The Onsite Fuel Cell Cogeneration System

Abstract

This paper describes the experiences and results of the major field test of forty-six 40kW onsite fuel cell power plants in the U.S. and Japan through 1985. The field test is a cooperative effort between the Gas Research Institute, gas and electric utility companies, private sector companies, and the U.S. Department of Energy and Department of Defense. The field test is conducted in parallel with technology development efforts sponsored by the Gas Research Institute and the U.S. Department of Energy. Operation of the field test units began in December 1983 with the initial start-up of two units at a racquetball club sponsored by the Southern California Gas Corporation. As of May 1985, over 300,000 hours of operating experience was achieved on the fleet of 40kW units. This experience has demonstrated the onsite fuel cell's superior technical specification, ease of installation, operation and maintenance, and economic benefits over conventional energy service. In addition, this effort identified operating deficiencies in the 40kW units which were either corrected through field retrofits or provided guidance to the parallel technology development efforts.