DOCSLIB.ORG

Developing Solar Cells to Achieve Record-Breaking 40% Conversion Efficiency

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Developing Solar Cells to Achieve Record-Breaking 40% Conversion Efficiency February 2012 Sharp Corporation ・Research and Development of Photovoltaic Power Generation New Energy Technology/Research and Development of Advanced Solar Cell Technology/Development of Manufacturing Technologies for Ultra-high Efficiency Crystalline Compound Solar Cell Modules (FY2001‒FY2003),etc. Developing Solar Cells to Achieve Record-breaking 40% Conversion Efficiency There are high expectations regarding solar cells as a means of renewable energy. To continue the spread of their use, further enhancement of module conversion efficiency is critical. For many years, Sharp Corporation has been committed to conducting research and development on a variety of solar cells, such as compound solar cells, through the Research and Development of Photovoltaic Power Generation Technology project launched by NEDO in 2001. Applying the expertise it acquired through NEDO’s project, Sharp developed triple-junction compound solar cells which today are the primary solar cells Triple-junction compound solar cell achieves a mounted in satellites used around the world. In 2002, record-breaking 36.9% conversion efficiency. Conversion efficiency of a non-concentrated solar cell at the the company’s triple-junction compound solar cell research stage as of November 2011 was certified by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), which has led to its widespread use in the aerospace industry. In 2004, cells were installed in a small scientific satellite named "REIMEI" 2009, they Triple junction compound Polycrystalline silicon solar solar cells for space use cells for residential use were adopted for the greenhouse gas observation Energy conversion efficiency satellite "IBUKI". Solar photo-energy distribution As a result of its research and development efforts, Sharp achieved a solar cell conversion efficiency of 35.8% in 2009, a world record. In 2011, the company broke this record by increasing cell conversion Top efficiency to 36.9%. Today, Sharp is continuing its research and development efforts toward achieving a Middle cell conversion efficiency of 40% (non-concentrated) Bottom and 50% (concentrated) by 2025. The company is also working to move its concentrated photovoltaic Compared with polycrystalline silicon solar cell, a power generation system to the practical application triple-junction compound solar cell is able to convert a wide range of sun light to electricity, thus achieving high stage. The concentrated solar module has a target conversion efficiency. conversion efficiency of more than 40%, which will be achieved with concentrated solar power through the use of a specially designed lens and other Sharp Corporation components. 8 March 2009 KANEKA CORPORATION ・Development of Technology to Accelerate the New Energy Dissemination of Photovoltaic Power Generation Systems (FY2000‒FY2005) New Hybrid Solar Cells: Promising Technology for the Solar Cell Market Solar power generation, which uses sunlight̶an infinite source of energy̶has been receiving a great amount of attention as we continue to move toward becoming a low-carbon society. Since 2003, solar cell production has grown rapidly at an annual rate of 30 to 50%. In Japan, government poli- cies to increase installed solar power generation capacity have revived subsidies earmarked for house- holds that have installed solar power generators since 2009. Amidst mounting expectations for the expansion of the New HYBRID™ photovoltaic panel solar cell market, Kaneka Corporation has focused on solar cell development, most recently launching a new HYBRID™ solar module, which incorporates the compa- ny’s unique technologies. Generally, two types of materials are used in the pro- duction of a solar cell; amorphous silicon and thin-film microcrystalline silicon. The former efficiently absorbs short-wavelength ultraviolet rays; the latter absorbs long-wavelength infrared rays. To make use of the merits in which their effective wavelengths and conditions for use differ, Kaneka developed a hybrid tandem-type solar panel, which is composed of dual layers of amorphous Photovoltaic modules incorporated into tiles silicon and thin-film microcrystalline silicon. The most important aspect of solar cell performance is Sunlight conversion efficiency. Kaneka’s new HYBRID™ solar cell boasts a conversion efficiency that exceeds that of Glass normal tandem-type cells by efficiently capturing light Transparent electrode through the use of transparent interlayers. Amorphous silicon Conserving resources, improving production efficiency Transparent interlayers and lowering costs are important factors in the solar cell business. In particular, improving a solar cell’ s conversion Thin-film microcrystalline silicon efficiency maximizes cost reductions. Kaneka has already started producing large modules Back electrode for European countries, including Germany. In Japan, demand is growing for solar cells that can integrate into Cross-section of Kaneka’s New HYBRID™ solar cell and blend well with their surroundings. Thus, Kaneka is Sunlight is captured and sandwiched between transparent focusing its efforts in this area. In 2010, the company interlayers, thus enhancing its conversion efficiency. released a line of solar cells with an energy output KANEKA CORPORATION equivalent to 55 MW and demand is steadily increasing. 