Techno-Economic Analysis of Micro Fuel Cell Cogeneration and Storage

In this paper, the effectiveness of support schemes for micro fuel cells in Germany is analyzed with regard to the latest market conditions, support schemes, and legislative changes. Specifically, we analyze whether polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are a feasible investment option for residential usage in Germany, or whether they are likely to become so soon. Furthermore, we investigate whether electric energy storage could be a useful extension to the domestic fuel cell system by supplying short-term peak demand, and thus increasing self-consumption and potentially the overall economic merit. We find that PEMFCs are unlikely to become a competitive technology by 2020, and it may take quite some time to achieve a substantial market diffusion. Finally, we find that electric energy storage in combination with an FC system is found not to be a worthwhile investment in a grid-connected scenario