Combined cold, heat and power (CCHP) systems and fuel cells for CCHP applications: a topological review

Abstract As the basis for study, this manuscript was written at a time when energy crisis is affecting most parts of world and especially prevailing rampant electricity in developing countries. result, 50 combined cooling, heating power (CCHP) systems studies were reviewed, which included internal combustion engine (ICE), Stirling engine, biomass, micro turbine, solar biogas, photovoltaic (PV) gas wind PV micro-turbine, solid-oxide phosphoric-acid fuel cells (FCs), ICE thermoelectric generator, low-temperature (LT) polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM), inlet air throttling ground source heat pump (GSHP) turbine PV, GSHP, with dehumidification refrigeration, 5-kW PEM FC, cooler LT-PEM molten carbonate thermo-acoustic organic Rankine cycle, solar-thermal, geothermal, integrated systems, power- heat-storage energy-conversion thermodynamic thermo-economic optimization strategies, working fluids based on hydrogen, helium as well ammonia, H2O, CO2 etc. Of these reviewed CCHP FC-based greatest interest, particularly FC. Consequently, FCs further investigated, whereby seven popular types identified classified summarily compared each other, from FC preferred due to its practical popularity. However, FCs, like all are susceptible fuel-starvation phenomenon; therefore, six FC-assisted schemes examined, assisted supercapacitor battery technique widely applied. In sum, significance study entails assorted their highlights, applications pros cons single reference document that anyone can easily use holistically understand characteristics systems. The concludes our perspective, by we formulate propose an alternative innovative unique system model under research, exclusively green technologies: lithium-ion battery, ultracapacitor, thermoelectricity energy-management using MATLAB®.