Supplying electricity and heat to low-energy residential buildings by experimentally integrating a fuel cell electric vehicle with a docking station prototype

The integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar leads to new challenges for a reliable power supply since they are fluctuating and can cause power shortages in times of low solar irradiation and wind. In the present work, the suitability and efficiency of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) as mobile coupled power and heat sources for residential buildings were investigated to bypass times of low PV and wind generation. For this, a scenario analysis was performed using the open energy modelling framework (OEMOF) for FCEVs providing both, electricity and heat, to a neighbourhood compiled of well-insulated all-electric buildings. Scenarios with and without storages (for heat and electricity) and the influence of an increasing number of battery electric vehicles to be charged were analysed. Preliminary and for the parameterisation of the FCEVs in the simulations, experiments with a modified passenger FCEV and a prototype docking station for the transfer of electricity and heat out of the FCEV were carried out. The results show that the additional heat transferred from the FCEVs to the buildings can cover up to 43% of the heat demand of the neighbourhood. Net efficiencies of over 90% from hydrogen conversion to direct current (DC) and heat were achieved with the test setup. Although hydrogen supply via the internal tanks is possible, a larger number of FCEVs would be needed to cover the necessary power capacities. A stationary supply or the use of larger FCEVs such as trucks would be beneficial for different technical aspects. The focus is on low energy neighbourhoods, therefore, the results are only valid for modern highly energy efficient buildings.