Toyota has developed a stationary fuel cell generator (FC generator) that makes use of the fuel cell system (FC system) equipped in the Mirai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). It has been installed within the Honsha Plant grounds in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, and verification tests have now commenced.
The FC generator uses two each of the FC system components equipped in the Mirai, including its stack, power control unit (PCU), and secondary battery. By using these components, Toyota seeks to produce a high-performance generator at a reasonable price. Development on the generator was carried out jointly by Toyota and Toyota Energy Solutions.
For the verification tests, the electricity generated will be used inside the Honsha Plant; the generator will operate continuously for 24 hours per day, and generate a rated output of 100 kilowatts. The energy efficiency - the amount of electricity it generates per unit of hydrogen - the stability of the generated output, and the durability and ease of maintenance of the generator will be verified and evaluated.
Based on the results of the verification tests, Toyota intends to use FC generators as private power generators in an increasing number of plants. The generators will be fueled by hydrogen emitted both during the production process for FC system components, as well as during evaluation and testing processes; in this way, Toyota intends to develop and implement technologies that make more effective use of hydrogen. In 2015, Toyota announced its Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050, one of which was the Plant Zero CO2 Emissions Challenge. In order to fulfil this challenge, Toyota will continue to steadily engage in reducing the amount of CO2 it emits during its production processes.
As part of its efforts to expand use of the FC system it developed for the FCEV, Toyota intends to consider the practical realisation of the FC generator. This entails carrying out research and development and discussing the establishment of business models aimed at improving the generator's product appeal, by enhancing its energy efficiency and durability, making it more compact and cutting costs.
Read more about fuel cells on California’s roads here.
