On the Applicability of Risk-Based Methods to Optimize Inspection Costs With Focus on a Hydrogen-Fueled Fishing Vessel

Abstract In an era marked by a growing effort towards environmental sustainability, the development of the hydrogen value chain is crucial for the transformation of the energy landscape. From road transport to aviation and maritime applications, numerous investments and ongoing projects aim at implementing clean hydrogen solutions to reshape entire industries. The spread of hydrogen technologies, however, comes with a rising demand for specific and standardized inspection plans and maintenance activities that are suitable for equipment operating in hydrogen environments. For this reason, a number of critical challenges do emerge. Some main issues of such innovative and environmentally compatible alternatives (i.e., hydrogen-fed fuel cells and hydrogen combustion engines) involve in fact the lack of operational experience and the inexistence of tailored standards and guidelines specifically conceived for hydrogen systems. This may result in a tendency to implement over conservative risk-reducing measures, thus leading to continuous inspection activities and unsustainable associated costs. In fact, an over-conservative risk threshold may imply economic burdens and a competitiveness loss for hydrogen technologies, potentially resulting in the inhibition of their market penetration potential. The current work delves into this problem by addressing the main steps of a cost-benefit analysis based on risk-informed inspection strategies 1 and using a hydrogen-fueled fishing vessel as a practical example, highlighting hazardous scenarios involving the storage system, the costs associated with a hydrogen unwanted release and the measures — inspection and preventive maintenance — that aim at minimizing its likelihood. Through this lens, this paper outlines potential strategies to achieve an optimization of costs and minimization of risk by optimally scheduling inspection procedures, with the idea of supporting the shift towards sustainable energy solutions.