Competitive μCHP for H2omes
The purpose of this project is to develop a new generation of a hydrogen-fuelled PEM-fuel-cellbased micro combined heat and power (μCHP) system, to demonstrate it in an end-user community, and to prepare for large-scale production to obtain a significant cost reduction. The μCHP is to be combined with a PEM electrolyser module to create a self-sufficient household system
The present project is based on the promising results obtained in the project 'Demonstration of Micro CHP Based on Danish Fuel Cells', in which significant cost and size reductions as well as efficiency improvement of IRD's hydrogen-fuelled 1.5-kW low-temperature proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (LT-PEMFC) micro combined heat and power (μCHP) system were obtained. Despite these achievements the system is still too expensive for a true commercial breakthrough, and the present project addresses the challenge of bringing the technology across the 'valley of death' through further development and demonstration. The project comprises engineering activities to lower the cost while simultaneously maintaining the high efficiency and increasing the durability. The outcome of the present project will be a demonstrated 1-kW LT-PEMFC μCHP unit competitive with other fuel-cell-based μCHP solutions offered internationally. The fuel-cell system will be combined with a micro electrolyser (μPEMEC) module to create a self-sufficient household system, which is ideal in regions without district heating or natural-gas supply. The targets for the complete PEMFC/EC μCHP plant are a price of below 60,000 DKK and a lifetime of minimum 20,000 hours in 2016. Since the projected product is thus a significantly cheaper and more reliable system with enhanced lifetime and durability compared to state-of-the-art CHP solutions, its development will enable IRD to commercially sell and install the PEMFC/EC μCHP plants from 2017. The product will be ready for Smart Grid implementation.
The overall objective was to develop and test a new generation of IRD’s 1 kW micro-combined heat and power (μCHP) unit based on low-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (LT-PEMFC). This improved unit should be much more robust and have prolonged lifetime compared to previous versions. Good results are obtained; 28-units of the developed μCHP has been tested some solely in the laboratory, but the majority of units has been demonstrated in a true end-used environment, more than 85,000 accumulated operational hours are obtained. The lifetime potential of the new μCHP has been substantially increased and a lifetime of more than 11,000 hours has been demonstrated. The obtained cost reduction of the developed μCHP is 36% very close to the target reduction (40%).
Key figures
Category
Dokumenter
Participants
| Partner | Subsidy | Auto financing |
|---|---|---|
| IRD Fuel Cells A/S | 7,33 mio. DKK | 4,89 mio. DKK |
| SEAS-NVE STRØMMEN A/S | 0,09 mio. DKK | 0,14 mio. DKK |
| TRE-FOR Enterprise A/S | 0,72 mio. DKK | 1,08 mio. DKK |
| AVL GmbH | 0,94 mio. DKK | 1,95 mio. DKK |
Contact
IRD Fuel Cells A/S. R&D
Kullinggade 31
DK-5700 Svendborg
www.ird.dk
Grahl-Madsen, Laila , 63633000, info@ird.dk
Øvr. Partnere: SEAS-NVE Holding A/S; TRE-FOR Enterprise A/S
