Energy, economic, and environmental analysis: A study of operational strategies for combined heat and power system based on PEM fuel cell in the East China region

Abstract

This study introduces a combined heat and power (CHP) system primarily based on proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, which can provide electricity and heat for residential buildings in the East China region under two operating strategies. The analysis and discussion focus on the impact of parameters such as current density and gas inlet pressure on the system's output power and efficiency. The results indicate that excessively high current density decreases the system's electricity generation efficiency, while a moderate increase in hydrogen inlet pressure contributes to greater heat generation. Considering energy, economic, and environmental factors, the system operates with the thermal-led strategy in parallel with the grid, resulting in a substantial 73.3 % reduction in fuel costs. The annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the amount of emission reduction are lowered to 6.96 × 107 g and 3.39 × 107 g, respectively.