Distributed power generation

Increasing the utilization of hydrogen as an energy carrier in transportation and distributed power generation applications based on proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells will create a demand for plants that produce high-purity hydrogen as the primary product. 

Use of H2-based fuel cells for generating electricity on a small scale close to areas where the electricity is needed would enable distributed power generation and ease the burden on the current electric grid. 

In addition to high-profile fuel cell applications such as automotive propulsion and distributed power generation, the use of fuel cells as auxiliary power units (APUs) for vehicles has received considerable attention (see Figure 1-9). APU applications may be an attractive market because it offers a true mass-market opportunity that does not require the challenging performance and low cost required for propulsion systems for vehicles. In this section, a discussion of the technical performance requirements for such fuel cell APUs, as well as the current status of the technology and the implications for fuel cell system configuration and cost is given. 

Gas and kerosene). Japan s Demonstration Project on Distributed Power Generation and Grid... 

Fuel cells are being developed and demonstrated in many applications that may have relevance to international security. This includes clean transportation, clean power generation, distributed power generation, and military applications. Fuel cells are versatile, efficient, clean, and modular. They are close to commercialization and there are some niche markets which could enable early penetration. There are a few technical challenges, such as high cost, low durability, and nonexistence of hydrogen infrastructure, but there are no show-stoppers. ... 

Table 3.8. Estimates of SOFC and MCFC distributed power generation system cost (Blesl el al., 2004)...

Figure 3.13. UNEP forecast for fiiel-cell-distributed power-generation capacity (UNEP, 2002)...

Fuel cells offer the potential for very efficient, clean, and quiet distributed power generation. Because the power gen-... 

At 1-10 W (watts), fuel cells could be used as battery replacements at 100 W to 1 kW, fuel cells could find military applications which require lightweight portable power sources for communications and weapon power at 1 - 10 kW, fuel cells could supply power to residential buildings and serve as auxiliary power units in vehicles and trucks. At higher power levels, the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) could be an effective approach for the distributed power generation and the cogeneration (i.e., combined heat and power). Above 1 MW, the SOFC could be integrated with a turbine power plant to improve the overall efficiency of power generation and reduce emissions. ... 

Finally, fuel cells—the highly efficient electrochemical devices that convert chemical energy to electrical energy directly—may be used for distributed power generation or in some vehicles in the future. The most efficient and durable fuel cells use hydrogen as their fuel source. All of the technologies that will be discussed in... 

A review of CHP technology and systems is presented in this entry. Specific types of distributed power generation (DPG) and thermally activated technologies will be introduced and briefly previewed. Then, an overview of the equipment used in CHP systems is discussed. Finally, a bibliography of CHP systems and related equipment is included at the end of the entry. 

Distributed power generation is a required component of a CHP system. Internal combustion engines, combustion turbines, and fuel cells are the current prime movers that have the most potential for DPG. Characteristics of these DPG technologies such as electric efficiency, power output, and cost are presented in Table 3. 

Leverage knowledge gained with hydrogen engine development for small vehicles (2 and 3 wheelers) and demonstrate H-ICE for distributed power generation. 

With support from the U.S. DOE hydrogen program, ECD has demonstrated the viability of H-ICE scooters with metal hydride for on-board hydrogen storage. Hydrogen fueled small ICE vehicles and distributed power generation devices... 

K. Sapm, S. Ramachandran, Z. Tan Hydrogen-The New Oil- for Sustainable Transportation Distributed Power Generation , invited talk at International Symposium Exposition on Alternative Energy Vehicles , Indian Institute of Technology, November 23-25, 2001, Kanpur, India. 

Develop a system model to simulate distributed power generation in power parks. 

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