Making a start for the better

A sustainable hydrogen society

Hydrogen can be produced from various primary energies, the method of extraction dependent on the country in question. It can also play a major role in the spread of renewable energy. Solar and wind power are intermittent sources, resulting in unstable generation that requires an adequate storage system. One way to store these intermittent renewable energies is to convert them to hydrogen, a method that’s more appropriate than batteries for large storage thanks to a higher energy density.

The society of the future must utilize renewable energy and smartly integrate the electricity grid with the hydrogen grid for effective use. To realise a future of sustainable energy-based societies using hydrogen, we must fully utilise renewable energy while effectively integrating electricity and hydrogen grids as one.

A future led by technology

Resource efficiency plays an important role in Toyota’s organisation. The recoverability rate of the Mirai exceeds 95%. As the Mirai’s fuel cell stack is using the precious metal platinum, Toyota created the world first stack collection and recycling network.

In Europe, Toyota has set itself the challenging target of aiming to collect 100% of these industrial batteries. In 2010, Toyota succeeded in establishing the world's first battery-to-battery recycling operation in Japan. Furthermore, as of 2013, batteries are reused in stationary energy storage applications. Realising that our raw materials are finite, Toyota is continuously progressing towards a resource-efficient economy.

In harmony with nature 

The Mirai manufacturing facility is a member of a working group whose goal is to protect biodiversity, with a focus on reforestation. The group has expanded its activities, involving businesses, local communities and government bodies. Toyota employees from the Mirai plant have already planted approximately 23,000 saplings*, using the Miyawaki Method taught by Professor Fujiwara from Yokohama City University. In the Miyawaki technique, various species of plants are planted close to each other so that the greens receive sunlight only from the top and grow upwards than sideways.

*As of December 2020