Toyota Australia has collaborated with Energy Observer Developments (EODev), a French sustainable energy solutions provider, to spearhead the hydrogen economy in the country.
The partnership involves the assembly and distribution of EODev’s stationary hydrogen fuel cell power generators, known as GEH2, on Australian shores, Toyota said in a press release.
This initiative sees Toyota Australia investing $3.27 million to commence the assembly of EODev’s GEH2 generators at its former manufacturing facility located in Altona, Melbourne, with production scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2024.
In a significant development, Toyota will serve as the exclusive distributor for EODev’s GEH2® generators in Australia, both for locally assembled units and fully imported ones.
These generators will be made accessible to Australian customers through the collaboration with Blue Diamond Machinery, a leading national independent distributor of off-grid power solutions and the exclusive supplier of EODev’s GEH2 generator.
Expanding its capabilities, Toyota Australia will also introduce these power generators to the New Zealand market, with Toyota New Zealand serving as its inaugural customer.
The first model slated for assembly is the 110kVA GEH2 generator, leveraging the same Toyota Fuel Cell system that powers the Toyota Mirai Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV).
This technology is celebrated for its ability to provide emissions-free power generation, devoid of CO2, NOx, or fine particle emissions, making it suitable for a diverse range of applications.
As market demand evolves, Toyota Australia is actively considering the assembly and distribution of additional models featuring higher power output, illustrating Toyota’s dedication to exploring versatile applications for its fuel cell technology and its commitment to bolstering Australia’s hydrogen economy.
Toyota Australia’s President and CEO, Matthew Callachor, affirmed Toyota’s wholehearted support for the Australian federal and state governments’ endeavours to foster the growth of the hydrogen economy.
He stressed that the agreement between Toyota Australia and EODev represents a tangible commitment to improving Australian businesses’ access to stationary hydrogen fuel cell generators, aiding them in reducing their carbon footprint.
“This agreement signed today is not about a trial or pilot program, it is about concrete action that will improve Australian businesses’ access to stationary hydrogen fuel cell generators and help them reduce their carbon footprint,” Callachor noted.
Jérémie Lagarrigue, CEO of EODev, hailed the collaboration as a milestone for the French company, marking the first instance of their GEH2 power generator being assembled beyond the confines of their French production facility.
“The GEH2 generator has been in production since 2021 and is currently sold across several European markets, in North America, in the Middle East, and in Australia. We see a fast growing potential for its use in this part of the world,” Lagarrigue said.
The applications for the GEH2 power generator are wide-ranging, spanning from powering remote off-grid locations like mining and construction sites to electric vehicle charging stations and event venues.
Furthermore, the GEH2 generator offers a reliable solution for emergency backup power in critical facilities such as hospitals and commercial buildings.
