Stationary fuel cell applications market requirements

For stationary fuel cell applications the durability requirements for fuel cells is more rigorous. By 2005, stationary PEMFCs have been able to undergo 20,000 h of operation however, market requirements wiU demand even greater lifetimes over a broad range of temperatures (-35-40°C). By 2011, U.S. DOE expects to see stationary fuel cells maintain lifetimes up to 40,000 h at a cost less than 750 kW (Borup et al., 2007). 

Lastly, it seems appropriate that at this stage fuel cell systems should be developed for large niche markets that are appropriate for the current state technical readiness of the technology. Forklift applications are a prime example of matching requirements versus capability. Large stationary fuel cells that are designed for constant base loads with high combined heat and power utilization requirements is another. 

The PEMFC is technically in quite an advanced status. Fuel cell systems for both transport as well as stationary applications exist in a wide variety and are being operated in demonstration programs under practical conditions [57]. For large-scale market introduction, cost has to be reduced significantly, and durability must be improved. Both items cannot be solved by clever engineering only -new materials are also required. 

The requirements for plate materials in a fuel cell stack for different markets or applications can be quite different due to fuel cell working conditions and specific needs for the power, lifetime, weight, volume, size, and acceptable cost range. For example, in addition to basic requirements of all plate materials for their common functions, the plate material used in transportation fuel cells, such as that used in automotive applications, would be significantly different from requirements in stationary stacks in terms of working temperature range, density, durability, and lifetime. 

PEM fuel cell for vehicles, then it will be directly applicable for stationary purposes. However, this is only partially true, as the service-life requirements are much higher for stationary uses. The aim at the current natural gas customers implies that a gas reformer needs to be integrated in the system. The customers that currently have access to piped natural gas is only a segment of the total market, with a share that varies between countries. 

Proton-exchanging membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) are considered to be one of the most promising types of electrochemical device for power generation [1-10]. Low operation temperatures and the wide range of power make them attractive for portable, automotive, and stationary applications. However, advances made in these markets require further cost reduction and improved reliabiUty. These can be achieved through development and implementation of novel proton-exchange membranes with higher performance and lower cost as compared to the state of the art polymeric electrolytes. 

SOFC and PEFC are competing in several stationary markets, with advantages to SOFC technology when reformed hydrocarbon or alcohol fuels are used. PEFC systems however have some distinct advantages in applications where frequent start-stop-cycles and extended periods of standstill are required such as in residential CHP applications. Therefore, more PEFC than SOFC units are ciurently in the field in Japan where market introduction of residential fuel cell systems has already taken place. SOFC systems are in the early phase of deployment. 

A fuel cell can be used for any applications that require electricity (and heat). It was first used in manned spacecraft in the United States. Currently, the major markets for fuel cells are stahonary, transportation, and portable power. This chapter will discuss its application for stationary power. Stationary power includes backup power and primary power. 

Fuel cell system requirements for backup power applications significantly differ from requirements for such systems in automotive and stationary (primary) power generation markets. As Table 10-4 shows, there are only a few common characteristics between the backup power on one side and automotive and stationary (primary) power on the other. 

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