Tri-gen Receives U.S. Department of Energy 2025 Better Project Award

Rhea-AI Summary

FuelCell Energy and Toyota Motor North America's Tri-gen facility at the Port of Long Beach has received the U.S. Department of Energy's 2025 Better Project Award for its innovative energy efficiency measures. The facility, commissioned by Toyota and operated by FuelCell Energy, produces three key outputs: up to 2.3 megawatts of renewable electricity, 1,200 kilograms of hydrogen daily for fuel cell vehicles, and recycles 1,400 gallons of water daily. The system converts biogas from a California wastewater treatment facility to reduce over 9,000 tons of CO2 emissions and avoid 6 tons of grid NOx emissions annually. The project, which opened in May 2024, demonstrates a replicable model for sustainable energy solutions that can serve customers at lower costs while reducing environmental impact.

Positive

• Generates 2.3 megawatts of renewable electricity, reducing 9,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually
• Produces 1,200 kg of hydrogen daily for fuel cell vehicles
• Recycles 1,400 gallons of water daily, reducing utility water usage
• System can be replicated to serve other customers at lower costs
• Excess electricity is returned to the local utility grid

Negative

• None.

Insights

Clean Energy Technology Analyst

DOE award validates FCEL's tri-generation technology, showcasing commercial viability for industrial decarbonization without disrupting operations.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Better Project Award for the Tri-gen facility represents third-party validation of FuelCell Energy's innovative technology. This recognition highlights FCEL's ability to deliver multi-product energy solutions at commercial scale with measurable environmental benefits.

The technical specifications demonstrate real-world impact: the system generates up to 2.3 megawatts of renewable electricity, produces 1,200 kilograms of hydrogen daily, and recycles 1,400 gallons of water daily. By converting biogas from wastewater treatment (originally from diverted landfill waste), the facility reduces over 9,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually while avoiding six tons of NOx emissions.

This Toyota partnership demonstrates FCEL's capability to serve major industrial customers with specific decarbonization needs. Toyota uses the system's outputs directly in its operations: electricity powers the facility, hydrogen fuels vehicles including the Toyota Mirai and class 8 trucks, and recycled water washes processed vehicles.

What's most notable is the facility's integrated approach to resource utilization. Rather than single-purpose generation, this tri-generation model maximizes efficiency by producing three valuable outputs from a single waste-derived input. The system's integration into Toyota's existing operations shows how industrial customers can incorporate renewable energy without disrupting their core business processes.

While the award carries no direct financial impact, the DOE recognition potentially strengthens FCEL's position when pursuing future commercial deployments across industrial applications requiring combined power, hydrogen and water solutions.

LONG BEACH, Calif., May 01, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FuelCell Energy, Inc. (FuelCell Energy) and Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) today announced that the first-of-its-kind “Tri-gen” facility at the Port of Long Beach has received the U.S. Department of Energy’s 2025 Better Project Award. The Better Project Award recognizes accomplishments at individual facilities for innovative and industry-leading accomplishments in implementing energy, water, and waste reduction efficiency measures.

“Tri-gen is an excellent example of FuelCell Energy’s game-changing innovation, delivering solutions that empower our customers’ businesses with clean energy without requiring them to sacrifice their established business models or operations,” FuelCell Energy CEO and President Jason Few said. “We were proud of our collaboration with Toyota to create solutions that are as practical as they are transformative and to be part of the Port of Long Beach’s efforts to improve the air quality in its community for its residents.”

“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,” TMNA Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs Group Vice President Tom Stricker said. “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.”

Commissioned by Toyota and owned and operated by FuelCell Energy, Tri-gen produces three products for port vehicle processing operations at Toyota Logistics Services: renewable electricity, renewable hydrogen and usable water.

Tri-gen converts directed biogas from a California wastewater treatment facility digesting organic waste diverted from landfills to generate up to 2.3 megawatts of renewable electricity through an electrochemical process. The use of renewable electricity helps reduce more than 9,000 tons of anticipated CO₂ emissions and avoid more than six tons of grid NOx emissions annually. Electricity not used by Toyota is returned to the local utility.

Additionally, Tri-gen produces up to 1,200 kilograms of hydrogen daily for fuel cell electric vehicles, such as the 2025 Toyota Mirai and class 8 trucks.

Finally, Tri-gen recycles about 1,400 gallons of water daily, which is used to wash newly processed vehicles prior to delivery, reducing water usage from the local utility.

The successful implementation of this project exemplifies commitment to sustainable solutions from both Toyota and FuelCell Energy. Both Toyota and FuelCell Energy believe that the emerging approach used in Tri-gen can be replicated to serve customers and markets at a lower cost with a lower environmental impact than existing alternatives.

Toyota and FuelCell Energy celebrated the grand opening of Tri-gen in May 2024.

To learn more about the Better Project Awards, visit: Better Project and Better Practice Awards | Better Buildings Initiative.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 65 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.

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 manufacturing plants. By 2025, Toyota’s 14th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 27 electrified options.

Visit www.ToyotaNewsroom.com to learn more about Toyota and FuelCell Energy’s Tri-gen Facility.

About FuelCell Energy

FuelCell Energy, Inc. provides clean, reliable future-ready solutions that allow customers to access power faster and manage their emissions while keeping their operations running. Our efficient, scalable, and fuel-flexible systems—running on natural gas, biofuels, or hydrogen—provide steady baseload, grid-independent electricity worldwide. With more than 55 years of expertise and nearly 200 plants deployed, we help customers achieve their immediate and future energy goals. Learn more at www.fuelcellenergy.com.

Media Contacts:

Toyota Motor North America
Jacob Brown
Jacob.brown@toyota.com

FuelCell Energy
Kathleen Blomquist
kblomquist@fce.com

FAQ

What is the FuelCell Energy (FCEL) Tri-gen facility at Port of Long Beach?

The Tri-gen facility is a first-of-its-kind project that produces renewable electricity, hydrogen, and recycled water for Toyota's port vehicle processing operations, converting biogas from wastewater treatment to generate clean energy.

How much renewable energy does FCEL's Tri-gen facility generate?

The Tri-gen facility generates up to 2.3 megawatts of renewable electricity, reducing over 9,000 tons of CO2 emissions and avoiding more than 6 tons of grid NOx emissions annually.

What is the hydrogen production capacity of FCEL's Tri-gen facility?

The facility produces up to 1,200 kilograms of hydrogen daily, which is used for fuel cell electric vehicles including the 2025 Toyota Mirai and class 8 trucks.

When did FuelCell Energy's Tri-gen facility begin operations?

The Tri-gen facility celebrated its grand opening in May 2024 at the Port of Long Beach.

What award did FCEL's Tri-gen facility receive in 2025?

The Tri-gen facility received the U.S. Department of Energy's 2025 Better Project Award for its innovative energy, water, and waste reduction efficiency measures.