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Hydrogen Technology Validation

Photo collage of a GM hydrogen fuel cell SUV on the road, a fuel cell hydrogen powered bus at a bus stop, a hydrogen fuel cell SUV at a filling station, and a hydrogen fuel cell forklift at an airport.

Technology validation is defined as confirmation that component and system technical targets have been met under realistic operating conditions. NREL's technology validation team is working to validate hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and refueling infrastructure as part of DOE's hydrogen 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.

Three major hydrogen technology validation efforts are underway at NREL: