Innovative household systems based on solid oxide fuel cells for the Mediterranean climate

摘要

Publication of the 2010/31 EU Directive is proof of the importance of energy saving inudbuildings. European Union policies are oriented to increase the levels of energy saving,udrenewable energy and cogeneration, with the aim to decrease greenhouses emissions andudenergy dependence.udPublication of the 2004/8/EC Directive indicates that cogeneration is considered as audsolution to reach the goal of energy efficiency.udThis paper presents an innovative system based on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), an airudsource heat pump (ASHP), and an integration system to cover a part of the heating demandudof a building. Two different integration systems are proposed: electric heater andudcondensing boiler. Heat storage is also considered to store waste heat when it is unused.udAn innovative parameter, the electric equivalent load, is proposed: it has the function ofudcharacterizing not only electricity consumption but also heating and cooling demands. Theudaim is to maximize efficiency while minimizing the mismatch between different forms ofudenergy consumption. The proposal is to verify the energy efficiency of the system used toudcover energy demands of a residential building located in a Mediterranean area (Trapani,udsouth of Italy). The results of the simulations are analyzed with thermodynamics andudtechno-economic benchmarks, considering different economic scenarios. The calculationsudindicate a high primary energy saving and profitability for the proposed system.