Transforming Waste into Clean Energy

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Toyota’s main California port is home to an innovative processing facility that uses waste to produce clean energy. FuelCell Energy Inc. has built a plant called Tri-gen, which converts biogas from a nearby anaerobic digester into electricity, hydrogen, and usable water. This unique facility will aid Toyota’s port operations for the next 20 years, providing clean energy solutions that help reduce environmental impact.

Clean Energy for Toyota’s Operations

The electricity generated by the Tri-gen plant will be used to power operations at Toyota Logistics Services in Long Beach. It will also be used to charge electric vehicles that arrive by ship from Japan. The hydrogen produced will fuel Toyota’s Mirai fuel cell vehicle and fuel cell-powered semis at the port. Additionally, the water produced will be used to wash vehicles before distribution. While the Tri-gen plant may not provide enough power for the entire facility, it serves as a scalable and sustainable solution.

Achieving Multiple Goals with Innovative Integration

The Tri-gen project is the result of Toyota’s commitment to carbon reduction and its partnership with FuelCell Energy. By utilizing renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen, and water without any capital investment, Toyota has found a high-value proposition. The project aligns with Toyota’s long-term sustainability goals and provides an opportunity to address multiple challenges through innovative integration of technologies.

The project was initiated nearly a decade ago when Toyota assessed its future needs for its Long Beach port facility. The success and scalability of the Tri-gen plant have Toyota considering similar applications for its North American manufacturing operations, which could significantly reduce their carbon footprint and act as a hedge against inflation.