High efficiency fuel cell-based cogeneration systems for the supermarket sector

Decentralized production of electricity and heat with high conversion efficiency and zero emissions is one of the most ambitious but needed target for the near future, especially for cities that want to adapt their structures to a smart grid concept. . In this new scenario, fuel cells (especially high temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells - SOFC) could be one of the most valuable options for the transition, due to their ability of producing both electricity and heat at the highest available efficiency, with near zero pollutants emissions (NOx, SOx, particulate, etc.) and avoiding transmission losses from the grid. This work aims to analyze the techno-economic impact of the application of SOFC cogeneration (CHP) systems in the supermarket sector. The analysis is first started with a deep literature review to map the energy intensity of the analyzed market. Afterwards, a techno-economic model has been developed – based on available commercial products – to find out the performance of this technology. The model has been extended to analyze different locations (in US and EU areas) and different national policies to speed up the distribution of SOFC-based application. Results show that the Levelized Cost Of Electricity (LCOE) with SOFC-based CHP systems is most of the times higher than competitors, because today the initial investment is still too high and not yet competitive (lack of mass production). Despite this, there are already some locations ,like Italy or the Uk, where the option is viable and preferable to traditional options. Thank to this there is a quite optimistic assumption that in the near future, because of the raising production volumes, the investment cost will decrease and fuel cells could finally enter in the market with a major role in the production of energy , expecially for applications where there are stable loads and high energy demand (Energy intensity higher than 400 kWh/m^2 per year )