SIMEA H2 Social impact method of energy analysis applied to hydrogen energy systems. Opportunities and limits towards sustainable development

In the future a large use of Hydrogen is likely to happen and seems a concrete opportunity to give a solution to “the three inseparable pillars of the protection of the environment, social and economic development at the local, national, regional and global levels” [Political Declaration – Johannesburg 2002] from the energy point of view. Through an analysis of the chemical and physical characteristics of hydrogen, taking in account the different impact levels on the possible “hydrogen society”, this work gives an analysis of the possible social-environmental impact assessment of this proposed energy system by implementing a specific application of SIMEA, called SIMEA H2 SIMEA (Social Impact Method of Energy Analysis) was born to evaluate how the energy systems, by modifying physic environment, impact on the society. In fact, in SIMEA scheme a new definition of the environment is considered, not only considering the natural one, but also the economy structure, social organisation end cultural and historical aspect of the site: this is what has been called “enlarged environment”. The aim of SIMEA is to assess in integrated way the possible effects of an energy system on the enlarged environment and evaluate the social consequences and effects as social impact. When hydrogen is concerned, also the production process has to be taken in account. Hydrogen is an energy vector and not an energy resource, and the production process can first of all use either renewable or non renewable resources. SIMEA H2 has been implemented to specifically evaluate which modifications in the society caused by the hydrogen based energy systems are to be driven to acceptability for a real technological acceptance. SIMEA H2 allows to show the key social constraints that could permit - with current and trend technological know-how - the implementation of a hydrogen based society, and assess the real social limits and opportunities of this proposed tool for building sustainable development in energy sector.