FuelCell Energy and Toyota Motor North America celebrate the launch of the world’s first “Tri-gen” production system at the Port of Long Beach
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FuelCell Energy’s Tri-gen technology produces three products: renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen and usable water
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Marks the first Toyota port vehicle processing facility in the world to be powered by 100% renewable electricity generated on site
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Class 8 light and heavy duty fuel cell electric vehicles were fueled with renewable hydrogen generated by Tri-gen
LONG BEACH, Calif., May 2, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FuelCell Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FCEL) and Toyota Motor North America, Inc. type “Tri-gen” system at the Port of Long Beach, California, today . Tri-gen uses biogas to produce renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen and usable water, and was built to support the Toyota Logistics Services (TLS) vehicle processing and distribution center in Long Beach, Toyota’s largest vehicle processing facility in North America which receives approximately 200,000 vehicles. new Toyota and Lexus vehicles annually.
“The goal of our collaboration with FuelCell Energy was to find sustainable solutions for the TLS vehicle processing facility here at the Port of Long Beach as part of our goal to remove carbon dioxide emissions from our operations,” said the Vice-President of the Sustainability and Regulation Group. Toyota Affairs, Tom Stricker. “This innovative installation shows that there are ways to reduce our emissions and the burden on natural resources with scalable hydrogen-based technology.”
Thanks to FuelCell Energy’s Tri-gen platform, TLS Long Beach is Toyota’s first port vehicle processing facility powered by 100% renewable electricity generated on site. FuelCell Energy’s innovative fuel cell technology utilizes an electrochemical process that converts targeted renewable biogas into usable electricity, hydrogen and water with a highly efficient, combustion-free process that emits virtually no air pollutants.
“Tri-gen demonstrates that hydrogen-based energy can benefit businesses, provide zero-emission transportation for light and heavy vehicles, support improved air quality in local communities, reduce water use, and provide immediate and environmental benefits. long term to the population. environment,” said FuelCell Energy CEO and President Jason Few. “As a company, we are living our purpose when we enable visionary customers like Toyota to decarbonize their operations and take advantage of the energy solutions offered by hydrogen – while leaving communities with cleaner air and relieving pressure on grids. electrical and water supply.”
Tri-gen produces 2.3 megawatts of renewable electricity, some of which will be used by TLS Long Beach to support its port operations. Excess electricity is delivered to the local utility, Southern California Edison, under the California Bioenergy Market Adjustment Tariff (BioMAT) program, adding an affordable, resilient, renewable-based electrical generation resource to the electrical grid.
Tri-gen can also produce up to 1,200 kg/day of hydrogen for the fueling needs of Toyota’s Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), while also supplying hydrogen to the adjacent heavy hydrogen refueling station for support TLS logistics and transport operations at the port. Starting January 1, 2024, California’s Advanced Clean Fleet Regulation will only allow zero-emission trucks to be registered as freight trucks. By 2035, all transport trucks will be required to have zero emissions. The Tri-gen platform supports Class 8 FCEV trucks today and exists to support the continued migration to zero-emissions trucks between now and 2035. Hydrogen production can be scaled up or down based on demand. Since completing construction last year, in January this year Toyota used the renewable hydrogen produced at Tri-gen to fuel the first Toyota Mirai vehicles at the TLS, and in April the first FCEV Kenworth T680 Class 8 heavy-duty truck was fueled at the adjacent Shell HD fueling station using renewable hydrogen produced by Tri-gen.
The water byproduct of hydrogen generation can produce up to 1,400 gallons per day of usable water, which is being repurposed for TLS car wash operations for vehicles arriving at the port prior to customer delivery. This helps reduce demand on the limited local water supply by approximately half a million gallons per year.
Supporting Port of Long Beach initiatives
By supporting TLS operations at the Port of Long Beach, Tri-gen is expected to help reduce more than 9,000 tons of CO₂ emissions from the power grid each year. This supports both Toyota Logistics Services’ carbon reduction goals and the Port of Long Beach’s goals as a leader in innovative solutions for reducing carbon emissions.
“The beginning of the renewable hydrogen era is upon us, thanks to our collaboration with Toyota and FuelCell Energy and their innovative Tri-gen system,” said Mario Cordero, CEO of the Port of Long Beach. “The green energy generated by the Tri-gen system, and similar projects, is part of our multi-faceted strategy to fuel our goal of becoming the world’s first zero-emissions port.”
Tri-gen will also help avoid more than six tonnes of NOx emissions from the grid, which are currently harmful to people and the environment. The use of hydrogen-powered Class 8 fuel cell trucks in port operations has the potential to reduce diesel consumption by more than 420,000 gallons per year.
“FuelCell Energy and Toyota’s collaborative effort signifies technological innovation and also positions Long Beach at the forefront of global leadership in renewable energy solutions,” said Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson. “This transformative initiative solidifies our city’s status as a pioneer in green initiatives and shows our dedication to a cleaner, more sustainable future for our community and beyond.”
About FuelCell Energia
FuelCell Energy is a global leader in sustainable clean energy technologies that address some of the world’s most critical challenges around energy, security and global urbanization. It collectively holds more than 450 U.S. and global fuel cell technology patents. As a leading global manufacturer of proprietary fuel cell technology platforms, FuelCell Energy is uniquely positioned to serve customers around the world with sustainable products and solutions for businesses, utilities, governments and municipalities. The Company’s solutions are designed to enable a world powered by clean energy, improving the quality of life for people around the world.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been part of the cultural fabric of North America for more than 65 years and is committed to promoting next-generation sustainable mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands and our more than 1,800 dealers.
Toyota directly employs more than 63,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering and assembly of nearly 47 million cars and trucks at our 13 factories. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin manufacturing automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 27 electrified options.
For more information about Toyota, visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
Press Contacts
FuelCell Energy
Kathleen Blomquist
kblomquist@fce.com
Toyota Motor North America
Josh Burns
Joshua.Burns@Toyota.com
Port of Long Beach
Lee Peterson
Lee.Peterson@polb.com
Investor Relations Contacts
FuelCell Energy
Tom Gelston
tgelston@fce.com
Toyota Motor North America
Yusuke Oku
yusuke.oku@toyota.com
