Toyota puts online 1.1-MW fuel cell at California HQ

Oct 18, 2012 - Toyota Motor Sales USA, part of Japanese carmaker Toyota (TYO:7203), said yesterday it had put in operation an 1.1-MW statutory hydrogen fuel cell system on its headquarters in the state of California.

Canadian fuel cell maker Ballard Power Systems (TSE:BLD) has designed and built the fuel cell, which will be able to power almost half of the six HQ buildings during peak demand, according to Toyota. The company expects the system to generate enough power to supply some 765 households and offset 3.3 million pounds (1.5 million kg) carbon dioxide emissions during summer peak period operating hours and save it some USD 130,000 (EUR 99,000) a year.

The fuel cell, which is the largest of its kind, is powered by hydrogen gas fed from an industrial hydrogen pipeline, provided by US industrial gases producer Air Products (NYSE:APD). The pipeline also supplies hydrogen filing station located near the HQ campus for fuel cell hybrid vehicles.

The project has received financing by not-for-profit-foundation Sustainable Development Technology Canada and California's Self-Generation Incentive Programme, Toyota added.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.762)

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