The Joint Declaration on Stationary Fuel Cells for Green Buildings was recently released by the energy industry and stakeholders to draw attention to the huge decarbonization potential of stationary fuel cells in the European building sector. With 36% of Europe's carbon emissions coming from heating and cooling buildings, the signatories are calling for action to reduce the carbon footprint of the building sector through efficient, renewable and decentralized smart energy solutions.
Proponents, researchers and industrial stakeholders in the stationary fuel cell sector want to draw public attention to the enormous potential of such micro fuel cell combined heat and power (CHP) systems to help the EU meet climate and energy targets for residential and commercial buildings.
The signatories of the joint statement released on November 19, 2019, acknowledge the crucial role that households and small businesses will play in the energy transition and emphasize that stationary fuel cells can make a significant contribution to today's EU climate and energy goals. In the future, they can be used as part of a suite of technical and market solutions for residential and commercial buildings.
They believe that stationary fuel cells are now at a critical stage of market rollout. Production and market demand need to increase, and consumer and supply chain awareness must be raised.
Stationary fuel cells can reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions and local air pollution. They can be connected to the gas grid or installed off-grid, they can generate heat and electricity efficiently using hydrogen, and will increasingly use renewable hydrogen or synthetic gas.
Their deployment will help Europeans move from being energy consumers to energy "producers," putting them at the center of a decentralized energy system of the future.
Hans Korteweg, Managing Director of COGEN Europe and coordinator of the PACE project, dedicated to bringing fuel cell micro CHP to the mass market, calls on all stakeholders to start acting today.
"To maximize the decarbonization potential of stationary fuel cells, we need sound and ambitious policies across Europe, at national and local levels, to create a level playing field for all energy solutions. Second, we need industry commitment to innovation in technology solutions, market deployment and customer empowerment. Finally, Hans Korteweg says targeted financing opportunities will address the needs of the industry and bridge the gap between early market acceptance and large-scale commercialization."
Jari Kiviaho, chief scientist at VTT Smart Industrial and Energy Systems, which coordinates the ComsSos project, is a strong believer in the potential and benefits of stationary fuel cells.
The ComSos project aims to strengthen the European solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) industry's position as a world leader in the 10-60kW range.Jari Kiviaho said a key objective of the ComSos project is to validate and demonstrate fuel cell-based cogeneration solutions in the medium power range, with results demonstrating the benefits of such systems, potential business models and key benefits for customers.
