Abstract
In the framework of energy transition, safety is a key requirement to be satisfied by novel process technologies. The aim of this study is to compare, from an inherent safety standpoint, three technologies for the production of green hydrogen via water splitting, powered by Renewable Energy Sources (RESs), in order to identify the inherently safest option and the critical equipment and/or operating conditions to be considered in the scale-up and industrialization of such technologies. The technologies considered for green hydrogen production are: alkaline electrolysis, proton exchange membrane electrolysis and reversible Solid Oxide Cells. The application of a consolidated methodology for inherent safety assessment based on Inherent Safety Key Performance Indicators (IS-KPIs) enabled to identify the most critical units within each process scheme and to select the inherently safest technological solution presently available for green hydrogen production.
