Task 3.4 lead: NPL | Partners involved: INiG & ENGIE
During the summer of 2026, as part of Task 3.4 activities, multiple field measurement campaigns at real-world facilities were undertaken. The goal of these field activities was to assess the methodologies developed for detecting and quantifying hydrogen leaks at a number of sites operating in different sectors of the hydrogen value chain, e.g. production, storage, and utilisation.
Between May and September 2026, four sites were attended by both the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and Instytut Nafty i Gazu (INiG). The sites were located in France (Lyon), Poland (Odolanow) and Italy (Cagliari). These sites consisted of hydrogen refuelling stations, storage and R&D facilities.
| Site | Component count | Leaks found | % leaking components |
| Lyon, France | 1913 | 9 | 0.47 |
| Odolanow, Poland | 522 | 3 | 0.57 |
| Cagliari, Italy | 1072 | 6 | 0.56 |
A further site in Spain is anticipated to be completed in late October, bringing the fieldwork activities to a close.
The campaigns at these facilities have outlined several circumstances which had not previously been considered, such as unexpected cross-interferences and the impact of ambient hydrogen from venting activities and larger leaks. This highlights the importance of campaigns at active facilities where these situations may be encountered and help to shape the methodology going forward.
