HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinal Report 40-KW Fuel Cell Field Test Summary Utilities Activity Report 1981-1987 ee Libvery- Fret Celts | a | GRI-87/0205 093 ; 228 = eo ee ee
Alaska Power Authority aie : LIBRARY COPY PB @2-1 1 2890009 Z j r
40-kW Fuel Cell Field Test Summary yo .
Utilities Activities Report Zab i RECEIVE) Y
MAY 0 9 1338 L i
- Final Report L , i
June 1981 - June 1987
Gas Research Institute
8600 West Bryn Mawr Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60631
40-KW FUEL CELL FIELD TEST SUMMARY
UTILITIES ACTIVITIES REPORT
Final Report
(June 1981 - June 1987)
Prepared For:
Gas Research Institute
8600 West Bryn Mawr Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60631
Prepared By:
Science Applications International Corporation
10260 Campus Point Drive
San Diego, California 92121
July 1987
ENt
ots
GRI DISCLAIMER
LEGAL NOTICE: This report was prepared by Science Applications
International Corporation as an account of work sponsored by the Gas
Research Institute (GRI). Neither GRI, members of GRI, nor any person
acting on behalf of either:
a. Makes any warranty or representation, expressed or implied,
with respect to the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of the
information contained in this report, or that the use of any
apparatus, method, or process disclosed in this report may not
infringe privately owned rights; or
b. Assumes any liability with respect to the use of, or for damages
resulting from the use of, any information, apparatus, method,
or process disclosed in this report.
REPORT DOCUMENTATION
PAGE
4. Title and Subtitle
40-kW Onsite Fuel Cell Field Test
Summary Utilities Activities Report
1. REPORT NO.
GRI_ 87/0205
7. Author(s)
W.C. Racine and T.C. Londos
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
Science Applications International Corporation
10260 Campus Point Drive
San Diego, CA 92121
12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address
Gas Research Institute
8600 West Bryn Mawr Avenue
3. Recipient’s Accession No.
5. Report Date
July 1987 6
8. Performing Organization Rept. No.
SAIC 87/1730
10. Project/Task/Work Unit No.
11. Contract(C) or Grant(G) No.
5014-344-0193
(G)
13. Type of Report & Period Covered
Final Report
June 1981 - June 1987
14, Chicago, Illinois 60631
15. Supplementary Notes
This report is based on the individual Field Test Summary Reports
submitted by the project participants and the overall fleet activities
documented during the project.
16. Abstract (Limit: 200 words)
Forty-six 40-kW fuel cell power plants were field tested by 37 host
participants at 42 sites in a variety of commercial, light industrial
and multi-family residential applications. The participants obtained over 300,000 hours of operating experience with the power plants covering
a diverse range of applications for power plant electricity and heat
utilization in both single and multiple unit installations.
Key operating characteristics of the power plant were demonstrated in the
grid-connected and grid-independent operating modes verifying that the
fuel cell power plant can meet the operational and environmental needs
of onsite energy production. In addition to demonstrating the application
features of the power plant, the major unique components of the power
plant-fuel cell stack and reformer performed at or above specification
throughout the test and demonstrated high operating integrity.
Through their efforts during the field test activities, host participants
gained valuable experience in the installation operation and maintenance of onsite fuel cell power plants. The field test, also provided the
participants with the experience and understanding to assess the benefits
of onsite fuel cell technology and the impact on their market. The
participants felt that the fuel cell power plant does provide installation
and operational characteristics required for commercial service.
17. Document Analysis 2. Descriptors
Fuel Cells, Cogeneration, Onsite Applications, Building energy consumption,
Data compilation
b. Identifiers/Open-Ended Terms
¢. COSATI Fleld/Group
18 Availability Statement
Release Unlimited
19. Security Class (This Report)
Unclassified
20. Security Class (This Page) 5 £5 ad OPTIONAL FORM 272 (4-77)
(Formerly NTIS-35)
Department of Commerce
(See ANSI-Z39.18)
RESEARCH SUMMARY
Title: 40-kW Fuel Cell Field Test Summary Utilities Activities
Report - Final Report
Contractor: Science Applications International Corporation
GRI Contract Number: 5014-344-0193
Principal
Investigators: W.C. Racine and T.C. Londos
Report Period: June 1981 to June 1987
Final Report
Objective: To summarize and document the activities of host
participants and contributing organizations throughout
the 40-kW Onsite Fuel Cell Field Test Project, and state
their conclusions and recommendations.
Technical Perspective
The overall objectives of the 40-kW Onsite Fuel Cell Field Test Project were
to determine if onsite fuel cells can meet the utility and customer performance characteristics required for commercial service, determine if
utility personnel can install, operate and maintain onsite fuel cell power
plants, and determine if the onsite fuel cell represents an opportunity for
the gas utility industry. Objectives and goals as stated in the individual
Field Test Summary Reports submitted by the host participants expanded
on the overall program objectives. The participants wanted to evaluaté the
fuel cell under actual field operating conditions, determine installation
operation and maintenance requirements of a fuel cell power plant in "real-
world" applications, determine acceptance and requirements of the onsite
fuel cell energy service concept by the public, regulatory agencies and utility
industry, and determine role of the fuel cell power plants in their future.
To reach these objectives the participants field tested 46 fuel cell power
plants in a variety of commercial light industrial and multi-family
residential buildings under a broad range of applications and operating
conditions.
Results
Forty-six 40-kW fuel cell power plants were field tested at 42 sites in the
continental United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Japan in a variety of commercial, light industrial and multi-family residential applications.
The first of the 46 field test units began operation in December of 1983. As of
May, 1986 the project goal for 300,000 hours of operation was met with the
experience demonstrating the operational feasibility on onsite fuel cells.
S-1
experience demonstrating the operational feasibility on onsite fuel cells.
The project demonstrated that a standard power plant design satisfied the
electrical and thermal energy requirements of a wide variety of commercial
sector buildings under a range of climate conditions.
The participants verified the two major operating configurations of the power plants, (grid connected and grid independent operations), in both single and multiple unit installations. In addition to demonstrating the
application features of the power plant, the field test provided the
opportunity to test the individual power plant components in a real power
plant and application environment. The major unique components of the
power plant - the fuel cell stack and the reformer - performed at or above
specification throughout the test and demonstrated high operating
integrity. The field test identified deficiencies with ancillary components
and subsystems. The field test participants’ reports recognized that these
deficiencies have been addressed in a complementary technology effort.
Through their efforts during the field testing activities, utility participants
gained valuable experience in the installation, operation and maintenance
of onsite fuel cell power plants. The participants indicated in their Field
Test Summary Reports that existing in-house personnel are capable of
performing the necessary functions associated with utilizing fuel cell
technology to provide onsite energy service to their customers and that the
equipment design approach lended itself to a fairly straight forward site
interface design and installation. The participants verified that the power
plant design approach allowed typical utility service personnel to conduct the installation, operation, and maintenance of the units with minimal
onsite support form the manufacturer.
To determine if the Onsite Fuel Cell represents an opportunity to the
utilities, the Market/Business Assessment Task Force of the onsite Fuel
Cell Users Group guided the project participants through market and
business analysis activities. These activities verified that onsite fuel cell
power plants can effectively and efficiently provide the energy services
required by commercial sector buildings. The onsite fuel cell is an ideal
onsite generator with which the gas industry can serve their customers.
Its high efficiency expands the economically feasible market beyond that for
conventional cogenerators by decreasing the sensitivity to heat utilization,
allowing larger power plant sizing in a given application, and increasing
the economic feasibility of cogeneration for applications with low thermal to
electric ratios.
Project Implications
This report, "40-kW Fuel Cell Field Test Summary Utilities Activities
Report" is based on the individual Field Test Summary reports submitted by
the participants and the overall fleet activities documented during the
project.
8-2
The 40-kW fuel cell field test provided the utility participants the
experiences and understanding to assess the benefits of onsite fuel cell
technology and the impact on their market. The project verified that fuel
cell power plants provide the gas industry with an advanced cogeneration
technology that meets their needs for the future. As demonstrated through
the successful accomplishment of the field test objectives, the onsite fuel cell
technology provides the following: (1) performance and operating
characteristics required for broad application to commercial sector
buildings; (2) unattended, automatic operating characteristic required by
the gas industry for effective implementation of an onsite energy service
business; (3) a standard design approach which permits easy installation
operation and maintenance by typical gas utility service personnel; (4) the
most electrically efficient and environmentally benign cogeneration
technology available to the gas industry; (5) and a cogeneration technology
which provides the greatest flexibility for application in the commercial
sector.
The participants believe that their cooperative participation in the field test
project was positive for their companies and that the development of fuel
cell technology will be very beneficial to their customers in the future.
