Abstract
This chapter introduces Energy System Analysis methodologies and tools, which can be used for identifying the best application of different Fuel Cell (FC) technologies to different regional or national energy systems.
The main point is that the benefits of using FC technologies indeed depend on the energy system in which they are used. Consequently, coherent energy systems analyses of specific and complete energy systems must be conducted in order to evaluate the benefits of FC technologies and in order to be able to compare alternative solutions.
In relation to distributed generation, FC technologies are very often connected to the use of hydrogen, which has to be provided e.g. from electrolysers. Decentralised and distributed generation has the possibility of improving the overall energy efficiency and flexibility of energy systems. Therefore, energy system analysis tools and methodologies must be thorough and careful when identifying any imbalances between electricity demand and production from CHP plants (Combined Heat and Power) and fluctuating renewable energy sources. This chapter introduces the energy system analysis model EnergyPLAN, which is one example of a freeware tool, which can be used for such analyses.
Moreover, the chapter presents the results of evaluating the overall system fuel savings achieved by introducing different FC applications into different energy systems. Natural gas-based and hydrogen-based micro FC-CHP, natural gas local FC-CHP plants for district heating and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have been evaluated in different energy systems with or without large- scale wind power and with different means of house heating.
The overall result shows that the fuel savings achieved with the same technology differ very much from one system to another. The FC technologies have different strengths and weaknesses in different energy systems, but often they do not have the expected effect. Specific analyses of each individual country must be conducted including scenarios of expansion of e.g. wind power in order to evaluate where and when the best use of FC technologies can be made. However, some general points can be made. In the short and medium term, natural gas-based FC-CHP systems seem to be best practice in most energy systems, while hydrogen-based systems including vehicles only seem to be relevant in systems with considerably larger imbalances between electricity demand and supply.
The main point is that the benefits of using FC technologies indeed depend on the energy system in which they are used. Consequently, coherent energy systems analyses of specific and complete energy systems must be conducted in order to evaluate the benefits of FC technologies and in order to be able to compare alternative solutions.
In relation to distributed generation, FC technologies are very often connected to the use of hydrogen, which has to be provided e.g. from electrolysers. Decentralised and distributed generation has the possibility of improving the overall energy efficiency and flexibility of energy systems. Therefore, energy system analysis tools and methodologies must be thorough and careful when identifying any imbalances between electricity demand and production from CHP plants (Combined Heat and Power) and fluctuating renewable energy sources. This chapter introduces the energy system analysis model EnergyPLAN, which is one example of a freeware tool, which can be used for such analyses.
Moreover, the chapter presents the results of evaluating the overall system fuel savings achieved by introducing different FC applications into different energy systems. Natural gas-based and hydrogen-based micro FC-CHP, natural gas local FC-CHP plants for district heating and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles have been evaluated in different energy systems with or without large- scale wind power and with different means of house heating.
The overall result shows that the fuel savings achieved with the same technology differ very much from one system to another. The FC technologies have different strengths and weaknesses in different energy systems, but often they do not have the expected effect. Specific analyses of each individual country must be conducted including scenarios of expansion of e.g. wind power in order to evaluate where and when the best use of FC technologies can be made. However, some general points can be made. In the short and medium term, natural gas-based FC-CHP systems seem to be best practice in most energy systems, while hydrogen-based systems including vehicles only seem to be relevant in systems with considerably larger imbalances between electricity demand and supply.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Titel | Fuel Cell and Distributed Generation |
| Redaktører | Francisco Jurado Melguizo |
| Udgivelsessted | Kerala, India |
| Forlag | Research Publishers |
| Publikationsdato | 2007 |
| Sider | 111-127 |
| ISBN (Trykt) | 978-81-308-0179-7 |
| Status | Udgivet - 2007 |