Study of fuel cell network system in consideration of reduction of fuel cell capacity using load equalization and heat release loss

Abstract

Reduction of fuel cell capacity linked to a fuel cell network system is considered. When electric power demand of the whole network is small, a part of electric power generated by the fuel cell is supplied to a water electrolysis device, and hydrogen and oxygen gases are generated. And both gases are compressed with each compressor and they store in cylinders. When electric demand is large of the whole network, both gases are released to the network, and fuel cells are operated by these hydrogen and oxygen. Furthermore, optimization plan is performed so that the quantity of heat release of hot water piping which connects each building may serve as the minimum. To such an energy network, it analyzed supposing connecting individual houses, a hospital, a hotel, a convenience store, an office building, and a factory. Consequently, compared with the conventional system, reduction of 46% of fuel cell capacity is expected.