The Better Project Award is said to recognize accomplishments at individual facilities for innovative and industry-leading accomplishments in implementing energy, water, and waste reduction efficiency measures.

Toyota and FuelCell Energy celebrated the grand opening of Tri-gen in May 2024. Tri-gen converts directed biogas from a California wastewater treatment facility digesting organic waste diverted from landfills to generate up to 2.3 megawatts of renewable electricity through an electro-chemical process. The use of renewable electricity helps reduce more than 9,000 tons of anticipated CO2 emissions and avoid more than six tons of grid NOx emissions annually. Electricity not used by Toyota is returned to the local utility.

Tri-gen also produces up to 1200 kilograms of hydrogen daily for fuel cell electric vehicles, such as the 2025 Toyota Mirai and class 8 trucks. Tri-gen recycles ~1400 gallons of water daily, which is used to wash newly processed vehicles prior to delivery, reducing water usage from the local utility.

The successful implementation of this project exemplifies commitment to sustainable solutions from both Toyota and FuelCell Energy. Both Toyota and FuelCell Energy say they believe that the emerging approach used in Tri-gen can be replicated to serve customers and markets at a lower cost with a lower environmental impact than existing alternatives.