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Techno-economic analysis of micro fuel cell cogeneration and storage in Germany

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  • Löbberding, Laurens
  • Madlener, Reinhard

Abstract

In this paper, the effectiveness of support schemes for micro fuel cells in Germany is analyzed with regard to the latest market conditions, technical characteristics, and legislative changes. To this end, a dynamic model is used and applied to high-resolution household demand data. Specifically, we scrutinize whether polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are now a feasible investment option for residential usage in Germany or are likely to become so soon. Furthermore, we investigate whether electric energy storage could be a useful extension to the domestic fuel cell system by supplying short-term peak demand, and thus increasing self-consumption and potentially the overall economic merit. We find that the fuel cell technology analyzed is unlikely to become cost-competitive by 2020, and it may take quite some time to achieve a substantial market diffusion. We conclude that for the time being, electric energy storage in combination with a fuel cell system is not a worthwhile investment in a scenario where grid connection is assumed.

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  • Löbberding, Laurens & Madlener, Reinhard, 2019. "Techno-economic analysis of micro fuel cell cogeneration and storage in Germany," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 1603-1613.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:235:y:2019:i:c:p:1603-1613
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.11.023
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Gimelli, A. & Mottola, F. & Muccillo, M. & Proto, D. & Amoresano, A. & Andreotti, A. & Langella, G., 2019. "Optimal configuration of modular cogeneration plants integrated by a battery energy storage system providing peak shaving service," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 242(C), pages 974-993.
    4. Jie Liu & Sung-Chul Kim & Ki-Yeol Shin, 2021. "Feasibility Study and Economic Analysis of a Fuel-Cell-Based CHP System for a Comprehensive Sports Center with an Indoor Swimming Pool," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-21, October.
    5. Andreas Dietrich, 2023. "Incentives for flexible consumption and production on end-user level - Evidence from a German case study and outlook for 2030 -," EWL Working Papers 2302, University of Duisburg-Essen, Chair for Management Science and Energy Economics, revised Feb 2023.
    6. Wong, A.K.C. & Ge, N. & Shrestha, P. & Liu, H. & Fahy, K. & Bazylak, A., 2019. "Polytetrafluoroethylene content in standalone microporous layers: Tradeoff between membrane hydration and mass transport losses in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 240(C), pages 549-560.
    7. Pedro Gabana & Francisco V. Tinaut & Miriam Reyes & José Ignacio Domínguez, 2023. "Performance Evaluation of a Fuel Cell mCHP System under Different Configurations of Hydrogen Origin and Heat Recovery," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-20, September.
    8. Uchman, Wojciech & Kotowicz, Janusz & Li, Kin Fun, 2021. "Evaluation of a micro-cogeneration unit with integrated electrical energy storage for residential application," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(PA).
    9. Chen, Wei-Ming & Kim, Hana, 2020. "Energy, economic, and social impacts of a clean energy economic policy: Fuel cells deployment in Delaware," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).

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