Grantee Research Project Results
Final Report: Efficient Distributed Energy Generation System
EPA Contract Number: EPD10034Title: Efficient Distributed Energy Generation System
Investigators: Steinshnider, Jeremy , Houy, Daniel
Small Business: Lynntech Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2010 through August 31, 2010
Project Amount: $70,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2010) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , SBIR - Green Buildings
Description:
Summary/Accomplishments (Outputs/Outcomes):
Conclusions:
Lynntech and its subcontractor, InnovaTek, have demonstrated the feasibility of a fuel cell hybrid system operating on hydrogen from reformed propane. This small-scale system showed the viability of a full-sized unit to be able to provide the necessary power for rural residential applications. In a conventional electrical grid, 0.97 tons CO2/MWh would be produced; by reforming hydrogen from propane, however, the emission was reduced by 46 percent to 0.49 ton CO2/MWh. Employing these units across rural residential areas of the United States could provide a significant impact on the amount of CO2 generated for energy use. The trade study between HT-PEM and LT-PEM showed that a HT-PEM would provide a higher overall system efficiency and also would reduce costs associated with the balance of plant. Additionally, the reformer would not need the membrane purifier, simplifying the complexity and further reducing cost. The failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) of the fuel cell breadboard system showed overall a safe and reliable system with the main concern being the battery but no values that were high enough to consider alternative designs. The manufacturing study showed that a full-scale system would cost $31,762 for 1,000 units but that further price reductions could be achieved for high quantities.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, EPA, green buildings, distributed energy, generation system, fuel cell, propane reformer, residential buildings, power system, energy, rural communities, grid power, homeland security, aerial vehicles, disaster relief, national emergencies, hydrogen fuel cell, microchannel steam reforming, remote power, rural powerThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.