ABSTRACT
Fuel cells for buildings are a form of combined heat and power based around electrochemical energy in fuel and electrical and heat energy directly, without combustion, with high electrical efficiency and low pollutant emissions. A fuel cell is composed of an anode, an electrolyte membrane in the centre, and a cathode. The Solid Oxide Fuel Cell offers significant flexibility due to its large power range and wide fuel compatibility. The quick start-up times and size range make Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells suitable for small to medium sized stationary applications. The successful and wide-spread commercial application of fuel cells is dependent on the projected cost reductions indicated, with electricity generated from fuel cells being competitive with current centralized and distributed power generation. The relative complexity of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells has tended to limit developments to large scale stationary applications, although the technology is still very much in the development stages.
