FUEL CELLS IN BUILDINGS

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FUEL CELLS IN BUILDINGS

• Research needs to develop the sector

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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

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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

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

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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

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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

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Virtual Fuel Cell Power Plant

• EC supported project
• Vaillant using Plugpower system
• PEM
• 1-4.5kWe
• 4 currently installed, second wave coming

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Large scale projects

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

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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

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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)

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Plus

• MCFC cell at the University in Bielefeld
• Fuel cell park in Essen

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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

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FC BUILD Integrated Project

• FaberMaunsell
• Johnson Matthey
• COGEN Europe
• ENKAT
• Plus fuel suppliers, Government energy agencies,
  absorption chiller manufacturers, CHP packagers,
  and others

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Conclusions on areas for RD

• 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

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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

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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.

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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

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Detailed testing needs, trigeneration

• Investigate low temperature ab/adsorption
  chillers
• Boosting PEM temperatures
• Increasing efficiencies
• Reducing costs

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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

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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