A Paraguayan Case Study on the Production of Electricity from Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation

Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12

| Peer-Reviewed

A Paraguayan Case Study on the Production of Electricity from Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation

Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola

Published in International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering (Volume 3, Issue 6-3)

Received: 1 August 2014 Accepted: 22 February 2015 Published: 12 March 2015

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

The result of a preliminary economic evaluation of distributed generation of electricity with a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) in Paraguay is presented in this work. For this purpose, a mathematical model that represents the main technical and economic characteristics involved in the operation of MCFCs was applied. The model is applied in a horizon of 20 years and shows how costs are influenced by the projected energy demand increase of the studied population and by the decrease of MCFC unit cost due to technological advances and mass production. The studied population is Bahía Negra district in the department of Alto Paraguay. The results show that the generation cost of electricity by MCFC is high, US$ 290/MWh and US$ 270/MWh, for conservative and optimistic scenarios, respectively. However, in these situations, the feasibility analysis of electricity supply to isolated communities with low living standards and in developing countries based only on the comparison and quantification in monetary terms is not enough. This is because there are intangible benefits that are difficult to quantify and, therefore, to express in monetary terms. For example, it is very difficult to quantify in monetary terms the improvements in environmental conditions and quality of life of the community. Finally, the use of fuel cells for distributed generation of electricity in rural areas of Paraguay is feasible if the social and environmental aspects are considered, not just economics.

Published in	International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering (Volume 3, Issue 6-3) This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Conversion and Management
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12
Page(s)	8-12
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Distributed Generation, Fuel Cells, Economics, Paraguay