9 February, March 2010 SHOWA SHELL SEKIYU K.K. ・New Sunshine Project/Research and Development of New Energy Photovoltaic Power Generation Technology (FY1993‒FY2000),etc. Mass Production of New Non-silicon Solar Cells The development of renewable energy is gaining ufacturing plant, the world’s largest, with an annual momentum as a solution to the depletion of fossil production of 900 MW, which expanded the compa- fuels and global warming. Renewable energy is ny’s overall production scale into gigawatts. Through expected to play a key role in alleviating or resolving Solar Frontier, Showa Shell is utilizing technologies these problems, and solar cells of varying materials developed through NEDO projects to continue to and power-generating mechanisms are being devel- expand its solar cell business, which has become one oped amid fierce competition throughout the world. of its core businesses. There is one solar cell for which specific goals have been set towards resolving issues associated with their development and performance, namely improv- ing energy conversion efficiency, establishing stable manufacturing technologies and reducing costs. Con- tinuous progress is being made to achieve these goals with development and performance enhancements being rapidly applied to an innovative new solar cell that shows great promise̶the CIS thin-film solar cell under development by Show Shell Sekiyu. CIS denotes the components that comprise the solar cell; copper (Cu), indium (In) and selenium (Se). Thin film laminated on glass substrate Showa Shell Sekiyu started developing this solar cell as part of the New Sunshine Project, which was launched in 1993. In subsequent NEDO projects, the company sought to realize the high potential that is Monocrystalline silicon unique to CIS-based solar cells by developing large-ar- Crystalline Polycrystalline silicon ea structurally-integrated solar cells. By consistently silicon Silicon improving the manufacturing process and optimizing Amorphous Microcrystalline Thin-film silicon silicon silicon the technology’s design, the company was successful in Multi-junction tandem (hybrid type) III-V compound achieving goals that were set for each project. Solar cells multi-junction Chemical In 2006, Showa Shell Sekiyu formed a wholly-owned CIS compound subsidiary, called Showa Shell Solar, to operate its Cadmium telluride (CdTe) CIS-based thin-film solar cell business. In 2007, the Organic subsidiary started manufacturing and distributing the Main types of solar cells CIS-based cells and sales continue to increase globally SHOWA SHELL SEKIYU K.K. (In April 2010 the subsidiary was renamed Solar Fron- tier). In 2011, Showa Shell built its third solar cell man- 10 March 2010 Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. ・Development of Advanced Manufacturing Technology for New Energy Photovoltaic Power Generation Systems (FY2000‒FY2001),etc. Development of Large-area High-speed Film Deposition Technology for Sharply Enhancing Solar Cell Productivity Until now, the race to develop solar cells has focused mainly on energy conversion efficiency. How- ever, numerous other factors determine solar cell pro- duction costs. The main challenges the industry is seeking to address are reducing large-area solar cells production times and achieving continuous produc- tion. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has taken on these challenges from the viewpoint of monozukuri (manufacturing), Japan’ s competitive advantage in technology, focusing its endeavors on the develop- ment and production of silicon based thin-film solar Plasma CVD system for manufacturing amorphous silicon solar cells cells that use small amounts of silicon, a material used The star-shape enables short, tandemly-arranged lines and minimizes the impact from any process in the line that has stopped. in most solar cells. Through collaborative NEDO proj- ects between industry and universities, MHI developed a technique for manufacturing solar cells with large surface areas (1.4 m x 1.1 m) as well as a technology to enhance film deposition speed. The result of this collaboration is a film deposition speed that is about five times faster, with an actual production yield of 97%. The solar cells manufactured by MHI are being exported to countries such as Germany and Spain, which have been quick to adopt
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Role and Status of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Across the Global Energy System
    The role and status of hydrogen and fuel cells across the global energy system Iain Staffell(a), Daniel Scamman(b), Anthony Velazquez Abad(b), Paul Balcombe(c), Paul E. Dodds(b), Paul Ekins(b), Nilay Shah(d) and Kate R. Ward(a). (a) Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London SW7 1NE. (b) UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources, University College London, London WC1H 0NN. (c) Sustainable Gas Institute, Imperial College London, SW7 1NA. (d) Centre for Process Systems Engineering, Dept of Chemical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ. Abstract Hydrogen technologies have experienced cycles of excessive expectations followed by disillusion. Nonetheless, a growing body of evidence suggests these technologies form an attractive option for the deep decarbonisation of global energy systems, and that recent improvements in their cost and performance point towards economic viability as well. This paper is a comprehensive review of the potential role that hydrogen could play in the provision of electricity, heat, industry, transport and energy storage in a low-carbon energy system, and an assessment of the status of hydrogen in being able to fulfil that potential. The picture that emerges is one of qualified promise: hydrogen is well established in certain niches such as forklift trucks, while mainstream applications are now forthcoming. Hydrogen vehicles are available commercially in several countries, and 225,000 fuel cell home heating systems have been sold. This represents a step change from the situation of only five years ago. This review shows that challenges around cost and performance remain, and considerable improvements are still required for hydrogen to become truly competitive.
