The report gives results of a comparison of residential energy supply systems using fuel cells. Twelve energy systems, able to provide residential heating and cooling using technologies projected to be available toward the end of this century, were designed conceptually. Only a few systems used fuel cells. All systems used Western coal as the primary energy source, and all residences were assumed to have identical heating and cooling demands typical of the mid-continent U.S. After screening, five systems were analyzed in detail. The entire energy cycle, from coal mine to end use, was examined for costs, efficiency, environmental impact, and applicability. The five energy systems are: (1) a coal-fired power plant supplying electricity and a coal gasification plant supplying SNG; (2) a 26-MW fuel-cell power plant fueled by coal-derived SNG supplying electricity; (3) a 26-MW fuel-cell power plant fueled by coal-derived naphtha supplying electricity; (4) a combined-cycle power plant fueled by coal-derived fuel oil supplying electricity; and (5) a 100-kW fuel-cell power plant fueled by coal-derived SNG, sited in a housing complex, supplying electricity to heat pumps, with heat recovered from the fuel cell supplying supplemental space heating and hot water. Results indicate that the fuel cell systems are most costly, most efficient, and have least environmental impact.

"SRI International." "Industrial Environmental Research Laboratory, Office of Energy, Minerals, and Industry." "April 1979." Includes bibliographical references and glossary. "Contract no. 68-02-2180, program element no. EHB534."