Hydrogen Infrastructure Testing and Research Facility
The Hydrogen Infrastructure Testing and Research Facility (HITRF) at NREL's Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) consists of hydrogen storage, compression, and dispensing capabilities for fuel cell vehicle fueling and component testing.
The HITRF is the first facility of its kind in Colorado and is available to industry for use in research and development activities. In addition to fueling fuel cell electric vehicles, the HITRF serves as a proving ground for component, system, and control testing. The facility is representative of current commercially available hydrogen fueling stations, enabling NREL to validate current industry standards and methods for hydrogen fueling as well as perform testing for next-generation technology and controls.
Integrated with the ESIF building, the HITRF provides a hydrogen distribution network to multiple ESIF labs researching hydrogen production through renewable electrolysis, fuel cell manufacturing and testing, high-pressure component testing, and hydrogen sensor testing.
Applications
The HITRF offers a flexible laboratory setup to support many of NREL's existing hydrogen and fuel cell research and development projects, spanning individual components to whole systems. NREL is using the HITRF to:
- Develop, quantify performance of, and improve renewable hydrogen production methods
- Evaluate fuel cell electric vehicle technologies and system configurations
- Validate hydrogen infrastructure components and fueling protocols
- Assess and validate safety, codes, and standards.
Specifications
Available hydrogen storage, compression, and dispensing capabilities include:
- 700 bar (70 MPa, 10,000 psi) fast filling
- 350 bar (35 MPa, 6,000 psi) filling
- SAE J2601 and MC method fueling protocols
- 365 kilograms of hydrogen storage
- Automatic shutoff when filling is complete.
Contact
Katherine Hurst
Group Manager
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