Energy and cost analyses of a hybrid renewable microgeneration system serving multiple residential and small office buildings

The cost analysis results indicate that, in Ottawa, the extra capital investment incurred to the GSHP-FC system is possible to be returned within its lifespan, especially with the current trend of continuous price reductions of FC equipment and installation resulting from economy of scale and market expansion. Nevertheless, the GSHP-FC microgeneration systems' capability to generate both electricity and thermal energy at the point of use is generally considered more attractive for inclusion in the “smart” energy networks, new and remote community applications.