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Control and Power Portfolio Partnership
Fuel Cells in Small-Scale Distributed Generation Systems
BACKGROUND
A distributed generation scheme, such as the one depicted in figure 1, imposes
enormous challenges for the control and power research field. Some aspects include
assuring the reliability of the grid, optimising of the local resources, respecting
the environment and making this generation scheme economically sensible.
Figure 1. A distributed generation scheme
The successful integration of small scale generators depends of a number of factors, among them: social acceptability, technological development and legal and financial issues. Every single aspect is a worthy research field
Hydrogen-based technology: a promising player in small-scale distributed generation
The ability and efficiency of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) to produce both electricity and useful heat without being aggressive to the environment make them strong candidates to take part in a distributed generation scheme.
These devices however face enormous challenges in several battle fronts. Hydrogen supply, initial cost, reliability, suitability and durability are issues that need to be proven. The viability of these devices as a power source is therefore still an issue of research.