Application of fuel cells on utility systems. Volume I. Study results

Volume I describes how 25 utilities participated in the study and provides their actual system data and dollar values on the potential realizable benefits of applying FCPPs on their systems. A single computer model was used to determine the economics of installing FCPPs compared to conventional technologies for all the participating utilities. Assuming no benefit values, the FCPP break-even capital cost varies from $400 to $1000 per kW (in 1981 dollars), depending on the participating utilities. The amount of FCPP addition is sensitive to the total installed cost (or benefit value) and to the existing generating mix of the utilities. The individual benefit values supplied by the utilities averaged $166/kW. Including these values for the corresponding utilities, the total FCPP addition for the study period of 1986 to 2005 is 8220 MW. In general, FCPPs are expected to operate with annual capacity factors ranging from 10 to 25%. The study produced credible information on the potential applications of FCPPs on actual utility systems in terms of economic viability, capacity mix, operating modes, and factors important to system planning with FCPPs.