Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) has re-established its R&D office as its new hydrogen headquarters focused on hydrogen-related products.
The office in California will now be known as the North American Hydrogen Headquarters (H2HQ), featuring renovated features to provide workspace for R&D in fuel cells and other hydrogen-based products.
The facility is expected to advance North American-led hydrogen initiatives and support the localisation of hydrogen technologies and products, including light and heavy-duty fuel cell applications, stationary fuel cell power generation and port vehicle applications. The facility already boasts a 1.2MW scalable test bench for stationary applications and a hydrogen fuelling station.
Looking ahead, Toyota plans to introduce a flexible microgrid, with construction currently underway. This will include a 230kW solar photovoltaic system, a 1MW stationary PEM fuel cell generator, a 325kW solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) and an onsite 500kWh battery energy storage system. This will support campus energy needs and be fully operational by 2026.
In addition, the company plans for a sustainable education centre, to allow users to learn more about Toyota’s vision of sustainability and hydrogen’s role within that.
This development follows the announcement of Toyota’s reorganised hydrogen business in Japan last year, creating a Hydrogen Factory. Toyota Motor Europe also announced its own Hydrogen Factory, to ensure the roll-out of hydrogen ecosystems and infrastructure across the continent.
Ted Ogawa, President and CEO of Toyota Motor North America, explained the renaming of the facility “represents our leadership in fuel cell development creating real-world products to help reduce carbon emissions.”
The Californian State Senator, District 29, Josh Newman, added, “The work done there [H2HQ], 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.”
H2HQ, formally TMNA R&D California, boasts more than 30 years of development and experience, instrumental in developing Toyota’s light-duty fuel cell-powered Mirai.
