William S. Lerner, FRSA
William S. Lerner, FRSA, is a Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, a U.S. ANSI Registered Expert, for 20 ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Delegate and Working Group roles, has nine roles at S.A.E. (Society of Automotive Engineers), whose focus is on safety issues in transportation including fuel cell vehicles and battery electric vehicles. He taught a master class recently about ISO standards through his fellowship, Harvard and Cambridge University associations in the UK. Lerner is also an inventor and consultant who has received 14 U.S. Patents as an independent inventor, and recently filed three applications in the battery, hydrogen, fueling, safety and infrastructure areas. He is a published, peer-reviewed author for his groundbreaking work in fiber-optic technologies, and recently completed a certificate course with Rutgers University’s Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation UAS (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) Applications for Traffic Safety.
His full list of roles as of May 2023
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamslerner/
His patent 11,572,982 was issued on February 7th 2023: Hydrogen Fueling Safety Indicator. The patent title is a condensed summary of the work. The most recent interview about the work:
https://view.publitas.com/thehydrogenstandard/hydrogen-standard-issue-07/page/1
The article was featured at the SEC World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam last week and this week at World Hydrogen Leaders Hydrogen conference in Houston in 2023;
William S. Lerner- Professional Roles and Responsibilities
ISO - International Organization for Standardization:
ISO Delegate, US Registered Expert:
ANSI (American National Standards Institute)-Accredited U.S. Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) for:
ISO/TC 58, Gas cylinders
ISO/TC 58/SC 2, Gas fittings
ISO/TC 58/SC 3, Cylinder design
ISO/TC 58/SC 4 requirements for gas cylinders
ISO/TC 197 Hydrogen technologies
ISO/TC 220 Cryogenic vessels
We draft and vote on the safety, performance, explosive prevention, transportation, construction, instruction, etc., standards for 164 member countries. Additionally we report to the UN (United Nations) for Orange Book Standards. For example: TC 58-United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods – Model Regulations (the Orange Book). However, standards are on a five year cycle which means they are always stale, especially in the rapidly changing EV/ Hydrogen economy.
These WGs include hydrogen filling stations components, and composite cylinders. 197 WGs are responsible for the safety and performance of hydrogen filling stations, and dispensing equipment, for all participating countries. TC 58/SC 3/WG27 is responsible for cylinder design, which includes: Performance, safety and testing. My stakeholder category is: Industry and Commerce.
ISO TC58/SC 3/ WG27's standards proposals are now replacing the US (DOT- Department of Transportation) and Canada (Canadian Transportation Agency) national standards. This process is in place, and being implemented. The Working Group presents the proposals to the TAG for ballot. Additionally, I am a US voting delegate, and vote on the proposals. At any give time, there are roughly ten registered ANSI (American National Standard Institute) voting delegates per TAG who cast the standards vote for the USA.
Registered U.S. ANSI / ISO expert for 23 hydrogen roles:
ISO/TC 197/WG 30-Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle fuel system components
ISO/TC 197/WG 5-Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle refueling connection devices
ISO/TC 197/WG 18-Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle fuel tanks and Thermal Pressure Relief Device TPRD
ISO/TC 197/WG 22-Gaseous hydrogen fueling station hoses
ISO/TC 197/WG 23 Gaseous hydrogen fueling station fittings
ISO/TC 197/WG 24-Gaseous hydrogen fueling stations-general requirements,
Design and development process for fueling protocols, High Flow, Communications between vehicle and dispenser
ISO/TC 197/WG 19 Gaseous hydrogen fueling station dispensers-general requirements
ISO/TC 197/SC 1/WG 1 Methodology for Determining Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Production, Conditioning and Transport of Hydrogen
ISO/TC 197/WG 36 Gaseous hydrogen land vehicle refuelling connection devices: Cryo-compressed H2 gas.
