Solid oxide (SOFC) and molten carbonate (MCFC) fuel cells are suitable for use in a number of applications that utilize heat. They are best suited for stationary power applications run on natural gas to provide residential and commercial grid augmentation when combined with heating and cooling systems.
Several traditional fossil and renewable fuels which include hydrocarbons are being utilized as the energy source for fuel cells. Due to the high operating temperatures, SOFCs and MCFCs are fuel flexible, capable of internally reforming a wide variety of hydrocarbon based fuels such as liquefied natural gas, pipeline natural gas, coal syngas, methanol, propane and biogases.
Fuel cells can also be coupled with an energy storage system, which provides peak power transient load demands, and used for remote power supply; assuming a fuel such as propane, biofuel or diesel is easily available.
