Cal State L.A. celebrates opening of its Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility, the only one of its kind in the U.S.

April 30, 2014

What:              California State University, Los Angeles will celebrate the grand opening of its new Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility on Wednesday, May 7, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The facility is the largest university-operated hydrogen plant of its kind in the U.S.

The grand opening and ribbon cutting is one of several events taking place during Investiture Week, which culminates Friday, May 9, with the inauguration of Cal State L.A.’s seventh President William A. Covino.

The event will feature remarks by: Cal State L.A. President William A. Covino; Richard Corey, executive officer of the California Air Resource Board (CARB); Jason Marcinkoski, technology development manager, U.S. Department of Energy; Steve Mazor, principal automotive engineer at the Automobile Club of Southern California; and Matt Miyasato, deputy executive officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Summary:      The Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility incorporates state-of-the-art equipment to test the technical and commercial viability of hydrogen produced on-site from water, as opposed to hydrogen from reforming natural gas. The station is also unique in its integration of technologies that will allow faculty researchers and students to work with emerging technology.

Cal State L.A. students, who represent the next generation of alternative fuel and advanced transportation specialists, will work toward improving the production capacity and efficiency of sustainably produced hydrogen fuel. The university has embarked on a multi-faceted effort to teach sustainable energy systems and engage in relevant applied research to mitigate the chronic problems of fossil fuel energy dependence and air pollution.

The growing hydrogen-using segment of the public will benefit a great deal from the station’s location, which is in close proximity to the convergence of four major freeways; the 10, the 5, the 60, and the 710. The 710 Freeway is the most polluted transportation corridor in California due to heavy truck traffic traveling to and from the Port of Los Angeles.

Significant advances in hydrogen production technology, such as fuel cells, hydrogen generation, storage, and deployment infrastructure are needed to create commercial viability and consumer confidence.

When:             Wednesday, May 7, 10 a.m.

Where:            The grand opening and ribbon cutting is taking place at the Hydrogen Research and Fueling Facility at Cal State L.A. The university is located at the Eastern Avenue exit, San Bernardino (I-10) freeway, at the interchange of the 10 and 710 freeways. Free parking is available in the upper level of Parking Structure C. Click here for a campus map.

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Working for California since 1947: California State University, Los Angeles is at the heart of a major metropolitan city, just five miles from Los Angeles’ civic and cultural center. More than 20,000 students and 230,000 alumni—with a wide variety of interests, ages and backgrounds—reflect the city’s dynamic mix of populations. Six Colleges offer nationally recognized science, arts, business, criminal justice, engineering, nursing, education and humanities programs, among others, led by an award-winning faculty. Cal State L.A. is home to the critically-acclaimed Luckman Jazz Orchestra and to the Honors College for high-achieving students. Programs that provide exciting enrichment opportunities to students and community include a NASA-funded center for space research and a forensic science program, housed in the Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center. www.calstatela.edu

 

04/30/14