A Novel Application for Stationary Fuel Cell Systems

Problem: Natural gas compressor stations on the gas transmission network are an integral part of the U.S.ĺs energy infrastructure. Todayĺs natural gas compressor stations include low efficiency gas turbines, electric generators, and mechanical compressors to compress gas on the grid. These stations have come under scrutiny for their 1) high greenhouse gas emissions, 2) high air pollution emissions and 3) excessive noise. Solution: These issues could be mitigated by displacing existing systems with advanced stationary fuel cell systems coupled with electrochemical devices. Such integrated systems may employ (i) stationary fuel cells, (ii) electrochemical compressors, and/or (iii) other devices, to achieve the same function as traditional compressor stations, but with much lower emissions and noise. The proposed Phase I project will focus on modeling different configurations of such devices to identify more optimal system designs. Some of the proposed designs will also enable Ĺgreeningĺ of the gas grid by enabling low carbon hydrogen to be injected into that grid. These innovative systems are estimated to exhibit similar overall efficiencies (30%) to existing compressor systems, but with much lower environmental impacts. Phase I Activity: Gaia will identify optimized ways of integrating (i) stationary fuel cells, (ii) electrochemical compressors, and/or (iii) other devices, to provide more environmentally-benign compression to the gas grid. Gaia will perform the following tasks for a number of different system configurations: 1. Build detailed thermodynamic models. 2. Build detailed techno-economic models. 3. Build detailed environmental impact models. 4. Presenting model results to industry stakeholders. Gaia will collaborate with industry partners to validate device performance and compressor station operation. Gaia will evaluate several potential configurations in terms of efficiency, emissions, life cycle cost, and overall system performance, and will use an existing natural gas-powered, interstate compressor station as a benchmark. Once favorable system configurations have been identified, Gaia will iteratively optimize these designs. Gaia will then down select (1) to (3) of the best performing system configurations for demonstration in Phase II. A goal of the Phase I project is to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study to identify optimal configurations of (i) stationary fuel cells, (ii) electrochemical compressors, and/or (iii) other devices, to provide more environmentally-benign compression to the gas grid. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: These optimized designs will substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution emissions, and noise pollution; provide a path to decarbonizing the existing gas network; extend the useful life of this network; and help to transition this network to a greener future. The intellectual property from this work will be licensed to benefit stationary fuel cell system manufacturers, electrochemical device manufacturers, energy system integrators, and natural gas compressor station developers, owners, and operators globally.