Study on Fuel Cell Network System Considering Reduction in Fuel Cell Capacity Using Load Leveling and Heat Release Loss

• Published in: Journal of Thermal Science and Technology Vol. 1; no. 2; pp. 113 - 124
• Main Authors: OBARA, Shin'ya, KUDO, Kazuhiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tokyo The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers and The Heat Transfer Society of Japan 01.01.2006; Japan Science and Technology Agency; The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Subjects: Energy Saving; Fuel cell; Optimum Design; Power plant
• ISSN: 1880-5566; 1880-5566
• DOI: 10.1299/jtst.1.113

Reduction in fuel cell capacity linked to a fuel cell network system is considered. When the power demand of the whole network is small, some of the electric power generated by the fuel cell is supplied to a water electrolysis device, and hydrogen and oxygen gases are generated. Both gases are compressed with each compressor and they are stored in cylinders. When the electric demand of the whole network is large, both gases are supplied to the network, and fuel cells are operated by these hydrogen and oxygen gases. Furthermore, an optimization plan is made to minimize the quantity of heat release of the hot water piping that connects each building. Such an energy network is analyzed assuming connection of individual houses, a hospital, a hotel, a convenience store, an office building, and a factory. Consequently, compared with the conventional system, a reduction of 46% of fuel cell capacity is expected.