Hydrogen in the Energy Transition: Challenges and Solutions for Environmental Safety in the Norte Fluminense Region

Abstract

The energy transition toward a low-carbon economy has driven global interest in technologies associated with hydrogen as a clean and versatile energy carrier. This article presents a critical analysis of the possibilities and challenges for implementing hydrogen transportation and storage infrastructure in the North Fluminense region, traditionally linked to the oil and gas sector. Using a multidisciplinary approach, technical, environmental, regulatory, and socioeconomic aspects were investigated, with emphasis on territorial feasibility and the risks associated with hydrogen embrittlement — a phenomenon that affects materials exposed to this element. The study highlights the most promising technological alternatives, such as geological storage in salt caverns and the use of materials resistant to hydrogen-induced degradation, in addition to addressing the need for regulatory updates, integrated environmental planning, and occupational safety protocols. The results indicate that, despite structural and environmental challenges, the region holds strategic potential to integrate into the hydrogen value chain, provided it is supported by coherent public policies, technical rigor, and social participation.