In these turbulent times for the United States, receiving recognition from the Department of Energy for a hydrogen-related initiative is no small feat. Yet this is precisely what Toyota and FuelCell Energy have achieved with their Tri-Gen plant, which produces hydrogen from organic waste in California.
Launched exactly one year ago at the Port of Long Beach, the project supports the energy needs of Toyota’s logistics centre**. It combines renewable electricity, hydrogen production, and water recovery in one integrated system. The Tri-Gen facility converts biogas from organic waste into up to 2.3 megawatts of renewable electricity via an electrochemical process. This clean energy generation reduces CO₂ emissions by more than 9,000 tonnes per year. Any surplus electricity not used by Toyota is supplied back to the local grid.
In addition, the plant produces up to 1,200 kg of hydrogen per day to fuel cell electric vehicles such as the Toyota Mirai and Class 8 trucks. The site also recycles approximately 1,400 gallons (5,300 litres) of water per day, which is used to wash new vehicles before delivery—significantly reducing reliance on municipal water.
A Model for the Hydrogen Industry
“It is truly an honor to see the Tri-gen facility receive this award from the U.S. Department of Energy, a testament to the magnitude of the system’s impact, scalability, and ingenuity in addressing environmental challenges,” said Tom Stricker, Vice President of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at Toyota Motor North America (TMNA).
He added: FuelCell Energy’s platform has helped us accomplish several of our own environmental goals simultaneously, and the result is a model that sets a precedent for integrating hydrogen solutions into clean energy ecosystems as a proven way to enrich communities and strengthen energy independence.”
* Winner of the 2025 Better Project Award from the U.S. Department of Energy
** Toyota’s Long Beach logistics centre handles more than 200,000 vehicles annually
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