ASSESSMENT OF HYDROGEN-FUELED PROTON EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELLS FOR DISTRIBUTED GENERATION AND COGENERATION

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are highly efficient power generators, achieving up to 50-60% conversion efficiency, even at sizes of a few kilowatts. PEMFCs have zero pollutant emissions when fueled directly with hydrogen, and near zero emissions when coupled to reformers. These attributes make them potentially attractive for a variety of applications including electric vehicles and distributed generation and cogeneration of heat and power in buildings. Over the past few years, there have been intense efforts worldwide to develop low-cost PEMFC systems. While the primary focus has been on vehicle applications, an equally important application may be combined heat and power generation in commercial and residential buildings.