    [Show full text]
  • Fuel Cell Technology for Domestic Built Environment Applications: State Of-The-Art Review
    FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY FOR DOMESTIC BUILT ENVIRONMENT APPLICATIONS: STATE OF-THE-ART REVIEW Theo Elmer*, Mark Worall, Shenyi Wu and Saffa Riffat Architecture, Climate and Environment Research Group The University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD (UK) *corresponding author email: [email protected] ABSTRACT Fuel cells produce heat when generating electricity, thus they are of particular interest for combined heat and power (CHP) and combined cooling heat and power (CCHP) applications, also known as tri-generation systems. CHP and tri-generation systems offer high energy conversion efficiency and hence the potential to reduce fuel costs and CO2 emissions. This paper serves to provide a state-of-the-art review of fuel cell technology operating in the domestic built environment in CHP and tri-generation system applications. The review aims to carry out an assessment of the following topics: (1) the operational advantages fuel cells offer in CHP and tri-generation system configurations, specifically, compared to conventional combustion based technologies such as Stirling engines, (2) how decarbonisation, running cost and energy security in the domestic built environment may be addressed through the use of fuel cell technology, and (3) what has been done to date and what needs to be done in the future. The paper commences with a review of fuel cell technology, then moves on to examine fuel cell CHP systems operating in the domestic built environment, and finally explores fuel cell tri-generation systems in domestic built environment applications. The paper concludes with an assessment of the present development of, and future challenges for, domestic fuel cells operating in CHP and tri-generation systems.
    [Show full text]
  • State of the States 2010: Fuel Cells in America
    2010 State of the States: Fuel Cells in America Authors and Acknowledgements This report was written and compiled by Sandra Curtin, Elizabeth Delmont and Jennifer Gangi of Fuel Cells 2000, an activity of Breakthrough Technologies Institute in Washington, DC, with significant contribution from Semee Jang and Brian Woodlock. Support was provided by the US Department of Energy’s Fuel Cell Technologies Program. About This Report The information contained in this report was collected from public records, websites and contact with state and industry representatives as of April 2010, particularly the State Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Database (http://www.fuelcells.org/info/statedatabase.html) and North Carolina Solar Center's Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE - http://www.dsireusa.org/). To the best of our knowledge, fuel cell installations listed are currently active unless otherwise marked. Front Cover Photos: Top right: Three fuel cell buses demonstrated at Chicago Transit Agency Middle left: Four 250-kW FuelCell Energy DFC fuel cell systems at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel Middle right: Plug Power GenDrive™ fuel cell powered forklift Bottom left: ClearEdge Power residential fuel cell system Bottom right: General Motors Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicle 1 Contents Fuel Cells: Here Today ........................................................................................................................4 Highlights by Region........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Micro Generation and Customer Side Smart Grid Infrastructures
    Micro Generation and Customer Side Smart Grid Infrastructures Thomas M. Korman1, Ph.D., P.E., 1Professor, Construction Management Department, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA 93407-0284 (805-270-5072, [email protected]) ABSTRACT: The implementation of the Smart Grid is gradually changing the nature of the electrical distribution system in the United States. With the Smart Grid, electrical power generation and distribution is becoming a two-way process between customers and generators. Being a bi-way process, there are two sides of the smart grid; the first being the utility side and second being the customer side. As the utility side smart grid is implemented, customers will have the opportunity to tailor their electrical power usage and reduce energy consumption costs through the customer side components of the smart grid. This includes energy management systems, micro-generation, and energy storage systems. This presents many new opportunities for electrical contractors to enhance existing systems in residential, commercial, and industrial facilities. This paper focuses on the wide range of energy management applications and electrical service provider interactions, including: On-site generation, Demand response, Electrical storage, Peak demand management, Forward power usage estimation, Load shedding capability estimation, End load monitoring (sub metering), Power quality of service monitoring, Utilization of historical energy consumption data, and Responsive energy control. INTRODUCTION Many consider traditional building systems to be ineffective at automatically adjusting to user needs because they require complex programming that is not flexible or adaptable with changing environments and different end users. Smart grid technologies, however, are designed to be adaptive and self-programing to the needs of the user.
