California State University, Los Angeles
IN-1: Innovation 1

The Cal State LA Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility (H2 Station) was formally opened on May 7, 2014. The station is capable of producing hydrogen onsite from renewable energy sources. On January 8, 2015 the Cal State L.A. Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility became the first station in the nation to sell hydrogen fuel by the kilogram to the public, a milestone in the commercialization of hydrogen in preparation for the next generation of fuel cell electric vehicles.

Cal State LA also participates in public policy through our H2 Station. Michael Dray, who heads the facility, is a deeply committed advocate for clean fuel. Dray, who has the full support of the university administration, sees advocacy as his responsibility—and his passion. In May of 2016, he and other staff and students, met with more than a dozen elected officials in a “round robin” to discuss hydrogen cars and clean fuel. Dray will attend the CEM 7 meeting in San Francisco on June 1. At this meeting, which is a follow-up to the Paris talks, he will again serve as an advocate for clean fuel. He will once again offer participants an opportunity to see a hydrogen car and will provide information via an exhibit.

Cal State LA's hydrogen station was funded by CARB, SCAQMD and MSRC, and provides key research data to the US DOE, CEC and CARB. Research at the hydrogen station is funded by the Dept. of Energy and presented annually at the DOE Merit Review. Cal State LA is also a member of the prestigious California Fuel Cell Partnership.

The station is one of the few stations among the 50-plus that are currently funded that is 100% renewable. It also has a social impact for our region and number of visitors (85% students) that come from neighboring communities. In the near future, it will enable Cal State LA to have two hydrogen shuttles transporting students potentially to the downtown campus (funded by CA Energy Commission).

In 2014, CHESC recognized the station with the Best Practice award for Sustainable Transportation. In Winter 2016, students in a Fuel Cell Applications course participated in the 2016 Hydrogen Student Design Contest: Development of a Hydrogen Powered Microgrid for Grid Services and Back-up. The students used campus energy consumption data to establish the baseline and needed microgrid capacity, and expect to hear results in June 2016.

In the last 18 months, more than 10,000 people have visited Cal State LA’s hydrogen fueling station. Visitors travel from across the nation and around the world to tour the facility. Dray and his team are leaders in the field, and widely acknowledged as such. They are sought out by others--representatives of municipalities, entrepreneurs--- who want to open a hydrogen station. They and the hydrogen fueling station are valuable resources.

Additional information:

http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/publicat/cal-state-la-hydrogen-station-becomes-first-california-be-certified-sell-fuel

http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/publicat/cal-state-la-hydrogen-research-facility-wins-sustainability-best-practice-award

http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/newsrel/DOEgrant-hydrogendata.htm

http://www.sgvtribune.com/environment-and-nature/20140507/cal-state-los-angeles-joins-the-hydrogen-highway

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2015/01/20150121-csula.html