HS business centers on the full commercialization of hydrogen-based power through the prudent adoption of risk management strategies.  We understand, based on our collective experience, that codes and standards are not the answer, nor are best practices, nor industrial training, nor risk management.  We understand that these factors are collectively part of the solution and it is our integration of these solutions into a sound business approach that we call "engineering the risk" that makes us unique and having an impact on the industry.

HS is headquartered in Connecticut Center for Advance Technology building in East Hartford, CT.  This promotes HS’s collaboration with the many Connecticut organizations that are very active in the hydrogen and fuel cells industries as well as the insurance industry.

Not aligned with any one technology or company, HS conducts expert independent evaluations, without prejudice, to provide a selected project with unbiased, technically sound and economically supported opinions.   A sampling of the projects in which HS principals and associates have been significantly involved follows.

Project Experience

• Utilized its knowledge of the evolving US and International hydrogen codes and standards, to assess the relevance of NY State and New York City codes to recommend changes that will eliminate hydrogen project impediments. This effort on behalf of NYSERDA through the Pace Energy Project was intended to streamline the codes and siting process so as to speed the deployment of new technologies but not at the expense of compromising the public’s health and safety. The basis for the recommendations from this research will be documented and broadly disseminated
• Conducted a site assessment to evaluate system harmonization for a liquid hydrogen refueling station for a major car manufacturer
• Provided specifications for the design and recommendations for the operations of a hydrogen vehicle service repair facility for a major car OEM.
• Assessed the risk exposures, infrastructure requirements, and safety issues for a hydrogen refueling station design and operation.
• Identified the potential risks associated with operating a hydrogen powered fuel cell car on a dyno and servicing the car in a garage / shop area and made recommendations to mitigate the risk exposures.
• Working with an automotive OEM, identified the potential risks associated with servicing a hydrogen powered fuel cell car.  The project concluded with recommendations to mitigate the risk exposures.
• Conducted a HazOps of a fuel cell application involving forklift trucks being utilized at a warehouse.
• Provided engineering counsel to improve the management of the risks associated with the design of a fuel cell for passenger vehicles.  Also an evaluation of potential risks for the test facility was provided along with recommendations to mitigate risks.
• Reviewed all current operations and equipment for compliance with all environmental, building codes and health and safety regulations, and industry standard recommended practices for a transit agency using hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles.  Hydrogen production, storage, and dispensing operations were assessed.
• Conducted risk assessment of a large cryogenic hydrogen storage facility in terms of delivery, storage, distribution, and sabotage.
• Reviewed and provided recommendations for the safety plans for a major car manufacturer’s servicing facility for fuel cell powered vehicles.
• For a leading defense supplier, evaluated the potential safety risks associated with the elimination of the battery box and hydrogen off-gas venting system for a military communication shelter and provided design recommendations to minimize the risks.
• On a pro bono basis, provided risk management counsel in support of the project entry by the New York Institute of Technology’s Solar – Hydrogen House in the US DOE’s Solar Decathlon Competition.
• Conducted a risk assessment of the safety systems for fuel cell power bus and identified recommendations for improvements in the safety systems.
• Conducted risk assessments at 8 facilities of a major jet engine manufacturer regarding the storage, distribution, point of application and operating procedures and operator training.  The assessment resulted in a major upgrade of these systems to improve personnel safety and process systems integrity.
• Conducted a reliability study and technology due diligence review for the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection regarding the use of renewable energy technologies, including various fuel cell designs, for sites within Connecticut.
• Conducted hazard analysis and risk assessment for a hydrogen powered turbine in marine applications (water taxi).
• For a Fortune 100 OEM, provided a risk assessment of their hydrogen R&D projects regarding personnel exposures and integrity of the process systems.
• Served as an expert witness in a case involving a hydrogen accident at a water treatment facility.
• Identified opportunities to engineer a mold press process to improve its operational reliability in terms of personnel safety and integrity of the process systems to avoid a future hydrogen incident.
• Provided specialized hydrogen safety seminars on specific issues for multiple clients.  For example, one client had to respond to the concern of their unionized employees.

A brief summary of its customer-focused services includes:

• Program development and management at governmental and private enterprise levels;
• Business system analysis with a special focus on  strategies for managing risk exposures;
• Functioning as the Owner’s Engineer providing project risk assurance
• Reliability risk based assessments,
• Forensic engineering supporting litigation and insurance claims, and
• Emergency planning for business continuation and operations

HS maintains its technology neutral position associated with fuel cells and microturbines for power generation and vehicles, hydrogen based systems, hydroelectric and biomass technologies.

The valuable lessons learned from the execution of these and other projects, allow our clients to avoid comparable problems along their learning curve.  For each project undertaken, we engage only those resources deemed necessary for the project’s specific scope of work.  This focused approach provides our clients with the technical resources required without the excessive overhead burdens.  Our goal is to function as a significant supplemental resource enabling your project to be successful.