ISO/TC 197/WG 1 Liquid hydrogen-Land vehicles fuel tanks
ISO/TC 197/JWG 5-ISO/TC 22/SC 41-ISO/TC 197 WG, Fuel system components and refueling connector for vehicles propelled by gaseous H2 or by blends of H2 and natural gas
ISO/TC 197/WG 21-Gaseous H2 fueling station compressors
ISO/TC 197/WG 33-Gaseous H2 fueling station fuel quality analysis
ISO/TC 197/WG 29-Basic considerations for the safety of H2 systems
ISO/TC 197/WG 34-H2 generators-water electrolysis test protocols
ISO/TC 58/SC 3/WG 17-Compressed natural gas cylinders: road vehicles
ISO/TC 58/SC 3/WG 27-Composite Cylinders
ISO/TC 58/SC 3/WG 33-Stainless steel gas cylinders
ISO/TC 58/SC 3/WG 7-Compatibility-gases and materials
ISO/TC 58/SC 2/WG 14-Inspection and maintenance of cylinder valves
ISO/TC 58/SC 2/WG 6-Gas cylinder valves-Specification and testing
ISO/TC 22/SC 41/JWG 5-Fuel system components and refueling connector for vehicles propelled by blends of natural gas and H2
WG 31-O-rings/ ISO 19880-7 Gaseous H2 fueling stations
WG 32-Hydrogen generators-water electrolysis
58/SC /WG11-Gas cylinders
197 WG 35 Liquid H2 Land Vehicle Fueling Protocol
Stakeholder Advisory Board Member
ELVHYS · Trøndelag, Norway
ELVHYS (Enhancing Safety of Liquid and Vaporized Hydrogen Transfer Technologies for Public Areas and Mobile Applications) International standards related to cryogenic hydrogen transferring technologies for mobile applications (filling of truck, ship, stationary tanks) are missing, and the experience is limited or non-existent. ELVHYS aims to provide indications on inherently safer and efficient cryogenic hydrogen technologies and protocols in mobile applications by proposing innovative safety strategies which will be the results of a detailed risk analysis. This is carried out by applying an inter-disciplinary approach and conducting experimental (at 550 acre test site), theoretical, and numerical studies both on the cryogenic hydrogen transferring procedures and on the phenomena that may arise from the loss of containment of a piece of equipment containing hydrogen. Unique investigations on cryogenic hydrogen transferring operations for selected mobile applications, equipment and materials response to liquid hydrogen (LH2) transfer and incident roots, as well as releases, combustion and explosion phenomena will be pursued. For the first time, a study on the frequency of failure of LH2 transferring equipment will be carried out by exploiting the internal databases of some of the eight consortium partners which contain valuable information collected in the last decades. In addition, critical data on innovative safety barriers (e.g. emergency release device) under development will be shared. In this fashion, critical inputs can be provided for the development of international standards by creating safe and optimised procedures and guidelines for cryogenic hydrogen transferring technologies. The results of ELVHYS will contribute to many objectives of the Clean Hydrogen JU SRIA such as increase the level of safety and support the development of regulations codes and standards for hydrogen technologies and applications
PHRYDE-Hydrogen Refueling for medium and heavy duty vehicles, and marine applicationsPHRYDE-Hydrogen Refueling for medium and heavy duty vehicles, and marine applications
PHRYDE Paris Metropolitan Region:
-PRHYDE is a European based project, funded by the FCH2 JU under the Horizon 2020 programme, looking at the current and future developments needed for refuelling medium and heavy duty hydrogen vehicles, predominantly road vehicles, but also other applications such
as rail and maritime. The project aims to investigate refuelling protocol requirements, and provide data for compressed (gaseous) hydrogen refuelling protocols developed for the 35, 50 and 70 MPa nominal working pressures, that is anticipated to help facilitate the future
standardisation of fueling protocols for medium and heavy duty vehicles.
AIChE - American Institute of Chemical Engineers · New York, United States .
The Center for Hydrogen Safety (CHS) is a global oriented non-profit dedicated to promoting hydrogen safety and best practices worldwide
Member, Peer Reviewed Author-Publication in global libraries.Member, Peer Reviewed Author-Publication in global libraries.
