Storm-induced Natech vulnerability of safety barriers in large-scale liquid hydrogen storage systems

The ongoing transition toward large-scale liquid hydrogen (LH₂) storage systems, both onshore and offshore, introduces new safety challenges associated with cryogenic operating conditions and increased exposure to natural hazard-triggered technological (Natech) accidents. In parallel, the adoption of novel insulation concepts, essential to improve thermal efficiency and reduce boil-off losses, brings new uncertainties regarding the behaviour and long-term reliability of safety barriers. Within this context, the present work investigates the interaction between storm-related natural hazards and selected safety barriers installed on large-scale stationary LH₂ storage tanks. The analysis focuses on representative preventive, mitigative and detection barriers adopting a structured What-If-based approach to identify how physically plausible storm-induced damage mechanisms may compromise their functional performance. Particular attention is devoted to storm-related Natech events, including strong winds, heavy precipitation and flooding, storm surge and lightning, with the aim of highlighting specific barrier vulnerabilities and potential escalation pathways. The results provide qualitative insights into the resilience (in terms of functional robustness) of safety barriers under storm conditions and offer elements that may inform future resilience-oriented safety assessments and the development of guidelines for large-scale LH₂ storage systems.

Keywords: Liquid hydrogen, Storage tank, Safety barrier, Natech risk, What-If-based approach.