october 2002 enerbuild meeting fuel cells in buildings research needs to develop the sector
Post on 20-Dec-2015
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“Low temperature fuel cell systems which have a potential for a very low cost per kW and which, in the medium term, may be commercialised in stationary (buildings, industrial and commercial), mobile or portable applications.”
“The aim should be to come to a first commercialisation of SPFC for cogeneration applications in buildings and for transport in 5-10 years”
“Demonstration of isolated applications (transport, stationary) up to 300kW systems to quantify the potential of the technology”
Fuel Cell Research strategy for Europe, 1998
Background
• Fuel cells provide heat and power, CHP• Less pollution than IC or turbines(no NOX,
SOX or particulates) when using fossil fuel• Less noise• Better electrical efficiency• Better overall efficiency• More reliable and will require less
maintenance• Quick start up if run on hydrogen• Several fuel cell types can be used, PAFC,
SOFC, PEM………
In the medium to long term fuel cells offer the best option for CHP in buildings.
• Domestic scale, microCHP• Large scale
Domestic scale
• MicroCHP 1-5 kWe• Replaces the domestic boiler• See the MICROMAP project report on
COGEN Europe web site.• Two demonstration projects in Europe
Sulzer Hexis trials• 1kWe SOFC (2.5 kW th)• Field testing 1997-• 21+ individual systems trialled• I year life?• Overall efficiency 70%• “Pre-series 1000 Premiere”
Virtual Fuel Cell Power Plant
• EC supported project• Vaillant using “Plugpower” system• PEM• 1-4.5kWe• 4 currently installed, second wave coming
Large scale projects
• Existing market for CHP• Several long term demonstrations on FC
systems• PAFC mostly (USA also)• Demonstrations in traditional best CHP
areas
Woking Borough Council UK
• 200kWe PAFC• Heat supplied to recreation centre• Electricity to a “private wire” network• One of ten PC25 demonstrated in Europe
by UTC since 1991
Malteser Hospital, Germany
• EC supported demonstration project• 200kWe (220kWth)PAFC PC25• Trigeneration system with adsorption chiller• Provides back-up UPS also• Uses solar heat for the adsorption chillers• Started May 2000, EC project completed,
continues in use (15 year life expected)
Current situation
• High FC cost stops commercialisation• Competing technologies• PAFC being phased out due to capital costs• Reliability of other FC systems too low• Enormous current investment, particularly
in PEM FCs for vehicles• USA and Japan investing heavily• USA has programme of PEM trials in
buildings• EC has FC programmes• New EU CHP Directive
FC BUILD Integrated Project
• FaberMaunsell• Johnson Matthey• COGEN Europe• ENKAT
Plus fuel suppliers, Government energy agencies, absorption chiller manufacturers, CHP packagers, and others
Conclusions on areas for R&D
• Time is right for trials in actual buildings• Non-domestic applications is a major area
due to the existing CHP market.• PEM cells are appropriate for buildings
applications – funding, performance and cost
• FCs will be particularly appropriate for office type installations due to power to heat ratio
Applications in non-domestic buildings
• Replacing the traditional CHP systems• Leisure centres, hospitals, hotels……….• Commercial, offices with trigeneration
(where CHP is not economic)• UPS• Peak load lopping
Research and trials needed
• Trials of FC systems in actual building environments
• Component performance examination and improvement
• Trigeneration development and performance testing
Plus• Further research in FC reliability, cost
reduction, longevity and efficiency.
Detailed testing needs, buildings related
• Comparing the output of FC systems with building needs, particularly temperatures
• Investigating installation issues, space, health and safety
• Develop appropriate control systems• Measure pollution during operation,
ventilation requirements, etc.• Maintenance and breakdown• Start up and close down issues• Efficiencies• Life time
Detailed testing needs, trigeneration
• Investigate low temperature ab/adsorption chillers
• Boosting PEM temperatures• Increasing efficiencies• Reducing costs
Developing the framework
• Education for designers, technicians, etc• University courses• Codes and standards for FCs in buildings• General publicity for public and building
owners• Develop appropriate incentives for FC use