A methodology to compare the economic feasibility of fuel cell-, gas turbine- and microturbine-based combined heat and power systems

Abstract

Combined heat and power (CHP) systems are a proven technology to reduce emissions. A methodology was presented to compare the economic feasibility of fuel cell-based CHP systems with more alternative prime movers (microturbine and gas turbine). For demonstration purposes, the methodology was applied to three distinct case studies of varying size. The developed methodology allowed for the analysis of the system from various economic points of view. Because of the scarcity of complete equation sets modeling the off-design performance of fuel cells, several novel equations were proposed. All systems utilizing alternative prime movers were unprofitable. The fuel cell-based systems exhibited some economic potential; however, the results showed it would take close to the entire system lifetime to recover the capital costs. This is consistent with the reviewed literature and hence validates the new methodology and partial load equations proposed. Based on this analysis the fuel cell-based system for the medium sized case study showed the most economic potential. Because of the susceptibility of emerging technologies (fuel cells) to changes in capital costs, an in-depth sensitivity analysis was performed. The analysis showed that a 5% decrease in capital costs could reduce the payback period by as much as six months. This indicates that only a small decrease in price is necessary to potentially lead to the adoption of these systems in the near future.

Thermoeconomic assessment of a micro cogeneration system with LNG cold utilization

“…In 1970s, 34 Griepentrog and Sackarendt [25] compared a closed cycle gas turbine with an open cycle 35 gas turbines for the LNG regasification process. More optimization parameters, such as 36 working fluid and cycle pressure ratio, were detected for the closed cycle gas turbines. 37 Air, helium, argon and nitrogen were compared in the closed gas turbine cycles as the 38 different working mediums.…”

A risk aversion optimal model for microenergy grid low carbon‐oriented operation considering power‐to‐gas and gas storage tank

“…Stephen and Pierluigi proved P2G has large storage capacity but relatively low efficiency as an energy storage system. Gibson et al integrate P2G and gas turbines to achieve the effect of decreasing abandoned wind power. Vandewalle et al regarded P2G as a long‐term, wide‐area form of energy storage, which could be used to support the storage renewable energy in a large scale.…”

Thermoenvironomic evaluation of simple, intercooled, STIG, and ISTIG cycles

“…This situation presents an enormous opportunity for gas turbines of stationary power applications because it means that major performance improvements can be made with relatively modest R&D efforts . For this reason, many scientists are still working on gas turbine cycle improvements …”

“…1 For this reason, many scientists are still working on gas turbine cycle improvements. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] Among the proven "low-technology" modifications mentioned earlier, steam injection is found to be the most effective in boosting the output capacity and thermal efficiency while reducing NO x emissions of gas turbines. 9 At the same time, steam injected gas turbine (STIG) plants have several advantages over combined cycle units although CC units would be more efficient because of the expansion of the steam content into vacuum.…”