Technical and economic analysis of a cogeneration system based on Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) technology for building application

Buildings are one of the major energy consumers in Iran. Electricity in this section is supplied by thermal power plants with low efficiency and high pollution emissions. Today, the development and deployment of novel power generation systems with high efficiency and independent of the network with low emissions are important and extensive researches have been devoted to them. Fuel cell is one of these systems. In this paper, the application of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) as a prime mover of a cogeneration system to supply energy demands of a typical residential building has been analyzed from technical and economic points of view. The process of SOFC was simulated using Aspen Plus software and the possibility of heat recovery from SOFC high temperature exhaust gas to activate a double effect absorption refrigeration cycle by steam generation and hot water production in a heat recovery heat exchanger was examined. The power and efficiency of heating and power cogeneration and heating, power and cooling cogeneration systems versus inlet fuel rates was obtained. Based on building energy consumption model, the produced powers and building loads matching conditions were obtained based on minimum annual energy cost. Economic analysis has shown that annual energy consumption cost in cogeneration system compared with a separately produced power system will be drastically reduced. With the commercialization of SOFC technology and further reduce manufacturing costs, this system can be very suitable alternative to conventional power generation systems.