Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: An Overview of the

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: An Overview
of the Business Case for the First
Wave of Products
Greg Moreland
SRA Contract Support to
Fuel Cell Technologies Program
United States Department of Energy
End--User Education Session
End
November 1, 2011
The Basic Energy Equations
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Energy Conversion
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What is Energy Conversion?
Transforming nature’s energy to forms that can be used by humans
Examples of Energy Conversion
Photosynthesis (Autotrophs)
Chemosynthesis
(Autotrophs)
Digestion (Heterotrophs)
Electrochemical: Batteries
and Fuel Cells
Photovoltaic: Solar Cells
Kinetic: Windmills, wind
turbines, and hydro
Geothermal
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Combustion
This is
what the
cavemen
saw
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Combustion Today
A Clear View of the Earth at Night
The U.S. Energy Profile
U.S. Primary Energy Consumption by
Source and Sector
Electric Power
Residential & Commercial
Industrial
Transportation
Total U.S. Energy = 94.6 Quadrillion Btu
Source: Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Review 2009, Figure 2.0
Share of Energy
Consumed by Major
Sectors of the
Economy, 2009
Combustion is a Powerful
Intermediate Step
Transforming nature’s energy to thermal energy for human use
Combustion
Equation:
Fuel + Air Heat + Water + Carbon Dioxide +
Nitrogen
Exothermic chemical reaction between fuel and oxidant
that produces heat and chemical conversions
Thermal Energy (heat) becomes an important
intermediate step in energy conversion process:
Internal combustion engines for transportation
Generators for electricity
Hydrocarbons provide a rich fuel source for releasing
energy via combustion – coal , oil, and natural gas
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The Basic Facts on Hydrogen
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How A Fuel Cell Works
Zero
Emissions!
Hydrogen Facts
Physical
Behavior
Most common element in the universe
Lightest gas – 1/15th the density of air
Exists as a diatomic molecule (H2) in gaseous state
Does not persist for long in the environment
Bound up in organic or inorganic compounds or can escape
earth’s gravity
General
Properties
Useful because it is energetic – 1 kg equals 1 gallon of
gasoline
Extracted from fossil fuels and biofuels via reformation or
from renewable sources (solar, wind, geothermal) via water
electrolysis
High pressure compression required for storage – cryogenic
liquid or special storage media such as hydrides used for
storage
Non-corrosive, nontoxic, odor-free, and non-irritating
Flammable over a wide range of gas mixtures
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Hydrogen Fire is Invisible
Fuel Cells and Hydrogen: The
Business Case for the First
Wave of Products
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Benefits and Market Potential
The Role of Fuel Cells
Key Benefits
Very High
Efficiency
• up to 60% (electrical)
• up to 70% (electrical, hybrid
fuel cell / turbine)
• up to 85% (with CHP)
Reduced
CO2
Emissions
• 35–50%+ reductions for
CHP systems (>80% with
biogas)
• 55–90% reductions for
light-duty vehicles
Reduced Oil
Use
• >95% reduction for FCEVs
(vs. today’s gasoline ICEVs)
• >80% reduction for FCEVs
(vs. advanced PHEVs)
Reduced Air
Pollution
• up to 90% reduction in
criteria pollutants for
CHP systems
Fuel
Flexibility
• Clean fuels — including
biogas, methanol, H2
• Hydrogen — can be
produced cleanly using
sunlight or biomass
directly, or through
electrolysis, using
renewable electricity
• Conventional fuels —
including natural gas,
propane, diesel
Fuel cells convert chemical energy directly to electrical energy —
with very high efficiency — and without criteria pollutant emissions.
Combustion Engines — convert
chemical energy into thermal energy
and mechanical energy, and then into
electrical energy.
15 – 40%
efficiency
Fuel cells — convert chemical energy
Typical Electrical Efficiency (HHV)
directly into electrical energy, bypassing
inefficiencies associated with thermal
energy conversion. Available energy is
equal to the Gibbs free energy.
60%+ efficiency
possible
Electrical
Efficiency
Typical
Efficiency
70%
60%
Fuel cells convert chemical
energy directly into electrical
energy, bypassing
inefficiencies associated with
thermal energy conversion
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Steam
Turbine
Recip.
Engine
Gas
Turbine
MicroTurbine
Source: EPA, Catalog of CHP Technologies, December 2008
Fuel
Cell
Distributed Generation Value Proposition:
Stationary Power Fuel Cells for
Combined Heat & Power (CHP) Applications
Here is a photo of a 400 kW fuel cell (grey box) in the rear of a
Price Chopper supermarket in Colonie, New York.
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Another Footprint Comparison:
Fuel Cells vs. Solar PV
HERO 453 Acre 70 MW* PV
Power Plant Site at Jennings,
Florida
The same acreage could
accommodate installation of
6,170 2.8 MW FuelCell Energy
Systems or 17,277 MW!!!
*Maximum PV Rated Power @ 1 Hour of 1 Day in Year
Overview of CHP Concept
Electricity
Power
Natural Gas
Heat
+
Cooling
Natural Gas
or Biogas
Fuel Cell
Excess power generated by
the fuel cell is fed to the grid
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National Renewable Energy Laboratory
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Innovation for Our Energy Future
CHP Value Proposition
Combined Heat and Power
Heating & Power Needs
Multiple Fuel Options
Natural Gas
Biogas
Value Proposition
“Make vs. Buy” – Avoid
Purchase of Grid
Electricity
PPA Eligible Financing –
Avoid Up-front Capex
High Reliability
Energy Efficiency
(exceeding 80%)
Very low NOX
DOE Has Released a Fuel Cell Guide
The Business Case for Fuel Cell Power for
Material Handling Equipment
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Fuel Cells as Battery Replacements
Compelling economic case can
be made in many market
segments
High throughput distribution
centers (e.g. Sysco, Wal-Mart)
Manufacturing plants (e.g.
BMW, Bridgestone)
Value Proposition
Quick, easy indoor refills
Avg < 2 min
Consistent power across
entire shift
10-20% Labor Productivity
Savings
Payback of few months to a couple of
years
Value Proposition for Emergency Backup Power
Stationary Applications Served
Telecomm
Data Centers
Remote Locations
Fort Jackson
Fort Sumter
ARRA Projects
CERL Multi-Site
Project
Value Proposition
Energy Efficiency
High Reliability
Low Life Cycle Costs
No NOx and criteria
pollutants
TELECOMM MARKET
Domestically - 200,000 Cell Towers
Developing Mkts ~80% Increases over 3 yrs
India 250,000-450,000 Towers (3 yrs)
Thank You
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