    [Show full text]
  • Middle School Activity Guide 3/22/04 11:33 AM Page 1 TABLE of CONTENTS
    Middle School Activity Guide 3/22/04 11:33 AM Page 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Table of Contents INTRODUCTION a.Welcome to the World of Hydrogen and Fuel Cells!....................................................................1 b. Knowledge Inventories i. Pre-Knowledge Inventory ......................................................................................................3 ii. Post-Knowledge Inventory ....................................................................................................5 HYDROGEN a. Introductory Activity — Mystery Scientist: Henry Cavendish ..................................................7 b. Hydrogen Mini-Lesson ..............................................................................................................11 c. How Do We Produce Hydrogen, Deliver, and Store Hydrogen? ..............................................15 i. Slide Show Activity Sheet......................................................................................................19 ii. Slide Show Activity Answer Sheet ......................................................................................21 iii. Slide Show Slides and Script ..............................................................................................23 iv. Electrolysis Experiment ......................................................................................................45 v. Electrolysis Experiment Activity Sheet ..............................................................................51 vi. Electrolysis Experiment Activity
    [Show full text]
  • Fuel Cells in America Authors and Acknowledgements
    2010 State of the States: Fuel Cells in America Authors and Acknowledgements This report was written and compiled by Sandra Curtin, Elizabeth Delmont and Jennifer Gangi of Fuel Cells 2000, an activity of Breakthrough Technologies Institute in Washington, DC, with significant contribution from Semee Jang and Brian Woodlock. Support was provided by the US Department of Energy’s Fuel Cell Technologies Program. About This Report The information contained in this report was collected from public records, websites and contact with state and industry representatives as of April 2010, particularly the State Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Database (http://www.fuelcells.org/info/statedatabase.html) and North Carolina Solar Center's Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency (DSIRE - http://www.dsireusa.org/). To the best of our knowledge, fuel cell installations listed are currently active unless otherwise marked. Front Cover Photos: Top right: Three fuel cell buses demonstrated at Chicago Transit Agency Middle left: Four 250-kW FuelCell Energy DFC fuel cell systems at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel Middle right: Plug Power GenDrive™ fuel cell powered forklift Bottom left: ClearEdge Power residential fuel cell system Bottom right: General Motors Chevy Equinox fuel cell vehicle 1 Contents Fuel Cells: Here Today........................................................................................................................4 Highlights by Region.........................................................................................................................11
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental and Efficiency Analysis of Simulated Application of The
    energies Article Environmental and Efficiency Analysis of Simulated Application of the Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Co-Generation System in a Dormitory Building Han Chang * and In-Hee Lee * Department of Architecture, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Korea * Correspondence: [email protected] (H.C.); [email protected] (I.-H.L.) Received: 23 August 2019; Accepted: 11 October 2019; Published: 15 October 2019 Abstract: The problem of air pollution in Korea has become progressively more serious in recent years. Since electricity is advertised as clean energy, some newly developed buildings in Korea are using only electricity for all energy needs. In this research, the annual amount of air pollution attributable to energy under the traditional method in a dormitory building, which is supplying both natural gas and electricity to the building, was compared with the annual amount of air pollution attributable to supplying only electricity. The results showed that the building using only electricity emits much more air pollution than the building using electricity and natural gas together. Under the traditional method of energy supply, a residential solid oxide fuel cell cogeneration system (SOFC–CGS) for minimizing environmental pollution of the building was simulated. Furthermore, as a high load factor could lead to high efficiency of the SOFC–CGS, sharing of the SOFC–CGS by multi-households could increase its efficiency. Finally, the environmental pollution from using one system in one household was compared with that from sharing one system by multi-households. The results showed that the environmental pollution from sharing the system was relatively higher but still similar to that when using one system in one household.
