California University First In State Certified To Sell Hydrogen

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Cal State L.A. now has the first hydrogen fueling station in California certified to sell the fuel by the kilogram.

The university’s Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility received its approval this month after undergoing and passing “a rigorous state performance evaluation.” The fueling station, which opened in May 2014, is the largest on-campus hydrogen fueling station in the United States, and produces hydrogen from solar and wind power.

Cal State president William A. Covino said the station not only plays “a crucial role in helping situate California as a national leader in zero emission vehicles,” but gives the university a chance to work on “cutting-edge research and technology initiatives with government agencies” on its path to improving air quality in Los Angeles and other cities in the U.S.

Visitors to the station include prototypes from the likes of Audi, Hyundai and General Motors, whose tanks can hold up to six kilograms of hydrogen, each kilogram good for 50 miles of travel. The station, located near downtown Los Angeles and Interstates 10 and 5, can fill these tanks in six minutes.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • Stevelyon Stevelyon on Jan 26, 2015

    Is this somehow different than the way stations have already been selling Hydrogen in California for years now? There's a hydrogen Shell station just down the street from my apartment, and the map on the California Fuel Cell partnership website, which hasn't been updated in awhile, says there are already 8 stations in the state.

  • Redav Redav on Jan 26, 2015

    Additional information that would have been useful: - Current price of hydrogen at this station And then, just because I'm a smart-as: - What efficiency losses to do they observe with converting the electricity generated from wind & solar to get the hydrogen.

    • See 2 previous
    • WheelMcCoy WheelMcCoy on Jan 26, 2015

      "And then, just because I’m a smart-as: – What efficiency losses to do they observe with converting the electricity generated from wind & solar to get the hydrogen." You go to the head of the class. It's a university and you are asking a fair question.

  • Sigivald Sigivald on Jan 26, 2015

    By the kilogram? What is this, *Russia*? (I kid. But it's funny. Do they get fined if they sell it by the pound?)

    • SCE to AUX SCE to AUX on Jan 26, 2015

      Since it's cheaper by the pound, it would cost less to fill up, right?

  • JimC2 JimC2 on Jan 27, 2015

    "a crucial role in helping situate California as a national leader in zero emission vehicles" Um, hydrogen fueled engines still make some emissions (NOx), so shouldn't this statement be "near-zero emission" or "ultra-low emission?" Words have meaning, Mr. President, and your fine institution is using taxpayer money to teach science to the intellectual elite of our youth. ;)

    • SunnyvaleCA SunnyvaleCA on Jan 27, 2015

      Since the wind farms are now being used to produce "zero emission" hydrogen, our electrical power supply is now generated from a higher mix of non-zero-emission sources. Worse, since hydrogen generation and use is so inefficient, we'd have overall lower emissions by canceling the H2 cars, moving to natural gas cars (filled right at home using existing infrastructure!), and using the freed up wind generation to power the electrical grid. Look on the bright side... hydrogen cars will make ethanol from corn look like a stroke of genius!

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