APC 400kW1MW User Manual download pdf (Page 48)

5.5 Minimal Maintenance

Due to their few moving parts, fuel cell systems require minimal maintenance. This has

been demonstrated in multiple PAFC system installations, where maintenance issues

associated with the stack were nearly nonexistent. The fuel cell stack does not require

maintenance until the end of its life when it needs to be replaced. The fuel reformer and fuel

supply system require an inspection and maintenance once a year. The tasks that must be

performed are changing fuel and water filters. As mentioned in section 3.3.1, no planned

outages for maintenance are necessary throughout the lifetime of a fuel cell because all

maintenance can be performed during operation of the fuel cell system. Of course, a planned

shutdown must be made for the replacement of the fuel cell stack at the end of its lifetime [14, p.

1.1172; 10, p. 1814; 20, p. 5-11; 23, p. 12].

5.6 Tax Incentives

Fuel cells have a long payback period; therefore, justifying the investment in the system

could be difficult. However, incentive programs are available on the federal level and in some

states to aid in the feasibility of installing a fuel cell system. Including state and utility incentives,

ten years is the estimated payback period for a fuel cell in a CHP configuration. However, some

data centers are able to have much shorter payback periods. As an example, Fujitsu received

large rebates from their local utility supplier, Pacific Gas and Electric, for their data center in

Sunnyvale, California. Because of these large rebates, Fujitsu is expecting to recover the costs

of its fuel cell system in 3.5 years [1, p. 73-74; 50, p.1; 67, para 5].

Congress passed, and President Bush signed, an eight year extension to the Investment

Tax Credit for fuel cell technology on October 3

, 2008. This tax credit extension has been a

top priority for the fuel cell industry, as it has expected to accelerate the commercialization of

fuel cell technology. The extension was influenced by the DOE’s report that the

commercialization of fuel cells could generate 675,000 new jobs in the US over the next 25

years [68, p. 1; 69, p. 1].

This tax credit gives business property owners credit for 30% of the system cost with a

maximum of $3,000 per kW. The fuel cell must have a minimum capacity of 0.5 kW and an

electrical efficiency of 30% or more. This tax credit entitles the business owner to subtract the

amount of credit, dollar for dollar, from their total federal tax liability. This tax credit is valid until

December 31

of 2016 [69, p. 1].

There are currently 24 states plus the District of Columbia that have a renewable

portfolio standard policy that requires electricity providers to produce a minimum percentage of

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APC 400kW1MW User Manual Page 48