    [Show full text]
  • Fuel Cell Technologies in the Domestic Built Environment
    STATE OF THE ART REVIEW: FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE DOMESTIC BUILT ENVIRONMENT 1Theo Elmer, 2Saffa B Riffat Institute of Sustainable Energy Technology, School of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham, NG7 2RD, UK [email protected], [email protected] ABSTRACT The paper provides a state-of-the-art review of fuel cells operating in the domestic built environment. Fuel cells produce heat when generating electricity, thus they are of particular interest for combined heat and power (CHP) applications. As this paper’s focus is the domestic built environment, only micro-CHP applications are considered. The review commences with an examination of micro-CHP in the built environment and then appraises domestic fuel cell technology. It concludes with an assessment of the present development of, and future challenges for, domestic fuel cells; specifically the operational advantages they offer compared to conventional micro-CHP technologies. As fuel cells are an emergent technology the paper draws on a breadth of literature, data and experience, mostly from the UK, Japan, USA and Australia. 1. INTRODUCTION It is now of global importance that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with energy production are substantially reduced in order to limit the effects of climate change. Agreements such as the 1997 Kyoto Protocol have been established in order to try and mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the quantities of GHGs released into the atmosphere. More recently the UK set out in its 2007 Energy White Paper it would commit to an 80% GHG emission reduction compared to 1990 levels by 2050 (DECC 2008).
    [Show full text]
  • AAVISHKAR Edition
    Dr.V.Selladurai Principal, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore-641014. MESSAGE SYNERGY-18 is indeed a work of art and a treasure of true ideas and the creativity of students. This is a gateway for our students to put forth their talent, ideas and the technical knowledge. I have no doubt that these articles and features will be informative and interesting. Nothing is achieved without the sweat of hard work. Here the hard work is reflected in the quality of articles. I congratulate the ―DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING‖ and the students who have contributed their articles Dr.M.Thirumarimurugan Professor and Head, Department of Chemical Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore-641014. MESSAGE SYNERGY our department magazine has always come out with flying colours which portrays the distinguished articles. It also gives them a wonderful opportunity for young minds to think beyond the horizon and to bring the innovative thinking of my students and my co-staff members to different and various extent. I am very much happy, that this special edition of synergy has come out as pictured with perfection for Aavishkar 2k18 and I thank the editorial board for their perpetual work and passion in the making of SYNERGY. With more expectation I wish the success to prevail and may the Almighty bless you all with all the desires and wishes. Mr.A.Vivek Joe Bharath Staff Coordinator, Student chapter IIChE, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Coimbatore-641014. MESSAGE It is indeed my pleasure to appreciate the editors who worked hard for compiling every information and ideas of various students into a well organized magazine.
