Modelling and Optimisation in Terms of CO2 Emissions of a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell based Micro-CHP System in a Four Bedroom House in London

AbstractOne of the most promising technologies for reducing energy consumption is combined heat and power (CHP). CHPs benefit from the simultaneous generation of electricity and heat increasing their total utilisation of fuel, thus their efficiency. Current research on fuel cell CHPs is focused on detailed fuel cell models that use basic information of the building energy requirements. A deeper understanding of the process of integration of the fuel cell CHP on to the building energy system is required. Fuel cell based micro-CHP system components need to be sized appropriately to satisfy the domestic energy demand profile and to serve heat loads effectively. It is also important to define the operation strategy (scheduling of demands, electricity/heat generation etc.) and the control method that is utilised to meet the building energy demands because they define the overall performance and efficiency of the building energy system as a whole.In this paper an investigation of the design of a SOFC based micro-CHP under varying conditions is carried out and ways of integration with the building energy system are presented. A mathematical model that describes the operation and control of a fuel cell micro-CHP based system in residential dwellings has been developed and is demonstrated. The model is dynamic and includes the fuel cell, the backup gas boiler, and hot water thermal storage. The evaluation is based on a new UK residential dwelling in accordance with the current building regulations and includes electricity, heating and domestic hot water loads. The aims are to investigate methods of integration of the fuel cell based micro-CHP with the fluctuating energy patterns and examine the benefits of electricity and heating generation using fuel cell CHPs in residential buildings