GRI Project Manager
R. Root Woods
Manager, Fuel Cells
S-3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section
RESEARCH SUMMARY
1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
2. OVERVIEW OF 40-kW FIELD TEST
2.1 Historical Perspective
2.2 40-kW Onsite Fuel Cell Program Strategy
2.3 Overall Project Objectives
2.4 Field Test Schedule
2.5 Project Participants
3. PRE-POWER PLANT ACTIVITIES
3.1 Candidate Site Selection
3.2 Site Instrumentation and Data Collection
3.2.1 Site Instrumentation
3.2.2 Data Collection
4. POWER PLANT INSTALLATION
4.1 Power Plant Delivery and Start-Up Schedule
4.2 Power Plant Design Shipment and
Installation Summary
4.3 Permitting and Codes
4.4 Power Plant/Site Interfaces
5. POWER PLANT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.
5.1 Training and Personnel Requirements
5.2 Power Plant Operation and Performance
5.3 Power Plant Reliability and
Maintenance Experience
5.3.1 Hardware Experience
5.3.1.1 Planned Improvements
5.3.2 Utility Maintenance Experience and
Recommendations
$1
1-1
2-1
2-1
2-3
2-5
2-7
3-1
3-1 3-4 3-4 3-12
41
4-1
Section
6. SPECIAL TESTING ACTIVITIES
7. INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
7.1 Institutional, Legal and Regulatory Issues
7.2 Customer Interface Issues
8. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A COMMERCIAL UNIT
Appendix A: References
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 2-1 Onsite Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell Development
Figure 2-2 Onsite Fuel Cell Program Strategy
Figure 2-3 Overall Field Test Project Schedule
Figure 2-4 Power Plant Sites
Figure 2-5 Utility Participants
Figure 3-1 Individual Utility Site Selection Process
Figure 3-2 Total Customer Site Surveys
Figure 3-3 Instrumented Market Segments
Figure 3-4 Fuel Cell Grid-Independent Operation
Figure 3-5 Fuel Cell Grid Connect Operation
Figure 3-6 Sensor Schematics - Typical Domestic
Hot Water Systems
Figure 3-7 Sensor Schematic Typical Hydronic Heating
System.
Figure 3-8 Sensor Schematic - Typical Process
Heating Systems
ii
Page
6-1
7-1
7-2
8-1
A-1
2-2
2-4
2-8
2-9
3-2
3-5
3-6
3-9
3-10
3-11
Figure 4-1
Figure 4-2
Figure 4-3
Figure 4-4
Figure 4-5
Figure 5-1
Figure 5-2
Figure 5-3
Figure 5-4
Figure 5-5
Figure 5-6
Figure 5-7
Figure 5-8
Figure 6-1
Table 3-1
Power Plant Shipment and Operation
Power Plant Installation Summary
Market Segments of Fuel Cell Power
Plant Installations
Fuel Cell Power Plant
Electrical and Site Interfaces.
Power Plant Thermal Interfaces
Hours of Onsite Power Plant Operation
Monthly 40-kW Power Plant
Unadjusted Availability
Comparison of Measured and Predicted
Electrical Efficiency
Low-Grade Recovery vs. Predicted Recovery
Fleet Average Electrical and Thermal
Efficiencies
Power Plant Availability Experiences
Causes of Field Test Power Plant
Forced Outages
40-kW Field Program-Forced Outages
Special Testing by Utilities
LIST OF TABLES
System Characteristics of Instrumented Sites
iii
5-4
5-5
5-6
5-7
5-9
5-10
5-12
6-2
3-13
1, EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Onsite Fuel Cell Field Test Project was a multifaceted program
jointly funded by the Gas Research Institute (GRI), the U.S. Department of
Energy (DOE) and 37 participants, including 11 gas distribution utilities, 2
gas pipeline companies, 13 combination gas and electric utilities, 5 electric
utilities, 2 private sector corporations and 4 Department of Defense
facilities. This report is based on the individual Field Test Summary
reports submitted by the participants and the overall fleet activities
documented during the project.
The overall objectives of the Field Test were to:
¢ Determine if the onsite fuel cell (OFC) power plant can meet the
utility and customer performance characteristics required for
commercial service;
¢ Determine if utility personnel can install, operate and maintain
OFC power plants; and
¢ Determine if the OFC represents an opportunity for the gas utility
industry (this objective was accomplished independently by the
participants and coordinated through the activities of the Onsite
Fuel Cell Users group outside the technical aspects of the GRI Field
Test effort).
Forty-six 40-kW fuel cell power plants manufactured by International
Fuel Cells Corp. (IFC) were field tested at 42 sites in the continental United
States, Alaska, Hawaii, and Japan at a variety of commercial, light
industrial and multi-family residential applications. The first of the 46
field test units began operation in December of 1983. As of May, 1986 the
project goal for 300,000 hours of operation was met with the experience
demonstrating the operational feasibility of onsite fuel cells. The project
demonstrated that a standard power plant design satisfied the electrical
and thermal energy requirements of a wide variety of commercial sector
buildings under a range of climate conditions. The average electric
generation efficiency met the goal of 36%, (higher heating value) over a
range of half to full rated power output, and seventy-five percent of the
power plants met or exceeded this prediction. The power plant heat
production was used successfully with domestic hot water, space heating
and process heating loads and the average site low grade heat recovery was
at 93 percent of prediction. The high electrical and overall efficiency makes
the fuel cell an excellent onsite power source for cogeneration applications.
Two utilities applied for and received FERC approval as a qualifying
cogeneration facility (QF).
The participants verified the two major operating configurations of
the power plants, (grid connected and grid independent operations), in both
1-1
single and multiple unit installations. Independent operation was demonstrated providing verification of the overload capability for large motor starts, instantaneous response to load changes and effective load sharing between power plants in the electric load following operating mode. Some participants conducted extensive testing of the grid-interconnection protection features built into the power plant logic and verified that they
operated properly under normal and abnormal operating conditions for the
power plant and the utility grid. IBM conducted a test in which a fuel cell
synchronized to the grid was used as primary power for an electronic data
processing load. The grid was used as a back up and a static switch
ensured continuity of power in the event of a fuel cell outage. This test
successfully illustrated the operational feasibility of this unique application.
Other key operational aspects of the technology were verified during
the field test project. Participants independently verified that the
environment emissions of the units were substantially below the most
stringent standards in the United States. Another key aspect of the
technology verified was the automatic, unattended operating
characteristics of the power plant. The longest continuous run exceeded
the ninety day mark and forty units achieved over seventy runs in excess of
1000 hours. The participants were impressed by the simple start-up
procedure and built-in protective functions of the power plants. The units
automatically sensed out-of-tolerance operating conditions and automatically protected the unit, installation and the utility electric grid (for grid connected units).
In addition to demonstrating the application features of the power plant, the field test provided the opportunity to test the individual power plant components in a real power plant and application environment. The major unique components of the power plant - the fuel cell stack and the reformer - performed at or above specification throughout the test and demonstrated high operating integrity. The field test identified deficiencies
with ancillary components and subsystems. The field test participants’
reports recognized that these deficiencies have been addressed in a
complementary technology effort.
Through their efforts during the field testing activities, utility
participants gained valuable experience in the installation, operation and
maintenance of onsite fuel cell power plants. The participants indicated in
their Field Test Summary Reports that existing in-house personnel are
capable of performing the necessary functions associated with utilizing fuel
cell technology to provide onsite energy service to their customers. The
equipment design approach lended itself to a fairly straight forward site
interface design and installation. Typically, the participants conducted the
site design activities in-house and used standard mechanical, electrical,
and plumbing contractors for the actual installation and construction
tasks. The formal training session and manual developed by IFC provided
the participants with the experience and understanding required for
normal operation and maintenance functions. The participants
1-2
recommended that hands-on experience during training be expanded to improve the confidence levels of the personnel involved which typically was
achieved after a few months of actual operation in the field. Other recommendations included improved diagnostics built into the power plant,
increased footprint to improve the access to components, and site access to detailed power plant drawings. These recommendations are also being accounted for in complementary technology efforts. In summary, the participants verified that the power plant design approach allowed typical utility service personnel to conduct the installation, operation, and maintenance of the units with minimal onsite support from IFC.
To determine if the Onsite Fuel Cell represented an opportunity to the utilities, the Market/Business Assessment Task Force of the Onsite Fuel
Cell Users Group guided the project participants through market and
business analysis activities. The overall results of the market analysis were summarized in a report, The Gas Powercel National Market Report,
prepared by the task force. These activities verified that onsite fuel cell
power plants can effectively and efficiently provide the energy services
required by commercial sector buildings. The analyses identified that
application economics are driven by three major parameters: the energy
price differential between electricity and gas, the business assumptions
used in the analysis, and the capacity factor of the power plant. Finally,
these activities defined the benefits of onsite fuel cells to the gas industry
and the gas ratepayer. For the ratepayer onsite fuel cells provide an
efficient energy option which can reduce energy costs and primary energy consumption while decreasing environmental intrusions. Onsite fuel cells can provide additional benefits in specialty applications such as uninterruptable power supplies for computer facilities and back-up power
during electric grid outages. For the gas industry onsite fuel cells and the energy service concept provide increased gas sales, an opportunity for expansion into new growth markets and increased company revenues and profits. The onsite fuel cell is an ideal onsite generator with which the gas industry can serve their customers. Its high efficiency expands the economically feasible market beyond that for conventional cogenerators by decreasing the sensitivity to heat utilization, allowing larger power plant sizing in a given application, and increasing the economic feasibility of
cogeneration for applications with low thermal to electric ratios.
In summary, the 40-kW fuel cell field test provided the utility
participants the experiences and understanding to assess the benefits of
onsite fuel cell technology and the impact on their market. The project verified that fuel cell power plants provide the gas industry with an advanced cogeneration technology that meets their needs for the future. As
demonstrated through the successful accomplishment of the field test
objectives, the onsite fuel cell technology provides the following:
ie The performance and operating characteristics required for broad
application to commercial sector buildings;
1-3
The unattended, automatic operating characteristics required by
the gas industry for effective implementation of an onsite energy
service business;
A standard design approach which permits easy installation,
operation, and maintenance by typical gas utility service personnel;
The most electrically efficient and environmentally benign
cogeneration technology available to the gas industry; and
A cogeneration technology which provides the greatest flexibility for
application in the commercial sector (grid connected or
independent operation, high quality electrical output usable for
sensitive electrical loads, effective integration with a variety of
thermal building loads, and minimal site restrictions due to
environmental characteristics).
