Robust Design of a Hybrid Energy System

Nowadays the research in energy field is focused on conversion technologies which could achieve higher efficiencies and lower environmental impact. Among these, fuel cells are considered an extremely promising technology and pressurized solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems are particularly attractive for their high electric efficiency, potential for cogeneration applications, low carbon emissions and high performance at part-load. This paper aims to perform a robust design of an innovative turbocharged hybrid system model, featuring components validated with industrial data, where a turbocharger is used to pressurize the fuel cell, promising better cost effectiveness than a microturbine-based hybrid system, at small scales. This study will evaluate the impact of the main operating parameters (fuel cell area, stack current density and recuperator surface) on the plant performance, considering uncertainties in the system and creating a response surface of the model to perform the study. Finally, a study of the operating costs of such plant is performed to evaluate its profitability in the Italian market scenario.