SPIE, The International Society for Optics and Photonics:
Peer Reviewed, published author:
Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7316:
Fiber Optic Sensors and Applications VI
Eric Udd; Henry H. Du; Anbo Wang, Editor(s)
Presented at SPIE's Defense, Sensing and Security Conference April 2009
Date Published: 27 April 2009
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 7316, Fiber Optic Sensors and Applications VI, 731612 (27 April 2009); doi: 10.1117/12.818356
Skills: First Responder Safety
Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training Alternative Fuel Vehicle Safety Training
Responding to Fuel Cell Vehicle Incidents Responding to Fuel Cell Vehicle Incidents
Responding to Gaseous Fueled Vehicle Incidents Responding to Gaseous Fueled Vehicle Incidents
Responding to Hybrid Electric Incidents Responding to Hybrid Electric Incidents
Transport of Hydrogen Fuel-ELA263 CHS Transport of Hydrogen Fuel-ELA263 CHS
AIChE - American Institute of Chemical EngineersAIChE - American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Fire Response Extrication of a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicle. ELA262:
AIChE - American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE -
First Responders Micro Training Learning Plan CertificateFirst Responders Micro Training Learning Plan Certificate
AIChE - American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Hydrogen Fueling Station Incident Response. ELA264Hydrogen Fueling Station Incident Response. ELA264
AIChE - American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Ventilation Considerations for Hydrogen SafetyVentilation Considerations for Hydrogen Safety
AIChE - American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Certificate for UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Application for Traffic Safety.
Rutgers UniversityRutgers UniversityIssued May 2021
Fellow, Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce
Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) is an award granted to individuals that the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) judges to have made outstanding achievements to social progress and development. The award recognizes the contributions of exceptional individuals from across the globe who have made significant contributions relating to the Arts, Manufacture and Commerce. Fellowship is only awarded to those who can demonstrate that they have made significant contributions to social change and support the mission of the RSA. Fellows of the RSA are entitled to use the post-nominal letters FRSA. The RSA was founded in 1754 and it’s founder William Shipley was an inventor and the creator of what we now know as “corporate philanthropy.” Charles Dickens, Adam Smith, Benjamin Franklin, Karl Marx, Steven Hawking, etc. Our current Patron is Queen Elizabeth, and our President is the Princess Royal, who took over the role from her father, the Duke of Edinburgh, in 2011.
S.A.E. - Hybrid and EV First and Second Responder Task Force, TEVHYB12-Committee Member. May 2018 to March 2023
xEVs involved in incidents present unique hazards associated with the high voltage system (including the battery system). These hazards can be grouped into 3 categories: chemical, electrical, and thermal. The potential consequences can vary depending on the size, configuration and specific battery chemistry. Other incidents may arise from secondary events such as garage fires and floods. These types of incidents are also considered in the recommended practice (RP). This RP aims to describe the potential consequences associated with hazards from xEVs and suggest common procedures to help protect emergency responders, tow and/or recovery, storage, repair, and salvage personnel after an incident has occurred with an electrified vehicle. Industry design standards and tools were studied and where appropriate, suggested for responsible organizations to implement.
Nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries used for vehicle propulsion power are the assumed battery systems of this RP. These battery chemistries are the prevailing technologies associated with high voltage vehicle electrification today and the foreseeable future. The hazards associated with these specific battery chemistries are addressed in this RP. Other chemistries and alternative propulsion systems including Fuel Cells are not considered in this version of SAE J2990.
S.A.E. - Fuel Cell Safety Task Force, TEFCWG6- Committee Member. May 2018 to March 2023
The scope of the Safety Task Force is to define safety requirements unique to hydrogen and fuel cell vehicles (FCVs). In-use and post-crash requirements for vehicular hydrogen storage and processing systems and high voltage electrical propulsion systems are addressed.