In conclusion, the participants felt that the program objectives were met:
bs The fuel cell power plant does provide installation and operational
characteristics required for commercial service;
Utility personnel can install, operate, and maintain onsite fuel cell
power plants; and
The onsite fuel cell does represent an opportunity for the gas
industry to expand its service to the ratepayers.
They believe their cooperative participation in the field test project was
positive for their companies and that the development of fuel cell technology
will be very beneficial to their customers in the future.
1-4
2. OVERVIEW OF 40-kW FIELD TEST
21 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE
Fuel cell power plants introduce a new option for providing the thermal and electrical energy needs for multi-family residential, commercial and light industrial buildings. The gas industry has long recognized the inherent advantages of the Onsite Fuel Cell (OFC) Energy Service Concept:
¢ High electrical efficiency;
¢ Modular design;
¢ Clean exhaust emissions and low audio noise;
¢ Electrical protection characteristics and power output quality compatible with the electric utility grid, and
¢ Thermal energy output compatible with a variety of thermal loads and site interfaces.
In 1967 a group of gas utilities and United Technologies Corporation undertook a fuel cell research, development and experimental test program under an organization known as TARGET (Team to Advance Research Gas Energy Transformation). This activity advanced fuel cell technology and through an experimental field test of a 12.5-kW fuel cell power plant demonstrated that the concept of onsite fuel cell energy service based on the fuel cell was feasible. the TARGET program also established a pilot 40-kW power plant. Subsequently, GRI and DOE conducted an engineering and development program to improve the 40-kW unit. These activities provided
the basis for the 40-kW field test project. Figure 2-1 illustrates the activities
which followed TARGET and contributed to the development of Onsite
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells.
2.2 40-KW ONSITE FUEL CELL PROGRAM STRATEGY
There are three major participants in the Onsite Fuel Cell Program.
GRI and DOE provide project funding and are the technical managers of
the Program. Thirty-seven field test hosts form the second participant in
the Program. The third participant is IFC, the manufacturer of the 40-kW
field test units. Together, these participants are laying the groundwork for
commercialization of Onsite Fuel Cell power plants.
2-1
TARGET Program
Technology
Development
12.5-kW
Field Test
40-kW
Program Planning
40-kW Development
and Experimental
Unit Testing
Onsite Fuel Cell Program
[va67 [1068 [vase | vo70 [1a7i [sora [are | vara [107s [ore [1677 | ore | va79 | v000 [00% | voae [105 |
Figure 2-1. Onsite Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cell Development
The Onsite Fuel Cell Program consists of three distinct but parallel activities: a Field Test Project to evaluate fuel cell technology in real-world applications and define the requirements of an energy service business; a Technology Development effort to focus on advancing fuel cell technology
and reducing its cost; and an Onsite Fuel Cell Users Group to direct and evaluate commercialization efforts for the gas industry. Figure 2-2 represents the industry's approach and strategy to developing Onsite Fuel Cell power plants.
2.3 OVERALL PROJECT OBJECTIVES
The overall objectives of the Field Test were to:
¢ Determine if the OFC technology hardware can meet the utility and customer performance characteristics required for commercial service;
¢ Determine if utility personnel can install, operate and maintain OFC power plants; and
¢ Determine if the OFC represents an opportunity for the gas utility industry (this objective was accomplished independently
by the participants and coordinated through the activities of the Onsite Fuel Cell Users group outside the technical aspects of the GRI Field Test effort).
Utility objectives and goals as stated in their individual Field Test Summary Reports expanded on the overall program objectives. These
objectives fell into four main categories:
1. Evaluate the fuel cell under actual field operating conditions;
2. Determine installation operation and maintenance
requirements of a fuel cell power plant in a "real-world"
application;
3. Determine acceptance and requirements of the onsite fuel cell
energy service concept by the public, regulatory agencies and utility industry;
4. Determine role of the fuel cell power plant in the utility future.
2-3
Full
Commercial
Service
Initial
Commercial
Service
Technology Development
CLL Project RRRRRS
Figure 2-2. Onsite Fuel Cell Program Strategy
2-4
Additional utility objectives involved field testing the power plants in unique applications. Power plants were operated on landfill gas, coalbed methane and synthetic natural gas by utilities with these applications in their service territories. Power plants were also tested to determine their ability to operate at data processing centers as uninterruptible power supplies, and at military installations as a primary source of power.
Utilities also participated in the project to gain experience with distributed generation, and conducted special testing to determine the electric compatibility of the power plants with electric utility grids.
Installation, operation and maintenance of the power plants were the
responsibility of each host utility. The majority of utilities performed the site
installation design work in-house while the majority of power plants were
installed by contractors. Power plant operation and maintenance was
performed by utility personnel with assistance from the manufacturer. By
participating in the field test, utilities were able to determine the skill level
of personnel required to operate and maintain the power plants and were
also able to determine the compatibility of fuel cell energy service with
utility operations.
Prior to installing and operating the power plants, utility
participants conducted site surveys to obtain energy usage information on
various sites and also to increase customer awareness regarding the OFC
energy service concept. Once the sites were selected for power plant
installation and field testing, utilities contacted state and local regulatory
agencies to determine what code approvals and permits would be required
to install and operate the power plants. A number of utilities also used the
field test as an opportunity to gain experience in applying a cogenerator for
Qualifying Facility status under FERC quidelines.
To determine the role of fuel cell power plants in their future, utilities evaluated the market potential for fuel cells in their service territories. In
addition to these market assessments, utilities assessed the benefits of
possible OFC business opportunities. Utility goals also included
determining if the fuel cell power plant represents a viable market for
natural gas.
24 FIELD TESTSCHEDULE
The Field Test Project consisted of four activities as shown in Figure
2-3 Overall Field Test Project Schedule. Pre-power plant activities resulted
in over 470 site surveys and the instrumentation of 102 commercial, light
industrial and multi-family residential facilities to determine thermal and
electric compatibility of the site with the OFC.
2-5
Pre-Power Plant Activities
Experimental! Field Test
pre-field Units
test units Installation installation
Experimental Field Test pre-field test Units units operation] Operation
Market and Business
Assessment Activities
[isso [veer [one [sooo [soos [ vos | oa
Figure 2-3. Overall Field Test Project Schedule
2-6
Power plant installation and operation were initiated by Northwest
Natural Gas and Northeast Utilities who installed and operated 40-kW
power plants that were classified as experimental pre-field test units. These
early units were built and operated to verify system design and to check
production procedures before the main production run of 46 fuel cells was
built and delivered.
As of May, 1986 the fleet of 46 Field Test power plants installed at the
42 sites shown in Figure 2-4 had obtained over 300,000 hours of operation
with an overall fleet unadjusted availability of 63 percent. A final report 40
kW Onsite Fuel Cell Field Test Program provides a detailed reference of fleet and individual power plant operational experience (Reference 1).
Market and business assessments were conducted by twenty-two of
the project participants, resulting in the preparation of 5 single-segment
and 17 multi-segment market analysis reports. The Gas Powercel National
Market Assessment Report (Reference 2) summarizes the market
assessment activities of the utilities and characterizes the United States
commercial building market for OFCs. These activities verified that onsite
fuel cell power plants can effectively and efficiently provide the energy
services required by commercial sector buildings.
2.5 PROJECT PARTICIPANTS
A variety of host companies participated in field testing of 40-kW
power plants including 11 gas utilities, 2 pipeline gas companies, 13
combination electric and gas utilities, 5 electric utilities, 2 industrial
companies and four Department of Defense facilities. A list of these
participants is provided in Figure 2.5
2-7
Hawaii
Figure 2-4. Power Plant Sites
2-8
Ox Atlanta Gas Light Georgia Power Philadelphia Electric
Baltimore Gas & Electric IBM Public Service Electric & Gas
Brooklyn Union Gas Memphis Light, Gas, & Water San Diego Gas & Electric
Central Hudson Gas & Electric Mountain Fuel Southern California Edison
Columbia Gas National Fuel Southern California Gas
Consolidated Edison Northeast Utilities Southern Company Services Consumers Power Northwest Natural Tennessee Gas Pipeline
Dayton Power & Light Osaka Gas Tokyo Gas
Delmarva Power & Light Pacific Gas & Electric United Power Association
Florida Power Panhandle Eastern Virginia Natural Gas/Virginia Power GASCO Peoples Natural Gas
5 Electric Utilities
11 Gas Utilities
2 Gas Transmission Companies
1 Industrial
Other
a Oe 13 Combination Utilities
Figure 2-5. Utility Participants
3. PRE-POWER PLANT ACTIVITIES
Prior to the delivery, installation and operation of the fuel cell power plants, utility participants conducted pre-power plant activities to identify
and select the most appropriate sites for potential onsite fuel cell energy
service. Figure 3-1 is an overview of the suggested site selection process that
was developed for the Project participants and documented in the Site
Selection Guide (Reference 3).
The suggested site selection process provided guidelines for the
utilities to:
¢ Choose sites that provide a unique situation with respect to
technical data, public information and socio-legal problems;
¢ Provide data on electrical and thermal usage patterns and
indicate the applicability of OFCs to other sites not tested;
¢ Introduce the fuel cell energy service concept to the public during
the site selection process; and
¢ Perform a preliminary market assessment to identify decision-
makers and establish the character of information for subsequent
public information activities.
3.1. CANDIDATE SITE SELECTION
The initial activity was for each utility to determine early entry
market segments for 40-kW fuel cell energy service (see Figure 3-1). Then
each utility was to select 30-60 candidate buildings within each
participating utility's service territory, from which buildings to be
instrumented would be chosen.
