THE DEMO PHASE OF THE ANSALDO FUEL CELL PROGRAM: ONGOING ACTIVITIES AND FIRST RESULTS

摘要

Among all Fuel Cell technologies, Molten Carbonate represent a very promising option for both stationary and naval applications thanks to their features in terms of efficiency, multifuel capability, and cost reduction perspectives. ANSALDO Fuel Cells S.p.A. (AFCo) is presently carrying out a wide demonstration program aiming at field validation of its MCFC technology with respect to both specific applications/configurations and multi-fuel capability. The aim of this demo program is to get a wide set of feedback from field to speed-up the commercial phase through several demonstrations, each focused on specific aspects with respect to fuels, applications, plant size and configuration, operating conditions. The "Series 2TW" plant, powered by 4 stacks, erected in San Agustin de Guadalix, Madrid at the Iberdrola Training Centre "Emilio de Usaola" under a EU contract (MCTWINS) and started last January, represents a key step in this path. Another key step is the "Series 1ST-Technodemo" plant, presently in the commissioning phase at FN, in Bosco Marengo, Alessandria, Italy, powered by a single stack. A third realization is now in progress at C.E.S.I. headquarter in Milano, Italy. The project aims at developing and demonstrating an hybrid system with the combination of the MCFC technology Series 1ST and of a commercial gas micro-turbine suitably modified. For all the plants first operation or commissioning are in progress and preliminary results are expected in the next months.