No abstract

Solid oxide fuel cells produce electricity with high efficiency, low pollutants, and low noise. Coupling a fuel cell with a renewable energy resource such as photovoltaic panels (PV) and a battery for electrical energy storage enhances the ability to vary the power outputs of the integrated hybrid system, and allows better use of renewable energy. This research presents an optimal sizing framework and a dispatch strategy for a hybrid energy system comprised of a PV system, a fuel cell, and a battery for meeting the dynamic loads of buildings. For the public building investigated the cost of electricity is reduced and the utilization of PV power is increased by making the fuel cell system more capable of dynamic operation. Fuel cell systems with highly dynamic operating characteristics are shown to well complement renewable intermittency and dynamics.