Once the candidate buildings were identified they were investigated
to confirm their viability and to determine owner and occupant attitudes,
and building compatibility with the fuel cell. This activity resulted in 477
site surveys containing site information that includes; size descriptors,
types of energy systems, and facility electric and thermal energy billing
data. Figure 3-2 lists the market segments that are represented in the
surveys. This information is documented in IFC's Onsite Fuel Cell Field
Test Support Program Annual 308 Report (Reference 4).
Based on the site surveys, 102 candidate sites were chosen for
instrumentation by the utilities to evaluate site technical and economic
compatibility with the 40-kW onsite fuel cell. When compiling the final list
for candidate site selection, utilities considered the following additional
criteria:
3-1
Identify Early Entry
Market Segments
Identify 30 to 60
Candidate Sites
Collect Initial Data
(Interviews)
Select 3 to 10 Sites
for Instrumentation
Collect Detailed Data
(Instrumentation)
Select Fuel Cell
Field Test Site
Figure 3-1. Individual Utility Site Selection Process
3-2
Customer Represented apes
| Type oe Segment Surveys
Residential Apartments 30
Condominiums 3 |
Dormitories 3
he Residential Total 36
Commercial [Automobile Dealerships 5
Light Industrial | Dye Works 6
Total Number of Surveys
Bakeries Z
3
Bowling Alleys 5
Carwash 5
jamal Club/Spas/Motels
Hospitals 28
Hotels/Motels/Restaurants 57
[Laundries/Dry Cleaners «|| ~—.28
Nurseries 4
Nursing Homes 19
Office Buildings
Race Track
Restaurants 52
Retail Stores 7
Schools/Universities 21
Supermarkets/Groceries 13
Commercial Total
Electronic Equipment
Food Processing
Metal Plating/Forming
Paper Products
Photo Laboratories
Plastics
Light Industrial Total 124
Figure 3-2. Total Customer Site Surveys
3-3
¢ Site location in high quality, growth portion of service territory;
¢ Sufficient space and suitable location for power plant installation and operation;
* Cooperative and interested site owner;
¢ Potential for good public relations;
¢ Readily accessible to major highways and ample visitor parking.
Figure 3-3 lists the sites that were instrumented by market segment and
Department of Energy region.
3.2 SITE INSTRUMENTATION AND DATA COLLECTION
During the site selection phase of the Onsite Fuel Cell Field Test, 102 sites throughout the U.S., Hawaii and Japan were instrumented with a
standard data acquisition system (DAS) to collect hourly electrical and
thermal data for one year.
The detailed measurements of electric and thermal data collected were analyzed by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC -
project coordinator) in its Data Transition and Organization (DATO) code and by IFC through the use of a computer program (Hourly System Simulation Program-HSSP) to identify potential power plant electric compatibility and thermal utilization. The 40-kW Fuel Cell Field Test Data Analysis Report (Reference 5) summarizes the hour-by-hour analysis conducted on the instrumented sites and power plant sites.
The extensive instrumented site data collected was summarized in a
comprehensive Characterization of Instrumented Sites Report (Reference 6) developed by SAIC. In addition, an Application Guide for Fuel Cells in Commercial Buildings (Reference 7) was prepared by IFC which describes the methodology for identifying and characterizing prospective customers, estimating benefits of the OFC energy service in specific sites, and defining
power plant operating requirements
A summary of the electric and thermal loads instrumented and the
data collected by project particpants is summarized in the following
sections.
3.2.1 Site Instrumentation
Installation of the DASs reflected the variations in fuel cell system
configurations and operating modes proposed by the utilities. Most
noticeable were the variations in the instrumentation requirements for
grid-connected and grid-independent fuel cell operation. Figure 3-4
illustrates the two common operating modes and electrical instrumen-
3-4
Market Segment
Residential
Commercial
Light Industrial
Dairies
Groceries
Health Clubs/Motels
Health Clubs/Spas
Hospitals
Hotels/Motels
Hotels/Restaurants
Laundries = Nurseries
Nursing Homes
Office Buildings
Restaurants
Retail Stores = n =| -=/% Schools/Universities o Truck Terminals My olelo[s{-[-[-[-[-[e]~]|
:
Other
Dye Works
Food Processing A Metal Plating
Photo Laboratories eo ak alk a Water Treatment = = Specialty
Regional Totals Nn ao N ze N ah Other
Computer Systems
Electronic Equipment 1 a ny nN 1 318
Figure 3-3. Instrumented Market Segments
3-5
Transfer Switch
Service
Panel #1
Fuel Cell
30, 4W 120/208V Building Loads —
Electric Meter
Figure 3-4a. Fuel Cell Isolated Operation - Total Building Load
Transfer Switch
Service
Panel #1
Building Loads —
Select
Load
Panel #1
30, 4W
120/208V
Electric Meter
Figure 3-4b. Fuel Cell Isolated Operation - Partial Load (Segregated Load)
Figure 3-4. Fuel Cell Grid-Independent Operation
3-6
tation schemes chosen by utilities for grid-independent fuel cell operation.
In Figure 3-4a the fuel cell provides all the electrical requirements to
the building. The service panel located on the main electrical service
measures building demand, per phase amperes and per phase voltages.
Figure 3-4b shows the fuel cell providing power to a specific load or sub-panel within the main electrical service receiving the power.
Two applications in the grid-connected mode of operation were also
evaluated by project participants. The first application, Figure 3-5a is with
the fuel cell operating at a constant output parallel to the utility grid.
The instrumentation scheme for the second grid-connected mode of
operation as shown in Figure 3-5b is the installation of a select load panel
on the main electrical service and a service panel installed on a critical load within the building which would be served by the fuel cell in the event the utility grid failed (the fuel cell would switch to an isolated mode similar to the split-load configuration).
Thermal energy systems encountered during site selection and instrumentation consisted of three basic types; domestic hot water, space
heating and process hot water heating systems.
The two most common types of domestic water heating systems are the Once-Through and the Recirculating Systems. These systems are shown schematically in Figure 3-6.
In the Once-Through System, cold water is introduced into the water heater, brought to temperature, then used upon demand. The water heater may be of the storage, instantaneous or circulating tank type, with a heat source of oil, gas or electricity. Monitoring the energy production of such a system is a straightforward matter.
A recirculating DHW System is shown schematically in Figure 3-6b. In this system, heated water is continuously circulated from the water heater throughout the building hot water system and back to the water
heater. Cold water is introduced into the system to replace the hot water
consumed
Space heating systems instrumented included hydronic systems with
the following types of terminal units: two-pipe fan-coil, water source heat
pump, and radiant panel. These systems depend upon a recirculating
supply of heated water from a system similar to the one shown
schematically in Figure 3-7.
Two typical process heating systems encountered by participants in
the project are shown in Figure 3-8. The first system (Figure 3-8a) is a Two
Temperature Service Water System. This type of system was typically found
3-7
Fuel Cell
Grid Connect Unit
(GCU)
Electric Meter
Service Panel #1 Building Load 120/208V
Figure 3-5a. Fuel Cell Grid Connect Operation
Fuel Cell
Grid Connect Unit
(GCU)
Service
y Panel #1
Electric Meter : Transfer Switch Select
Load
Panel #1
30,4W
120/208V
Building Load
Figure 3-5b. Fuel Cell Grid Connect Operation - Split Load Option
Figure 3-5. Fuel Cell Grid Connect Operation
3-8
Domestic Hot
Water Water
Heater Outlet
BTU = F1(T2-T1)Cp
A) Once-Through DHW System
Domestic
Water
Heater
DHW Supply
DHW Return
Recirculating
Pump
BTU1 = F1((T2-T1)Cp
BTU2 = F2(T2-T3)Cp Cold Water Make-Up
B) Recirculating DHW System
Figure 3-6. Sensor Schematics - Typical Domestic Hot Water Systems
3-9
Expansion
Tank
Cold Water
Fill and
Make-Up
To Terminal
Units —_ Circulating
Pump
Boiler
(or Heat Exchanger)
From
Terminal
Units
BTU1=F1(T2-T1)Cp
Figure 3-7. Sensor Schematic - Typical Hydronic Heating System
3-10
BTU1 = F1(T2-T1)Cp
BTU2 = F2(T3-T2)Cp HTW Outlet
A) Two Temperature Service Water System
Process Heating Water Supply Consumed in Process
Temperature Control Valve
Consumed in Process
Cold
Water
Make-Up
Cold
Water BTU1 = F1(T2-T1)Cp Make-Up
B) Recirculating Process Heating System
Figure 3-8. Sensor Schematics - Typical Process Heating Systems
3-11
in restaurants, hospitals and nursing homes where two distinct water temperatures are required, such as one temperature for domestic use, and
a higher temperature for dishwashing, laundry or other uses.
Figure 3-8b depicts a process heating system in which water is
heated to a single temperature in a boiler. Part of the heated water is
consumed in the process, another part is used in the heat exchanger, and
the remaining water bypasses the heat exchanger and returns to the boiler.
3.2.2 Data Collection
Data collected over the course of the field test project was reviewed,
and representative sites for all market segments were further analyzed and
documented in the Characterization of Instrumented Sites Report. Seventy
sites are included in the report and represent approximately 20 market
segments concentrated in the Northeast, mid-West and California.
Table 3-1 summarizes by market segment, the instrumented site's
and the energy systems that were monitored including; domestic water
heating, space heating and process heating.
