TITLE:
The Two-Constant Cost Model and the Estimation of the Cost Performance Evolutions of the Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Power Generation
AUTHORS:
H. F. Zhang, P. C. Pei
KEYWORDS:
Fuel Cell; Cost Performance; Lifetime; Degradation; Energy Efficiency; Operation Optimization
JOURNAL NAME:
Energy and Power Engineering,
Vol.5 No.2A,
April
29,
2013
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.