Utility experience with a 250-kW molten carbonate fuel cell cogeneration power plant at NAS Miramar, San Diego

This paper focuses on the strategy and experience of San Diego Gas and Electric with the development and demonstration of a proof of concept 250-kW internally manifolded heat exchanger (IMHEX®) carbonate fuel cell power plant. The plant was installed, commissioned, and operated by San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) in a cogeneration mode at the Naval Air Station (NAS) at Miramar in San Diego. These activities were part of a collaborative effort between SDG&E and M-C Powerʹs Program team (IMHEX® Team). The IMHEX® Team consists of M-C Power, Bechtel Engineering, Stewart and Stevenson, and the Institute of Gas Technology (IGT). The technical aspects of the plantʹs commissioning and operation were addressed by my colleague, J. Otahal, in a poster presentation. Our activities in carbonate fuel cell development are unique because of the level of involvement by an investor-owned utility in the development, engineering, installation, operation and maintenance of a fuel cell demonstration plant. The following topics are discussed in this paper: (i) SDG&Eʹs involvement in the development of molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC) technology; (ii) the active role in engineering and specification of the IMHEX® MCFC demonstration plant; (iii) responsibility for installation, commissioning, and operation; (iv) utility role in technology development and application of MCFC in a restructured and competitive environment; (v) summary.