Abstract

The rapid transformation of the energy sector, driven by decarbonization, hydrogen technologies, and increasing system complexity, is creating new challenges for process safety and risk management. Addressing these challenges requires not only advances in research but also the development of modern educational programs and the integration of digital technologies into safety engineering practice.  

This seminar presents an overview of completed and ongoing research activities in process and energy safety at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), with emphasis on hydrogen safety, AI-enabled hazard identification, and risk-informed decision-making for emerging energy systems. Selected case studies illustrate how digital tools and data-driven methods are being applied to improve hazard analysis, scenario generation, and safety-driven design.

In addition, the seminar introduces the development of KFUPM’s Process Safety Engineering Master’s Program and associated research initiatives, which aim to bridge academia and industry while preparing engineers to address evolving safety challenges in the energy transition. The talk concludes with perspectives on future research directions and opportunities for collaboration in advancing process safety in the era of digitalization and low-carbon energy systems.

Biography

Dr. Sunhwa Park is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), where she leads the SERiD Lab (Safety, Energy, Risk, and Industrial Digitalization). She is also the Coordinator and founding developer of the Process Safety Engineering Master’s Program, one of the first graduate programs in the region dedicated to advanced process safety education and research. Dr. Park received her Master’s degree in Process Safety Engineering and Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Texas A&M University. Before entering academia, she gained industrial experience at BASF Korea, DL E&C, LG Chem, and Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, working in plant operations, process design, research and development, and industrial risk assessment. Her research focuses on hydrogen safety, AI-enabled hazard identification, and risk-informed decision-making for low-carbon energy systems.