Fundamental studies on penetration of fuel cells and energy transfer in Japan

On-site distributed generations (DG), which are installed into energy consumers, are spreading. Energy networks should evolve to deal with future state that considerable numbers of on-site DGs including fuel cell (FC) are involved to the networks. DGs are considered to be uses as combined heat and power systems (CHP) in Japan. Fundamental studies on energy networks which involve on-site DG (distributed generation) in residential dwellings were performed in this paper. Outlines of future energy networks which involve on-site DGs are described with concept drawings and some items which should be considered. Two case studies on penetration of FCs into residential dwellings and the effect of energy transfer were performed. The case studies considered mitigation of environmental impact and reduction of economic impact. One of the case studies assumes a small apartment building. Some or all of the dwellings install FCs. The energy network employs energy transfer among the dwellings. A group of 10 residential houses is assumed in the other case study. The houses are assumed to install FCs and make use of energy transfer. The result of those studies revealed that employment of energy transfer increases the introduction effect and encourages rapid penetration of FCs especially in early stage of the penetration. The rapid penetration of FCs realizes the reduction of environmental impact and energy cost in next some decades.