Piacenza, Italy – May 23rd, 2025 — The HYPOP Project, an initiative co-funded by the European Union and supported by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership and its members, proudly participated in the Italian National Hydrogen Expo 2025 held in Piacenza, Italy. The European exhibition brought together experts, policymakers, and innovators to explore the most recent developments in hydrogen technology, regulations, and market deployment.
As part of its outreach and stakeholder engagement activities, HYPOP organized and co-hosted a national workshop titled “NORMATIVE E PROGETTI IN EVOLUZIONE: dialogo tra operatori e autorità della filiera dell’idrogeno sulla sicurezza, le procedure e il coinvolgimento della società civile” in collaboration with H2IT, the Italian Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Association. This event focused on the safety, certification, and permitting procedures related to hydrogen installations, with a particular emphasis on the role of public stakeholders and the social perception of hydrogen applications, especially in the mobility and residential sectors. The audience reached a maximum number of 45 people in presence.
Key Highlights from the Workshop’s Two Sessions
- Safety and Certification Round Table The round table opened with technical contributions from companies and certification bodies including Simplifhy, RINA, RAMS&E, and SNAM. Participants highlighted the challenges of applying existing fire safety regulations to the diverse technologies and scales involved in hydrogen infrastructure projects. Specific gaps were identified in regulatory coherence between existing ministerial decrees, and the limitations in recognition of newer, safer technologies such as metal-hydride storage.
RAMS&E emphasized the use of risk analysis as a central communication tool between developers and fire safety authorities. However, the need for harmonized, technology-neutral rules was strongly advocated. RINA reported ongoing discussions at the ministerial level to introduce the figure of a “fire-safety designer,” responsible for bridging technical documentation and public authority assessments.
The Slido Q&A session confirmed that public authorities and fire brigades often lack proper training and awareness on hydrogen risks, leading to over-precautionary or delayed permitting processes. The audience, composed of public officials and private stakeholders, agreed on the necessity of practical guidelines and tailored safety regulations.
- Permitting Round Table The permitting session addressed the administrative complexity and interpretative uncertainty surrounding hydrogen project approval processes. SNAM presented a hydrogen-valley project as a case study, detailing the multiple permits required, including environmental, safety, building, and cultural heritage clearances. Despite regulatory exemptions potentially applicable to green hydrogen installations, local authorities still opted for more conservative and time-consuming procedures.
TECHFEM complemented this discussion by presenting a structured permitting strategy using Italy’s One-Stop-Shop digital platform in Calabria’s special economic zone. The example included over 10 integrated procedures ranging from Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) screening to aviation clearance and fire brigade evaluation.
A strong conclusion from the round table was the crucial need for clearer interpretation of existing rules and stronger institutional capacity to handle innovative hydrogen technologies. The session showcased that voluntary engagement with authorities, transparent project presentation, and shared understanding of project goals can effectively streamline permitting procedures.
Conclusion Mr. Mattia Miglietta, HYPOP Technical Coordinator, commented:
“One of the key takeaways from our participation at H2Expo together with H2IT association is the urgent need to foster widespread knowledge and understanding of hydrogen, especially at the local level where many projects are deployed. Early and proactive communication with public stakeholders proves essential to anticipate challenges in the permitting process and address public opposition, which is often rooted in limited familiarity with hydrogen technologies. Moreover, building a shared safety culture based on performance and risk-informed approaches must become a priority. This can only be achieved through active cooperation among developers, institutions, and regulators. By working closely with authorities, we can contribute to the development of forward-looking safety regulations that not only protect people and the environment but also support innovation and accelerate the deployment of clean hydrogen solutions.”
For more information on HYPOP and to stay updated on its activities, please visit our website at www.hypop-project.eu or contact the technical coordinator Mattia Miglietta at mattia.miglietta@envipark.com or info@hypop-project.eu.