S.A.E. - Hybrid Communications and Interoperability Task Force-TEBHYB6 May 2018 to March 2023
The scope of the Hybrid Communications and Interoperability Task Force (TEVHYB6) is to establish the use cases, signals and messages and communication protocol along with interoperability and security for Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEV). This includes Smart Charging, DC (or Fast) Charging, using the PEV as a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) also known as Reverse Power Flow to a load or the grid or merely stabilizing voltage and frequency. Diagnostics, Customer to PEV communication and Wireless Charging are also included. The interoperability standards include the criteria for this added high level communication plus insures the EV Supply Equipment (EVSE), defined in J1772 and Grid Power Quality in the J2894 task forces are also included in this task forces’ Interoperability standards to insure PEV to EVSE and Grid interoperability. Security is included for wired and wireless protocols defined in this task force.
Hybrid - EV Committee- S.A.E. TEVHYB May 2018 to March 2023
The Hybrid Technical Standards Committee reports to the Powertrain Systems Group of the Motor Vehicle Council. The Committee is responsible for developing and maintaining S.A.E. Standards, Recommended Practices, and Information Reports related to the field of hybrid vehicle technology. The following topics are within the scope of this committee's work: safety aspects of hybrid systems in vehicles test procedures to establish the performance of hybrid systems and components nomenclature vehicle interface and serviceability requirements Participants in the S.A.E. Hybrid Technical Standards Committee include OEMs, suppliers, consulting firms, government, and other interested parties.
S.A.E. -TEVHYB10- J2954 Wireless Power Transfer and Alignment Task Force. May 2018 to March 2023
The S.A.E. J2954 standard establishes an industry-wide specification that defines acceptable criteria for interoperability, electromagnetic compatibility, EMF, minimum performance, safety, and testing for wireless power transfer (WPT) of light-duty plug-in electric vehicles. The specification defines various charging levels that are based on the levels defined for S.A.E. J1772 conductive AC charge levels 1, 2, and 3, with some variations. A standard for WPT based on these charge levels enables selection of a charging rate based on vehicle requirements, thus allowing for better vehicle packaging and ease of customer use. The specification supports home (private) charging and public wireless charging.
In the near term, vehicles that are able to be charged wirelessly under S.A.E. J2954 should also be able to be charged conductively by S.A.E. J1772 plug-in chargers.
S.A.E. J2954 addresses unidirectional charging, from grid to vehicle; bidirectional energy transfer may be evaluated for a future standard. This standard is intended to be used in stationary applications (charging while the vehicle is not in motion); dynamic applications may be considered in the future. In this version, only above-ground (surface mounted) installations are covered; flush mounted installations have been discussed but are not yet ready for inclusion.
S.A.E. J2954 contains requirements for safety, performance, and interoperability. It also contains recommended methods for evaluating electromagnetic emissions, but the requirements and test procedures are controlled by regulatory bodies. Development of the interoperability requirements in this standard employed a performance-based evaluation of candidate designs using a standardized test station and procedures, resulting in defining reference devices which are used to determine acceptable performance of products.
S.A.E. - Battery Safety Standards Committee-TEVVBC1. May 2018 to March 2023
Create and maintain battery safety standards and test procedures for use in the assessment, development and qualification of battery cells, modules, packs and systems.
S.A.E. - Battery System Connectors Committee-TEVVBC19. May 2018 to March 2023
The scope of the S.A.E. Battery Systems Connectors Committee is to develop guidelines and standards for battery system connectors and connecting systems that when followed will produce safe, reliable, durable, cost-effective, and recyclable battery system designs.
S.A.E. - Battery Transportation Committee, ISO Liaison Committee member-TEVBC4. May 2018 to March 2023
Establish best practices for environmental and safety transportation of batteries. Work in conjunction with all government regulations. Currently working on all battery storage issues, concerning new, used, depleted batteries and all fire, explosion, detonation, and environmental issues. Addressing first responder behaviours, fire department’s assessments and behaviours, central command center locations, etc. We are writing the guidelines that the DOT and EPA will be referring to concerning how to appropriately handle battery fires, in warehouses, car dealerships,and buildings. Currently there is a gross lack of education, information, and procedures on how to handle battery fires, from a single vehicle fire to a warehouse stocked with various types of batteries.
Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce- Sustainability Network, Steering Group Committee Member: We oversee a global network of 900 Fellows, and our work concerns advances in sustainability, climate change, sustainable behaviors, outreach, education, lobbying, legislative and voluntary standards, etc.
Stakeholder Advisory Board Member, Metrology for Hydrogen Vehicles 1. 2020 work on part 2 is underway (MetroHyVe)
• A large hydrogen infrastructure is currently in development across Europe however the industry faces the dilemma that they are required to meet certain measurement requirements (set by European legislation) that cannot currently be followed due to the lack of available methods and standards. The EMPIR Metrology for Hydrogen Vehicles will be the first large scale project of its kind that will tackle these measurement challenges. - The current state-of-the-art for the objectives above and the planned outcomes from this project are:
• Flow metering – Currently there is no capability for calibrating hydrogen flow meters to be used at HRSs for monitoring the amount of hydrogen dispensed into the vehicle up to pressures of 875 bar (required for stations providing hydrogen at NWP of 700 bar). The JRP will develop a gravimetric method to calibrate and verify flow meters with hydrogen at a NWP of 700 bar, as well as new methods which allow non-flammable substances to be used to calibrate these flow meters such as nitrogen, air or water.
• Hydrogen quality assurance – To support hydrogen purity testing as specified in ISO 14687 by developing traceable offline gas analysis methods, stable and accurate primary reference gas mixtures and the metrological tools to enable the introduction of low cost gas analyzers suitable for use by commercial gas analysis laboratories. In addition, to develop a robust method for accurately performing online measurement of particulates (to determine whether levels are above or below 1 mg/kg) in hydrogen provided at the refueling station, as specified in ISO 14687 (WP2, M1-36).
• Hydrogen quality control – To perform purity measurements of hydrogen following the implementation of quality control techniques specified in ISO 19880-8 and validate continuous online hydrogen purity analyzers for measuring canary species (the key impurities that guarantee global quality of the hydrogen) at the HRS (WP3, M1-36).
• Sampling – To develop a robust protocol for taking a representative sample of hydrogen gas from a refueling station and testing suitability of high pressure sampling vessels for delivering hydrogen to gas analysis laboratories for offline purity analysis; as required by ISO 14687 (WP4, M1-36).
• Creating impact – To facilitate the take up of the technology and measurement infrastructure developed in the project by the measurement supply chain (accredited laboratories, instrument manufacturers), standards developing organizations (ISO, CEN/CENELEC) and end users (hydrogen industry, vehicle manufacturers and suppliers) (WP5, M1-36).
The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), The Intelligent Transportation Joint Systems Program (ITS JPO), and The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITSA), and Smart Columbus Stakeholder:
• As the winner of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (U.S.DOT) first-ever Smart City Challenge, Columbus was awarded $50 million in grant funding and the designation as America’s Smart City. We’re using this opportunity to “become smart,” which starts with realizing the power of data through the Smart Columbus Operating System (SCOS). The U.S. Department of Transportation, The Intelligent Transportation Joint Systems Program (ITS JPO), and The Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITSA), are all joint programs of Smart Columbus.
The SCOS is designed to serve as the technological backbone of all current and future smart city projects. It will help us measure the performance and progress of the USDOT grant initiatives. It will share data that will inspire entrepreneurs and developers to create Columbus’ mobility services of the future. It will be serve the data that will fuel technology deployments within the USDOT grant scope, which include:
• Enabling Technologies
• A Connected Vehicle Environment, which will seek to enhance safety and mobility throughout the city's transportation system utilizing Connected Vehicle (CV) technologies and applications, with an emphasis on congested and high-crash intersections and corridors.
• Enhanced Human Services
• A Multimodal Trip Planning App with Common Payment System, which will make multimodal options easily accessible to all by providing a robust set of transit and alternative transportation options including routes, schedules and dispatching possibilities, while facilitating payment for multiple transportation systems in one common platform.
• Mobility Assistance for People with Cognitive Disabilities, which will allow travelers to request and view multiple trip itineraries and make reservations for shared-use transportation options such as bikeshare, transportation network companies and carshare.
