NOVAdev Inc., specializing in hydrogen transportation and storage technologies, aims to construct a large hydrogen test facility in California’s northern high desert area, Los Angeles. Named the California Hydrogen Test and Training Center, its primary goal is to advance hydrogen storage, refueling, and power systems for various modes of transport.
The chosen hydrogen site spans 200 to 400 acres in California’s Antelope Valley, a region renowned for hosting major test facilities utilized by industry leaders such as Lockheed, Northrop, Honda, Hyundai, Boeing, and NASA.
The facility will serve as a hub for engineering development and certification testing of hydrogen storage, fuel, and power systems, aiming to secure approvals from regulatory bodies like the Federal Aviation Administration, European Aviation Safety Agency, and the Department of Transportation.
The site layout includes five specialized cells, each tailored for specific development and certification testing aspects, accommodating large and small hydrogen systems. Additionally, an operations center will house essential infrastructure, including test monitoring stations, workshops, offices, and a hydrogen training center for both staff and clients. The testing scope encompasses a wide range of evaluations such as high- and low-cycle fatigue testing, high-pressure system testing, operational performance testing under varying temperatures (including solar radiation effects), and crash testing. Furthermore, the facility will facilitate ‘iron bird’ performance testing of fuel cell, turboelectric, and hybrid power systems, integrating them seamlessly with hydrogen storage and fuel delivery systems.
NOVAdev anticipates employing an initial full-time workforce of 10 to 15 employees, with plans for site development to commence in the first quarter of 2025.
According to Michael Kramer, founder and CEO of NOVAdev, the establishment of this facility signifies a substantial asset for the hydrogen industry. He emphasized that while hydrogen holds promise for sustainable transportation, the infrastructure for testing hydrogen systems at scale is currently lacking and cost-prohibitive. The California Hydrogen Test and Training Center’s goal is to fill this void by offering a unique and cost-effective solution to cater to the global demand for testing hydrogen storage and power systems development.
