Advanced energy technologies such as hybrid energy systems, fuel cells, hydrogen electrolizers, etc., are novel systems used to satisfy both power and thermal requirements of dwellings. The paper will present the results from performance evaluation and assessment of two systems – a hybrid hydrogen generator/high efficiency furnace system and a residential size solid oxide fuel cell system. The systems were evaluated and demonstrated at the Canadian Centre for Housing Technologies. The hybrid system consisted of a 5kWel electrolyzer integrated with a residential 15 kWth high efficiency gas fired furnace. The electrolyzer was set to generate and to replace 5-25% of the furnace natural gas flow with hydrogen. A means for proper mixing of hydrogen and natural gas was provided and a control system for safe system operation was developed. The fuel cell system was 5kWel/5kWth solid oxide fuel cell system fuelled by natural gas. Both energy systems were connected to the house mechanical systems and in parallel to the grid. During the trials a significant percentage of the generated power was used to satisfy house’s power demand as the rest was exported to the grid.
Computer simulations and trial data analysis showed that both systems were able to satisfy a wide variety of building’s thermal and power energy loads. The paper will present performance analysis data, simulation results and operational procedures for optimal hybrid and stand alone fuel cell systems’ operation and integration.