The Two-Constant Cost Model and the Estimation of the Cost Performance Evolutions of the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Power Generation

H. F. Zhang, P. C. Pei

State Key Laboratory of Automotive Safety and Energy, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.

DOI: 10.4236/epe.2013.52A001                

Abstract

This paper aims at formulization and overview of the cost performance evolutions of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell power generation along with load and time. For this purpose, electricity-cost ratio (ECR) is proposed as the measuring parameter for the cost performance and a two-constant cost model is proposed to concisely describe the cost characteristic of the power generation as the opposite of a multi-constant cost model. Combination of the two-constant cost model and the ideal cell model developed recently produces an inclusive ECR equation that has three analytical expressions and thus allows of straight overviews of the cost performance evolutions in the working zones of the cells. The applications to real cells confirm the validity of the equation for operation optimization and technique evaluation of PEM fuel cells. And more insights into the cost performance evolutions are inferred by means of the equation to help promote the commercialization of PEM fuel cells.

Keywords

Fuel Cell; Cost Performance; Lifetime; Degradation; Energy Efficiency; Operation Optimization

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	A. Kazim, “A Novel Approach on the Determination of the Minimal Operating Efficiency of a PEM Fuel Cell,” Renewable Energy, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2002, pp. 479-488. doi:10.1016/S0960-1481(01)00083-0
[2]	K. Jayakumar, S. Pandiyan, N. Rajalakshmi and K. S. Dhathathreyan, “Cost-Benefit Analysis of Commercial Bipolar Plates for PEMFCs,” Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 161, No. 2, 2006, pp. 454-459. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2006.04.128
[3]	S. K. Kamarudin, W. R. W. Daud, A. Md. Som, M. S. Ta kriff and A. W. Mohammad, “Technical Design and Economic Evaluation of a PEM Fuel Cell System,” Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 157, No. 2, 2006, pp. 641-649. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2005.10.053
[4]	Y. Ma, G. G. Karady, A. Winston II, P. Gilbert, R. Hess and D. Pelley, “Economic Feasibility Prediction of the Commercial Fuel Cells,” Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 50, No. 2, 2009, pp. 422-430. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2008.09.009
[5]	H. F. Zhang, P. C. Pei, X. Yuan and X. Z. Wang, “Regularization of the Degradation Behavior and Working Zone of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells with a Five-Constant Ideal Cell as Prototype,” Energy Conversion and Management, Vol. 52, No. 10, 2011, pp. 3189-3196. doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2011.04.022
[6]	I. Bar-On, R. Kirchain and R. Roth, “Technical Cost Analysis for PEM Fuel Cells,” Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 109, No. 1, 2002, pp. 71-75. doi:10.1016/S0378-7753(02)00062-9
[7]	H. Tsuchiyaa and O. Kobayashib, “Mass Production Cost of PEM Fuel Cell by Learning Curve,” International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, Vol. 29, No. 10, 2004, pp. 985-990. doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2003.10.011
[8]	W. P. Teagan, J. Bentley and B. Barnett, “Cost Reductions of Fuel Cells for Transport Applications: Fuel Processing Options,” Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 71, No. 1-2, 1998, pp. 80-85. doi:10.1016/S0378-7753(97)02796-1
[9]	H. F. Zhang, P. C. Pei, M. C. Song and D. P. Zhang, “A Volt-Ampere Method to Estimate the Energy Efficiency Evolutions of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells along with Load and Time,” Energy Power Engineering, in Press.
[10]	D. Liu and S. Case, “Durability Study of Proton Ex change Membrane Fuel Cells under Dynamic Testing Conditions with Cyclic Current Profile,” Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 162, No. 1, 2006, pp. 521-531. doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2006.07.007
[11]	M. Prasanna, E. A. Cho, T. H. Lim and I. H. Oh, “Effects of MEA Fabrication Method on Durability of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells,” Electrochimica Acta, Vol. 53, No. 16, 2008, pp. 5434-5441. doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2008.02.068