Abstract
Significant research efforts are directed towards finding new ways to reduce the cost, increase efficiency, and decrease the environmental impact of power-generation systems. The poly-generation concept is a promising strategy that enables the development of a sustainable power system. Over the past few years, the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell-based Poly-Generation Systems (PEMFC-PGSs) have received accelerated developments due to the low-temperature operation, high efficiency, and low environmental impact. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the main PEMFC-PGSs, including Combined Heat and Power (CHP) co-generation systems, Combined Cooling and Power (CCP) co-generation systems, Combined Cooling, Heat, and Power (CCHP) tri-generation systems, and Combined Water and Power (CWP) co-generation systems. First, the main technologies used in PEMFC-PGSs, such as those related to hydrogen production, energy storage, and Waste Heat Recovery (WHR), etc., are detailed. Then, the research progresses on the economic, energy, and environmental performance of the different PEMFC-PGSs are presented. Also, the recent commercialization activities on these systems are highlighted focusing on the leading countries in this field. Furthermore, the remaining economic and technical obstacles of these systems along with the future research directions to mitigate them are discussed. The review reveals the potential of the PEMFC-PGS in securing a sustainable future of the power systems. However, many economic and technical issues, particularly those related to high cost and degradation rate, still need to be addressed before unlocking the full benefits of such systems.
Highlights
The demand for economic and environmental-friendly power systems continues to increase globally due to rapid population growth as well as the depletion of fossil fuel resources and their environmental pollution impact [1]
Due to the potential role of the PEMFC-poly-generation system (PGS) in mitigating greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, reducing global warming, and enabling the transition into a clean-energy future, this paper aims to provide an overview of the different types of PEMFC-PGS as well as highlighting their advantages, limitations, prospects, and commercial developments
For integrating the PEMFC-PGS with the national electricity grid, additional pieces of equipment are required to provide frequency synchronisation, control, and other power conditioning to enhance the exportability of the generated power as well as satisfying the quality that is required by the national grid; Balance of Plant (BoP) components such as pumps, compressors, humidifiers, valves, pipework, sensors, etc.; Auxiliary devices, such as a secondary boiler, providing additional thermal power when the heating generated by the PEMFC-PGS is not sufficient; and
Summary
The demand for economic and environmental-friendly power systems continues to increase globally due to rapid population growth as well as the depletion of fossil fuel resources and their environmental pollution impact [1]. Fuel cell-based poly-generation systems (FC-PGSs) are very promising in the move toward more environmental and lower-energy consumption buildings [20]. Such systems can reduce the primary energy consumption for covering the electrical and thermal demands of domestic users [21,22]. Due to the potential role of the PEMFC-PGSs in mitigating GHG emissions, reducing global warming, and enabling the transition into a clean-energy future, this paper aims to provide an overview of the different types of PEMFC-PGS as well as highlighting their advantages, limitations, prospects, and commercial developments. The merits and remaining challenges of these systems are discussed
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