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FUEL CELLS IN BUILDINGS

FUEL CELLS IN BUILDINGS. Research needs to develop the sector. “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.”

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FUEL CELLS IN BUILDINGS

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  1. FUEL CELLS IN BUILDINGS Research needs to develop the sector

  2. “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

  3. 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………

  4. In the medium to long term fuel cells offer the best option for CHP in buildings. • Domestic scale, microCHP • Large scale

  5. 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

  6. 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”

  7. Virtual Fuel Cell Power Plant • EC supported project • Vaillant using “Plugpower” system • PEM • 1-4.5kWe • 4 currently installed, second wave coming

  8. Large scale projects • Existing market for CHP • Several long term demonstrations on FC systems • PAFC mostly (USA also) • Demonstrations in traditional best CHP areas

  9. 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

  10. 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)

  11. Plus • MCFC cell at the University in Bielefeld • Fuel cell park in Essen

  12. 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

  13. FC BUILD Integrated Project • FaberMaunsell • Johnson Matthey • COGEN Europe • ENKAT • Plus fuel suppliers, Government energy agencies, absorption chiller manufacturers, CHP packagers, and others

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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.

  17. 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

  18. Detailed testing needs, trigeneration • Investigate low temperature ab/adsorption chillers • Boosting PEM temperatures • Increasing efficiencies • Reducing costs

  19. 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

  20. Conclusions • Great interest in FCs in the buildings sector • Europe needs to compete with USA and Japan • Need to get European manufacturers going • Need to get the European CHP industry active in the area • Publicity from good field trials is needed

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