    [Show full text]
  • Smart Grid- Digital Utility Convergence of Energy and It
    SMART GRID- DIGITAL UTILITY CONVERGENCE OF ENERGY AND IT Praveen Chorghade Chief- Engineering (T&D) Tata Power 1 Smart Digital Utility : Components 2 The Smart Utility - Journey 2015 onwards 2005 to 2015 1980 to 2005 Smart Digital Utility • IT for a smarter grid, smarter home and a smarter customer • The digital technology that allows for two-way communication between the utility and its customers • Like the Internet, the Smart Utility will consist of controls, computers, automation, and new technologies and equipment working together, but in this case, these technologies will work with the electrical grid to respond digitally to our quickly changing electric demand. Smart Utility – Future of Power Sector The Smart Utility represents an unprecedented opportunity to move the energy industry into a new era of reliability, availability, and efficiency that will contribute to our economic and environmental health • Add Resiliency to electric power System • Make it better prepared to address emergencies such as severe storms, earthquakes, large solar flares, and terrorist attacks Technology • Will Automatically reroute the power supply when equipment fails or outages occur / Utility • Will detect and isolate the power outages, containing them before they become large-scale blackouts • Smart meters Combined with real-time pricing will lead to cost optimization of electricity • Better data analytics 4 Smart Utility – Future of Power Sector • Will take greater advantage of customer-owned power generators to produce power • Will let consumers manage their electricity Consumers • Unprecedented level of consumer participation via net-metering, incentives, etc. • Minimize losses and improve consumer satisfaction via reliability of quality power supply • By combining these "distributed generation“ resources, a community could keep its health center, police department, traffic lights, phone System, and grocery store operating during emergencies.
    [Show full text]
  • Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius.Pdf
    Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius Evil Genius Series Bionics for the Evil Genius: 25 Build-it-Yourself MORE Electronic Gadgets for the Evil Genius: Projects 40 NEW Build-it-Yourself Projects Electronic Circuits for the Evil Genius: 57 Lessons 101 Spy Gadgets for the Evil Genius with Projects 101 Outer Space Projects for the Evil Genius Electronic Gadgets for the Evil Genius: 123 PIC® Microcontroller Experiments for the Evil 28 Build-it-Yourself Projects Genius Electronic Games for the Evil Genius 123 Robotics Experiments for the Evil Genius Electronic Sensors for the Evil Genius: PC Mods for the Evil Genius: 25 Custom Builds to 54 Electrifying Projects Turbocharge Your Computer 50 Awesome Auto Projects for the Evil Genius Programming Video Games for the Evil Genius 50 Model Rocket Projects for the Evil Genius Solar Energy Projects for the Evil Genius 51 High-Tech Practical Jokes for the Evil Genius 22 Radio and Receiver Projects for the Evil Genius Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius 25 Home Automation Projects for the Evil Genius Mechatronics for the Evil Genius: 25 Build-it-Yourself Projects Fuel Cell Projects for the Evil Genius Gavin D. J. Harper New York Chicago San Francisco Lisbon London Madrid Mexico City Milan New Delhi San Juan Seoul Singapore Sydney Toronto Copyright © 2008 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. Manufactured in the United States of America. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
    [Show full text]
  • Current Status of Fuel Cell Based Combined Heat and Power Systems for Residential Sector
    Journal of Power Sources 293 (2015) 312e328 Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Journal of Power Sources journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jpowsour Review Current status of fuel cell based combined heat and power systems for residential sector * Harikishan R. Ellamla a, , Iain Staffell b, Piotr Bujlo a, Bruno G. Pollet a, Sivakumar Pasupathi a a Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Systems and Validation Centre, SAIAMC, University of the Western Cape, Robert Sobukwe Road, Bellville, 7535, Cape Town, South Africa b Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom highlights Status of micro FC-CHP system activities in different countries is described. Technical potential of PEMFC and SOFC technology is presented. FC-CHP system main components are characterised and analysed. By doubling the production 25% price reduction of micro FC-CHP system is possible. LT-PEMFC and SOFC is dominant but HT-PEMFC has potential for FC-CHP application. article info abstract Article history: Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is the sequential or simultaneous generation of multiple forms of useful Received 26 January 2015 energy, usually electrical and thermal, in a single and integrated system. Implementing CHP systems in Received in revised form the current energy sector may solve energy shortages, climate change and energy conservation issues. 6 May 2015 This review paper is divided into six sections: the first part defines and classifies the types of fuel cell Accepted 14 May 2015 used in CHP systems; the second part discusses the current status of fuel cell CHP (FC-CHP) around the Available online 28 May 2015 world and highlights the benefits and drawbacks of CHP systems; the third part focuses on techniques for modelling CHP systems.
    [Show full text]