Potential users of the report include utilities, equipment
manufacturers and contract researchers. Utilities can use it to help
perform market assessments of various energy technologies, help select
sites for field tests and identify markets for various products.
Manufacturers of HVAC systems, appliances and various types of
cogenerators can use the information to help identify feasible markets for
their equipment, and to properly size their products to interface with typical
energy subsystem. Contract researchers can use it for energy application
studies, technical/market assessments, equipment modeling/simulations
and field test site selections.
3-12
Table 3-1. System Characteristics of Instrumented Sites
Thermal
Market Sector - Main Electrical Seen Gal GER ESSE Electric] Domestic | Space | Process
Number of Sites Sevice Loads Hot Water| Heating | Hot Water eae eC Bakeries 1 tt eee eee et ee or [roodProsssns-6 4 it _{1 [118 Groceries 1 ee ee Heath Cubs-8_J@_{2__|8 |- | 3 es eg Hotels -7 ee er HoteVRestaurant-3 [3 _|-_{3 |? | - [industiat laundry [4 ft |- |= | 4 MetalPlaing-2 [2 | |-_|- | 2
1
1
Nursery | er [NursngHomes-6 [5 Jt _|# |? _| reoMeemameee a Td eee te re ee ae oe de eee ee ee ee ee et eee et ote tty a oe re ee WW]
3-13
4, POWER PLANT INSTALLATION
Utility participants installed 46 fuel cell power plants at 42 sites in the
U.S. and Japan. This section discusses the overall utility approach to power
plant installation and the various power plant operating modes and
interfaces.
41 POWER PLANT DELIVERY AND START-UP SCHEDULE
Manufacturing of the 46 Field Test fuel cell power plants began in
June, 1983 and the delivery of the first power plant occurred in October,
1983. The manufacture of all forty-six power plants was completed in
eighteen months. Figure 4-1 illustrates the aggressive delivery and
operation schedule undertaken by IFC and the utility participants. The
Onsite 40-kW Fuel Cell Power Plant Manufacturing and Field Test Program-Interim Report (Reference 8) documents the design and
manufacturing phases of the field test. These activities were monitored by
the NASA Lewis Research Center.
4.2 POWER PLANT DESIGN SHIPMENT AND INSTALLATION
SUMMARY
Following manufacture, power plants were shipped to the host
utilities using three modes of transportation. Forty-four units were shipped
by truck, one power plant was sent by air freight to Japan and three units
went by ship following truck delivery to the dock. (Total shipment exceeds 46
because two power plants were delivered more than once during the
program). The power plant proved to be quite rugged with only minor
damage experienced in two fairly severe shipping accidents. Figure 4-2 is
the overall summary for power plant shipment and installation activities.
Power plant installation at the site was the responsibility of each
utility. After final site approval was received from GRI and DOE, power
plant installation plans including construction, electrical and plumbing
drawings were submitted to IFC for review. As stated in the Field Test
Summary Reports the majority of the utilities completed site design in-
house. Utility personnel felt that they were more familiar with the site and
the fuel cell technology and that this task could be performed by the utility
in a cost effective manner.
Actual site preparation and power plant installation were performed
primarily by contractors. This decision was based on the fact that while
utility personnel were capable of performing the tasks associated with
installation and interconnection of the fuel cell, it was much more cost
effective to secure a dedicated contractor available to do the entire job
without being subject to the priorities of other utility work. Utilities that
installed the power plants with in-house personnel stated that the primary
reason was to gain the experience to determine if the installation of onsite
4-1
20 NS 4/85
Y Beginning of Normal Operation SQ, hin 111] WW 4/83 1/84 2/84 3/84 4/84 1/85 2/85 3/85 S S sf WD 2 3 4 N a Wee z WHEE w ° w oO payesado/peddiys sup jo saquiny Figure 4-1. Power Plant Shipment and Operation N
Shipment
Truck 44
Air 1
Ship 3
Average Time ___ ss CCs—C‘CsCsCSCSCSCPS@s-~; WTS
Site Design
ERY) Sead EU ee Ee eo
Gontractor UM LE Rhee Eek eee
Site Preparation
RECYCLE EEE 2:
Gontractor UL 2
Average Time Required —-Days
Site Preparation: 2.2 | 28) Days
Site Installation: 2’. fs i 4 Days
Figure 4-2. Power Plant Installation Summary
4-3
fuel cells could be performed internally and on a larger scale.
The amount of time required for power plant installation varied widely. In
most cases, the site was not completely ready when the power plants arrived and further minor work was required before it was possible to
complete power plant installation. In almost all cases, each utility was
installing the OFC for the first time which represented a learning
experience for the utility personnel. In those sites where a second power
plant was installed at a completely prepared site (Northwest Natural Gas,
Northeast Utilities, Peoples Natural Gas, Baltimore Gas & Electric and
Florida Power) installation was completed in four or five days, with the
shortest time of just two days.
4.3 PERMITTING AND CODE APPROVALS
Prior to actual installation of the fuel cell power plants, utilities
contacted various local and state agencies concerning the proposed power
plant installations. No major problems were encountered by participants
during this phase of the installation. Utilities felt that the time spent
educating the general public and the various agencies was the primary
reason for the lack of barriers to fuel cell installation. Utilities utilized
departments within the company that are familiar with obtaining permits
and who have a working relationship with the various officials in their
service territories.
In general, standard building, plumbing and electrical permits were
required prior to installing the power plants. A common concern of code
officials encountered by participants was that the fuel cell's high grade heat
exchanger was not double jacketed. In particular, Hawaii Code requires a
double-walled heat exchanger where the process side is at a higher
pressure than the potable water side. This double wall heat exchanger
issue also was addressed by other utilities.
Utilities that operated the power plants in the grid-connected mode
were required to submit detailed electrical interconnect diagrams and
descriptions of the protection capabilities of the power plants to the
interconnected utility. The grid connect unit of the 40-kW fuel power plant
was specified by electric utility participants in the project and satisfied the
protection and interconnect requirements of most utilities. IFC prepared a
topical report Description of 40-kW Grid-Connected Power Plant Operating and Protection Functions (Reference 9) to assist the utilities addressing the
grid-connect issue. A few utility participants were required to install back-
up protection equipment prior to grid-interconnection due to the electric
utility industry being unfamiliar with the microprocessor based protection
capabilities of the 40-kW power plants. Additional protection consisted of
over/under frequency and voltage relays and over current relays.
Three of the major reasons given by utilities for the lack of permit
and code obstructions were the research and development nature of the
4-4
project, the temporary nature of the OFC installation, and the sponsorship of the local utility. For actual fuel cell commercialization it is anticipated that some additional permit and code approvals may be required but because the various agencies have now been introduced to the fuel cell concept, the gaining of approvals should not be restrictive. The report, Assessment of Fuel Cell Technology in Relation to Building Codes and Standards (Reference 10) assesses the requirements and issues anticipated for commercial OFC siting.
44 POWER PLANT/SITE INTERFACES
As shown in Figure 4-3, utilities installed 40-kW power plants in a
wide range of market applications. Twenty-seven power plants were
installed in multi-family residential and commercial building applications
including: dormitories and condominiums, restaurants, hospitals and
nursing homes, hotels, a hotel restaurant, office buildings, health clubs, laundries, an airport arrivals terminal, and a nursery. Six power plants
were installed in light industrial applications including: photo labs, a data processing center, a food processor, and aluminum product
manufacturing. Nine power plants were installed in specialty applications
including: recreation centers, electric generating plants, a telephone
switching station, gas compressor stations, and a Gas Exposition pavilion,
The four Department of Defense power plants, included in the above totals,
were installed in a dining hall, air force base power generating plant, a dormitory and a museum.
The sites chosen for power plant installation and operation covered a diverse range of applications for power plant electricity and heat utilization. One utility applied for and received FERC certification as a qualifying facility for two sites. Another utility used the self certification approach for two sites. Figure 4-4 summarizes fuel cell power plant electrical and site interfaces by market segment. Thirty-five power plants were operated in the grid-connect, pre-set fixed power mode, during field testing at 32 sites. Three of the grid connected sites utilized the ability of the power plant to serve an emergency load in the event of grid failure. Twelve power plants operated grid-independent in the electric load following mode at 10 sites.
The majority of the power plants were sited outdoors. However, six
plants were located indoors. The most notable of these was the Tokyo Gas Company plant which was located in the Gas Pavilion at the Tsukuba
Exposition. Three other plants were located indoors at hotels due to space
and aesthetic considerations. Two additional plants were placed indoors to
increase maintenance personnel comfort during the winter.
As shown in Figure 4-5 OFC by-product heat was used for domestic
hot water heating at the majority of the sites. Process heating loads served
by the power plants included pre-heating of make-up water in photo labs,
laundries, aluminum product manufacturing, food processing, heating of
fuel gas at gas compressor stations and supplying hot water for a
4-5
Residential - 6
Specialty - 9
Restaurants - 4
Light Industrial - 6 Hospital/Nursing Home - 4
Nursery - 1 Hotels - 5 Laundries - 2
Health Clubs - 2 Office Building - 3
Figure 4-3. Market Segments of Fuel Cell Power Plant Installations
4-6
Market Segment
Heat Recovery Only
DHW
Space Heat
Process
Heat Recovery with Storage
DHW
Space Heat
Process
Figure 4-5. Power Plant Thermal Interfaces
4-8
greenhouse plant propagation system. In an office building the power
plant's by-product heat was used for domestic hot water and space heating
and at a hotel for both domestic hot water and swimming pool heating.
The project demonstrated that a standard power plant design
satisfied the electric and thermal energy requirements of a wide variety of
commercial sector buildings under a range of climate conditions.
