The impact of distributed micro-CHP on energy efficiency David Peck Sustainable Energy 2005 27th April 2005.

The impact of distributed micro-CHP on energy efficiency

David Peck

Sustainable Energy 2005

27th April 2005

Introduction

•CFCL background

•Micro-CHP vision

•Distributed energy

•Efficiency

•Micro-CHP technology

•Why Utilities are interested

•CFCL product development

CFCL Background

•Based in Noble Park (Melbourne), Australia

•Established 1992 – ASX IPO July 2004

•9000m2 of R&D and prototyping facilities

•Pilot solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) production

•100 employees

•European subsidiary established Sept 2004

Micro-CHP vision

“In the future we can also expect to see far more ‘micro-CHP’ – efficient, small-scale heating and electricity generation systems in homes as well as businesses.”

UK Energy White Paper 2003

“MicroMap calculates different scenarios with up to 12 million micro-CHP systems delivered in Europe by 2020.”

WWF/Fuel Cell Europe 2003

Micro-CHP domestic distributed generation

CFCL 1kW micro-CHP

Distributed energy resources

Source: European Commission, 2003

Energy efficiency of CFCL micro-CHP

45% energy saving using CFCL’s CHP unit instead of a central power plant and gas fired domestic water heater

Wasted heat 2.15 kW, 66%

Switchyard

Transmission losses 0.1kW, 10%

Conventional power station

Electrical energy for use on site 1 kW, 30.8%

Electrical energy 1.1 kW, 33.8%

Plus

Energy used to power CHP system 0.5 kW, 20%

Heat recovered used for hot water 1 kW, 40%

Electricity generated for use on site 1 kW, 40%

CFCL’s micro-CHP unit – heat and power produced on site Transmission

losses 0 kW, 0%

Source: ABARE 2004

Domestic gas hot water unit

Heat energy 1 kW, 80%

Wasted heat energy 0.25 kW, 20%

Micro-CHP technologies

PEMFC

SOFC

Internal combustion External combustionStirling cycle

Steam - Rankine cycle

Fuel cells CFCL - SOFC

Micro-CHP performance

Micro-CHP technology

Electrical efficiency

Power to Heat ratio

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

40-50% 1:1

PEM Fuel Cell

30-40% 1:2

Internal Combustion

20-30% 1:3

Stirling Engine 10-20% 1:6

Commercial micro-CHP units

Make Country Type Price – A$

Senertec Germany5 kW IC

engine23,000

Ecopower Germany4.7 kW

IC engine21,500

Honda Ecowil Japan1 kw IC

engine12,500

Whispergen NZ/UK0.8 kW Stirling

7,500

Why Utilities are interested in micro-CHP

• Hedge against losing revenue from micro-CHP emergence

• Customer retention in competitive markets

• Synergies between electricity and gas businesses

• Increase gas sales and reduced seasonality

• Reduce peak demand

• Relieve network congestion

• Energy efficiency / CO2 benefit

• Provide customers with lower cost energy

• Provide additional services which may be unregulated

• Provide higher reliability service

• Services to off-grid customers

• Support green credentials

• Deferred capital investmentSource: Platts, Micropower Conference, UK 2004

Government support for micro-CHP

•Germany– €5.11c/kwh in-feed bonus– Exemption from mineral oil tax on NG for heating– Energy efficiency targets for new houses

•UK– VAT reduced from 17.5% to 5%– Recognition of micro-CHP in energy policy– Carbon Trust funding for field trials– Modification of network regulations for small DG

•Australia– Energy efficiency targets for new houses – 5 Star, BASIX

Fuel Cell Technology (SOFC)

Efficient Clean Silent

Electrolyte

(SOFC)

Anode

Cathode

Methane fuel input

Internal reforming of methane into hydrogen and carbon monoxide

Reaction with oxygen ions generateselectricity and forms water vapour

and carbon dioxide exhaust

Air input

Valuable high temperature exhaust heat

DC Electricity Output

800°C Operating

Temperature

O2- oxygen ions

Air exhaust

Load

•Wide fuel range – NG, LPG, bio-methane, ethanol

•High Efficiency – 40 to 50% electrical

•Reduced greenhouse gas – up to 60% vs coal

CFCL’s SOFC Stack Technology

Stack components – Layer SetMade up of only 4 components for ease of manufacture and

economies of scale

Cell: Zirconia electrolyte with printed electrodes and gas distribution structure

Interconnector: Zirconia plate with electric feed-throughs and printed contact layers

Fuel Seal: Glass-ceramic seal

Air Seal: Glass-ceramic seal

CFCL’s SOFC Operation

CFCL’s SOFC Stack Technology

Level 1 Sub-stackConsists of 28 Layer Sets

150 Watt DC electricity output

Versatile building block

Quality control step prior to assembly into larger stacks

28 Layer Setsin a Level 1

CFCL’s SOFC Stack Technology

Level 2 StackConsists of up to 14 Level 1’s (total 1~2 kW electrical output)

Multiple stacks can be manifolded together

Suitable for capacities up to 200 kW

Up to 14 Level 1’s in a Level 2

CFCL Product Development

Combined Heat & Power micro-CHP concept

Proof-of-concept prototype

Prototype with it’s covers fitted

Pre-commercial demonstrator

CFCL Product Development

Combined Heat & Power micro-CHP concept

Proof-of-concept prototype

Prototype with it’s covers fitted

Pre-commercial demonstrator

CFCL Product Development

Combined Heat & Power micro-CHP concept

Proof-of-concept prototype

Prototype with it’s covers fitted

Pre-commercial demonstrator

CFCL Product Development

Combined Heat & Power micro-CHP concept

Proof-of-concept prototype

Prototype with it’s covers fitted

Pre-commercial demonstrator

Micro-CHP Demonstrator Prototype

Micro-CHP prototype on test

Fuel cell stack

Steam generator & burner

Fuel processor & heat exchanger

Hot water tank

Waste heat recovery

Mains power converter

Commercialisation of fuel cell micro-CHP

•PEMFC & SOFC at advanced stage of development

•SOFC uses readily available fuels

•PEMFC requires pure hydrogen or on-board reformer with NG

•Mass production will reduce cost

•Micro-CHP trials – Europe & Japan

•CFCL trials – Australia, NZ, Europe