References

[1]	The hydrogen economy: opportunities, costs, barriers and R&D needs. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2004. .
[2]	Solomon B, Banerjee A. A global survey of hydrogen energy research development and policy. Energy Policy 2006;34:781–92.
[3]	Varigonda S, Kamatb M. Control of stationary and transportation fuel cell systems: progress and opportunities. Comput Chem Eng 2006;30:1735–48.
[4]	Agbossou K, Chahine R, Hamelin J, Laurencelle F, Anouar A, St.-Arnaud JM, et al. Renewable energy systems based on hydrogen for remote applications. J Power Sources 2001; 96: 168–72.
[5]	Bauen A, Hart A, Chase A. Fuel cells for distributed generation in developing countries – an analysis. Int J Hydrogen Energy 2003;28: 695–701.
[6]	Nogueira, LAH; Lora, EES. Dendroenergia: Fundamentos e Aplicações. 2º edição. Editora Interciência. Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. 2003. 199 páginas.
[7]	Castells, XE. Tratamiento y valorización energética de residuos. Ediciones Díaz de Santos. Fundación Universitaria Iberoamericana. 2005. 1228 páginas.
[8]	Frangopoulos, C; Nakos, L. Development of a model for thermoeconomic design and operation optimization of a PEM fuel cell system. Energy 2006; 31: 1501–19.
[9]	http//:www.bloomenergy.com, accessed in March 2014.
[10]	Jannuzzi, GM; Swisher, JNR. Planejamento integrado de recursos energéticos: meio ambiente, conservação de energia e fontes renováveis. Campinas, SP: Autores Associados, 1997. 246 páginas.
[11]	Kazinm A. Economical and environmental assessments of proton exchange membrane fuel cells in public buildings. Energy Conversion Management, 2001; 42:763–72.
[12]	Nelson, DB; Nehrir, MH; Wang, C. Unit sizing and cost analysis of stand-alone hybrid wind/PV/fuel cell power generation systems. Renewable Energy, 2006; 31:1641–56.
[13]	Khan, MJ; Iqbal, MT. Pre-feasibility study of stand-alone hybrid energy systems for applications in Newfoundland. Renewable Energy, 2005; 30:835–54.
[14]	Alfaro, IAF; Berra, ARP. Estudio de la factibilidad para la implementación de generación de la energía solar fotovoltaica en la localidad de Bahía Negra. Tesis de grado. Ingeniería Electromecánica. FIUNA. 2013.
[15]	Smith R, Weeda M, de Groot A. Hydrogen infrastructure development in The Netherlands. Int J Hydrogen Energy 2007;32:1387–95.
[16]	http://www.fuelcellenergy.com, accessed in July 2014.
[17]	http://www.ballard.com/cogeneration_fuelcells/Case_studies.htm, accessed in July 2014.
[18]	Álvarez, A. División de Generación Hidroeléctrica. Gerencia Técnica. Administración Nacional de Electricidad. Comunicación informal realizada el 24 de marzo de 2014 y el 3 de junio del mismo año.
[19]	Remick, R; Wheeler, D. Molten Carbonate and Phosphoric Acid Stationary Fuel Cells: Overview and Gap Analysis. Technical Report NREL/TP-560-49072. September 2010.
[20]	Contreras, A; Posso, F; Guervos, E. Modelling and simulation of the utilization of a PEM fuel cell in the rural sector of Venezuela. Applied Energy (2009), doi: 10.1016/j.apernergy. 2009.05.040
[21]	Santarelli, M; Cali, M; Macagno, S. Design and analysis of stand-alone hydrogen energy systems with different renewable sources. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2004; 29:1571–86.
[22]	Santarelli, M; Pellegrino, D. Mathematical optimization of a RES-H2 plant using a black box algorithm. Renewable Energy, 2005; 30:493–510.
[23]	Furlan, AL. Análise técnica e econômica do uso do hidrogênio como meio armazenador de energia elétrica proveniente de fontes eólicas. Tese de Doutorado. Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica. Universidade Estadual de Campinas, SP, Brasil. 2012. 86 páginas.
[24]	Isherwood, W; Smith, J; Aceves, S; Berry, G; Clark, W; Johnson, R et al. Remote power systems with advanced storage technologies for Alaskan villages. Energy, 2000; 25:1005–20.
[25]	Gosnell, J. Efficient Ammonia Production. KBR Energy and Chemicals. Presentation in the Hydrogen Conference organized by National Argonne Laboratory. 13 October 2005.
[26]	VMME y GIZ. Evaluación de potenciales de energía renovable en Paraguay, estudio de cuatro casos. Publicación elaborada en el marco de un proyecto del Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Comunicaciones (MOPC) a través del Viceministerio de Minas y Energía (VMME), con la cooperación de la Cooperación Alemana al Desarrollo (GIZ). Noviembre de 2013. 23 páginas. Disponible en http//:www.ssme.gov.py.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola. (2015). A Paraguayan Case Study on the Production of Electricity from Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation. International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 3(6-3), 8-12. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola. A Paraguayan Case Study on the Production of Electricity from Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation. Int. J. Energy Power Eng. 2015, 3(6-3), 8-12. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola. A Paraguayan Case Study on the Production of Electricity from Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation. Int J Energy Power Eng. 2015;3(6-3):8-12. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12,
  author = {Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola},
  title = {A Paraguayan Case Study on the Production of Electricity from Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation},
  journal = {International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6-3},
  pages = {8-12},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12},
  abstract = {The result of a preliminary economic evaluation of distributed generation of electricity with a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) in Paraguay is presented in this work. For this purpose, a mathematical model that represents the main technical and economic characteristics involved in the operation of MCFCs was applied. The model is applied in a horizon of 20 years and shows how costs are influenced by the projected energy demand increase of the studied population and by the decrease of MCFC unit cost due to technological advances and mass production. The studied population is Bahía Negra district in the department of Alto Paraguay. The results show that the generation cost of electricity by MCFC is high, US$ 290/MWh and US$ 270/MWh, for conservative and optimistic scenarios, respectively. However, in these situations, the feasibility analysis of electricity supply to isolated communities with low living standards and in developing countries based only on the comparison and quantification in monetary terms is not enough. This is because there are intangible benefits that are difficult to quantify and, therefore, to express in monetary terms. For example, it is very difficult to quantify in monetary terms the improvements in environmental conditions and quality of life of the community. Finally, the use of fuel cells for distributed generation of electricity in rural areas of Paraguay is feasible if the social and environmental aspects are considered, not just economics.},
 year = {2015}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Paraguayan Case Study on the Production of Electricity from Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation
AU  - Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola
Y1  - 2015/03/12
PY  - 2015
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12
T2  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
JF  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
JO  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
SP  - 8
EP  - 12
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2326-960X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12
AB  - The result of a preliminary economic evaluation of distributed generation of electricity with a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) in Paraguay is presented in this work. For this purpose, a mathematical model that represents the main technical and economic characteristics involved in the operation of MCFCs was applied. The model is applied in a horizon of 20 years and shows how costs are influenced by the projected energy demand increase of the studied population and by the decrease of MCFC unit cost due to technological advances and mass production. The studied population is Bahía Negra district in the department of Alto Paraguay. The results show that the generation cost of electricity by MCFC is high, US$ 290/MWh and US$ 270/MWh, for conservative and optimistic scenarios, respectively. However, in these situations, the feasibility analysis of electricity supply to isolated communities with low living standards and in developing countries based only on the comparison and quantification in monetary terms is not enough. This is because there are intangible benefits that are difficult to quantify and, therefore, to express in monetary terms. For example, it is very difficult to quantify in monetary terms the improvements in environmental conditions and quality of life of the community. Finally, the use of fuel cells for distributed generation of electricity in rural areas of Paraguay is feasible if the social and environmental aspects are considered, not just economics.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6-3
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola

