Toyota’s Fuel Cell Takes on Generator Duties

Paul Myles

TU-Editor

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23rd September 2020

Toyota’s European wing has modified its Mirai car’s hydrogen fuel cell to work as an electric generator suitable for domestic and commercial environments.

Few will fail to recognize the importance of static generators in vital power production in buildings such as hospitals that rely on a constant source of electricity even in countries with unreliable electricity grids. Now those generators can be run with Toyota’s emission free and virtually silent fuel cell technology.

Toyota Motor Europe has adapted its fuel cell module to work within a new hydrogen generator created by Energy Observer Developments (EODev) as part of its wider strategy to supply fuel cell technology and promote clean hydrogen industry.
The GEH2 generator claims an output of 100KVA aimed at isolated sites and in emergency situations.

Toyota‘s new project with EODev follows last year’s successful integration of the Toyota fuel cell module into the Energy Observer boat. EODev’s ambition is to deploy the learnings from the Energy Observer boat and provide sustainable hydrogen solutions across a diverse range of applications. The generator is packaged in a compact module weighing about 290kg (683lbs) and has a rated net power of 60kW with a peak net power of 92kW.

Thiebault Paquet, director of the Fuel Cell Business Unit at Toyota Motor Europe, said: “This integration of our fuel cell technology reflects our wider business model of establishing partnerships to enhance the creation of a hydrogen society. We are constantly looking for opportunities, as our technology has the flexibility to be adapted for a variety of uses.” Toyota will be providing technical support and the expertise to integrate the module into customers’ power applications.

— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in London. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_