Performance evaluation of a novel off-grid CCHP system based on a semi-closed-loop PEMEC-PEMFC

Xinyu Lu, Huawei Chang, Zhengkai Tu and Changjun Xie

Energy, 2025, vol. 321, issue C

Abstract: To improve the performance of a combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system based on hydrogen energy storage, this study proposed a novel off-grid CCHP system based on a semi-closed-loop proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell (PEMEC)- proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Wind power and solar energy were used as electrical and thermal inputs to the system, respectively, and a semi-closed-loop PEMEC-PEMFC system with closed-loop gas circuits and open-loop water circuits was developed. Secondary heating of the PEMEC and PEMFC stack cooling water using solar thermal collectors improved the heating/cooling flexibility of the system. While meeting the residential load, the system still exhibited a surplus of hydrogen, oxygen, and heat storage, and could supply heated seawater to a desalination plant. Comparative exergy and economic evaluations showed that the proposed system performed better in summer. The average exergy efficiency of the system was 50.9 %, which was 2.4 % higher than that of a conventional system. It also increased by 1.8 % when only the residential load was considered. Moreover, the investment cost, annual benefit, and payback period of the system were $ 369,506, $ 141,958, and 2.8 years, respectively, 8.36 % lower, 12.6 % higher, and 19.5 % lower than those of the conventional system, respectively.

Keywords: CCHP system; PEMEC; PEMFC; Waste heat recovery; Exergy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:321:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225009806

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135338

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