A Look at Toyota’s Surprising New Plant for Hydrogen Fuel

Jan 10, 2018

Toyota recently announced its plan to build the first megawatt-scale carbonate fuel-cell plant that will include a hydrogen fueling station. This plant will produce hydrogen fuel, an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fuel that produces zero emissions.

Plant Name and Location

Toyota’s hydrogen fuel plant will be called Tri-Gen and located at the Port of Long Beach, which is south of Los Angeles, Calif. The proximity to dairy farms in northern California will allow the plant to use agricultural waste from those locations to generate up to 1.2 tons of fuel every day and 2.35 megawatts of electricity.

100 Percent Renewable

Since the Tri-Gen hydrogen fuel plant will use agricultural waste as a feedstock to produce hydrogen and electricity, the plant is 100 percent renewable. The waste will come through a pipeline network, according to information released by the VP of Strategic Planning for Toyota Motor North America. The processing does not involve any combustion, which means it is producing renewable energy without releasing harmful toxins into the environment.

Support From Local Organizations and Government

Tri-Gen has received a multitude of support from local government and environmental agencies. The support comes from the California Air Resources Board, the U.S. Department of Energy, the Orange County Sanitation District, the University of California-Irvine, and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The construction of this plant will produce completely renewable energy, which could transform the automotive industry and buyers in the electric model segment. Keep an eye on the latest news about Tri-Gen to see the plans as Toyota continues to develop and construct the plant.