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Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technology Validation

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Learning Demonstration Validates Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles and Infrastructure in a Real-World Setting

Two icons depict a fuel cell car (left) and hydrogen infrastructure (right). The cars icon is a drawing of a car with a water droplet at the gas tank. The infrastructure icon is a drawing of a hydrogen fueling nozzle.

NREL analyzed seven years of real-world validation data, validated key DOE technical targets, and published 99 composite data products.

More Than 1,000 Fuel Cell Systems Deployed through DOE ARRA Funding

Graphic of bar chart showing the number of ARRA-funded fuel cell units in operation by calendar quarter from fourth quarter 2009 project through second quarter 2012. The number increases quickly over two years from near zero to more than 1,000.

Early market end users are operating 1,111 fuel cell units at 301 sites in 20 statesPDF with funding from DOE and analysis by NREL.

Fuel Cell Analysis Helps Improve Status of New Technology

Graphic of chart showing cumulative lab data operation hours and dates. Hours range from 0 to 100; dates range from 2008 through 2011. The data set count includes 82 data sets analyzed, 78% retired; 39 new data sets since May 2011; and eight composite data products (CDPs), five of which are new as of May 2011

Manufacturers are developing fuel cells for a variety of applications. NREL durability and performance analysis helps developers identify areas for improvement.

Interactive Map Shows Cost of Producing Hydrogen from Wind

Graphic of U.S. map representing the viability of producing renewable hydrogen at wind sites across the contiguous 48 states, using shaded circles to represent wind sites.

NREL analysis reveals the cost of producing hydrogen from wind-based water electrolysis at potential sites across the United States.

Technology validation is defined as confirmation that component and system technical targets have been met under realistic operating conditions. The NREL technology validation team works on validating hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles; hydrogen fueling infrastructure; and fuel cell use in early market applications such as material handling, backup power, and prime-power applications. The team also analyzes the current status of state-of-the-art laboratory fuel cell technologies, with a focus on performance and durability. This work supports the Department of Energy's hydrogen and fuel cell technology validation activity.

Technology validation projects involve gathering extensive data from the systems and components under real-world conditions, analyzing this detailed data, and then comparing results to technical targets. While the raw data is protected by NREL, analysis results are aggregated into public results called composite data products. These public results show the status and progress of the technology, but don't identify individual companies.

Four major hydrogen and fuel cell technology validation efforts are underway at NREL. Visit the following pages to see project highlights, analysis results, and detailed reports and presentations:

Subscribe to the biannual Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Technology Validation newsletter, which highlights recent technology validation activities at NREL.