Residential power distribution

In recent years, SOFC technology has been developed over a broad spectrum of power generation applications, with systems ranging from portable devices (e.g., 500 W battery charger) to small power systems (e.g., 5kW residential power or automobile auxiliary power units), and to distributed generation power plants (e.g., 100-500 kw systems). SOFCs can also be integrated with a gas turbine to form large (several hundred kW to multi-MW) pressurized hybrid systems [87]. 

These are comparatively smaller assemblies and distribute power to the utilities of an installation, which can be an industrial, a commercial or a residential complex. The utilities may be one or more of the following essential services ... 

See also. Air Conditioning Air Quality, Indoor Appliances Building Design, Residential Coal Consumption of Consumption Edison, Thomas Alva Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Systems Heat and Heating Insulation Lighting Natural Gas, Consumption... 

The North American electric power transmission system has been described as the largest, most complex machine ever built by humanity. It is a massive network of generating stations, transmission lines, substations, distribution lines, motors, and other electrical loads all interdependently linked for the conversion, transportation, and control of electrical energy. Approximately 60 percent of all energy utilized in the United States passes through the interconnected electric power system. The major goal of the system is to most efficiently and reliably deliver electric power from generating stations to residential, commercial, and industrial consumers. 

Possible applications of fuel cell includes producing small scale electricity only (low temperature FCs) or heat and power for houses, residential buildings, hotels, hospitals, sport facilities, and shopping centers. Other applications in urban situations, on a larger scale (up to 30 MWe), could be for distributed generation of heat and power or of power only. 

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. ... 

The American Gas Association forecasts that, by 2020, on-site power at industrial facilities or distributed generation in commercial or even residential locations will account for 20 percent of all new capacity, or 5 percent of all electricity generated in the United States. 

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