UNIHYS Reveals Root Causes of Hydrogen Accidents and Proposes Safety Roadmap for Vietnam at 2025 Workshop
HO CHI MINH CITY – In one of the most data-driven and critical presentations at the Vietnam-ASEAN Hydrogen Human Resources Workshop 2025, Ms. Heejeong Kim, Senior Manager at UNIHYS Co., Ltd. of Korea, delivered a compelling analysis of hydrogen safety, drawing from half a decade of incident data in Korea and proposing concrete solutions for Vietnam's nascent hydrogen industry.
Her presentation, titled "Korea's Hydrogen Safety Innovation: Forging a Path Through Management and International Cooperation," served as both a stark warning and a strategic guide for Vietnamese stakeholders.
A Data-Backed Look at Hydrogen Risks
Ms. Kim's presentation was grounded in a detailed analysis of 18 hydrogen accidents in Korea from 2020 to 2025, based on reports from the Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS). The data revealed clear, recurring patterns:
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75% of accidents were caused by leaks at pipes, flanges, and nipple connections.
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50% involved failures of valves and joint components.
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30% were explosions caused by residual hydrogen during maintenance.
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The majority of incidents (12 out of 18) occurred at manufacturing facilities and industrial piping systems, highlighting them as the highest-risk areas.
"The data clearly shows that the majority of problems originate from connection points and maintenance procedures," Ms. Kim emphasized. "This is a critical lesson for Vietnam to integrate from the very beginning of its infrastructure development to prevent a repeat of these incidents."
UNIHYS's Technological Countermeasures
Moving from problem to solution, Ms. Kim introduced UNIHYS's innovative H2 200bar Hose Assembly. This integrated system is designed to address the root causes of accidents through several key features:
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An Excess Flow Valve (EFV): Automatically shuts off the hydrogen flow upon detecting a major leak, preventing a continuous release.
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A proprietary HYS Seal: Boasts a ninefold increase in durability compared to conventional seals, directly addressing the common failure of sealing components.
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A Non-Sparking Torque Wrench: Eliminates ignition risks during maintenance and installation.
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Overall System Benefits: The design not only prevents fires, explosions, and leaks but also claims a 70% improvement in work efficiency due to its low-torque requirement.
Ms. Kim noted that the system has undergone comprehensive reliability and safety verification through 14 separate tests, complying with international standards KS ISO 19880-5 and ISO 16964.
A Strategic ODA Proposal for Vietnam
Recognizing Vietnam's significant hydrogen potential, as outlined in the National Hydrogen Energy Development Strategy (Decision No.165/QD-TTg), Ms. Kim presented a formal proposal for Official Development Assistance (ODA) cooperation. This program would focus on:
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Predicting Potential Risks and Formulating a Proposal: Investigating Vietnam's specific H2 mobility demand, infrastructure operations, and refueling methods.
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Developing Safety Standards: Conducting a feasibility study with KGS to propose tailored safety standards for Vietnamese hydrogen refueling stations.
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Implementation with Training: Installing UNIHYS safety technologies and implementing comprehensive training programs to build local human resource capacity.
"Vietnam has the unique opportunity to 'leapfrog' by building a world-class safety framework from the outset, learning from Korea's experiences," Ms. Kim concluded. "UNIHYS is committed to partnering with Vietnam on its journey to build a sustainable and, most importantly, safe hydrogen industry."
The presentation was widely regarded as a vital contribution, providing actionable insights and a clear partnership pathway to de-risk Vietnam's hydrogen ambitions.
