Paper Title
POTENTIAL OF THE SOLID OXIDE FUEL CELL-BASED COMBINED HEAT AND POWER SYSTEMS FOR COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL APPLICATIONS IN ALBERTA AND CANADA
Abstract
Hydrogen is increasingly recognized as a critical component in the global energy transition, offering a versatile and sustainable solution to decarbonize multiple sectors. In this context, solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) demonstrate significant potential by efficiently converting hydrogen into electricity with minimal emissions, positioning itself as a promising technology for sustainable power generation in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. Given Canada's commitment to sustainable development, along with Alberta's carbon-intensive space heating and power grid, SOFC technology has the potential to substantially reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while fostering economic growth. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of SOFC-based combined heat and power (CHP) systems, including future market penetration forecasts, capital and operating costs, associated GHG reductions, and job creation in Alberta and Canada over the course of time. The findings indicate that by 2050, the SOFC-based CHP market is projected to reach $2.5 billion in Alberta and $15 billion in Canada, with approximately 80% of this revenue attributed to the commercial sector. Additionally, the CHP market is expected to generate around 2,300 jobs in Alberta and 13,800 jobs across Canada by 2050. Furthermore, the development of SOFC systems is projected to avoid approximately 1.7 million tons of GHG emissions annually in Alberta's commercial sector and 7.8 million tons across Canada's commercial sector, with further reductions of 690 thousand tons and 388 thousand tons in the residential sectors of Alberta and Canada, respectively.