(Long Beach / USA) – Toyota has put the first system called “Tri-gen” into operation at its port in Long Beach, California. This is a system owned by the US fuel cell manufacturer Fuel Cell Energy, Inc., which produces renewable electricity, green hydrogen and water from biomethane (RNG). Fuel Cell also acts as operator. The company has signed a 20-year contract with Toyota Motor North America, Inc. to supply the products.
According to Toyota Logistic Services (TLS) Long Beach, Toyota now has the world's first facility for handling port vehicles that is powered by 100 percent renewable energy from its own production, says Chris Reynolds, Toyota's Chief Administrative Officer.
Tri-Gen technology can be used to produce electricity, hydrogen and industrial water. © Fuel Cell Energy
In the “Tri-Generation” process, fossil natural gas or biomethane is reformed into hydrogen in the fuel cell as standard – an alternative to producing hydrogen using electrolysis. The Long Beach plant produces 1.200 kilograms per day in this way. Toyota uses the energy source to fuel its “Mirai” fuel cell cars, and it also supplies the nearby hydrogen filling station for TSL heavy-duty vehicles in the port. Hydrogen production can be ramped up and down as needed.
The production process also supplies electricity, part of which is also used for port operations, where around 200.000 new Toyota and Lexus vehicles are handled each year. Excess electricity is fed into the network of the local energy provider Southern California Edison.
Process water for washing cars
In addition, the production process generates 1.400 gallons (5.300 liters) of water every day, which is used to wash vehicles before they are delivered to customers. This would reduce the need for local water supplies by approximately half a million gallons (1,9 million liters) per year.
Trio-gen has the potential to reduce diesel consumption by more than 420.000 gallons per year through the use of hydrogen-powered fuel cell trucks in port operations, says Port of Long Beach CEO Mario Cordero. There would also be a significant reduction in climate-damaging gases such as CO2 and NOx.
Photos
Fuel Cell Energy uses its technology called Tri-gen to produce renewable electricity, green hydrogen and industrial water for Toyota in the Port of Long Beach. © Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
