Stationary Power
The use of fuel cells, and especially fuel cells that utilize hydrogen, provide high value for improving air quality and reducing GHG emissions. Replacement of coal, oil, and natural gas fired generating capacity in Connecticut with fuel cell (fueled by natural gas) technology would result in the reduction of NOx, SO2, and CO2, as follows:
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Emission Reductions Using Fuel Cell Technology (lb/MWh) |
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Replacement of Conventional Coal-Fired Generating Capacity with Fuel Cells |
Replacement of Conventional Oil-Fired Generating Capacity with Fuel Cells |
Replacement of Conventional Natural Gas-Fired Generating Capacity with Fuel Cells |
Average Emissions Reductions from Replacement of Conventional Fossil Fuel Generation |
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|
NOX |
2.53 |
2.4 |
0.31 |
1.28 |
|
SO2 |
1.79 |
4.12 |
0.021 |
1.07 |
|
CO2 |
1,106 – 1,524 |
832 – 1,340 |
255 – 763 |
824 |
This means that for each megawatt of conventional fossil fuel generation capacity replaced with capacity from a fuel cell, average reductions of NOx emissions would be reduced by 11,213 lbs; SO2 emissions would be reduced by 9,373 lbs; and CO2 emissions would be reduced by approximately 7.2 million lbs. At 40 MW, average reductions of NOx emissions would be reduced by 224 tons; SO2 emissions would be reduced by 187 tons; and CO2 emissions would be reduced by approximately 144 thousand tons. With a CHP application and assuming additional increased efficiency from reduced transmission line losses; these annual emission reductions could be doubled.
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Potential Average Annual Emissions Reduction for each Megawatt of Conventional Fossil Fuel Generation Replaced with Capacity from a Fuel cell |
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|
|
1 MW |
40 MW |
|
NOX |
11,213 lbs |
224 tons |
|
SO2 |
9,373 lbs |
187 tons |
|
CO2 |
7,218,240 lbs |
144,365 tons |
Transportation
The use of fuel cells for transportation applications provides significant emission reductions for passenger vehicles and mass transit. In Connecticut, passenger cars and light duty trucks are responsible for 61 percent of transportation GHG emissions. These vehicles are responsible for 28 percent of all GHG emissions in Connecticut, compared to 22 percent nationally. Conventional diesel transit buses emit significant amounts of GHG, and consequently have the potential for the most energy savings using fuel cell applications compared to most other transportation applications. A comparison of vehicle emissions is shown in the following table:
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Vehicle Emissions Comparison (grams/mile) |
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Emissions from Conventional Gasoline Powered Passenger Cars |
Emissions from Conventional Gasoline Powered Light Trucks |
Emissions from Conventional Diesel Transit Buses |
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|
NOX |
0.95 |
1.22 |
12.5 |
0 |
|
SO2 |
0.007 |
0.0097 |
0.0214 |
0 |
|
CO2 |
369 |
511 |
2,242.7 |
0 |
This assumes hydrogen generated completely from renewable resources
Fuel cell vehicles running on hydrogen produced from renewable resources virtually eliminates all GHG emissions compared to conventional fossil fuel powered vehicles. Passenger car emissions of NOx are reduced by 0.95 grams/mile, SO2 by 0.007 grams/mile, and CO2 by 369 grams/mile. Gasoline powered light truck emissions are also reduced by 1.22 grams/mile of NOx, 0.0097 grams/mile of SO2, and 511 grams/mile of CO2. Diesel transit bus emissions of NOx are reduced by 12.5 grams/mile, SO2 by 0.0214 grams/mile and CO2 by 2,242.7 grams/mile. Replacement of one passenger vehicle, light truck or transit bus can result in annual emission reductions shown in the following table:
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Potential Annual Emission Reductions per Vehicle Using Hydrogen Fuel Cell Propulsion Systems (pounds/year) |
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Possible Emission Reductions per year from Replacement of a Gasoline Fueled Passenger Car |
Possible Emission Reductions per year from Replacement of a Gasoline Fueled Light Truck |
Possible Emission Reductions per year from Replacement of a Conventional Diesel Transit Bus |
|
NOX |
26.2 |
37.7 |
1,019.9 |
|
SO2 |
0.192 |
0.299 |
1.746 |
|
CO2 |
10,169 |
15,772 |
182,984 |