ABSTRACT

There are currently very few fuel cells available commercially, and those that are available are not financially viable. Demand has therefore been limited to niche applications, where the end user is willing to pay the premium for what they consider to be the associated key benefits. Indeed, the UK currently has only one fuel cell in regular commercial operation. However, fuel cell technology has made significant progress in recent years, with prices predicted to approach those of the principal competition in the near future. There are four main types of fuel cell technology that are applicable for building systems, classed in terms of the electrolyte they use. The technologies are Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFCs); Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC); Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFCs); and Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs). There is less potential for PAFC unit cost reduction than for some other fuel cell systems, and this technology may be superseded in time by the other technologies.