Reliability and risk analysis of hydrogen fuel cell propulsion on autonomous vessel: A methodological comparison

Abstract

In the maritime domain, hydrogen fuel cell propulsion and autonomous vessels are the two burning issues that are yet to be implemented for the long voyage because of a few challenges. This study aims to create enough reliability which is one of the challenges, through adequate risk analysis by both traditional and recent risk analysis methods. In earlier research, studies on the hydrogen fuel cell propulsion and autonomous vessel system individually with one analysis method are frequent but studies on the whole system combinedly with two risk analysis methods are extremely limited. This research chooses two risk analysis methods which are traditional “Hazard identification” (HAZID) and more recent “System-Theoretic Process Analysis” (STPA) for potential risk identification and mitigation by methodological comparison. Both hydrogen and autonomous vessels are analyzed and assessed together; once with HAZID and then with the STPA method. Results are not wondering but rather flexible compared to conventional systems. The study founds a total of 40 design-based risks from HAZID analysis among which 13 risk factors are potential and 44 unsafe control actions (UCAs) are evolved from human and central control unit controllers through STPA. As a result, most of the possible risks are identified and a structured methodological comparison is demonstrated along with the specific risk-reducing factors. Hence, sufficient reliability is created.