U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Fuel Cell Technologies Program – Fuel Cells
Distributed/Stationary Fuel Cell Systems
Because the buildings sector accounts for approximately 36% of the primary energy consumption and between 30%–40% of all airborne emissions in the United States, DOE is developing high-efficiency polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell power systems as an alternative power source to grid-based electricity for buildings. A successful stationary fuel cell program will not only save energy and reduce emissions, but its inherent flexibility will help address energy shortage issues through energy diversity.
Learning Demonstrations
DOE funds stationary/distributed generation "learning demonstrations" to prove fuel cell technologies in real-world applications.
R&D Project Status
The status of DOE's stationary power systems R&D projects is detailed in the fuel cells section of the Annual Progress Report.
Technical and Cost Targets
Technical and cost targets for fuel cells used in combined heat and power and auxiliary power were revised in 2009. DOE based revisions on Request for Information responses. Final targets will be published in the next revision of the Fuel Cell Technologies Program Multi-Year Research, Development and Demonstration Plan due to be released in 2010. The tables below summarize the revisions.
Technical Targets: 1–10 kWe Residential Combined Heat and Power Fuel Cells Operating on Natural Gas1
| |
2008 Status |
2012 |
2015 |
2020 |
| Electrical efficiency at rated power2 |
34% |
40% |
42.5% |
45% |
| CHP energy efficiency3 |
80% |
85% |
87.5% |
90% |
| Factory cost4 |
$750/kW |
$650/kW |
$550/kW |
$450/kW |
| Transient response (10%- 90% rated power) |
5 min |
4 min |
3 min |
2 min |
| Start-up time from 20°C ambient temperature |
60 min |
45 min |
30 min |
20 min |
| Degradation with cycling5 |
< 2%/1000 h |
0.7%/1000 h |
0.5%/1000 h |
0.3%/1000 h |
| Operating lifetime6 |
|
30,000 h |
40,000 h |
60,000 h |
| System availability |
97% |
97.5% |
98% |
99% |
1Standard utility natural gas delivered at typical residential distribution line pressures.
2Regulated AC net/lower heating value of fuel.
3Only heat available at 80°C or higher is included in CHP energy efficiency calculation.
4Cost includes materials and labor costs to produce stack, plus any balance of plant necessary for stack operation. Cost defined at 50,000 unit/year production (250 MW in 5-kW modules).
5Based on operating cycle to be released in 2010.
6Time until >20% net power degradation.
Technical Targets: 1–10 kWe Fuel Cell Auxiliary Power Units Operating on Standard Ultra-low Sulfur Diesel Fuel
| |
2008 Status |
2012 |
2015 |
2020 |
| Electrical efficiency at rated power1 |
25% |
30% |
35% |
40% |
| Power density |
17 W/L |
30 W/L |
35 W/L |
40 W/L |
| Specific power |
20 W/kg |
35 W/kg |
40 W/kg |
45 W/kg |
| Factory cost2 |
$750/kW |
$700/kW |
$600/kW |
$500/kW |
| Transient response (10%- 90% rated power) |
|
4 min |
3 min |
2 min |
| Start-up time from 20°C ambient temperature |
50 min |
30 min |
10 min |
5 min |
| Degradation with cycling3 |
2.6%/1000 h |
2%/1000 h |
1.3%/1000 h |
1%/1000 h |
| Operating lifetime4 |
˜3000 h |
10,000 h |
15,000 h |
20,000 h |
| System availability |
97% |
97.5% |
98% |
99% |
1Regulated DC net/lower heating value of fuel.
2Cost includes materials and labor costs to produce stack, plus any balance of plant necessary for stack operation. Cost defined at 50,000 unit/year production (250 MW in 5-kW modules).
3Based on operating cycle to be released in 2010.
4Time until >20% net power degradation.
|
