Toyota builds factory to convert cow dung into electricity

Toyota Corporation is planning to build a factory that uses cow dung to convert into electricity and hydrogen fuel.

The famous Japanese car company is planning the Tri-Gen project to build a power plant in the port city of Long Beach, California (USA), which is capable of converting methane (CH4) emissions from cow dung into electricity, water and hydrogen fuel.

This will be the world's first commercial-scale 100% renewable energy and hydrogen fuel plant. Toyota plans to put the plant into operation in 2020.

Cow dung can be used to produce electricity.

The plant is estimated to generate 2.35 MW of electricity and 1.2 tons of hydrogen per day, providing enough electricity to power 2,350 homes and fuel for 1,500 hydrogen-powered vehicles. It will also be equipped with one of the world's largest hydrogen fueling stations.

"We understand the potential and the enormous impact that reducing emissions has on society," said Doug Murtha, vice president of strategic planning for Toyota North America.

Toyota is investing heavily in hydrogen battery technology, which is currently used in the Mirai and will soon be used in large trucks under the Project Portal project.

"Environmentally conscious drivers are demanding cleaner forms of transportation. Hydrogen-powered vehicles like the Mirai and other alternative fuel vehicles will meet that demand and create a better future," reads a message on Toyota's website.

Toyota is aiming to stop producing internal combustion engines altogether by 2040, and cut carbon emissions from its vehicles by 90% by 2050. The cow dung power plant is a testament to their efforts.

According to Khoahoc.tv