Energy Procurement, Industrial, Sourcing Renewables  -  November 30, 2017

Toyota plans hybrid fuel cell plant, hydrogen station

As automakers around the globe accelerate their transition to lower-carbon fuel and power sources, Toyota Motor North America Inc. announced plans to build the world's first megawatt-scale carbonate fuel cell power generation plant with a hydrogen fueling station.

The Tri-Gen facility will support the company's operations at the Port of Long Beach, using bio-waste sourced from California agricultural waste to generate water, electricity and hydrogen, Toyota announced Nov. 30 at the Los Angeles Auto Show. 

When it comes online in 2020, Tri-Gen will generate approximately 2.35 megawatts of electricity and 1.2 tons of hydrogen per day, enough to power the equivalent of about 2,350 average-sized homes and meet the daily driving needs of nearly 1,500 vehicles, according to a news release. The power generation facility will be 100% renewable, supplying Toyota Logistics Services' operations at the Port and making it the first Toyota facility in North America to use 100% renewable power.

"For more than twenty years, Toyota has been leading the development of fuel cell technology because we understand the tremendous potential to reduce emissions and improve society," Doug Murtha, group vice president of strategic planning said in a statement. "Tri-Gen is a major step forward for sustainable mobility and a key accomplishment of our 2050 Environmental Challenge to achieve net zero CO2 emissions from our operations."

The Japanese automobile manufacturer said the plant marks a key step forward as it works to develop a hydrogen society:

In addition to serving as a key proof-of-concept for 100% renewable, local hydrogen generation at scale, the facility will supply all Toyota fuel cell vehicles moving through the Port, including new deliveries of the Mirai sedan and Toyota's Heavy Duty hydrogen fuel cell class 8 truck, known as Project Portal. To support these refueling operations, Toyota has also built one of the largest hydrogen fueling stations in the world on-site with the help of Air Liquide.

The project was developed by FuelCell Energy with the support of the U.S. DOE,  California agencies including the California Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Orange County Sanitation District, and the University of California at Irvine, whose research helped develop the core technology. 

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