When taking into account environmental considerations related to the installation and operation of the combined system, we identified the key areas that could potentially impact the local environment.
Air quality
Air pollutants emitted by vehicles include nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particles and hydrocarbons. These pollutants in the air impact on the health of people, animals and vegetation. Although vehicles are becoming less polluting than they were historically due to cleaner fuels and advancements in vehicle technology, the air quality in many areas are below European Union Standards due to increasing numbers of vehicles on the road. [1]
The majority of pollution in towns and cities comes from vehicle emissions and therefore a change towards hydrogen vehicles would substantially improve air quality, especially in densely populated urban areas.
The majority of pollution in towns and cities comes from vehicle emissions and therefore a change towards hydrogen vehicles would substantially improve air quality, especially in densely populated urban areas.
Health Impact
Through removing diesel and petrol refuelling at our service stations we would remove exposure to benzene from these products which has been associated with long term health effects and diseases such as cancer and aplastic anaemia.
Acute exposure to diesel can lead to intoxication, skin exposure can cause dermatitis and diesel is classified as a category 3 carcinogen. [2]
Acute exposure to diesel can lead to intoxication, skin exposure can cause dermatitis and diesel is classified as a category 3 carcinogen. [2]
Noise considerations
The level of noise that would be produced by the combined unit should also be addressed. The electrolysing process is considered to be relatively silent, however the nearby transformer that delivers high voltage power may produce undesirable background noise. Nevertheless, the main source of noise is expected to come from the installed compressor that is a necessary stage between hydrogen production and following storage. Regardless the refuelling periods, that are expected to be mainly during night time, the level of noise released by the compressor must correspond to UK legislation. Other components of the combined system such as storage tank, fuel cell and dispenser unit are expected to be relatively silent. Altogether, the SEnS combined unit could potentially produce more background noise than a conventional petrol station however, should be significantly more silent than a diesel generator currently used to meet the STOR demand.
Land contamination
The hydrogen refuelling unit is expected to have lower risk of land contamination compared to the conventional petrol station. Hydrogen dispenser units are completely automatic, thus there is no danger of fuel spills during the periods of refuelling. On the other hand, current petrol stations must often face the problem of small oil spillage due to customer activity. With regards to the underground contamination, oil leaks from underground petrol tanks could pollute not only surrounding soil, but even contaminate fundamental water supply. This problem can be overcome if hydrogen storage tanks are used instead. Finally, reduced handling of petrochemicals for power generation in the electricity sector decreases the risk of land contamination if the SEnS combined system is implemented. [3]
Disruption during construction
The combined units are designed to replace current petrol stations, which means that some parts of the infrastructure are already in the place, however the negative impacts of during construction phase should be investigated. Large vehicles would be most likely used to deliver building material, which could result to increased traffic in the given area. The influence of light pollution could be considered as negligible, since current petrol stations already use illumination on their premises. The use of cranes to install the storage tank and dispenser unit would only be required for a very short amount of time, thus impacts with regards to the crane uses are minimal. Overall, the impacts related to construction phase are only short-term and reversible. [4]
Visual impact
Electricity cables:
A negative impact of the combined refuelling and electricity provision stations would be the requirement for a high voltage connection to the mains grid network. Depending on location these cables could either be installed overhead or buried underground. Either option would have visual impacts during construction however underground cables would be preferable to avoid the long term negative visual impact of electricity cables.
Roofing:
Structures would have to be designed to prevent the collection of hydrogen in order to reduce the risk of fire. The simplest means of achieving this would be through the removal of existing large roofs and replacement with smaller shelters over the hydrogen refuelling apparatus. This would have the added benefit of reducing the overall visual impact of the refuelling site. [5]
A negative impact of the combined refuelling and electricity provision stations would be the requirement for a high voltage connection to the mains grid network. Depending on location these cables could either be installed overhead or buried underground. Either option would have visual impacts during construction however underground cables would be preferable to avoid the long term negative visual impact of electricity cables.
Roofing:
Structures would have to be designed to prevent the collection of hydrogen in order to reduce the risk of fire. The simplest means of achieving this would be through the removal of existing large roofs and replacement with smaller shelters over the hydrogen refuelling apparatus. This would have the added benefit of reducing the overall visual impact of the refuelling site. [5]
biodiversity
The impacts of the combined system on the local habitat are expected to remain relatively similar as the effects of current petrol stations. The construction work should be carried out only during the day to minimise potential contact with nocturnal animals and prevent undesirable light pollution. Environmental and Ecological Clerks if Works should be presented at the framework during the construction phase to control compliance with legal requirements. The main risk of biodiversity loss is therefore, predicted to be related to collision between customer vehicles and local animals. This aspect could be mitigated by reducing the speed limit in the affected area.
social impact
The role out of our combined systems would have mixed effects with regards to employment. New employment opportunities would arise to carry out the retrofitting of existing service stations with our combined systems and for the connection to the national electricity grid.
Refuelling station jobs would initially be in equal or greater demand as they would be if we continued to use fossil fuel vehicles however employment is most likely still going to continue to decline with the progression of automation. Job losses would be incurred within the fossil fuel vehicle manufacturing sector, however these would be compensated by jobs created within the hydrogen vehicle manufacturing sector.
A significant positive social impact is the educational value of our combined systems within a local community and the wider context. When the public are made aware that the purpose of the refuelling station is to move away from a fossil fuel reliant society to a greener more sustainable future, they are most likely to have a positive attitude towards the project.
Refuelling station jobs would initially be in equal or greater demand as they would be if we continued to use fossil fuel vehicles however employment is most likely still going to continue to decline with the progression of automation. Job losses would be incurred within the fossil fuel vehicle manufacturing sector, however these would be compensated by jobs created within the hydrogen vehicle manufacturing sector.
A significant positive social impact is the educational value of our combined systems within a local community and the wider context. When the public are made aware that the purpose of the refuelling station is to move away from a fossil fuel reliant society to a greener more sustainable future, they are most likely to have a positive attitude towards the project.
[1] http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk/policy-areas/air-quality/air-pollution-and-transport/car-pollution/
[2] http://www.who.int/ipcs/features/benzene.pdf
[3] European Bank for Reconstruction and Deployment. Sub-sectoral Environmental and Social Guidelines: Petrol/Gasoline Retailing. August, 2009.
[4] Beatrice Chelangat Biegon. Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the Proposed Filling Station Project on Plot NO.KER/SIL/2128 Bomet Township. NEMA/PR/5/2/10691. January, 2014.
[5] http://www.arhab.org/pdfs/h2_safety_fsheet.pdf
[2] http://www.who.int/ipcs/features/benzene.pdf
[3] European Bank for Reconstruction and Deployment. Sub-sectoral Environmental and Social Guidelines: Petrol/Gasoline Retailing. August, 2009.
[4] Beatrice Chelangat Biegon. Environmental Impact Assessment Study Report for the Proposed Filling Station Project on Plot NO.KER/SIL/2128 Bomet Township. NEMA/PR/5/2/10691. January, 2014.
[5] http://www.arhab.org/pdfs/h2_safety_fsheet.pdf
