Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
through the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and its Pa-
cific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).
The High Temperature Electrochemistry Center (HiTEC) Advanced
Research Program provides crosscutting, multidisciplinary research sup-
porting SECA, Fuel Cell Coal Based Systems, and FutureGen. HiTEC is
centered at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) with satellite
centers at Montana State University and the University of Florida. Re-
search includes the development of low-loss electrodes for reversible sol-
id oxide fuel cells, the development of high temperature membranes for
hydrogen separation, and the study of fundamental electrochemical pro-
cesses at interfaces. HiTEC is also pursuing the development of high tem-
perature electrochemical power generation and storage technologies and
advanced fuel feedstock.
Several projects focus primarily on solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs).
Coal-based power production systems that incorporate SOFC have the
potential for significantly higher efficiencies and lower emissions than
conventional technologies. In addition, high-temperature electro-chemical
systems can enhance energy storage in central coal power plants, reducing
the impact felt during hours of peak demand and making the plants more
cost effective.
The SECA program currently has six competing Industry Teams sup-
ported by a Core Technology Program. The teams are led by: FuelCell En-
ergy, Delphi, General Electric, Siemens Power Generation, Acumentrics,
and Cummins Power Generation.
The benefits and feasibility of hybrid systems have been established
with conceptual studies and small-scale demonstrations fueled with natu-
ral gas. If large-scale, greater than 100-MW, fuel cell/turbine hybrid sys-
tems are to become a reality a reduction in fuel cell costs and scalability
to larger units is required. The SECA program demonstrated 3 to 10 kW
SOFC systems with costs of less than $800/kW in 2005.
Fuel cell/gas turbine hybrids will form the essential power block
component of the FutureGen plant, allowing high overall efficiency and
exceptional environmental performance to be achieved at low cost.
FUEL CELL/COAL-BASED GENERATION
The SECA Fuel Cell Coal-based Systems program was started in 2005.
The goal is to develop and demonstrate fuel cell technology for central
Search WWH ::
Custom Search