Fuel cell based cogeneration: Comparison of electricity production cost for Swedish conditions

A good portion of greenhouse gas emissions is caused by the energy used in the built environment. Emission reduction goals may be achieved by combining cogeneration with fuel cells (FC). This paper investigates electricity production costs for FC based cogeneration systems with recent data for Swedish conditions. The types of FCs that are investigated are proton exchange membrane FC and molten carbonate FC. Based solely on cost, FC based cogeneration systems cannot compete with conventional systems. However, our results show that Molten Carbonate FC based cogeneration systems will be profitable by 2020. To compete with conventional systems, the capital cost, lifetime and efficiency of FCs must be improved. Creation of a reasonably broad market is essential since it will greatly help to reduce capital costs and operation and maintenance (O&M) costs, the dominating parts of the overall costs according to the analysis.

► Electricity cost average from MCFC based CHP systems on 2010 29 c/kWhel.
► Electricity cost average from PEMFC based CHP systems on 2010 41 c/kWhel.
► Targeted electricity cost average from MCFC based CHP systems for 2020 14 c/kWhel.
► Targeted electricity cost average from PEMFC based CHP systems for 2020 24 c/kWhel.
► Molten Carbonate FC based cogeneration systems will be profitable by 2020.