GARDENA, Calif. (May 1, 2024) – Reaffirming its dedication to assist gasoline cell and extra hydrogen-related merchandise and know-how towards a hydrogen financial system, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) in the present day introduced that it’s renaming the TMNA R&D California workplace as its new North American Hydrogen Headquarters (H2HQ). The workplace workspace on the new H2HQ was not too long ago redesigned for its groups working from analysis and improvement to commercialization planning and gross sales of hydrogen-related merchandise and applied sciences. There are plans so as to add key options to the H2HQ campus sooner or later comparable to a versatile microgrid, sustainable buyer training middle and extra.

“Toyota has developed hydrogen fuel cell electric solutions for more than three decades, and we will continue to advance this scalable, zero-emission technology as part of our electrified portfolio,” stated Ted Ogawa, President and CEO, Toyota Motor North America. “Renaming this facility as North American Hydrogen Headquarters represents our leadership in fuel cell development creating real-world products to help reduce carbon emissions.”

Last yr, Toyota Motor Corporation reorganized its hydrogen enterprise in Japan to create what it calls “Hydrogen Factory” with the thought to deliver all hydrogen-related work beneath one location and speed up customer-oriented product improvement and manufacturing in gasoline cell or hydrogen-related merchandise. Then, Toyota Motor Europe introduced its personal “Hydrogen Factory” with the purpose to additional develop Toyota’s hydrogen enterprise and stimulate wider roll-out of hydrogen ecosystems and infrastructure throughout Europe.

H2HQ will drive North American-led hydrogen initiatives and assist the localization of worldwide hydrogen-related applied sciences and merchandise that embrace light-duty gasoline cell functions, heavy-duty gasoline cell alternatives, stationary gasoline cell energy era, port car functions and extra. The facility already offers spectacular analysis and improvement property, together with Toyota’s largest dynamometer (1.2 MW), a scalable take a look at bench for stationary functions, and a hydrogen fueling station able to offering gasoline for each light- and heavy-duty autos. Moreover, as a part of its plans to stay and develop gasoline cell management, NA H2HQ will probably be residence to a number of new tasks within the coming years.

“I’m very pleased that Toyota is building on its longstanding commitment to California by locating its North American hydrogen headquarters here in the Golden State,” stated California State Senator, District 29, Josh Newman. “The work done there, along with green hydrogen initiatives throughout the state, is propelling California toward a dynamic, clean-energy economy which will also reduce carbon emissions and foster environmental stewardship while extending California’s leadership in this important space.”

Construction has begun on a versatile microgrid that options vitality sources out there in the present day, together with a 230-kW photo voltaic photovoltaic system, a 1-MW stationary proton change membrane (PEM) gasoline cell generator, 325-kW stable oxide gasoline cell (SOFC), and an onsite 500-kWh battery vitality storage system. The microgrid is designed to assist the campus’ vitality wants, permitting it the flexibility to function off-grid. The system is anticipated to be totally operational by 2026.

“California has ambitious goals to achieve clean air, carbon neutrality and a vibrant economy. Toyota’s investment to expand their research and development of hydrogen fuel cell technology in our state is an example of the innovation that will accelerate the development and deployment of zero-emissions transportation options, particularly as we decarbonize the goods movement sector,” stated CARB Chair Liane Randolph.

In the longer term, Toyota’s plans for the brand new North American Hydrogen HQ will embrace a sustainable training middle, out there for excursions by reservation. The middle will probably be a spot for individuals to be taught extra about Toyota’s imaginative and prescient of sustainability and the function that hydrogen will play.

30+ Years of Development
From creating one of many world’s first mass market passenger gasoline cell electrical autos within the Mirai, to making use of and scaling the know-how now to different functions that may profit from zero-emissions, together with heavy-duty transport, power generation systems, and others, Toyota’s analysis and improvement with hydrogen gasoline cell know-how spans greater than 30 years.

For a lot of that point, the Gardena workplace supported or initiated a variety of gasoline cell electrical tasks. To share some latest examples, the Fuel Cell Development (FCD) group was instrumental in supporting the event of Toyota’s light-duty Mirai, launched again in 2015, and the group collaborated with trade companions to assist assist infrastructure progress by the state of California.

In 2017, to deal with decarbonization efforts at native ports, Toyota’s FCD group helped show the scalability of gasoline cell know-how after it acquired a Class 8 truck and fitted it with a gasoline cell electrical powertrain consisting of two Mirai fuel-cell stacks. This effort then led to a collaboration with PACCAR’s Kenworth model to construct 10 proof-of-concept vehicles, vehicles used to assist the “Shore to Store” ZANZEFF venture that proved the viability of hydrogen-powered gasoline cells as a zero-emission powertrain in heavy-duty functions. PACCAR and Toyota later agreed in 2023 to pursue commercialization of the venture, with Toyota supplying the gasoline cell powertrain kits from its Kentucky plant as a Tier 1 provider.

Most not too long ago, Toyota has demonstrated a non-automotive alternative for hydrogen-powered gasoline cell know-how in stationary energy era. Toyota and TRD partnered to construct a stationary unit to offer electrical energy at occasions the place it was not available, launching the primary public activation at an LPGA Tour cease the place the unit supported the facility wants of the occasion stage and sound system. The resolution supplied clear, quiet energy that was confirmed to capably substitute conventional diesel turbines. Last yr, Toyota constructed a 1MW gasoline cell electrical generator for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Colorado to assist microgrid testing on the facility. And lastly, earlier this yr, Toyota collaborated with Kohler on a prototype stationary generator to offer backup emergency energy for Klickitat Valley Health hospital in Goldendale, Washington.

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