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M+M Consulting Engineering a Better Solution Engineers |
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Engineering a Better Solution |
Residential
Fuel Cells Fuel
cells are devices that produce electricity with virtually no pollution. Three proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems, like the
one shown below, have been installed and operated to provide electrical power
and heat for three separate residences. The
5 kW fuel cells are configured as standby units with waste heat used for
domestic hot water and space heating. The
fuel cell systems operate at steady state providing a preset level of power to
the grid. In case of loss of grid
power, an automatic transfer switch changes the home power source from
grid to fuel cell (with battery) to follow the load.
Massie+Massie Consulting Engineers have experience in installing,
monitoring and determining operating strategies for fuel cells and other forms
of distributed generation.
Intelligent
Control for Combined
Heat and Power Control
strategies implemented in building do not consider the changes in buildings and
equipment from year to year, season to season or even day to day.
As a result, much of the potential cost savings of using HVAC equipment
is lost. Optimal control has not
been implemented because of difficulties accommodating the complex interactions
between equipment. Equipment
behavior is highly non-linear and it varies from one location to another,
requiring experts to fine-tune and control.
Even for experts with vast experience in installing HVAC equipment,
models are complex and require significant effort to calibrate.
Furthermore, as equipment ages or undergoes retrofit, models that
describe equipment behavior must be changed, requiring further expert
assistance. The West Point power plant is equipped with a modern neural network-based supervisory controller that “learns” plant characteristics and then notifies plant operators when items of equipment should be operated. In the winter of 2002-2003, the plant recorded $161,000 reduction in operating costs.
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