Generator to Offset Peak Electricity Used at Headquarters Campus
Toyota representatives officially flipped the on switch at the opening of the first-of-its-kind stationary hydrogen fuel cell at the Toyota campus in Torrance, Calif. (Pictured from left to right: Lisa Cagnolatti, VP-Business Customer Division, Southern California Edison; Bob Daly, Toyota senior VP; and Chris Reynolds, Toyota GVP and chief environmental officer.)
Toyota representatives and partners gather at the opening of the first-of-its-kind stationary hydrogen fuel cell at the Toyota campus in Torrance, Calif. (Pictured from left to right: Lisa Cagnolatti, vice president-Business Customer Division, Southern California Edison; Chris Reynolds, Toyota GVP and chief environmental officer; Ed Kiczek, global business director, Hydrogen Energy Systems, Air Products; Bob Daly, Toyota senior VP; and Paul Cass, VP of Operations, Ballard.)
“Supporting alternative energy sources like hydrogen supports Toyota’s overarching commitment to lessen our impact on the environment and drive forward innovative technology,” said Bob Daly, TMS senior vice president. “Not only will this new hydrogen fuel cell generator reduce the environmental footprint of our headquarters campus, but it showcases the power and potential of hydrogen as a fuel source.”
At 1.1 MW, the clean energy fuel cell system on average provides enough power for about 765 homes, twice the capacity of Toyota’s existing solar panel system on campus. It is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 3.3 million pounds during summer peak period operating hours, the equivalent to taking 294 cars off the road a year.
The Toyota Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle – Advanced (FCHV-adv) is also powered by PEM fuel cell technology. PEM technology is uniquely suited for stationary applications as it provides quick power availability vs. a long “warm up” period prior to power generation.
Hydrogen within the dedicated pipeline is provided by Air Products and created from natural gas reformation. To mitigate emissions from the reformation process, hydrogen used on Toyota’s campus will be offset with the purchase of landfill generated renewable bio-gas. Operation of the stationary fuel cell creates zero air emissions.
Electricity generated by the fuel cell fuel is expected to save Toyota approximately $130,000 a year in reduced energy purchased from Southern California Edison.
“Our partnership with Toyota demonstrates the flexibility and positive impact fuel cell technology can have for high volume companies,” said Paul Cass, Ballard Power Systems vice president, operations. “The clean energy fuel cell system provides forward-thinking companies a way to manage peak energy demand or continuously meet power needs.”
Additional project funding was provided by Sustainable Development Technology Canada and California’s Self-Generation Incentive Program.
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