Toyota Plans Large Hydrogen Generation Station in California

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to open what it describes as the world’s first megawatt-scale carbonate fuel cell power generation plant and fueling station at California’s Port of Long Beach.

The Tri-Gen system developed by Danbury, Conn.-based FuelCell Energy Inc. will convert waste materials—including manure from California farms—into hydrogen, electricity and water.

Toyota says the facility, which is due to open in 2020, will generate approximately 2.35-mW of electricity and 1.2 tons of hydrogen per day. The output would be enough to power the equivalent of about 2,350 homes and meet the daily driving needs of nearly 1,500 vehicles, according to the carmaker.

The power generation facility will supply Toyota Logistics Services’ operations at the port, supporting all Toyota fuel cell vehicles moving through the Port. This includes the company’s Mirai sedan and Class 8 fuel cell truck.

FuelCell Energy developed the Tri-Gen system in conjunction with the U.S. Dept. of Energy and California’s Air Resources Board, South Coast Air Quality Management District, Orange County Sanitation District and the University of California at Irvine.