2018, Volume 4, Issue 3
Engineering >> 2018, Volume 4, Issue 3 doi: 10.1016/j.eng.2018.05.007
Techno-Economic Challenges of Fuel Cell Commercialization
a Faculty of Science and Technology, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3, Canada
b State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
Next Previous
Abstract
As resource scarcity, extreme climate change, and pollution levels increase, economic growth must rely on more environmentally friendly and efficient production processes. Fuel cells are an ideal alternative to internal combustion (IC) engines and boilers on the path to greener industries because of their high efficiency and environmentally friendly operation. However, as a new energy technology, significant market penetration of fuel cells has not yet been achieved. In this paper, we perform a techno-economic and environmental analysis of fuel cell systems using life cycle and value chain activities. First, we investigate the procedure of fuel cell development and identify what activities should be undertaken according to fuel cell life cycle activities, value chain activities, and end-user acceptance criteria. Next, we present a unified learning of the institutional barriers in fuel cell commercialization. The primary end-user acceptance criteria are function, cost, and reliability; a fuel cell should outperform these criteria compared with its competitors, such as IC engines and batteries, to achieve a competitive advantage. The repair and maintenance costs of fuel cells (due to low reliability) can lead to a substantial cost increase and decrease in availability, which are the major factors for end-user acceptance. The fuel cell industry must face the challenge of how to overcome this reliability barrier. This paper provides a deeper insight into our work over the years on the main barriers to fuel cell commercialization, and discusses the potential pivotal role of fuel cells in a future low-carbon green economy. It also identifies the needs and points out some directions for this future low-carbon economy. Green energy, supplied with fuel cells, is truly the business mode of the future. Striving for a more sustainable development of economic growth by adopting green public investments and implementing policy initiatives encourages environmentally responsible industrial investments.
Keywords
Energy security ; Fuel cells ; Cost analysis ; Durability and reliability ; Energy storage
Figures
Fig.1
Fig.2
Fig.3
Fig.4
Fig.5
Fig.6
References
[ 1 ] Energy security [Internet]. Paris: International Energy Agency; 2018 [cited 2018 April 2]. link1
[ 2 ] Jacobsson S, Lauber V. The politics and policy of energy system transformation—explaining the German diffusion of renewable energy technology. Energy Policy 2006;34(3):256–76. link1
[ 3 ] Zhang PD, Yang YN, Shi J, Zheng YH, Wang LS, Li XR. Opportunities and challenges for renewable energy policy in China. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2009;13(2):439–49. link1
[ 4 ] Ong HC, Mahlia TMI, Masjuki HH. A review on energy scenario and sustainable energy in Malaysia. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2011;15(1):639–47. link1
[ 5 ] Wang JY. Decentralized biogas technology of anaerobic digestion and farm ecosystem: opportunities and challenges. Front Energy Res 2014;2:10. link1
[ 6 ] Hepbasli A. A key review on exergetic analysis and assessment of renewable energy resources for a sustainable future. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2008;12 (3):593–661. link1
[ 7 ] US Energy Information Administration. Annual energy review 2011. Report. Washington, DC: Office of Energy Statistics, US Department of Energy; 2012. Report No.: DOE/EIA-0384(2011).
[ 8 ] Wang JY. Barriers of scaling-up fuel cells: cost, durability and reliability. Energy 2015;80:509–21. link1
[ 9 ] Wang JY, Wang HL. Flow field designs of bipolar plates in PEM fuel cells: theory and applications. Fuel Cells 2012;12(6):989–1003. link1
[10] Wang JY, Wang HL. Discrete approach for flow-field designs of parallel channel configurations in fuel cells. Int J Hydrogen Energy 2012;37(14):10881–97. link1
[11] Wang JY, Wang HL. Discrete method for design of flow distribution in manifolds. Appl Therm Eng 2015;89:927–45. link1
[12] Wang JY. Theory and practice of flow field designs for fuel cell scaling-up: a critical review. Appl Energy 2015;157:640–63. link1
[13] Wang JY. System integration, durability and reliability of fuel cells: challenges and solutions. Appl Energy 2017;189:460–79. link1
[14] Akinyele DO, Rayudu RK. Review of energy storage technologies for sustain power networks. Sustain Energy Technol Assess 2014;8:74–91.
[15] Jiang RW, Wang JH, Guan YP. Robust unit commitment with wind power and pumped storage hydro. IEEE Trans Power Syst 2012;27(2):800–10. link1
[16] Ramakrishnan S, Wang XM, Sanjayan J, Wilson J. Thermal performance of buildings integrated with phase change materials to reduce heat stress risks during extreme heatwave events. Appl Energy 2017;194:410–21. link1
[17] Goodenough JB, Park KS. The Li-ion rechargeable battery: a perspective. J Am Chem Soc 2013;135(4):1167–76. link1
[18] Li Y, Yang J, Song J. Design structure model and renewable energy technology for rechargeable battery towards greener and more sustainable electric vehicle. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2017;74:19–25. link1
[19] Peters JF, Baumann M, Zimmermann B, Braun J, Weil M. The environmental impact of Li-ion batteries and the role of key parameters—a review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2017;67:491–506. link1
[20] Electric vehicle battery development gains momentum [Internet]. Golden: National Renewable Energy Laboratory; c2017 [updated 2017 Aug 16; cited 2017 Jul 5]. Available from: http://www.nrel.gov/continuum/sustainable_ transportation/batteries.html.
