a result of the phase 1, UNECE drafted regulations for the onboard storage system for liquid hydrogen
, and for the on-board storage system for gaseous hydrogen.
Phase 2 lasted from 2001–2004 and it developed drafts of a harmonized regulation for hydrogen-fuelled road vehicles, procedures for periodic hydrogen vehicle inspections, and standards and periodic inspection procedures for the relevant refuelling infrastructure, subsystems and components. During phase 2, a new liquefied hydrogen (LH2) storage system (cryogenic tank) was designed and manufactured. It was approved safe by TÜV SÜD
, the German Technical Inspection Association. Phase 2 also developed a semi-quantitative risk analysis methodology (Rapid Risk Ranking), which is used for risk assessment of several hydrogen applications. There were 20 partners of phase 2.
Although regulations worked-out by EIHP are not officially adopted, they are used as guidelines for design and approval of on-board cryogenic storage systems. For example, General Motors
and BMW have announced that they are following EIHP's draft regulations when jointly developing refueling devices for liquid hydrogen vehicles.
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
project to integrate United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe was established in 1947 to encourage economic cooperation among its member states. It is one of five regional commissions under the administrative direction of United Nations headquarters. It has 56 member states, and reports to the UN Economic and...
(UNECE or ECE) guidelines and create a basis of ECE regulation of hydrogen vehicle
Hydrogen vehicle
A hydrogen vehicle is a vehicle that uses hydrogen as its onboard fuel for motive power. Hydrogen vehicles include hydrogen fueled space rockets, as well as automobiles and other transportation vehicles...
s and the necessary infrastructure replacing national legislation and regulations. The aim of this project was enhancing of the safety of hydrogen vehicles and harmonizing their licensing and approval process.
EIHP was launched in 1998. It was coordinated by Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik GmbH, a German consultancy company. Its phase 1 lasted from 1998–2000. It consists of 10 partners including research institutes, energy companies and automotive industries such as BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
, Renault
Renault
Renault S.A. is a French automaker producing cars, vans, and in the past, autorail vehicles, trucks, tractors, vans and also buses/coaches. Its alliance with Nissan makes it the world's third largest automaker...
, and Volvo
Volvo
AB Volvo is a Swedish builder of commercial vehicles, including trucks, buses and construction equipment. Volvo also supplies marine and industrial drive systems, aerospace components and financial services...
. During the phase 1, information about the existing legislation and safety of alternative propulsion vehicles and related infrastructure was collected. As a result of the phase 1, UNECE drafted regulations for the onboard storage system for liquid hydrogen
Liquid hydrogen
Liquid hydrogen is the liquid state of the element hydrogen. Hydrogen is found naturally in the molecular H2 form.To exist as a liquid, H2 must be pressurized above and cooled below hydrogen's Critical point. However, for hydrogen to be in a full liquid state without boiling off, it needs to be...
, and for the on-board storage system for gaseous hydrogen.
Phase 2 lasted from 2001–2004 and it developed drafts of a harmonized regulation for hydrogen-fuelled road vehicles, procedures for periodic hydrogen vehicle inspections, and standards and periodic inspection procedures for the relevant refuelling infrastructure, subsystems and components. During phase 2, a new liquefied hydrogen (LH2) storage system (cryogenic tank) was designed and manufactured. It was approved safe by TÜV SÜD
TÜV SÜD
TÜV SÜD is an international service corporation focusing on consulting, testing, certification and training. At over 600 locations, primarily in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, TÜV SÜD Group employs approximately 16,000 staff. In 2010, sales revenues totalled EUR 1.55 billion, roughly 30 per...
, the German Technical Inspection Association. Phase 2 also developed a semi-quantitative risk analysis methodology (Rapid Risk Ranking), which is used for risk assessment of several hydrogen applications. There were 20 partners of phase 2.
Although regulations worked-out by EIHP are not officially adopted, they are used as guidelines for design and approval of on-board cryogenic storage systems. For example, General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
and BMW have announced that they are following EIHP's draft regulations when jointly developing refueling devices for liquid hydrogen vehicles.
Participants
Partners of the European Integrated Hydrogen Project - Phase II were:See also
- Energy lawEnergy lawEnergy laws govern the use and taxation of energy, both renewable and non-renewable. These laws are the primary authorities related to energy...
- Energy policyEnergy policyEnergy policy is the manner in which a given entity has decided to address issues of energy development including energy production, distribution and consumption...
- Energy supplyEnergy supplyEnergy supply is the delivery of fuels or transformed fuels to point of consumption. It potentially encompasses the extraction, transmission, generation, distribution and storage of fuels...
- Hydrogen codes and standards
- Hydrogen economyHydrogen economyThe hydrogen economy is a proposed system of delivering energy using hydrogen. The term hydrogen economy was coined by John Bockris during a talk he gave in 1970 at General Motors Technical Center....
- World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle RegulationsWorld Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle RegulationsThe World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations is a working party of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe...