Fuel Cell Power-Conditioning Systems

Abstract

Currently, USA is the largest consumer of energy in the world with projected consumption of 5207 billion kWhs in 2025 (http://www.eia.doe.gov/), with the actual and forecast demand for electrical energy is growing in all the end-use sectors. The highest annual growth rates are projected for the commercial, industrial, and residential sectors at about 2.2, 1.6 and 1.4%, respectively, as shown in Fig. l(a). From 2000 to 2003, 69 GWs of peaking capacity was added and 112 GWs of combined-cycle capacity, which is efficient in both baseload and cycling applications, was installed. To meet increasing base and peak power demands, the demand for energy resources is rapidly increasing and unfortunately, as Fig. l(b) shows, progressively depleting resources, such as natural gas and coal, which cause environmental pollution, still account for more than 50% of the total energy-generation resources (http://www.eia.doe.gov/). Furthermore, as the demand for natural gas continues to rise, domestic production dwindles and world-wide demand and supply scenario for oil and gas approach a delicate balance, we are forced with greater reliance on importation (which incidentally, is still insufficient to meet the demand) and economic vulnerability. Clearly, there is an urgent need for alternative sources of energy.