Fuel Cell: Equipment Tab

Variable Definitions, Ranges and Default Values

The following table shows the meaning of the variables appearing in this tab, as well as their default values and their generally acceptable range. Note that due to the manner by which the variables are used by the sizing and costing equations, the range of acceptable values may be further reduced.

Variable	Default Value	Range

◙ Power (kW) The electric power output of a single unit. Used as the sizing variable of this equipment resource.	0.0	Positive
○ Max Power (kW) The maximum electric power output that a unit of this type is available for purchase in the market. Used only in design mode as the upper limit of the sizing variable to determine if multiple units are required.	5.0	Positive

Symbol Key: ○ User-specified value (always input); ● Calculated value (always output); ◙ Sometimes input, sometimes output

Sizing: Design Mode

In design mode, the software will size the unit based on the total power output of the fuel cell power generation operation executed in the unit. If the total power output exceeds the specification for the maximum power output, then the software will assume multiple number of identical units (each producing the same power output) that are operated in parallel.

Sizing: Rating Mode

In rating mode, the power output and the number of units are provided by the user.

Costing

For the built-in purchase cost model, it is assumed that the fuel cell cost in 2010 was $10,000 per kW of power output. This is based on evaluation data from NREL. The user-defined equipment purchase cost model is also based on power output.

For more information on this equipment, see Fuel Cell.

For information on the left-hand side variables and options, see Equipment Data Dialog: Equipment tab.