4-9
5. POWER PLANT OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE
5.1 TRAINING AND PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS
One of the overall objectives of the program was to determine if utility personnel could install operate and maintain the fuel cell power plant. To facilitate this, a two week training course was attended by project participants at IFC's facilities to provide utility personnel with the information needed to care for the fuel cell power plants.
Utility personnel who attended training at IFC stated that the formal training proved beneficial in the day to day operation of the power plants. However, for utility personnel to maintain the units with little or no assistance from the manufacturer, additional hands-on training, particularly in the area of maintenance would be required. Another important factor in the successful operation and maintenance of the power
plants in a commercial venture are ongoing training programs by the manufacturer and secondary in-house training by the utility. A number of utilities provided secondary training to new personnel as power plant operators and technicians were transferred. This provided the newer personnel with the information necessary to perform routine maintenance and troubleshooting, but again, formal hands-on training is required prior to permanent assignment.
In general, utility personnel felt comfortable with the every day operation and maintenance of the power plants due to their experience with other gas and electric technologies. In particular, personnel experienced with heating and air conditioning systems and with a good background in water treatment, electrical circuits, electronic controls and hot water systems felt that the activities performed during the Fuel Cell Project closely paralleled those that are required in their normal duties.
5.2 POWER PLANT OPERATION AND PERFORMANCE
Following delivery and installation of the power plant, operation at
the site was initiated. For initial power plant startup, an IFC field engineer
visited the site to advise utility personnel as required. Utility personnel with
the training received from IFC felt comfortable with the start-up
procedures and in most cases did not require assistance from the
manufacturer for subsequent start-ups. The first start-up of the field test power plants was by Southern California Gas in Fountain Valley,
California on December 19, 1983.
The number of active power plants varied during the course of the
field test program as units were delivered and later, as testing was
completed. Overall fleet experience built slowly as power plants began to be
activated. Figure 5-1 shows the build-up of total power plant operating
experience through the program and the number of units that were
5-1
—— Cumulative Operation
Active Power Plants
300 Number Per Month ° 5° 9 oO v o N r 9 | eo ee sd a a lea al at lated Wy ed lr ceeoebiiesineiioanaal Bre | VII LLL LLL LLLL ed C7 LLLLLLLLRLLL et Pek on, 77 LLL Ahhh Add, Reyes oes Eee a ee ee) Citi Lillia, a ee aad Co CiLL tL LLL LLL Ce ed a sete pened fen ts) ZILLA LLLL ed ‘a UMDIMMA: aa ae] GLAM lh sunoyH JO puesnoyL 5-2 JFMAMJJASOND JSFMAMJIJSASONDJIFMA
Le ee SES ABNER AINA 1984 1985 L 1986 2
Figure 5-1. Hours of Onsite Power Plant Operation
operating during any given month of the project. During June, 1985 a peak
of 37 active units was reached. Also shown in Figure 5-1 is the total hours
of plant testing. In April 1986, the project goal of 300,000 hours was
reached.
The overall fleet unadjusted availability over the course of the project
was 63% which was at the high end of the predefined project goal of 55-65%.
Figure 5-2 illustrates the monthly fleet availability as compared to the
Project goal range. A problem with the logic interaction between the
inverter and the grid-connect unit at the beginning of the field test caused
the lower than expected availability. Once the problem was corrected, power
plant operation and overall fleet availability increased dramatically.
The lower than expected availability experienced in January-
February 1985 was caused by freezing damage to the water treatment
section of the power plant at a number of sites. Damage occurred to units
that were not in operation at the time and utility personnel were not
immediately available to attend the power plants. Once these units were
placed back in service, power plant availability goals were either met or
exceeded, and during the peak operating period of 37 units availability goals
were exceeded.
Power plant operation and performance compared very favorably to
design projections. Electrical efficiency for both grid-independent and grid-
connected power plants typically met performance specifications. Figure 5-
3 shows the comparison of measured versus predicted electrical efficiency
over the total operating time of each power plant field tested.
In general, the heat recovery efficiency of the power plant was
slightly below specification. The specification values for high-grade heat
recovery were demonstrated at only a few sites because of the high-grade
heat exchanger fouling that was experienced. Because of the fouling on the
user-side of the high-grade heat exchanger, this heat exchanger was
eventually bypassed at all sites where a closed heat recovery loop had not
been used. Measured low-grade heat recovery is plotted versus predicted
recovery for several power plants in Figure 5-4. The power plant heat
production was used successfully with domestic hot water, space heating
and process heating loads and the average site low grade heat recovery was at 93% of prediction. Fleet experience based on those sites where valid data
existed, is also shown in Figure 5-5. This shows the fleet averages for both
electrical efficiency and low-grade heat recovery.
5.3. POWER PLANT RELIABILITY AND MAINTENANCE
EXPERIENCE
Operating availability is defined in this program as the hours the
power plant actually operated divided by the total calendar hours after
initial operation. Operating availability is a function of many factors, these
include items such as the capability of the power plant itself, the particular
5-3
v-s Unadjusted Availability - % 80 a °o > oO np oO GRI
Goal Range
LA? P55 55S Sees Poe B55 050 x7 RSX |
JFMAMJ J
L_____1984 JL 1985
Ml
Oo
Figure 5-2. Monthly 40kW Power Plant Unadjusted Availability
Sy
| a
NDJFMA
J L__4986
(Measured-Predicted) Electrical Efficiency (%) @ Grid-Connected
O Grid-Independent
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
Operation per Power Plant in Hours
Figure 5-3. Comparison of Measured and Predicted Electrical Efficiency
5-5
12000
MEASURED LOW-GRADE HEAT RECOVERED — kBtu/HR 120
100
20
DATA AS OF NOVEMBER 1985
20 40 60 80 100
PREDICTED LOW-GRADE HEAT RECOVERED — kBtu/HR
Figure 5-4. Low-Grade Recovery Vs. Predicted Recovery
5-6
120
1504
862305
30 Sites
150,000 Hours Operation
120
100 90% of
data
80
Percent
of : 60 Average prediction
40
20
0 : Electrical Low grade
generation heat
efficiency utilization
Figure 5-5. Fleet Average Electrical and Thermal Efficiencies
5-7
installation and the maturity of the installation, the capability and experience of the maintenance crews, the availability of spare parts, and the speed with which repairs are effected.
In the initial stages of power plant operation and maintenance, utility personnel were inexperienced and considerable time was spent diagnosing power plant problems or to sending appropriate IFC personnel to the site. As a general rule, maintenance was not a priority task and was performed typically on an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 5 day a week basis. Also spare parts were almost always stored at the IFC facility requiring shipment to the fuel cell site before repairs could be completed. Based on the nature of the field test and the maturity of the technology, GRI established an operating availability goal at 55 to 65 percent for the fleet of power plants.
The field test power plants demonstrated operating availabilities during the field test program that met the project goal of 55% to 65% unadjusted availability. The average fleet availability at the end of the
program was 63% and the availability for each power plant is shown in
Figure 5-6.
On the high end of the experience, fourteen field test power plants achieved availabilities of greater than 70 percent for their whole active period from first start to deactivation. Three of these power plants also had
total operating times of over 9000 hours and the average operating time of
the fourteen units was 6850 hours.
An analysis of the operating experience during a typical month in 1984 indicated that correction of the unadjusted data to account for availability of maintenance response on a 24 hour per day, seven day per week basis would result in an adjusted availability of 85%. This is supported by an experience at the Tokyo Gas Expo 86 Pavilion site. In this case 24 hour a day maintenance and onsite spare parts were critical in obtaining a 90% availability for a six-month period during Expo 86.
5.3.1 Hardware Experience
The significant number of power plants produced and tested and the
amount of operating time achieved resulted in valid definition of component deficiencies. This data was needed and used for guiding the concurrent
Technology Development Programs being sponsored by GRI and DOE. The i ] ] -Final
Report (Reference 11) is an overview of the development activities, the
technology basis and the design approach developed for a study power
plant.
The field test program provided valuable input to all of these related
activities. Every problem area uncovered was addressed by one of the
technology programs and a solution defined for future fuel cell power
plants. For the 40-kW field test program itself, many of the problems
5-8
Through April 1986
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2 Unadjusted Cumulative Availability 2 4 6 8
Operating Hours - Thousands
Figure 5-6. Power Plant Availability Experience
5-9
Goal Range
10
12
uncovered were not corrected because of the lack of time and funds. In fact
about 56 percent of defined problems were not corrected and the test
program "lived with the problem". Only 6% were of a nature that prevented
normal, safe operation of the field test units and therefore were corrected by
field retrofits. As shown in Figure 5-7, 70 percent of the outages were due to
hardware problems. Of these, the majority were recurring problems not
corrected because of program limitations, 8 percent were random failures
and only 6 percent of the failures were corrected. Problems which involved
personnel and hardware safety issues, however, were always addressed.
While a variety of hardware difficulties were experienced, no failure of the
fundamental technology components the fuel cell stack or the fuel processor
occurred during the program.
Figure 5-8 provides a summary of the failure categories that caused
power plant forced outages through the program.
