Laboratory of Safety Management for Mechanical Systems

From May 19 to 21, 2026, the first in-person meeting of Phase 2 of the International Energy Agency (IEA) Technology Collaboration Programme (TCP) Hydrogen Task 43 was held in Tokyo, Japan. The meeting brought together 31 experts from academia, industry, and government organizations, including 25 participants attending in person and 6 joining online.

Hosted at Haneda Innovation City “KAWARUBA”, the three-day meeting focused on technical discussions within the various Task 43 subgroups, covering key challenges and opportunities related to hydrogen technologies and safety. Participants exchanged research findings, discussed ongoing activities, and reviewed future directions for international collaboration. An opening message from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) highlighted the importance of international cooperation in advancing the safe deployment of hydrogen technologies.

In addition to the technical sessions, participants joined a technical tour of Haneda Innovation City, visited research facilities at the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry (CRIEPI) in Yokosuka, and attended a networking reception in Kamakura. These activities provided valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and strengthened collaboration among researchers and stakeholders from different countries.

Our laboratory contributed to the organization and technical discussions of the meeting and continues to support international efforts to improve the safety and resilience of hydrogen energy systems through research in safety engineering and risk science.

Students Participate in HERCULES Workshop and HySchool 2026 in Oslo, Norway

Doctoral student Eisuke Takano (D3) and master’s student Rena Tajima (M1) from the Shibutani Laboratory, Yokohama National University, participated in the HERCULES Workshop and HySchool 2026 held in Oslo, Norway. The visit provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas with researchers and students working in the fields of hydrogen energy, safety engineering, and risk assessment.

The HERCULES Workshop was held at Science Park Oslo and brought together researchers and students from several international partner institutions, including the University of Maryland, the University of Toronto, the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), and Yokohama National University. During the workshop, participants presented the latest progress in their research projects and discussed future collaborative activities.

As part of the workshop activities, Rena Tajima presented her research on the probabilistic risk assessment of liquefied hydrogen storage tanks and the functional safety assessment of emergency shutdown systems (ESS). Her presentation addressed quantitative approaches for evaluating hydrogen storage safety and discussed the application of fault tree analysis and reliability assessment methods for safety-critical systems.

The students also attended HySchool Days, organized by the Norwegian Research School on Hydrogen and Hydrogen-Based Fuels. The program included lectures and presentations covering a wide range of hydrogen-related topics, including hydrogen production, industrial applications, aviation fuels, and hydrogen safety. The event provided participants with an excellent opportunity to learn about the latest developments in hydrogen technologies and to interact with leading researchers in the field.

A highlight of the program was an industrial excursion to Hystar, a Norwegian company developing high-efficiency electrolyzers for green hydrogen production. Participants were able to gain first-hand insights into industrial-scale hydrogen technologies and discuss current challenges and future opportunities for the hydrogen economy.

Throughout the week, the students engaged with researchers from institutions such as the University of Oslo, the University of Stavanger, NTNU, the Arctic University of Norway, the University of Toronto, and the University of Maryland. These interactions helped strengthen international research networks and opened new possibilities for future collaboration in hydrogen safety and risk science.

The experience provided valuable opportunities not only to present research findings but also to deepen international partnerships and gain broader perspectives on emerging hydrogen technologies. The knowledge and connections obtained during the visit will contribute to the continued advancement of research activities within the Shibutani Laboratory.

Building Global Partnerships for Hydrogen Safety and Innovation

The HERCULES program officially launched with its kickoff meeting at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim, Norway. This initiative brings together leading universities and research institutions to advance hydrogen technology, safety, and education through international collaboration.

On Day 1, participants from universities including NTNU, the University of Toronto, the University of Maryland, and Yokohama National University gathered to share research activities and discuss future student exchanges. Topics ranged from CFD analysis and solar energy research to risk assessment using HyRAM and Bayesian networks, as well as fuel cell efficiency and 3D modeling. The meeting also introduced related projects such as HySET, HySchool, HYDROGENi, HyInHeat, ELVHYS, and NICOLHy, highlighting the global effort to accelerate hydrogen adoption.

The second day focused on SH2IFT-2, a Norwegian Research Council project aimed at developing new knowledge about hydrogen safety. Presentations covered materials testing, fire prevention measures, and ignition risks from high-pressure leaks. Discussions also explored liquefied hydrogen applications for marine transport and the use of AI for safety analysis. Experimental demonstrations included hydrogen flame tests on pipes, analyzed using FLACS simulation tools.

On the third day, participants toured the ASKO Midt-Norge hydrogen station, located 10 km from Trondheim. The facility features rooftop hydrogen tanks and aims to utilize green hydrogen for sustainable energy. The visit provided insights into Norway’s cautious approach to building new hydrogen stations following the 2019 accident. A highlight was seeing the Toyota Mirai in operation, symbolizing the practical application of hydrogen technology.

The atmosphere was collaborative and informal, fostering open dialogue on hydrogen safety, diversity, and educational opportunities. Upcoming events include HySchool Days 2026, scheduled for April 14–15, primarily targeting Ph.D. students but also welcoming master’s students through the HERCULES program.

The kickoff meeting marks a significant step toward creating a robust international network dedicated to hydrogen research and innovation.