As hydrogen deployment accelerates worldwide, safety remains critical. Through AIChE’s Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS), industry, academia, and policymakers collaborate to advance hydrogen safety through education and best practices.
The 2026 Center for Hydrogen Safety Europe Conference, February 17–19, provides a dedicated forum for addressing critical hydrogen safety topics, from risk assessment and infrastructure to mobility and emerging technologies. In addition to the technical program, attendees have the opportunity to deepen their expertise through CHS-led training, including expert-led courses and intensive learning experiences focused on real-world hydrogen safety challenges.
In this interview, Rasim M. Qureshi, Lead Loss Prevention Engineer at Saudi Aramco and a member of the CHS Europe 2026 Organizing Committee, shares his perspective on today's most pressing hydrogen safety challenges, highlights key conference themes, and explains how CHS Europe 2026 supports collaboration and best practices across the global hydrogen community.
You bring deep experience in process safety and risk management to the CHS Europe 2026 Organizing Committee. From your perspective, what are the most urgent hydrogen safety issues industry professionals need to focus on right now, and how will this conference help them address those challenges?
In the context of the energy transition, hydrogen emerges as a pivotal clean energy source, yet it presents unique safety challenges we need to address now. The most pressing issues include developing safe infrastructure for storage and transportation, updating regulatory frameworks to reflect hydrogen's distinct properties, expanding public awareness and training programs for safe handling, establishing emergency response protocols specific to hydrogen incidents, and implementing robust risk assessment strategies.
If you want to stay at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry, attending CHS Europe 2026 is essential.
The CHS Europe 2026 will tackle these challenges head-on by creating a platform where industry professionals share the latest research and best practices in hydrogen safety. The conference will offer hands-on workshops and training sessions to sharpen skills in safe hydrogen handling. It will bring policymakers together to develop harmonized regulations that support hydrogen safety across borders. Attendees will see cutting-edge technologies designed to improve safety measures in hydrogen infrastructure. By connecting professionals across the industry, the event will drive a solutions-focused approach, ensuring participants leave with practical insights and strategies to overcome hydrogen's safety challenges.
The CHS Europe 2026 program spans topics ranging from risk assessment to hydrogen mobility and emerging technologies. Which sessions or themes are you most excited about, and why are they particularly timely for the global hydrogen community?
The CHS Europe 2026 program covers a comprehensive range of topics that are essential for advancing the hydrogen industry. I'm particularly excited about the sessions on risk assessment and hydrogen mobility, as these areas represent some of our most pressing challenges and biggest opportunities.
Risk assessment is fundamental as we scale up hydrogen infrastructure; both understanding and mitigating potential hazards are essential to ensure safety and build public trust. Hydrogen mobility is a cornerstone of our decarbonization efforts, especially in transportation, where the shift to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and infrastructure presents both challenges and opportunities for innovation.
The focus on emerging technologies is equally timely, as these advancements will drive the efficiency, affordability, and scalability of hydrogen production and use. These themes aren't just relevant—they're urgent. The global hydrogen community is at a critical moment where we need collaborative efforts and innovative solutions to break through existing barriers and accelerate the transition to a hydrogen-powered future.
For professionals considering whether to attend, what unique networking or collaboration opportunities does CHS Europe 2026 offer that set it apart from other hydrogen safety events?
CHS Europe 2026 stands out as a premier event for hydrogen safety professionals, offering networking opportunities you won't find at other conferences. The event's specialized focus attracts a diverse mix of attendees—major oil and gas industry professionals, researchers, policymakers, and academics—which sparks comprehensive, insightful discussions. This unique blend of expertise lets you engage with perspectives from across the industry, making every networking interaction more valuable.
The conference features structured networking events and innovative session formats alongside hydrogen safety training workshops, all designed to encourage collaboration and idea exchange. You'll connect with leading experts and gain cutting-edge insights into the latest developments and challenges in hydrogen safety.
With the hydrogen industry's current momentum, CHS Europe 2026 comes at exactly the right time, offering a strategic platform for meaningful connections and collaborative progress. This isn't just another conference, it's a vital event for advancing your knowledge and professional network in this critical field. If you want to stay at the forefront of this rapidly evolving industry, attending CHS Europe 2026 is essential.
As hydrogen deployment continues to expand worldwide, what role do conferences like CHS Europe play in shaping safety standards and best practices, and how do you see that role evolving in the years ahead?
Conferences like CHS Europe are instrumental in shaping safety standards and best practices as hydrogen deployment expands. They create vital spaces where experts, professionals, and stakeholders share knowledge, discuss challenges, and collaborate on solutions. These events drive the development and dissemination of safety standards by letting experts present research, analyze incidents, and align on best practices. They also influence regulatory frameworks by bringing policymakers and industry leaders together to shape regulations based on current research and industry needs.
Looking ahead, as hydrogen technology advances and spreads, these conferences will likely evolve to include more interactive sessions, real-time collaboration tools, and innovative training methods like virtual reality simulations. We'll also see greater emphasis on international collaboration to harmonize safety standards across countries and regions. The networking opportunities at these events fosters partnerships and collaborative projects that push safety standards forward. In short, conferences like CHS Europe aren't just meetings—they're catalysts for progress, ensuring the hydrogen industry evolves safely and efficiently.
Explore the program for the 2026 Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS) Europe Conference.
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