EPRI roles in fuel cell commercialization: Final report

Objective of this study was to identify conditions under which first generation phosphoric acid fuel cells would begin to enter the electric utility market place, and to identify the most useful and affordable roles for EPRI to assist in the market entry process. In performing the study, the applications of fuel cells in four specific utilities were investigated in detail. The conditions necessary for fuel cells to be selected for use by these utilities, in competition primarily with advanced combined-cycle and combustion turbine power plants, were studied closely to give insights into the market entry process and its sensitivity to many technical, economic and business factors. The study concludes that EPRI can best utilize its limited resources by helping to disseminate information and by contributing directly to market entry activities such as the demonstration of several of the initial 11 MW power plants being offered to the utility industry by International Fuel Cells Incorporated.