Hydrogen Safety
Exploring remote hydrogen detection and monitoring to support safer operations.
Space-enabled industrial innovation
Green Hydrogen
Safety &
Monitoring
Exploring satellite-enabled hydrogen safety monitoring for distributed and hard-to-connect infrastructure.
AmbaSat is investigating how advanced hydrogen sensing, edge systems, resilient communications and cloud services can be combined into an integrated remote monitoring solution.
Talk to the project teamESA Business Applications
Supported feasibility study / AHMOS
Supported feasibility study / AHMOS
The challenge
Monitoring hydrogen
where connectivity cannot
be taken for granted.
Detecting a hydrogen release is only part of the challenge. Getting the right information to the right people quickly and reliably is just as important.
Hydrogen production, storage and distribution can involve geographically dispersed infrastructure, including industrial, remote and potentially unmanned locations.
Where conventional connectivity is limited or disrupted, operators still need timely visibility of safety-critical events. AmbaSat is exploring how specialist hydrogen sensing can be combined with resilient terrestrial and satellite communications to support that need.
The connected monitoring chain
From detection to decision.
A complete monitoring chain from sensing at the site to actionable information for the operator.
- 01
Hydrogen Sensor
Detect and measure
- 02
AmbaSat Gateway
Collect and process
- 03
Resilient Connectivity
Terrestrial + satellite
- 04
Cloud Platform
Store and analyse
- 05
Operator
Monitor, alert and respond
GNSS/PNT traceabilityTrusted time and location metadata for event records.
The opportunity
Building towards a practical
monitoring service.
Connected Monitoring
Providing visibility of remote and distributed infrastructure through resilient communications.
Industrial Applications
Investigating practical uses across hydrogen production, storage, transport and utilisation.
The ESA feasibility programme
Developing the technical
and commercial case.
AmbaSat is undertaking a 12-month feasibility study supported through the European Space Agency Business Applications programme.
The €250,000 study is investigating how hydrogen sensing, edge processing, resilient communications and cloud services could be combined into a practical remote monitoring service.
Alongside technical feasibility, the programme is examining the operational and commercial requirements of potential users — helping establish where satellite-enabled monitoring can provide genuine value.
- Study duration
- 12 months
- Feasibility programme
- €250k
- Supported through
- ESA Business
Applications - Programme location
- UK
Resilience by design
Connectivity beyond
the terrestrial network.
Satellite connectivity is not intended to replace conventional terrestrial communications.
Where reliable terrestrial networks are available, they will often remain the simplest communications path. The opportunity arises where infrastructure is remote, distributed or mobile, or where an independent communications path is needed for greater resilience.
The project is therefore investigating satellite as part of a hybrid communications architecture, extending monitoring into environments where connectivity cannot always be assumed.
Hybrid communications / concept
AmbaSat GatewayAt the remote asset
PATH ATerrestrialWhere available
PATH BSatelliteReach & resilience
Cloud platform & operatorOperational visibility
Requirements and availability under investigation.
Integrated thinking
A system-of-systems
approach.
The feasibility study considers the complete monitoring chain rather than a single sensor or communications technology.
Specialist hydrogen sensing provides the measurement capability, while AmbaSat is investigating the integration of edge processing, communications, cloud connectivity and operational information.
The study considers sensing performance, response time, equipment integration, communications resilience, satellite connectivity, cloud services and deployment constraints.
The objective is straightforward: identify the simplest viable architecture capable of delivering useful information reliably to hydrogen operators.
Led by operational needs
What does useful monitoring look like in practice?
Technical capability only matters if it addresses a real operational need. The feasibility study is therefore asking practical questions such as:
- How quickly does an operator need to know about an event?
- Which events require immediate notification?
- What information is needed to make a decision?
- Where does communications resilience add value?
- Could remote monitoring reduce operational burden or risk?
Technical engagement at Fraunhofer, Glasgow — AmbaSat, Teesside University and Fraunhofer teams discussing the hydrogen sensing concept.
Grounded in real operations
From the system concept
to the working environment.
The feasibility study combines system design with engagement across sensing, communications, hydrogen operations and potential end users.
Potential applications
Monitoring distributed
hydrogen infrastructure.
The feasibility programme is investigating applications across the developing hydrogen economy.
Production
Hydrogen generation facilities
Storage
Remote and distributed storage
Distribution
Pipelines and transport networks
Refuelling
Hydrogen refuelling infrastructure
Industrial Sites
Industrial and energy applications
Remote Infrastructure
Sites where connectivity cannot be assumed
Project ecosystem
Combining space, sensing
and industrial expertise.
The programme brings together expertise in hydrogen technology, sensing, communications, satellite systems and industrial operations.
AmbaSat is working with Teesside University and the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre as part of the feasibility study, alongside engagement with specialist technology organisations and hydrogen-sector stakeholders.
Prime Contractor - ESA / Business ApplicationsOfficial logo pending
Programme support 
Subcontractor Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre
Connect with the project
Help shape the future
of hydrogen monitoring.
We are engaging with hydrogen producers, infrastructure operators, equipment manufacturers, technology providers and potential end users throughout the feasibility programme.
If your organisation develops or operates hydrogen infrastructure — particularly in remote, distributed or connectivity-constrained environments — we would like to understand your monitoring requirements and operational challenges.