5.3.1.1 Planned Improvements
Utility concerns regarding availability of the power plants centered
around the maintenance and reliability of the ancillary components. IFC
through the technology development activities identified responses to these
concerns which include;
¢ an inverter system that utilizes a transistorized approach which
significantly reduces the overall number of parts,
e the elimination of two-thirds of the modulating control valves and
the utilization of standard and improved types of commercial
valves using electric actuators where control valves are needed,
¢ minimizing the use of threaded joints by using welded or flanged
connections to eliminate leaks,
¢ thirty-five percent fewer heat exchangers and the incorporation
of a commercial core which results in far fewer joints,
e design changes to eliminate freezing of the feedwater system,
¢ improved coolant system which eliminates flow control orifices
and incorporates inverted coolant flow manifolds which should
extend cleaning intervals to three years,
¢ reduction of components and packing density to facilitate
maintenance and repairs, and
¢ utilization of more powerful standard control logic components
which have become available subsequent to the design of the 40-
kW power plant.
5-10
Administrative
problems
Due to experimental
nature of program
30%
Identified and
‘‘lived-with”’
56 percent
Hardware
problems Identified
70% and corrected
Figure 5-7. Causes of Field Test Power Plant Forced Outages
5-11
Leaks
Mechanical Controls
Mechanical
Components
4.0%/ Water Quality
Wire/Cable
Sensors
Electrical/Electronic
Through 5/12/86
Figure 5-8. 40-kW Field Program - Forced Outages
5-12
5.3.2 Utility Maintenance Experience and Recommendations
Over the course of the field test, utility personnel performed the routine maintenance activities that included water quality analyses, filter
changes, data collection and replacing/recharging the demineralizer and
charcoal filter bottles. In addition to these maintenance activities, utility personnel often diagnosed and corrected problems with the power plants
during unscheduled outages.
For a commercial fuel cell energy service to succeed, utility
personnel felt that immediate maintenance response and power plant
service are critical to the acceptance of the onsite energy service by
customers. Response must be rapid if the power plant is operated in the
grid-independent mode or if racheted demand charges are applied to power
plant down times. To reduce the amount of time required for diagnosis and
repair of power plant malfunctions, utilities recommended the following
measures:
¢ Personnel felt that most downtimes could have been shortened
considerably with readily available parts and more knowledge of
system operation. Suggestions for improving maintenance
activities include having the ability to procure repair parts
locally, improved diagnostics for troubleshooting defective
components, and repairing of defective components rather than
replacing the parts.
¢ Consensus was that the key to bring down maintenance costs are
diagnostics, both remote and onsite. This allows for the dispatch
of the appropriate maintenance personnel and equipment which
would save time and money. Conductivities, turbidities and feed
water pump on and off times should be incorporated into the next
data acquisition and display system and a portable work station
with appropriate tools and equipment were a necessity.
¢ With adequate diagnostic tools, and more detailed blueprints,
utility personnel felt that most repair work could have been
performed without concurrence or assistance from IFC
personnel, particularly in the correction of inverter and logic
card problems that were the cause of numerous disconnects.
¢ Extensive use of onsite and remote diagnostics would minimize
the cost of supporting a dedicated crew and that fuel cell
technicians should be integrated with other service and
maintenance crews. In addition, the utilities should develop a
fuel cell expert within each utility to help provide engineering
support to service personnel.
¢ Consider using the customer's site engineer, if appropriate, for
general maintenance, depending on the power plants design and
5-13
ease of maintenance. However, utility personnel or a contractor
should do service which is more complex and must assure that
the service is completed in a timely manner. Maintenance not
only includes the pump valves and heat exchangers but also the
major components, stack, fuel processing assemblies, and
inverter. The design of the unit should allow for ease of
maintenance and ease of change-out by utility technician level
personnel.
Power plant training was the second most discussed topic by utilities.
Utility personnel felt that the training provided was more than adequate to
perform routine maintenance activities, but that more "hands-on" training
would allow utility personnel to perform complex maintenance activities
without assistance from the manufacturer. The following are utility
comments and suggestions regarding the need for more extensive training.
Operating personnel felt most comfortable with the every day
maintenance of the power plant due to their experience with
other equipment, particularly electric generation technologies.
Instrument and electrical technicians felt that all inverter
maintenance could be performed by similarly trained people, but
that it was obvious that training was required in the area of
electric power production in order to maintain the power plants
effectively and safely.
Most personnel felt that one to two start up exercises were
required to become comfortable with the power plants and that
hands-on maintenance training would reduce the time required
to efficiently perform maintenance. This training would be
especially helpful during initial power plant shake-down and
operation.
5-14
6. SPECIAL TESTING ACTIVITIES
In addition to operating and maintaining the power plants to gain experience with the onsite fuel cell energy service, utility participants
conducted special tests to determine if the operating characteristics of the power plants are compatible with utility requirements.
Figure 6-1 lists the utilities and the areas of power plant operation and performance that were evaluated. Each utility documented the results
of the various testing activities
Three different types of fuels other than pipeline or peak shaved
natural gas were demonstrated during the field test program. These were
SNG at GASCO, landfill gas at Southern California Edison and coal-bed
methane at Southern Company Services.
GASCO routinely produces synthetic natural gas from oil for their
system in Hawaii. This gas contains typically 80 to 84% methane, 2-4%
higher hydrocarbons, 8-10% hydrogen, 4-7% carbon dioxide, and about 1/2%
carbon monoxide and undefined amounts of trace constituents. The power
plant operated normally on this gas.
For most of their testing, Southern California Edison separated
carbon dioxide from the landfill gas used at their site. After separation, this
gas typically contained about 5% carbon dioxide 3% nitrogen and 92%
methane. For the last part of their testing, Southern California Edison
removed the CO2 separation equipment and ran on the basic landfill
composition with trace contaminant cleanup which increased CO2 levels to
about 45% of the total composition. The power plant was able to operate
without modification at 29-kW with this high-CO2 gas.
Coal-bed methane used by Southern Company Services, is primarily methane (>97%) with about 2% nitrogen and small amounts of oxygen, carbon dioxide, ethane and sulfur. This gas was dried prior to use. No
adverse power plant operation effects were noted using this gas.
Noise characteristics of the operating power plants were measured
by four utilities. These were made at the 15-foot specification distance or at
some other distance and corrected to 15 feet. Noise measurements were
generally difficult due to the existence of walls, enclosures and other
obstructions. The following data are believed to be representative:
Company Power plant PC18 Specification Measurement
So Cal Gas 8224 60 dBA @ 15 feet 59
8225 62
Consumers 8227 64
6-1
Cad
w w zs w ww ww ~ ~ =
Special Noise Emissions Electrical Additional Motor Uninteruptable Overload
Fuels Characteristics Grid Stan Power Test Protection Utility
Brooklyn Union Gas tl a>.
Central Hudson ieee
Columbia Gas ome Reese ere {tr — ames: | _ [Consumers Power | Dayton Power and Light Ee Boe ._ oS 7 — |
[ Norheast Utes Cid moon | a | Public Service Electric & Gas es | |
San Diego Gas & Electric mre
Southern California Edison a pee
Southern California Gas a Peewee:
Southern Company Services a Fy
Virginia Natural Gas
Figure 6-1. Special Testing by Utilities
Four utilities made extensive measurements of both air and water emissions from the fuel cell power plant. These were Southern California Gas, Southern California Edison, Northwest Natural Gas and Consolidated Edison of New York. These tests confirmed the non-polluting nature of the fuel cell and measured values were well below both existing Federal and California's South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD)
limits. The SCAQMD limits are the most stringent in the USA.
The electrical and protection system characteristics of the power
plant were of particular interest to all participants in the field test program.
Several utilities did extensive testing of the power plant protection system
and electrical output harmonic content. The general conclusion reached
was that the power plant performed as predicted by the specification.
In addition to the testing of the protection system, five utilities
installed secondary protection systems designed to function only as a back
up, and independent of the fuel cell protection system. During the field test,
the power plant's protection system always performed the protective
functions successfully demonstrating that the secondary relays were not
required.
A number of utilities performed a series of electrical tests to observe
the electrical protection characteristics and power quality of th 40-kW grid
connected fuel cell. The fuel cell grid protection unit that was tested was
always able to detect a loss of grid voltage immediately disconnected itself
from the grid. The unit was also able to safely clear itself from a three
phase line-to-ground fault. Power quality measurements taken by utilities
indicate that the voltage harmonics generated by the fuel cell's solid state
inverter are low. Results of Northeast Utilities harmonic tests with the fuel
cell connected to the grid, the voltage total harmonic distortion was
measured to be an average of 2.04 percent over the power output range of 20-
kW to 37-kW which is considerably under the maximum allowable value of
4.0 percent. This was also verified in extensive testing conducted by Public
Service Electric & Gas and Georgia Power Company.
Utility tests indicate that microprocessor based hardware can be
designed and built to provide any desired measure of electrical protection
required for a grid connected generator.
The special electrical tests have been separately documented in detail
by each of the utilities listed in Figure 6-1.
One of the direct measurements of the transient load characteristics
of the fuel cell power plant was made by Columbia Gas System. For this
series of tests two grid-independent fuel cells were electrically connected
in parallel through a Master Control Unit (MCU). Therefore besides
measuring electrical load response, this test evaluated the capability of the
MCU to maintain load sharing between power plants. The transient load
applied to the two power plants was a 20-hp motor for an air handling
6-3
system. This test successfully demonstrated the power plants ability to provide overload power for large motor starts and the MCU's ability to force
load sharing between two units. Two other utilities, Brooklyn Union Gas
and National Fuel Gas, operated two power plants in parallel, sharing load
between the two plants.
Power plant overload testing was performed by Brooklyn Union Gas
on power plant 8231 after the unit had operated for 8500 hours. By
reconfiguring the load to this grid-independent power plant, a load of up to
48-kw was possible. The unit was connected to this load and a 0 to 46-kW
transient was accomplished. Then the power plant operated at a load of 46-
to 48-kW for 1 1/2hours at which time Brooklyn Union manually termi-
nated the test. The ability of this unit to operate at this above rated capacity
for greater than the 5 seconds specification is related to the non-reactive
power loads which were applied.
