|
PEM fuel cells have for some time been considered the leading fuel cell technology for domestic CHP applications. It has also been suggested by some that the exploitation of this technology for automotive applications will encourage the development of low cost PEM units for use in stationary applications. The same logic, however, has not brought the benefits of low cost ICE technology to micro CHP and it is difficult to see how the requirements of the automotive industry for low cost, short life, flexible output motive power units can be transferred to micro CHP where requirements for long life, low service and high efficiency are paramount. |
||
| Vaillant | Ebara Ballard | Baxi EFC |
| Vaillant, the European boiler manufacturer, have established a partnership with PlugPower (USA) to integrate the PEM stack into an micro CHP system. However, the focus so far has been on multi-family homes (small apartment blocks) comprising 4 or more homes. The fuel cell is connected to a thermal store and a supplementary boiler, allowing the fuel cell to operate more or less continuously.. A number of these units are being trialled as part of the EU funded VPP (Virtual Power Plant) project. |
The Ebara Ballard PEM unit has a relatively
low electrical output (1kWe) allowing it to maximise running hours and is equipped
with a supplementary heater to provide operational flexibility.
Tokyo Gas recently announced their intention to purchase and install 1000 of these units, although the initial cost remains at least an order of magnitude beyond target production costs. |
Baxi
Technologies (UK) recently acquired European Fuel Cells (EFC) from
Hamburg Gas Consult, owned by EON AG, the German utility.
EFC had previously demonstrated a number of prototype units in apartment blocks in Hamburg, but are now focusing their development of individual home units with an electrical output of 2kWe. |
|
|
|
| For further details contact: | For further details contact: | For further details contact: |
| Electrical
output
1-4.6kWe |
Electrical
output
2kWe |
|
| Thermal
output
25-50kWt |
Thermal
output
4-40kWt |
|
| Application
Multi-family homes |
Application
Individual family homes |
|
| Availability
Field trials in DE 2010? |
Availability
Field trials in Japan |
Availability
Prototype |