Direct Supply with Cold, Heat, Electricity and further Added Values Using Renewable Fuel for Stationary Fuel Cells

Status

ongoing

Introduction

Due to the mainly centralised energy production there is an existing potential to use regional resources for energy supply. Short transport distances and efficient technologies contribute to high overall efficiencies. First developments already lead in the direction of regional usage of biogenous resources especially for the production of electricity and heat in combined heat and power stations (CHP). This approach can be reached more efficient using fuel cells.

Multifunctional used fuel cells lead to a high total efficiency. In particular the electrical efficiency rises significant in comparison to conventional gas engines used as CHP unit. There is a decisive influence of the factors fuel supply, conversion technology and the profile of energy demand of the respective products on the operation and the economical feasibility of the system.

Several "system models" will be developed and analysed in the project. Different emphases on the mentioned factors will be worked out. The benefit of well done integration as well as possible benefits using the high temperature of the heat leads to rather complex models. The screening of availability and compatibility of local available biogenous resources serves as basis for the selection of optimal fuel supply.

Goal and scope of the project

The project Bio-Vision provides following knowledge and coherences

• Availability and compatibility of regional energy sources for the usage of a HotModule (MCFC, molten carbonate fuel cell) regarding economical and sustainable aspects
• Elaboration of user profiles for a potential operator with optimal usage of the products of a HotModule (saving of prime energy, green electricity price, multifunctional energy supply, etc.)
• Processes for the conversion of the resources in a suitable fuel for the HotModule
• Processes for analysing and remove of harmful contaminants and necessary adaptation of the system
• Economical analyses of the selected system models
• Measures for preparation of a demonstration unit

Structure of the project

• WP1: Description, suitability and availability of possible renewable fuels in Austria for the energetic use in a MCFC
• WP2: Elaboration and characterization of potential users regarding promising branches. Enterprises with optimal energy-compatibility to the HotModule and/or optimal fuel-compatibility are evaluated.
• WP3: Necessary system adaptations at the supply line of the HotModule using new renewable fuels have to be worked out.
• WP4: economical analyses and evaluation of different variations of the selected models will be compared and taken as a basis for the planning of a demonstration site.
• WP5: Most promising system models will be described and defined in detail using technical, ecological, economical and societal criteria.

Intermediate results of the project

• Knowledge of possible renewable fuels for the MCFC - Based on more than 10 possibilities, biogas, sewage gas, bio diesel, and bio ethanol seems to be the most promising fuels at the first glance.
• Knowledge of the availability of the fuels - Tables and maps of production sites in Austria give an overview.
• Knowledge of typical user profile in promising branches - Optimal energy-compatibility of potential users as well as optimal sizes of prime and secondary energy producers are evaluated regarding special user profiles.
• Knowledge of necessary process adaptation - Analyses of different fuels, cleaning and reforming tests were carried out in order to quantify the effort of system adaptations.
• Economical analyses of system models - The model for calculation is defined and implemented.

Projectleader

DI Johann Bergmair
PROFACTOR Produktionsforschungs GmbH

Project partners

• STUDIA - Studienzentrum für internationale Analysen
• EEG - Energy Economics Group
• MTU CFC Solutions

DI Johann Bergmair
Im Stadtgut A2
A-4407, Steyr-Gleink
Tel.: +43 (7252) 885-403
Fax: +43 (7252) 885-101
Email: johann.bergmair@profactor.at
Internet: Profactor