Analysis of Actual Operating Conditions of an Off-grid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Page: 4 of 19
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Abstract
Fuel cells have been proposed as ideal replacements for other technologies in remote locations
such as Rural Alaska. A number of suppliers have developed systems that might be applicable in
these locations, but there are several requirements that must be met before they can be deployed:
they must be able to operate on portable fuels, and be able to operate with little operator
assistance for long periods of time.
This project was intended to demonstrate the operation of a 5 kW fuel cell on propane at a
remote site (defined as one without access to grid power, interet, or cell phone, but on the road
system). A fuel cell was purchased by the National Park Service for installation in their newly
constnucted visitor center at Exit Glacier in the Kenai Fjords National Park. The DOE
participation in this project as initially scoped was for independent verification of the operation
of This demonstration.
This project met with mixed success. The fuel cell has operated over 6 seasons at the facility
with varying degrees of success, with one very good run of about 1049 hours late in the summer
of 2006, but in general the operation has been below expectations. There have been numerous
stack failures, the efficiency of electrical generation has been lower than expected, and the field
support effort required has been far higher than expected.
Based on the results to date, it appears that this technology has not developed to the point mere
demonstrations in off road sites ae justified.2
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Witmer, Dennis; Johnson, Thomas & Schmid, Jack. Analysis of Actual Operating Conditions of an Off-grid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, report, December 31, 2008; United States. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc934713/m1/4/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.