Toyota and FuelCell Energy have announced the completion of the world's first tri-gen system at Toyota's Port of Long Beach operations. The tri-gen system, owned and operated by FuelCell Energy, produces renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen, and water from directed biogas. FuelCell Energy has contracted with Toyota to supply tri-gen products under a 20-year purchase agreement.
The tri-gen system is an example of FuelCell Energy's ability to scale hydrogen-powered fuel cell technology, an increasingly important energy solution in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions. The tri-gen system will enable Toyota Logistic Services (TLS) Long Beach to be the company's first port vehicle processing facility in the world powered by onsite-generated, 100 percent renewable energy and represents the types of innovative and bold investments the company is making as part of its environmental sustainability strategy.
How Tri-gen Works
The tri-gen system uses an electrochemical process that converts directed renewable biogas into electricity, hydrogen, and water with a highly efficient, combustion-free process that emits virtually no air pollutants. The directed biogas comes from agricultural waste sources in California.
The tri-gen system produces 2.3 megawatts of renewable electricity, part of which will be off-taken by TLS Long Beach to support its operations at the port, which processes approximately 200,000 new Toyota and Lexus vehicles annually. The electricity will also power an onsite hydrogen refueling station that can dispense up to 1,200 kilograms of hydrogen per day. The hydrogen will be used to fuel Toyota's Mirai fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and Project Portal heavy-duty fuel cell electric trucks that operate at the port.
The tri-gen system also produces up to 1.2 million gallons of water per year as a byproduct of the electrochemical process. The water will be used for industrial purposes such as cooling towers or irrigation.
Benefits of Tri-gen
The tri-gen system offers multiple benefits for Toyota, FuelCell Energy, and the environment. Some of these benefits are:
- The tri-gen system reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 percent compared to conventional power generation sources.
- The tri-gen system supports Toyota's goal of achieving carbon neutrality across its operations by 2050.
- The tri-gen system showcases FuelCell Energy's expertise in developing and operating scalable, reliable, and resilient fuel cell solutions for various applications.
- The tri-gen system demonstrates how fuel cell technology can play a role in helping reduce emissions from commercial operations as a scalable system that can be implemented in a variety of settings and locations.
- The tri-gen system creates a circular economy of renewable energy and resources, where waste is converted into valuable products that can be reused or recycled.
Future Plans
Toyota and FuelCell Energy plan to expand their collaboration on tri-gen technology in the future. They are exploring opportunities to deploy similar systems at other Toyota facilities or locations where there is a demand for renewable electricity and hydrogen.
Toyota is also committed to promoting the adoption of hydrogen as a clean energy source for mobility and other sectors. Toyota has been a pioneer in developing and commercializing FCEVs, such as the Mirai sedan and the Project Portal truck. Toyota has also been supporting hydrogen infrastructure development, such as refueling stations and hydrogen production facilities.
FuelCell Energy is also advancing its fuel cell technology for various markets and applications. FuelCell Energy offers a range of fuel cell solutions that can generate power from natural gas, biogas, or hydrogen. FuelCell Energy's fuel cell solutions can provide baseload power, grid support services, microgrid capabilities, distributed hydrogen production, carbon capture, and more.
The tri-gen system at Toyota's Port of Long Beach operations is a milestone for both Toyota and FuelCell Energy. It is the world's first tri-gen system that produces renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen, and water from directed biogas. It is also the world's first port vehicle processing facility powered by onsite-generated, 100 percent renewable energy.
The tri-gen system is a testament to Toyota's and FuelCell Energy's vision and leadership in advancing fuel cell technology and hydrogen economy. It is also a model for how fuel cell technology can help reduce emissions from commercial operations and create a circular economy of renewable energy and resources.
