Toyota Motor Corporation introduced "Simple Fuel," a compact water electrolysis-based hydrogen generation and refueling station, at its Motomachi Plant in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture in April 2019. This system utilizes electricity generated from solar power, a renewable energy source, to produce, store, and supply hydrogen. What are its future prospects?

"Simple Fuel" is a hydrogen station capable of integrated operations, from using electricity generated by on-site solar power at the factory to produce low-carbon hydrogen through water electrolysis, and then compressing and storing it for refueling fuel cell (FC) forklifts.

The system can produce up to 99 N㎥ (approximately 8.8 kg) of hydrogen per day, enough to refuel seven to eight FC forklifts. Its compact size also allows for easy installation in small spaces.

The Motomachi Plant has been operating a hydrogen station since 2018. However, in anticipation of future increases in hydrogen demand, Toyota plans to further reduce CO2 emissions at the Motomachi Plant by utilizing "Simple Fuel" and accumulate new technologies and knowledge.

Furthermore, Toyota, along with Aichi Prefecture and related local governments and companies, is promoting the decarbonization of the entire hydrogen supply chain—covering production, transportation, and usage—through the "Aichi Low-Carbon Hydrogen Supply Chain Promotion Council." This initiative, which involves producing and using hydrogen derived from renewable energy, has also received certification under the "Low-Carbon Hydrogen Certification System" established by Aichi Prefecture.

Toyota aims to achieve zero CO2 emissions from its factories by 2050. The company plans to continue developing and implementing further hydrogen energy utilization technologies, including "Simple Fuel" and FC forklifts.