Lessons Learned from the Natural Gas Industry
by Karen Hall
Vice President, Technical Operations of the National Hydrogen Association

The NHA held an Idea Forum on Lessons Learned from the Natural Gas Industry on Thursday, March 31 (parallel Session III) at the NHA's Annual Conference in Washington, DC. Stephen Ellis of American Honda Motor Company moderated.

Panelists
Michael Mackey, General Physics Corporation
Mitchell Pratt, Clean Energy
Allen Spivey, Gas Technology Institute
Richard Kolodziej, Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition

The purpose of the forum was to discuss issues relating to working collaboratively with experts from the natural gas industry, and determine if there are lessons that the hydrogen industry should take on board.

The natural gas industry has been through many of the issues facing the hydrogen industry and shared a sense of that experience and their concerns. Many of the companies delivering natural gas are also involved in hydrogen energy. The general comments were to begin planning and information campaigns early with regulators and try to minimize over-building or rebuilding fuelling facilities. Also, the NG industry indicated it is important to establish pressure standards soon.

Specific feedback from the panelists included:

• Make certain you work effectively and early with local zoning, construction, and fire marshals, they can affect your hydrogen sites and potentially the existing and future CNG sites.
  
  
• Be realistic on all development and construction targets to maintain credibility.
  
  
• Be aware of the differences between hydrogen and natural gas, this will effect selection of materials and operation plans
  
  
• Develop reasonable codes and regulations with understanding of environmental factors (temp. pressure, etc.), then supply results to all outside decision-makers
  
  
• Find a solution for the industry to set a standard pressure. Delaying this with NG cost millions in rebuilding CNG fuelling facilities in the first 5-10 years.
  
  
• Target safety as the number one through ten priorities, one mistake will cost years for the industry and perhaps others. Fund this collectively for the industry future.
  
  
• Work collectively on fundamentals: Product, Infrastructure, Funding, Policy
  
  
• Track and study all incidents to minimize future problems and explain experience.