:::
In view of the trend of energy-saving, carbon-reduction and the soaring oil price, the demand of power supply has been focused on improving electricity efficiency to curb greenhouse gas emissions and to minimize the levelized electricity cost. The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is among one of the most promising technologies to accommodate these goals. The Institute of Nuclear Energy Research launched an SOFC R&D project in 2003. Its short-term target is to develop 1~5 kW distributed power generation systems for residential applications. After nearly 5 years of endeavor, prominent achievements have been attained for the SOFC project. These include: manufacture and testing of the SOFC-MEAs, design, simulation and assembly of the SOFC stack, as well as integration of the balance of plant for kW-grade power system. Meanwhile, a 1-kW SOFC power validating system has been set up and gone through various functional tests with a SOFC stack.
The SOFC is an energy conversion device, of which oxygen ions are transported through a thin layer of solid electrolyte to react with fuels and produce electricity by direct electrochemical reactions. The electricity efficiency of a SOFC system is about 40~ 60% higher than conventional plants, and its overall system efficiency can reach up to 90% when the combined heat and power (CHP) system is employed. Most of the developed countries, such as the U.S.A., European Community and Japan, have been devoted to commercialization of SOFC systems through government-supported projects which effectively integrate research resources from national institutes, academics, and the industry.
Generally, the development roadmap for the SOFC system according to the U.S. Department of Energy (US-DOE), can be divided into three phases: (1) before 2010, technology development and demonstration phase, with potential markets in research organizations, universities, and governmental institutes; (2) from 2011 to 2015, commercialization and early-market phase, with potential markets in research organizations, vehicle auxiliary power units, public buildings, etc.;and (3) from 2016 to 2030, commercialization of 100 MW grade SOFC base-loaded power stations with high-efficiency and low-pollution. A perspective view of the US-DOE predicts that, by 2025, SOFC power capacity will likely grow to 72 GW and yield a power generation saving of US$ 50 billion.
One of the most important components of the SOFC system is the SOFC-MEAs. For this part, INER has successfully fabricated 10 x 10 cm2 anode-supported cells (ASC) and metal-supported cells (MSC) via the tape casting-screen(TCS) printing and co-fired processes and the atmospheric plasma spraying(APS) processes, respectively. The power densities of both types of MEAs were demonstrated surpassing the international standard of 500 mW/cm2 under 800 degrees Celsius operating conditions. In particular, the development of MSC is aimed at MEAs for the next generation operating at lower temperatures (500~650 degrees Celsius). For the moment, optimization of component arrangement, analysis of electricity and system efficiency, and control strategy for a compact 2-kW power system are persistently in progress. It is anticipated that the goal of developing 1~5 kW residential distributed power systems can be achieved with success in 2010.
To ensure the commercial value of the innovative ideas and concepts developed by the project, INER is also engaged in the layout of patent distribution for these SOFC technologies so as to foster and underlie technology transfer to the domestic industry. At this time, efforts of the SOFC project are being devoted to improving performance and durability, reducing overall system cost, and simplifying system operation. Currently it is optimistic that the SOFC system will be very competitive in the future global markets.
Establishment of a High Efficiency Electric Power System-- INER's 1 kW Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Power System--(20080811)
Last Update: May 14, 2020
In view of the trend of energy-saving, carbon-reduction and the soaring oil price, the demand of power supply has been focused on improving electricity efficiency to curb greenhouse gas emissions and to minimize the levelized electricity cost. The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is among one of the most promising technologies to accommodate these goals. The Institute of Nuclear Energy Research launched an SOFC R&D project in 2003. Its short-term target is to develop 1~5 kW distributed power generation systems for residential applications. After nearly 5 years of endeavor, prominent achievements have been attained for the SOFC project. These include: manufacture and testing of the SOFC-MEAs, design, simulation and assembly of the SOFC stack, as well as integration of the balance of plant for kW-grade power system. Meanwhile, a 1-kW SOFC power validating system has been set up and gone through various functional tests with a SOFC stack.
The SOFC is an energy conversion device, of which oxygen ions are transported through a thin layer of solid electrolyte to react with fuels and produce electricity by direct electrochemical reactions. The electricity efficiency of a SOFC system is about 40~ 60% higher than conventional plants, and its overall system efficiency can reach up to 90% when the combined heat and power (CHP) system is employed. Most of the developed countries, such as the U.S.A., European Community and Japan, have been devoted to commercialization of SOFC systems through government-supported projects which effectively integrate research resources from national institutes, academics, and the industry.
Generally, the development roadmap for the SOFC system according to the U.S. Department of Energy (US-DOE), can be divided into three phases: (1) before 2010, technology development and demonstration phase, with potential markets in research organizations, universities, and governmental institutes; (2) from 2011 to 2015, commercialization and early-market phase, with potential markets in research organizations, vehicle auxiliary power units, public buildings, etc.;and (3) from 2016 to 2030, commercialization of 100 MW grade SOFC base-loaded power stations with high-efficiency and low-pollution. A perspective view of the US-DOE predicts that, by 2025, SOFC power capacity will likely grow to 72 GW and yield a power generation saving of US$ 50 billion.
One of the most important components of the SOFC system is the SOFC-MEAs. For this part, INER has successfully fabricated 10 x 10 cm2 anode-supported cells (ASC) and metal-supported cells (MSC) via the tape casting-screen(TCS) printing and co-fired processes and the atmospheric plasma spraying(APS) processes, respectively. The power densities of both types of MEAs were demonstrated surpassing the international standard of 500 mW/cm2 under 800 degrees Celsius operating conditions. In particular, the development of MSC is aimed at MEAs for the next generation operating at lower temperatures (500~650 degrees Celsius). For the moment, optimization of component arrangement, analysis of electricity and system efficiency, and control strategy for a compact 2-kW power system are persistently in progress. It is anticipated that the goal of developing 1~5 kW residential distributed power systems can be achieved with success in 2010.
To ensure the commercial value of the innovative ideas and concepts developed by the project, INER is also engaged in the layout of patent distribution for these SOFC technologies so as to foster and underlie technology transfer to the domestic industry. At this time, efforts of the SOFC project are being devoted to improving performance and durability, reducing overall system cost, and simplifying system operation. Currently it is optimistic that the SOFC system will be very competitive in the future global markets.
