Overview on Equipment of Distributed Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Distributed proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is one of choices for distributed power equipment, which is efficient, eco-friendly, reliable and responsive. They can be used in different occasions such as house, communication stations and chemical industry. This paper introduces combined heat and power (CHP), backup power and stationary power station, and details their system structure, technical specification and sales distribution. CHP are mainly applied in Japan and Europe, especially in Japan. PEMFC backup power is mainly carried out by large network and communication companies, which are about total 900 units in global, and the actual examples of PEMFC power station are lesser. Through the analysis of representative cases, this paper sums the actual operation and fault cause of distributed PEMFC equipment. Research will be better developed based on this analysis. Meanwhile, this paper sums these distributed power equipment from view of economy. Finally, application of domestic distributed PEMFC is pointed out. Generally speaking, distributed PEMFC receives less attention in our country. However, there are multitudinous chemical industries and so hydrogen in by-product is abundant. As PEMFC technology matures and cost falls, PEMFC power station is a suitable mode for our country based on comprehensive utilization of resources.