Page 77 - MODERN ASPECTS OF ELECTROCHEMISTRY

Claude LamyAet al.
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5. Electrochemical vs. Other Methods of Energy ConversionA
In order to evaluate fuel cells in comparison with other methods of energy
conversion, an attempt is made in this subsection to base an evaluation on
the following types of applications: electric power generation and trans-
portation. The resulting technoeconomic assessment is presented in Tables
2A and B. Definitive performance and cost parameters are availablp for
conventional thermal power plants. However, this is not the case for
advanced methods of energyconversion. As seen from Tablp 2A, for
electric power generation, the main advantages of electrochemical energy
conversion over the conventional methods are higher efficiency, ultra-low
levels of emissions of environmental pollutants and thus minimal health
hazards, and low noise levels because of few moving parts.= It is difficult
to envisage high power-rated fuel cell power plants (>l00 MW), as in the
case of the thermal and nuclear plants. MCFC and SOFC fuel cell power

Tùle 2AA
Electrochemical vs. Other Methods of Energy Conversion (Electric PowerA
Generation)
Energy
conversion EfficiencyPower range Lifetime Cost Environmental
method (%) (MW) (years) ($/kW) Safety
Fuelcells b,c ,d
PAFC 40–45 0.2-10 5 a 1500 a b. c, d
MCFC 50–55 a 1–100 a 5 a 1000 a
SOFC 50–60 a 1-100 a 5 a 1000 a
Conventional 25-35 ≈l000 > 20 1500 b d
? ?
thermal
coal, oil,
gas b,d
?
Gas turbines 100–1000 >20 > 50 b, c, d
Hydroelectnc 0.1–1000 >20 1500 b
Nuclear ≈l000 >20 2000 b,c,d
Photovoltaic 0.1–1 a >10 a 5000
Wind 0.1–1 >l0 a b,c,d
a a b, c, d
MHD 0.1–100 >10 2000
a
Projected
b Below environmentallyacceptablp emission levels
c Below environmentallyacceptablp noise levels
d
Minimal health hazards