One fuel cell power plant was specially modified for International
Business Machines so that it would normally operate as a grid-independent
unit while synchronized with the utility grid. The fuel cell power plant was
the primary power source for an electronic data processing (EDP) load at
the IBM facility that consisted of tape and disk drives printers and disk
controllers. These are believed to be the types of EDP loads which are most
sensitive to power interruptions. A 65 KVA Cyberex Static Switch was used
to interface the EDP load to either the fuel cell (preferred source) or to the
utility grid (alternate source). A synchronizing feature was installed in the
fuel cell by IFC to synchronize the fuel cell inverter frequency to the utility
frequency when both sources were operative. In the event of a fuel cell
outage, the high-speed solid state static transfer switch connected the
backup utility electric grid to the EDP load. IBM conducted tests to simulate
loss of the fuel cell power and also for transfer of the load from the utility
grid back to the fuel cell power plant. There was no indication of equipment
malfunctions during any of these tests. Bases on the results of their test
experiences, IBM is considering the use of fuel cell power plants as the
primary source of power for EDP units.
6-4
7. INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES
Utility experience during site selection activities, power plant
installation, operation and maintenance have provided insight into the
institutional, legal and regulatory considerations for commercial fuel cell
power plant operation. A Legal/Regulatory Issues Analysis (Reference 12)
covered in three reports evaluates the general legal/issues of onsite fuel cell
ventures by the gas industry.
71 INSTITUTIONAL, LEGAL AND REGULATORY ISSUES
The objectives of the utility evaluations of the institutional, legal and
regulatory issues was to assess and resolve potential inducements or
constraints to entering onsite fuel cell energy service business. Utility
concerns and comments regarding the various permitting, code,regulatory
and labor issues that must be addressed prior to making that decision are
discussed in the following paragraphs.
Utility Concerns
A primary concern of many utilities is their image if the business
venture fails or the technology fails. Therefore it is important that upper-
management is informed of the technology status and the success of the
onsite field test. Engine cogeneration equipment available today could
provide a vehicle to enter the energy service business in preparation for the
commercial availability of fuel cell equipment.
For the energy service concept to succeed, service is the key.
Continuity of service to the customer should be the primary concern of the
utility. Customers require the direct participation of the local utility to
provide a single point contact and assurance of service.
Permitti
The power plant technology must be introduced to code officials early.
Therefore, a business plan should include this education by utility
personnel. The educational plan or strategy can draw upon the 40-kW field
test experiences and should target the appropriate code officials. In-house
personnel who deal with code people on other equipment should be utilized,
and coordinated activities by a number of utilities may also benefit this
effort.
Codes and Standards requirements of national and local origin must
be satisfactorily met. If power plants had a certification label (from UL or
AGA, for example), the process for code acceptance and permitting would
be easier. This is not feasible however in early development because design
changes could invalidate certification. The certification also requires a
standard to be written which typically requires participation by several
7-1
manufacturers. During the early years an engineering report can be
prepared in cooperation with testing labs. This report would cover both the
equipment and its installation and would be the key to discussions with
code officials and agencies.
Labor Concerns
Union jurisdictions within a utility could prohibit some utilities from
working on the customer-side of the meter. A clearly defined interface
between utility-side and customer-side installation work is appropriate and
generally solves labor (and code) jurisdictional questions. Labor consider-
ations must be addressed for effective handling of matters such as number,
and labor grade of power plant installation and maintenance personnel
and, where applicable, union jurisdiction over various service personnel.
Training and licensing requirements of installation and maintenance
personnel must be established.
7.2 CUSTOMER INTERFACE ISSUES
Site selection activities afforded participating utilities the opportunity
to assess customer awareness and concerns regarding onsite energy
service. It also identified concerns that utilities should address when
evaluating a customer for onsite energy service.
During site selection activities, utilities were able to determine
customer awareness and acceptance of the onsite fuel cell energy service
and what the customer's attitudes are regarding energy service concept. In
addition to customers’ attitudes, the utilities were able to introduce the fuel
cell power plant technology to code officials during power plant installation
activities, thereby setting a precedent for future power plant installations.
Customer Attitudes
During site selection activities the general consensus of the utilities
was that the overall energy awareness of the general public is limited.
Therefore the way the utility presents the onsite energy service concept is
important and the utility industry should present the concept in a uniform
manner. Customers are unfamiliar with the technology and are looking for
similar experiences and installations on which to base a decision.
The greatest customer concerns are dollar savings from the onsite
service and if the service will impact everyday business (i.e., loss of space
for parking). Customers generally do not want to be in the utility business,
but want to save money with the energy service. Customers view the onsite
energy service as a means to diversify energy supply, save money, and
improve the quality of service.
7-2
Contractual Agreements
The contractual agreements with the customers depend on the type of
utility business venture. Terms should cover the requirements, but should
appear as standard as possible to avoid the legal concerns not present with
conventional energy supplies.
A thorough evaluation of a potential customer's financial track
record should be made. The utility should also consider an agreement with
the customer to recoup installation costs in the event of bankruptcy or a
move. Several types of insurance may be required including contractual,
service interruption and liability insurance.
Application Data
The trend in the utility industry is to better understand the customer
and their specific energy requirements. The experience in the site selection
activities has shown that the utility industry needs to obtain more customer
specific information.
Initial site surveys and data collection demonstrated that customer
billing data could be misleading due to inefficient operation of the existing
site energy systems. This could impact fuel cell system sizing. Some
utilities have instrumented sites to help identify potential markets and size
fuel cells and other cogeneration systems for onsite energy service. With a
good understanding of the billing data, a site inspection and some simple
energy measurements should be adequate for the initial assessment of
optimum sizing for an onsite power plant.
7-3
8. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A COMMERCIAL UNIT
During the field test, utility experiences were viewed as a method for improving future fuel cell designs as well as operation and maintenance
methodologies. The following are utility recommendations for improving operation and maintenance requirements and procedures for future onsite fuel cell power plants.
Heat recovery and thermal output efficiency were a concern of a number of utilities. Consistent availability of high grade heat is a requirement to improve thermal efficiencies. High grade heat during the
field test was available only intermittently at full load. At many
commercial sites however, the need for both high grade and low grade heat
may not be appropriate. The design of a single heat recovery system made
possible by the combination of the high and low grade systems may be the
most universal design for the heat recovery system.
The time required to bring the power plant on line should be reduced. The current four to five hour start up time dictates that power requirements
be anticipated well in advance or that the fuel cell be left in a standby mode. The need for emergency power and heat for a fuel cell power plant in the event of simultaneous grid failure and power plant shut down should be addressed in future designs. The use of natural gas heaters instead of
electric heaters to bring the coolant up to the operating temperature level
during startup is another desired feature.
Addition of on-board nitrogen supply cylinders with standardized control and manifold design would eliminate customers site installation and reduce power plant installation time.
The grid connect unit should have a broad operating range to account for different conditions experienced on utility electric grids throughout the
U.S.. Accessible controls for the power plant protection system should be
provided to enable personnel to adjust parameters and to test protection
features. This is important in order to avoid the cost of providing an
electromechanical protection system in series to back up the grid connect
unit.
Standard on-board diagnostics should be provided to monitor critical
power plant parameters during startup and operation. Each of the alarms
should give a visible target and/or event time to indicate what caused the
power plant to disconnect or trip. Additional onsite diagnostic requirements
are conductivities, turbidities and feed water pump on and off times which
should be incorporated in the next data acquisition and display system.
Remote access capabilities to these diagnostic features should be included.
The interior design of the power plant should have more space for
ease of maintenance, testing, and replacing components. Additional space
8-1
should also be provided in the area where the electrical AC power output
cables must be attached.
Additional design operation and maintenance recommendations including improved cold weather protection, integration of the grid connect unit into the power plant cabinet, and increased intervals for cleaning of the cooling system have been incorporated into technology developed in parallel with the field test.
8-2
APPENDIX A
REFERENCES
10.
LS
12.
REFERENCES
40-kW Onsite Fuel Cell Field Test Program, Final Report,
International Fuel Cells. January 1982 - May 1986.
The Gas Powercel National Market Assessment Report, Onsite
Fuel Cell Users Group. September 1985.
Site Selection Guide, Site Selection Subcommittee. December 1979,
Revised March 1986.
Onsite Fuel Cell Field Test Support Program Annual 308 Report,
International Fuel Cells. May 1980 - June 1981.
40-kW Fuel Cell Field Test Data Analysis, International Fuel Cells.
December 1986.
Characterization of Instrumented Sites Report, Science
Applications International Corporation. November 1986.
Application Guide for Fuel Cells in Commercial Buildings, Annual
Report, International Fuel Cells. December 1986.
The Onsite 40-kW Fuel Cell Power Plant Manufacturing and Field
Test Program-Interim Report, International Fuel Cells. February
1985.
Description of 40-kW Grid-Connected Power Plant Operating and
Protection Functions, International Fuel Cells. February 1984.
Assessment of Fuel Cell Technology in Relation to Building Codes
and Standards, Final Report, National Conference of States on
Building Codes and Standards, Inc. February 1984 - January 1986.
Onsite Fuel Cell Power Plant Technology Development Program-
Final Report , International Fuel Cells. January 1981 - September
1986.
Legal/Regulatory Issues for Onsite Fuel Cell Planning by Gas
Utilities, John Nimmons and Associates. August 1983 - April 1984.