[21] Schaal E. A simple guide to electric vehicle charging [Internet]. Waterloo: CrossChasm Technologies; c2018 [cited 2017 Jul 5]. Available from: http:// www.fleetcarma.com/electric-vehicle-charging-guide/. link1
[22] David H. Range confidence: charge fast, drive far, with your electric car [Internet]. [cited 2017 Jul 5]. Available from: https://greentransportation.info/ ev-charging/range-confidence/chap8-tech/charge-faster-than-gas.html. link1
[23] Drive US. Fuel cell technical team roadmap. Southfield: US DRIVE; 2017. link1
[24] Toyota hybrid cars: what’s new for 2018 [Internet]. Toronto: Toyota Canada; c2018 [updated 2018 Jan 22; cited 2018 Jan 22]. Available from: https:// www.toyota.ca/toyota/en/connect/2034/hybrid-cars-suvs.
[25] Emadi A, Rajashekara K, Williamson SS, Lukic SM. Topological overview of hybrid electric and fuel cell vehicular power system architectures and configurations. IEEE Trans Vehicular Technol 2005;54(3):763–70. link1
[26] Rahman KM, Patel NR, Ward TG, Nagashima JM, Caricchi F, Crescimbini F. Application of direct-drive wheel motor for fuel cell electric and hybrid electric vehicle propulsion system. IEEE Trans Indust Appl 2006;42 (5):1185–92. link1
[27] Lane B, Shaffer B, Samuelsen GS. Plug-in fuel cell electric vehicles: a California case study. Int J Hydrogen Energy 2017;42(20):14294–300. link1
[28] Brunel J, Ponssard JP. Policies and deployment for fuel cell electric vehicles: an assessment of the Normandy project. Int J Hydrogen Energy 2017;42 (7):4276–84. link1
[29] Belzile G, Milke M. Are electric vehicle subsidies efficient? [Internet]. Montreal: MEI; c2018 [updated 2017 Jun 22; cited 2018 April 2]. Available from: https://www.iedm.org/71215-are-electric-vehicle-subsidies- efficient. link1
[30] Jenn A, Azevedo IML, Michalek JJ. Alternative fuel vehicle adoption increases fleet gasoline consumption and greenhouse gas emissions under United States corporate average fuel economy policy and greenhouse gas emissions standards. Environ Sci Technol 2016;50(5):2165–74. link1
[31] Ahluwalia RK, Wang X, Tajiri K, Kumar R. Fuel cell systems analysis Report. Washington, DC: US Department of Energy; 2009.
[32] Yang Y. PEM fuel cell system manufacturing cost analysis for automotive applications. Wellesley: Austin Power Engineering LLC; 2015. link1
[33] Platinum prices—interactive historical chart [Internet]. Macrotrends LLC; c2010–2018 [cited 2017 Jul 5]. Available from: http://www.macrotrends.net/ 2540/platinum-prices-historical-chart-data.
[34] Elnozahy A, Rahman AKA, Ali HH, Abdel-Salam M. A cost comparison between fuel cell, hybrid and conventional vehicles. In: Proceedings of the 16th International Middle-east Power Systems Conference—MEPCON 2014; 2014 Dec 23–25; Cairo, Egypt; 2014. link1
[35] Curtin S, Gangi J. State of the states: fuel cells in America 2016. 7th edition. Report. Washington, DC: Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy’s Fuel Cell Technologies Office, US Department of Energy; 2016 Nov. Report No.: DOE/EE- 1493.
[36] Fuel cell electric vehicles: paving the way to commercial success [Internet]. Golden: National Renewable Energy Laboratory; c2017 [updated 2017 Aug 16; cited 2017 Jun 30]. link1
[37] Technology readiness levels: a new dimension in horizon 2020 [Internet]. [cited 2017 Jun 30]. link1
[38] US Government Accountability Office. Technology readiness assessment guide [Internet]. [cited 2018 April 2]. link1
[39] Kinoshita K, Lundquist JT, Stonehart P. Potential cycling effects on platinum electrocatalyst surfaces. J Electroanal Chem 1973;48(2):157–66. link1
[40] Yuan XZ, Zhang S, Wang H, Wu J, Sun JC, Hiesgen R, et al. Degradation of a PEM fuel cell stack with nafion membranes of different thicknesses. Part I: in situ diagnosis. J Power Sources 2010;195(22):7594–9. link1
[41] Zakaria Z, Kamarudin SK, Timmiati SN. Membranes for direct ethanol fuel cells: an overview. Appl Energy 2016;163:334–42. link1
[42] Wei M, Chan SH, Mayyas A, Lipman T. Deployment and capacity trends for stationary fuel cell systems in the USA. In: Stolten D, Samsun RC, Garland N, editors. Fuel cells: data, facts and figures. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA; 2016. p. 257–69.
[43] Behling N. Solving the fuel cell dilemma. Fuel Cells Bull 2012;2012(11):12–4. link1
[44] Powell JB. Application of multiphase reaction engineering and process intensification to the challenges of sustainable future energy and chemicals. Chem Eng Sci 2017;157:15–25.
[45] Wang JY. Theory of flow distributions in manifolds. Chem Eng J 2011;168 (3):1331–45. link1
[46] Wang JY. Pressure drop and flow distribution in parallel-channel configurations of fuel cells: Z-type arrangement. Int J Hydrogen Energy 2010;35(11):5498–509. link1
[47] Wang JY. Pressure drop and flow distribution in parallel-channel fuel cell stacks: U-type arrangement. Int J Hydrogen Energy 2008;33(21): 6339–50.
[48] Donati G, Paludetto R. Scale up of chemical reactors. Catal Today 1997;34(3– 4):483–533. link1
[49] Gordon-Bloomfield N. Toyota admits cutting costs of hydrogen fuel cell technology further will be tough [Internet]. Transport Evolved LLC; c2016 [cited 2017 Jun 30]. link1
京公网安备 11010502051620号
