With over 80 years in measurement and analysis, HORIBA is a trusted name in precision measurement, quality control, and technological innovation. Our evolution into the hydrogen field is a natural step in our mission to support the global shift toward decarbonization. By leveraging strategic partnerships, state-of-the-art facilities, and a complete product portfolio, we now provide hydrogen testing-as-a-service—offering cutting-edge testing solutions for single fuel cell, fuel cell stacks, fuel cell systems (FCS), electrolyzer-modules, and for any modules from hydrogen-based equipment.
To meet the growing needs of this dynamic industry, HORIBA established a Hydrogen Center of Excellence in Lyon, France—one of Europe’s most dynamic industrial and research ecosystems. This multi-user facility is designed to accelerate hydrogen technology development, from R&D to industrial-scale deployment.
A Legacy of Innovation, Now Powering the Hydrogen Transition
Contact us to accelerate your hydrogen testing today.
At the heart of HORIBA’s hydrogen testing-as-a-service (TaaS) is a simple yet powerful concept: make hydrogen testing safe, simple, and scalable. The test benches and the entire facility are designed to ensure maximum operator safety, with ATEX-compliant infrastructure and robust protection protocols in place. The benches and the plant feature modularity, allowing it to adapt seamlessly to a wide range of customer needs—from single PEM fuel cell testing to complete fuel cell system evaluation or electrolyzer-module validation.
Every test bench is available as a Plug & Play solution, fully equipped and immediately operational. Thanks to the use of automation software, tests are executed with minimal manual input, reducing complexity while enhancing precision. Clients gain access to accurate, reliable data—fast, secure, and fully confidential—so they can focus on innovation, not infrastructure.
Testing in the hydrogen field is essential to ensure safety, performance, and long-term reliability of hydrogen technologies. For fuel cell stacks, testing verifies key parameters such as tightness, activation, efficiency, and durability under various operating conditions. For fuel cell systems, comprehensive testing is crucial to validate the integration of components, optimize control strategies, and ensure consistent performance over time.
Hydrogen testing-as-a-service enables developers to innovate faster while meeting regulatory, safety, and quality requirements.
HORIBA’s hydrogen testing-as-a-service gives users fast, flexible, and highly secure access to world-class hydrogen testing infrastructure—without the need for heavy investment in their own facilities. Users benefit from immediate test readiness thanks to fully equipped and calibrated test benches, all essential utilities, and automation software. The center’s modular setup allows for customized test configurations that match specific R&D or quality control needs, while individualized test areas ensure complete confidentiality.
With HORIBA’s experienced engineers available for support or full test execution, clients gain high-quality data, operational efficiency, and peace of mind. TaaS enables rapid results, shortens development cycles, and enhances product reliability—ultimately accelerating innovation and reducing time-to-market.
Hydrogen Test Center in Lyon: Purpose-Built for Hydrogen Testing-as-a-Service
We offer a fully equipped infrastructure including hydrogen and nitrogen supply, high- and low-temperature cooling systems, water treatment, calibrated sensors, and extensive electrical power. Every element is optimized to support efficient and secure test execution.
Testing single fuel cell is essential for driving innovation in clean energy technology. These tests allow researchers and engineers to deeply understand the performance, efficiency, and durability of new materials, components, and designs under controlled conditions. From optimizing catalysts and membranes to analyzing gas and water management, single cell testing provides critical insights that accelerate development and improve system reliability. Whether for academic research or product development, testing a single fuel cell is the foundation for scaling up to full systems and advancing next-generation fuel cell solutions.
Testing PEM fuel cell stacks is a crucial step in transitioning from laboratory innovation to real-world application. These tests provide valuable insights into the stack’s overall performance, durability, and thermal management under realistic operating conditions. By analyzing voltage uniformity, pressure drop, gas distribution, and water balance across multiple cells, engineers can identify inefficiencies, optimize system design, and ensure safe, reliable operation. Stack testing is essential for validating new materials, improving integration into vehicles or stationary systems, and accelerating the development of scalable, high-efficiency hydrogen energy solutions.
Testing PEM fuel cell systems for mobility and other applications is essential to ensure performance, safety, and reliability in real-world conditions. These tests simulate dynamic environments—such as those found in vehicles, drones, or backup power systems—allowing engineers to optimize system integration, thermal management, and control strategies. By evaluating start-up behavior, transient response, and system durability, testing helps refine designs for efficiency and compliance with industry standards. Whether for automotive, aerospace, or stationary power, system-level testing is key to delivering robust, high-performance hydrogen solutions ready for commercial deployment.
TaaS is not limited to standard testing—it includes custom engineering and special development to match a user’s unique requirements. Whether it is adapting a test bench configuration, integrating new sensors or control systems, or developing bespoke test scenarios, HORIBA’s team is ready to collaborate. With a strong focus on R&D, we support specific application development, test bench evolution, and software customization through platforms like STARS® Test Automation Software and TestWork®. This flexible, collaborative approach ensures your test environment evolves with your technology, offering you a true partner in innovation.
HORIBA’s Hydrogen TaaS model offers scalable support for hydrogen development programs by providing multiple levels of operational flexibility. Whether you prefer to run tests independently, collaboratively, or rely entirely on HORIBA’s expert team, we offer a mode that fits your needs. The table below outlines the available operational models, highlighting who operates the test, standard operating procedure (SOP) requirements, and the types of outputs you can expect.
Key Benefits of HORIBA’s Hydrogen TaaS:
| Mode | Who Operates | SOP Required? | Output | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Customer | Customer | Yes | Raw data |
| 2. | Shared | Customer + HORIBA | Preferred | Raw or processed data |
| 3. | HORIBA | HORIBA | Optional | Raw or processed data + test |
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