Department of Chemical Engineering, National University of Asuncion (UNA), San Lorenzo, Paraguay

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola. (2015). A Paraguayan Case Study on the Production of Electricity from Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation. International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering, 3(6-3), 8-12. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola. A Paraguayan Case Study on the Production of Electricity from Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation. Int. J. Energy Power Eng. 2015, 3(6-3), 8-12. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola. A Paraguayan Case Study on the Production of Electricity from Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation. Int J Energy Power Eng. 2015;3(6-3):8-12. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12,
  author = {Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola},
  title = {A Paraguayan Case Study on the Production of Electricity from Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation},
  journal = {International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering},
  volume = {3},
  number = {6-3},
  pages = {8-12},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12},
  abstract = {The result of a preliminary economic evaluation of distributed generation of electricity with a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) in Paraguay is presented in this work. For this purpose, a mathematical model that represents the main technical and economic characteristics involved in the operation of MCFCs was applied. The model is applied in a horizon of 20 years and shows how costs are influenced by the projected energy demand increase of the studied population and by the decrease of MCFC unit cost due to technological advances and mass production. The studied population is Bahía Negra district in the department of Alto Paraguay. The results show that the generation cost of electricity by MCFC is high, US$ 290/MWh and US$ 270/MWh, for conservative and optimistic scenarios, respectively. However, in these situations, the feasibility analysis of electricity supply to isolated communities with low living standards and in developing countries based only on the comparison and quantification in monetary terms is not enough. This is because there are intangible benefits that are difficult to quantify and, therefore, to express in monetary terms. For example, it is very difficult to quantify in monetary terms the improvements in environmental conditions and quality of life of the community. Finally, the use of fuel cells for distributed generation of electricity in rural areas of Paraguay is feasible if the social and environmental aspects are considered, not just economics.},
 year = {2015}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - A Paraguayan Case Study on the Production of Electricity from Fuel Cells for Distributed Generation
AU  - Michel Osvaldo Galeano Espínola
Y1  - 2015/03/12
PY  - 2015
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12
T2  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
JF  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
JO  - International Journal of Energy and Power Engineering
SP  - 8
EP  - 12
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2326-960X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepe.s.2014030603.12
AB  - The result of a preliminary economic evaluation of distributed generation of electricity with a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) in Paraguay is presented in this work. For this purpose, a mathematical model that represents the main technical and economic characteristics involved in the operation of MCFCs was applied. The model is applied in a horizon of 20 years and shows how costs are influenced by the projected energy demand increase of the studied population and by the decrease of MCFC unit cost due to technological advances and mass production. The studied population is Bahía Negra district in the department of Alto Paraguay. The results show that the generation cost of electricity by MCFC is high, US$ 290/MWh and US$ 270/MWh, for conservative and optimistic scenarios, respectively. However, in these situations, the feasibility analysis of electricity supply to isolated communities with low living standards and in developing countries based only on the comparison and quantification in monetary terms is not enough. This is because there are intangible benefits that are difficult to quantify and, therefore, to express in monetary terms. For example, it is very difficult to quantify in monetary terms the improvements in environmental conditions and quality of life of the community. Finally, the use of fuel cells for distributed generation of electricity in rural areas of Paraguay is feasible if the social and environmental aspects are considered, not just economics.
VL  - 3
IS  - 6-3
ER  -

Copy | Download