What research is needed to support new industries such as CCUS, hydrogen etc., to ensure that the risks to workers and the public are kept as low as reasonably practicable?
Background
HSE Strategic Objective: Enable industry to innovate safely to prevent major incidents, supporting the move to net zero (https://www.hse.gov.uk/aboutus/assets/docs/the-hse-strategy.pdf)
HSE has a significant part to play in the safe delivery of the government’s commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas by 2050. Transitioning to a carbon neutral economy will see more innovative technologies and processes, which will present new risk. The scope of our research will underpin work to make sure that health and safety legislation does not prevent safe innovation and progress and will contribute towards enabling a safe transition across all industry sectors. We also understand that this is a phased change, and we continue to prioritise research to support maintaining our role in regulating the major hazards in existing energy industries.
To help manage risk, we will focus our attention on the breadth of activities that net zero encompasses. This will provide evidence to inform any policy, regulatory and operational changes needed to support key stakeholders.
To address the knowledge gaps we will adopt a broad approach including identifying and synthesising existing/developing evidence; influencing, fostering partnerships and collaborating with others; having the assurance frameworks to ensure that commissioned research is aligned to addressing the most prioritised knowledge gaps and is the optimum approach to deriving the evidence.
For some technologies, the level of interest, developments and activity is such that inter-related research activities necessitate coordination via a programme model. This is currently the case for the technological areas of carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) and gaseous hydrogen. There is also significant activity in the battery technology area and alternative liquid fuels, particularly liquid hydrogen.
The questions provide more detail of the evidence needs within the main Areas of Research Interest Question Group.
Next steps
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Source
This question was published as part of the set of ARIs in this document:
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Related UKRI funded projects
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UKRI Research Challenges Co-ordinator in Hydrogen and Alternative Liquid Fuels
We have assembled a strong and committed team to deliver this vision: Principal Investigator Prof Tim Mays, University of Bath with Co-Investigators Dr Rachael Rothman, University of Sheffield, and Prof Shanwen Tao, Univ...
Funded by: EPSRC
Lead research organisation: University of Bath
Why might this be relevant?
Partially addresses the question by focusing on hydrogen and alternative liquid fuels, but does not cover CCUS, energy storage, or health and safety considerations.
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Hydrogen Integration for Accelerated Energy Transitions Hub (HI-ACT)
Hydrogen and alternative liquid fuels (HALF) have an essential role in the net-zero transition by providing connectivity and flexibility across the energy system. Despite advancements in the field of hydrogen research bo...
Funded by: EPSRC
Lead research organisation: University of Birmingham
Why might this be relevant?
Fully addresses the question by focusing on hydrogen and alternative liquid fuels, providing a detailed research program to address barriers to adoption for net-zero transition.
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Net Zero Belfast
Northern Ireland is heavily reliant on fossil fuels costing £9bn p.a. but with huge potential to harness renewables due to its location / geography. The Net Zero Belfast project will assess the potential to conduct...
Funded by: Innovate UK
Lead research organisation: BELFAST CITY COUNCIL
Why might this be relevant?
Partially relevant as it focuses on green hydrogen and e fuel testing, but does not cover all industries mentioned in the question.