The innovative concept of distributed energy production is a decisive element in the new energy market scenario and it is characterized by a generation near the load. It is a shared opinion that Fuel Cell systems are a promising technology to support future challenges both in short-terms, based on natural gas (with centralised or onsite reforming and hydrogen purification), and in medium/long-terms, with the increased exploiting of the renewable energies. So, two FC technologies (SOFC and PEFC) characterization and optimization are in progress, in the framework of an Italian National project coordinated by CNR-ITAE, at components and system level in order to reach the commercialization targets. FC systems have reached reasonable performances at constant load and steady weather conditions (laboratories). However, the PEMFC systems have to be assessed at variable conditions by supplying real electrical and thermal loads at outdoor conditions.
In this paper the demonstration phase at CNR-ITAE of a pure hydrogen PEMFC 5kW system intended for residential applications is described. The unit has demonstrated the ability to operate autonomously in the entire power range (0-5 kW) in load following mode, without batteries or other devices. The main critical parameters have been linked to the BoP and electronics life time. No relevant decays in FC stack performances have been observed during the operation (less than 4 microV/h), apart from a single cell that, after 1000h (Table1), is showing an unexpected noise, leading to test stops. In-situ and post mortem analyses will identify the reasons of the misbehaviour.