Cost Benefit Analysis for Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Cogeneration
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13052/dgaej2156-3306.1841Abstract
Polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) cogeneration, which supplies
whole space/water heating demand and 70% of electricity demand in a
household in Japan, is considered to be a very attractive product for
natural gas facilities to sell, because it is expected to double the natural
gas sales to a household while letting the homeowner save electricity
costs. On the other hand, the initial cost of fuel cell cogeneration equip-
ment and installation is considered to be the main obstacles to its popu-
larization. In this article, life cycle costs of both a conventional water
heater and PEFC cogeneration was estimated, and it is concluded that a
PEFC cogeneration system benefits homeowners, with a payback period
of less than 4 years and system life cycle savings between $1000 and
$1500 compared to a conventional water heating system.
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