Toyota opens new tri-gen system at U.S.A port

Toyota Motor North America and fuel cell company FuelCell Energy have completed a first-of-its-kind 'Tri-gen system' at Toyota's Port of Long Beach in California, U.S.A.

The system utilises an electrochemical process that converts directed renewable biogas into electricity, hydrogen, and usable water with a highly efficient, combustion-free process that emits virtually no air pollutants. Toyota states that the system enables Toyota Logistic Services Long Beach to be the company's first port vehicle processing facility in the world powered by onsite-generated, 100% renewable energy

The electricity generated from the system will be used to power operations at the port, which processes approximately 200,000 new Toyota and Lexus vehicles annually, while the hydrogen generated will be supplied to a nearby heavy-duty hydrogen refuelling station, also to support logistics and drayage operations at the port. Finally, the 5,300 litres of water co-produced per day from the system will be used for car wash operations for vehicles that come into port prior to customer delivery, helping to decrease the use of constrained local water supplies.

FuelCell Energy has contracted with Toyota to supply the products of Tri-gen under a 20-year purchase agreement.