The London Hydrogen Partnership is helping to demonstrate the advantages of fuel cell-based combined heat and power (CHP/cogeneration) systems to potential customers. This webpage contains a downloadable briefing note on fuel cell CHP, information on suppliers of product, and a link to further information.

The use of fuel cells as a component of a development's energy supply is already a commercial reality. Planners, architects and developers should consider fuel cell Combined Heat and Power (CHP) when evaluating the energy services of new developments. This briefing provides an introduction to the subject - further information is available at www.lhp.org.uk/information/chp 

The Policy Framework

Planning applications in London are assessed by local planning authorities, and strategic applications are referred to the Mayor of London. They are considered against Local Development Framework policies and London Plan policies.

London Plan Policy 4A.7 requires 'the inclusion of energy efficient and renewable energy technology and design, natural ventilation, borehole cooling, combined heat and power, community heating, photovoltaics, solar water heating, wind, fuel cells, biomass fuelled electricity and heat generating plant in new developments wherever feasible'.

Supplementary Planning Guidance to the London Plan on sustainable design and construction (in consultation) includes the preferred standard: 'Major developments should make a contribution to London's hydrogen economy through the adoption of hydrogen and/or fuel cell technologies.'

Green light to clean power, the Mayor's Energy Strategy, provides context and further detail for these policies.

What are Fuel Cells?

Fuel cell technologies provide a highly efficient means of heat and electrical energy generation with very low levels of atmospheric emissions. Inside a fuel cell, hydrogen and oxygen atoms are recombined through an electrochemical process to produce water and energy in the form of electricity and heat. Fuel cells use hydrogen as a fuel source, but do not necessarily require a pure hydrogen feedstock, with systems making use of natural gas or other hydrogen rich fuels. There are several key benefits, as follows.

Performance
Smaller units achieve 30 to 40 per cent electrical efficiency (compared with 8 to 9 per cent for a stirling engine), and over 80 per cent total efficiency. Some of the larger systems can be configured for over 70 per cent electrical efficiency.

Environment
High efficiencies lead to significant reductions in carbon dioxide emissions compared to conventional systems. Because no combustion takes place, fuel cells fed with natural gas are also very quiet and deliver negligible amounts of NOx and SOx. A pure hydrogen feedstock delivers no harmful emissions locally.

Security
Fuel cell CHP can deliver uninterruptible power, of particular value for banking, data processing and medical installations.

When should they be considered?

Currently, fuel cell CHP systems are suitable for larger prestige developments where the scale of the project would enable the cost of the system to be diluted with other, more traditional sustainable energy technologies. Other key drivers include security of energy supply, early mover advantage and enhanced business image.

Where fuel cells are not commercially viable, their future inclusion in the development should be allowed for within building infrastructure. Fuel cell and conventional CHP systems have similar footprints.

Products and suppliers