Tri-generation System Blueprints the Possible
A first-of-its-kind Tri-gen system - generating hydrogen, electricity and water from the same unit of fuel - is installed at Toyota's vehicle port processing facility, Toyota Logistics Services (TLS), at the Port of Long Beach.
Most major car manufacturers are re-imagining their fleet of vehicles to include options to help reduce carbon emissions now and in the future. With hybrids to battery-electric cars, to plug-ins entering the market at rapid pace, there is another kind of low emission electric vehicle using fuel cells, with its only emission while driving is water vapor.
Toyota, the world’s largest automaker, is using hydrogen made from a tri-generation or “tri-gen” system, built for Toyota by FuelCell Energy, for serving both fuel cell electric class 6-8 heavy duty vehicles operating in and around the ports, and Toyota’s fuel cell-powered Mirai electric sedans arriving on ships from Japan.
What is tri-gen?
Tri-generation refers to a fuel cell power plant generating three things: renewable hydrogen, renewable electricity and water from the same unit of fuel.
Designed to convert a stream of biogas, sourced from food waste, into 2.3 megawatts of electricity, up to 1,200 kilograms of hydrogen and 1,400 gallons of water per day, the unit fits into a compact footprint equivalent to three basketball courts. This first-of-its-kind tri-gen system is installed at Toyota's vehicle port processing facility, Toyota Logistics Services, at the Port of Long Beach.
“We are extremely pleased to showcase the versatility and sophistication of our fuel cell technology and to play a role in supporting Toyota's environmental commitments. Tri-gen also shows the benefits of localized solutions by having the solution where the demand is.”
Paul Fukumoto, FuelCell Energy, Director of Technology & Product Solutions
The 2.3 MW fuel cell plant completely powers Toyota Logistics Services’ operations, supplies hydrogen to certain fuel vehicles, reduces the port's emissions, and the excess electricity is exported by FuelCell Energy to support the Southern California grid. The electrochemical process in the fuel cell generates water as a byproduct, which Toyota’s facility then uses at its car wash to clean incoming vehicles to help reduce the strain on local water resources in an area impacted by drought. The 200,000 new vehicles arriving at port annually will also be washed with water made by FuelCell Energy’s system before delivery to consumers.
How is this vision becoming a reality?
Tri-gen fits into Toyota’s larger sustainability goals, led by the overall visions to reach carbon neutrality by 2050. In the more near term, Toyota is looking to make its facilities carbon neutral by 2035. Tri-gen is one example of Toyota’s overall Beyond Zero Vision to reach beyond carbon neutrality with its products, services and operations, and finding new ways to make a positive impact on the planet and society. These sustainability goals for its operations complement its multi-faceted approach of providing a fleet of low and zero-emission vehicles to give customers choices when it comes to reducing carbon footprint.
"Similar to how we've taken a multi-faceted approach using different technologies to reduce carbon emissions with our vehicles, we need to explore different solutions for our operations. The Port of Long Beach Tri-gen makes great sense since it fulfills multiple needs while also helping our TLS operations run entirely on on-site generated, renewable electricity."
Mark Yamauchi, Toyota, Environmental Sustainability Manager
Building upon its goals for hydrogen fuel cell technology, this site is being achieved due to a collective strategic effort. Shell Exploration & Production Company/Equilon Enterprises LLC. developed, designed, built, and currently operates three refueling stations for heavy-duty hydrogen fuel-cell electric trucks. These stations form the first public heavy-duty hydrogen refueling network in California, providing a blueprint for what is possible. The goal for these stations is to help reduce transportation emissions along heavily used routes that connect the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with major warehouse complexes inland.
Toyota is using hydrogen made from a tri-gen system to serve both fuel cell electric class 6-8 heavy duty vehicles, and Toyota’s fuel cell-powered Mirai electric sedans.
“The Port of Long Beach facility demonstrates an end-to-end hydrogen mobility infrastructure and solves challenges seen in the sector. We are making an impact with real assets, real customers, and real operations - proving our collective hydrogen future.”
Jared Leventhal, Shell, Senior Project Manager
FuelCell Energy developed, designed, built, and currently operates the tri-generation fuel cell power plant. Toyota trailblazed the site redevelopment, FuelCell Energy co-created the shared reality, and the Center for Transportation and the Environment provided support.
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