A conceptual framework for the evaluation of Fuel-Cell energy systems in the UK Built Environment

Energy efficient buildings can reduce the human-impact on the environment. Energy efficiency is not only concerned with generating more energy using fewer resources, nor reducing energy usage, but also it is about harnessing natural resources, such as wind and sun, to produce energy. The UK government is thus promoting the adoption of renewable energy in buildings. Fuel-Cell Energy Systems (FCESs) which utilises hydrogen from renewable sources (green hydrogen) is a prominent technology yet with little application in the UK built environment. FCESs can help in addressing the problem of intermittent supplies of renewable energy by allowing for energy storage which could act as a buffer to meet the variability in user-demand thereby maintaining energy security. Thus, the aim of this paper is to explore the application of FCES in the UK Built Environment, by drawing on the scant literature as well as discussion with industry experts. With the recent implementation of FCESs in Scotland, the development of guidelines for evaluation of the FCES is timely. A conceptual framework for the evaluation of FCES is thus outlined in this paper which could be piloted in Scotland (and possibly elsewhere). It is argued that such framework provides a holistic and structured approach for establishing the efficacy of FCES which is crucial for informing its wider adoption in the future and in particular when it comes to the Return-on-Investment (ROI) especially from the perspective of funders and the local community.