Comparative Life Cycle Costs of Fuel Cells and Other Propulsion Systems

摘要

This is a report on the development of a Life Cycle Cost (LCC) model that compares costs for traditional propulsion systems to costs of marine propulsion systems that incorporate fuel cells. The Coast Guard is interested in applying fuel cell technology for shipboard applications where high efficiency and reduced pollution are critical. Similar cost comparisons are also made for ship service generators. The program sums acquisition costs of the machinery system of a vessel, the operational costs including fuel and maintenance, manning costs and disposal costs. An allowance for exhaust emission credits/ penalties is included in the program. The description of the program and of all the major assumptions leading to the present and future cost figures is provided in this report. The Excel software used for this study is available from the technical point of contact listed above. A comparison of Life Cycle Costs for four marine propulsion systems is presented. A conventional diesel only system (CODAD) was compared to an Integrated Diesel Electric system (IDE) and then to the new powering systems, i.e., the Molten Carbonate (MC) and the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell systems. The fuel cell models contained in this report are preliminary, as no historical shipboard data are yet available. Nonetheless, best estimates have been made, and all key variables can be altered to investigate sensitivity. This LCC model is expected to be refined as more accurate data, particularly with respect to fuel cells, becomes available.