Control strategy optimization for a micro-cogeneration power system based on solid oxide fuel cell

Micro-cogeneration systems have received increasing attention in recent years because, by providing both useful electricity and heat with high efficiency, they can have a strategic role in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions according to the European Union targets. The European Union directive 2004/8/EC introduces a performance parameter (PES, Primary Energy Saving) that allows to define the performance of the cogeneration systems. Cogeneration applications in buildings have to satisfy either both electrical and thermal demands, or satisfy the thermal demand and part of the electrical demand, or satisfy the electrical demand and part of the thermal demand. Therefore, depending on the electrical and thermal loads and on the operating strategy, a cogeneration system can be run at different conditions. In this paper, a micro-cogenerator (μCHP) based on the Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC) technology working under different control strategies is investigated and its overall performances have been evaluated.