PEMFC Poly-Generation Systems: Developments, Merits, and Challenges

Ahmad Baroutaji, Arun Arjunan, John Robinson, Tabbi Wilberforce, Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem and Abdul Ghani Olabi
Additional contact information
Ahmad Baroutaji: School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Telford TF2 9NT, UK
Arun Arjunan: School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Telford TF2 9NT, UK
John Robinson: School of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Wolverhampton, Telford TF2 9NT, UK
Tabbi Wilberforce: School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK
Mohammad Ali Abdelkareem: Department of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 27272, United Arab Emirates
Abdul Ghani Olabi: School of Engineering and Applied Science, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham B4 7ET, UK

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 21, 1-31

Abstract: Significant research efforts are directed towards finding new ways to reduce the cost, increase efficiency, and decrease the environmental impact of power-generation systems. The poly-generation concept is a promising strategy that enables the development of a sustainable power system. Over the past few years, the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell-based Poly-Generation Systems (PEMFC-PGSs) have received accelerated developments due to the low-temperature operation, high efficiency, and low environmental impact. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the main PEMFC-PGSs, including Combined Heat and Power (CHP) co-generation systems, Combined Cooling and Power (CCP) co-generation systems, Combined Cooling, Heat, and Power (CCHP) tri-generation systems, and Combined Water and Power (CWP) co-generation systems. First, the main technologies used in PEMFC-PGSs, such as those related to hydrogen production, energy storage, and Waste Heat Recovery (WHR), etc., are detailed. Then, the research progresses on the economic, energy, and environmental performance of the different PEMFC-PGSs are presented. Also, the recent commercialization activities on these systems are highlighted focusing on the leading countries in this field. Furthermore, the remaining economic and technical obstacles of these systems along with the future research directions to mitigate them are discussed. The review reveals the potential of the PEMFC-PGS in securing a sustainable future of the power systems. However, many economic and technical issues, particularly those related to high cost and degradation rate, still need to be addressed before unlocking the full benefits of such systems.

Keywords: PEM; poly-generation; CHP; CCHP; heat recovery; fuel cells; sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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