Presentation to IRPApril 30, 2003 – 7:30 AM

2 Today’s Agenda  Fuel cell basics  Problem statement overview  End product description  Future work  Project results  Summary

3 List of Definitions  MCFC –Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell  PAFC –Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell  PEMFC –Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell  SOFC –Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

4 Problem Statement  Provide feasibility study to client –Operations of fuel cells –Market conditions –Fuel cells vs. fossil generation –Benefits and possible drawbacks –Possible applications

5 General Solution Approach Statement  Comparison of available and anticipated fuel cell technologies –Types –Operating conditions –Strategies  Customer demographics vs. types  Utility issues

6 Operating Environment  MidAmerican service territory  Fuel cells contained in enclosures  Near heavy industrial plants  Within residential areas  Commercial applications

7 Intended Users  MidAmerican Energy

8 Intended Uses  Informational tool for personnel at MidAmerican to evaluate feasibility of fuel cells  Get a clear picture of the current fuel cell market  Inform clients of potential energy generation alternatives to fossil fuel

9 Assumptions  Only fuel cell issues will be addressed when discussing utility interconnection  The client has limited knowledge of fuel cells  Fuel cell will be stationary  The client will incur the cost of the fuel cell

10 Limitations  $100 budget  Fuel cell –Size –Enclosures –Output characteristics

11 End Product Description  Feasibility Study –Basic Fuel Cell Principles –Available Technologies –Economic Analysis –Market Readiness –Interconnection

12 Other Deliverables  Application Checklist –Residential, Commercial, Industrial –Rural, Urban –Peak, Off-Peak –Voltage/Current Ratings –Power Output

13 Present Accomplishments  General knowledge of fuel cell types and applications  Providing useful material to client  Blue ribbon on project poster

14 Approaches Considered and one used  Approach Considered –Research based project  Final product is our client’s alternative to fossil fuel power generation

15 Project Definition Activities  Defined project as a two semester feasibility study on fuel cells for electric power generation  Scope defined by client, advisor, and team members

16 Research Activities  Researched the feasibility of fuel cells including –Types and operating conditions –Economics –Fuels –Market readiness

17 Design Activities  Design outline  Research, research, research

18 Implementation Activities  Feasibility study  Fuel cell specifics  Current fuel cell market  Application guidelines

19 Testing and Modification Activities  Product testing –Is the final product valuable to the client?  Multiple revisions

20 Other Significant Project Activities  Presented to EPRC annual meeting

21 Personal Budget

22 Other recourses  Miscellaneous binding costs –$9  ASHRAE book ordered from library –Purchased by library  Learning about fuel cells –Priceless

23 Financial Budget

24 Project Schedule

25 Project Evaluation  Phase 1:Project Description (10%)Fully met  Phase 2:Design Activity (15%) Fully met  Phase 3: Implementation (40%)Exceeded  Phase 4:Documentation (20%)Exceeded  Phase 5:Testing (10%)Fully met  Phase 6:Demonstration ( 5%)Exceeded

26 Commercialization  Currently no plans for commercialization  Similar IEEE reports authored by students sell for around $25 –Require specific formatting (IEEE standards)  Production costs around $5  Possible market –Electric utilities, IPPs, building managers, etc

27 Recommended Future Work  Re-evaluate as another 491/492 project in 3 to 5 years

28 Lessons Learned  Technical aspects of fuel cells  Ability to work individually and combine into coherent documents  Need for clear agenda and set meeting places & times  Project kept team members interested

29 Risks and Risk Management  Anticipated risks –Loss of team member  Risk management –Documentation sources, information –Be aware of group member’s research –Communicate with group members  Anticipated risks encountered –None  Unanticipated risks encountered –None

30 Fuel Cell Operation 1.Extracted hydrogen enters the anode 1.Oxygen (Air) enters the cathode 2.Hydrogen electrons separate via anode catalyst; the electrolyte transfers the hydrogen ions only

31 Fuel Cell Operation 3.Electrons are utilized in an external circuit for energy consumption 4.Electrons, hydrogen ions, and oxygen recombine into water

32 Fuel Cell Types

33 Common FC Specifications  Expected Life –Entire unit lasts approximately 20 years –Fuel Cell stack lasts about 40,000 hours –Increases based on capacity of operation  Efficiency –Typically between 30% and 50% (No CHP) –Decreases based on capacity of operation  All types can be used as CHP units

34 Utility Implications  State of Iowa –Fuel cells not “Renewable energy sources”  United States Federal Government –May be considered “Renewable energy sources”  Department of Defense – Climate Change Rebate Program –$1000/kW

35 Current Fuel Cell Market ManufacturerSizeUnits Installed Date of Commercialization FC Type Ballard250kW02004PEMFC FuelCell Energy 250kW20+Currently marketedPEMFC Plug Power25kW78Currently marketedPEMFC Siemens Westinghouse 200kW 500kW 0250kW, 10/ kW, 2005 SOFC UTC200kW250+Currently marketedPEMFC

36 Applicable Size Range Source: American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 2002 publication, Fuel Cells for Building Applications

37 Utility Interconnection Major requirements for distributed power generation (DPG) summarized from the IEEE Draft Standard P1547 in three categories:  General requirements  Safety and protection requirements  Power quality requirements  Grid independent  Grid parallel

38 Fuels  Six types of fuel: 1.Hydrogen 2.Natural gas 3.Methanol 4.Fuel oil 5.LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) 6.Coal gas

39 Fuels  Natural Gas –Existing production and transportation infrastructure able to support use fuel cells as generation units. – Market ready Infrastructure Fuel cell design

40 Natural Gas Market Source: Natural Gas Annual, U.S. Department of Energy

41 Economic Feasibility  Cost of electricity  Annual savings based on hourly cost

42 DoD Application Calculators DoD Fuel Cell - Interactive Guide Application worksheet DoD Fuel Cell - Step-by-Step Outline

43 Economic Considerations  High electric to natural gas ratio  Over sized steam reformer For the production of hydrogen as a third benefit  Electrical and thermal load profiles  Natural gas rate structure  Capacity factors above 50%  Independent power producers: off-peak sales  Fuel cell production volume  Existing infrastructure

44 Summary Many factors need taken into consideration when evaluating a site for fuel cell installation. By covering the types of fuel cells, market readiness, available fuels, and economic considerations can we begin to understand the variables that determine feasibility. Therefore, only through intense data collection of electrical, thermal, and site needs for a specific application can a determination be made.

45 Questions?

46 Thank You!