• Prenatal Trip Assistance, to help reduce Columbus’ high infant mortality rate by helping expectant mothers get to prenatal care. o Smart Mobility Hubs, where someone getting on or off a Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTS) bus can easily access the next leg of their trip.
• Event Parking Management, which will integrate parking information from multiple providers into a single availability and reservation services solution.
• Emerging Technologies
• Connected Electric Autonomous Vehicles, which will serve to connect COTA riders to opportunities in the Easton area.
• Truck Platooning, which will help ensure the efficient and safe movement of logistics-related vehicles through the use of Intelligent Transportation Systems.
The Smart Columbus program will reorient Columbus to deliver more diversified and nimble transportation options by using data and a connected, complete network that supports healthy activity and a more attractive and sustainable urban form.
The Center for Automotive Research (CAR): Subject Matter Expert.
The Center for Automotive Research produces industry-driven research and analyses; develops forecasts; fosters dialogue and convenes forums; and publicly disseminates our research through events, our website, and the media. As an independent, non-profit, research organization with a multi- disciplinary approach, CAR engages with leaders in the global automotive industry to support technology advancements and improve the competitiveness of the U.S. automotive industry. We succeed through close collaboration and strong relationships with automakers, suppliers, industry associations, government, non-profits, labor organizations, and educational institutions.
S.A.E. Technical Standards Task Force: Identifying Disabled User Issues for ADS-DVs-Committee Member. May 2018 to March 2023
• Level 4 and 5 Automated Driving System-dedicated vehicles (ADS-DVs with no longitudinal/lateral controls) will eventually enable persons to travel at will who are otherwise unable to obtain a driver’s license for a conventional vehicle, Namely, persons with visual, physical, and/or cognitive impairments. The purpose of this task force is to gather and develop information on user specific issues to this non-driver population of ADS-DVs and their occupants. We will be looking at pick up and drop off issues for passengers in wheelchairs. The task force will conduct a literature review, as well as consult with advocates for the blind, disabled, elderly and those with varying forms of ability. We will be producing informative design benefits all users not just those with varying degrees of ability.
• For the stakeholder interviews, we are looking at formation Report that summarizes potential user issues for this community. The task force will work closely with other S.A.E. Committees (e.g., S&HF Steering Committee) on any work products created by this new task force. Including groups:
• People with disabilities, or varying forms of abilities.
• Advocates/occupational therapists and others in the space.
• Universal design, Inclusive design, and design for accessibility experts
• Government legislation or standards that are relevant or being introduced or discussed.
PRHYDE: Protocol for Heavy-Duty Hydrogen Refueling
• PRHYDE is a European based project, funded by the FCH2 JU under the Horizon 2020 programme, looking at the current and future developments needed for refuelling medium and heavy duty hydrogen vehicles, predominantly road vehicles, but also other applications such as rail and maritime. The project aims to investigate refuelling protocol requirements, and provide data for compressed (gaseous) hydrogen refuelling protocols developed for the 35, 50 and 70 MPa nominal working pressures, that is anticipated to help facilitate the future standardisation of fueling protocols for medium and heavy duty vehicles.
Rutgers University: Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation Certificate, UAS Applications for Traffic Safety. Completed 5-20-2021
UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems), alternatively UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) usage for law enforcement, and first responders. Usage for accident mapping and reconstruction using 4D and 3D mapping, Lidar, Thermal Imaging, Pix4D, and other state of the art information technologies. The use of UAS greatly reduces assessment of incident information, mapping and rescue strategies, crash reconstruction, structure inspection. FAA, LEAP, DOJ rules regulations, criminal and civil enforcement, etc.
American Society of Mechanical Engineers - ASME. Member.
S.A.E. International - Society of Automotive Engineers. Member
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Member.
SPIE - The International Society for Optics and Photonics, Member, Peer-reviewed, published author: Fiber Optics and Sensor Applications.
Holds 15 US Patents as an independent inventor, and has recently filed for three in the fields listed above.