Toyota Motor North America Inc. has established a hydrogen headquarters in Los Angeles County to promote the advancement of fuel cell technology.
The U.S. division of the Japanese automaker announced on May 1 the renaming of its research and development California office in Gardena as the new North American Hydrogen Headquarters, or H2HQ.
Toyota Motor North America Chief Executive Ted Ogawa said the company has been developing hydrogen fuel cell electric products for more than three decades and will continue to advance the zero-emission technology as part of its electrified portfolio.
“Renaming this facility as North American Hydrogen Headquarters represents our leadership in fuel cell development creating real-world products to help reduce carbon emissions,” Ogawa said in a statement.
The office workspace at the new headquarters was recently redesigned for its teams working from research and development to commercialization planning and sales of hydrogen-related products and technologies. There are plans to add key features to the campus in the future such as a flexible microgrid, sustainable customer education center and more, according to the company.
State Sen. Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) said he was pleased with Toyota locating its hydrogen headquarters in the state.
“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,” Newman said in a statement.
Toyota said H2HQ will drive North American-led hydrogen initiatives and support the localization of global hydrogen-related technologies.
The facility already provides impressive research and development assets, including Toyota’s largest dynamometer, a scalable test bench for stationary applications, and a hydrogen fueling station capable of providing fuel for both light- and heavy-duty vehicles, the automaker added.
Construction has begun on a flexible microgrid that features energy sources available today, including a 230-kW solar photovoltaic system, a 1-MW stationary proton exchange membrane fuel cell generator, 325-kW solid oxide fuel cell and an onsite 500-kWh battery energy storage system, the company said.The microgrid is designed to support the campus’ energy needs, allowing it to operate off-grid. The system is expected to be fully operational by 2026, Toyota said.
Future plans for Toyota’s North American Hydrogen HQ include a sustainable education center, available for tours by reservation.
