A review of residential micro–Combined Heat and Power systems based on renewable energy

This paper is concerned with the last micro- Combined Heat and Power technologies developed for residential buildings. The focus in on two types of technologies, internal combustion engines and fuel cells. The aim is to present technologies concerning different types of primary renewable energy, auxiliary equipment, size of thermal storage size, electrical and thermal energy produced, CO2 emissions and least cost operating strategy. The paper is expected to be helpful as a literature review presenting many combined heat and power technologies for micro cogeneration, trigeneration or multigeneration along with efficiency and the benefits, most of them using renewable energy as primary. The revised technologies include those with Stirling Engines, Solid oxide Fuel Cell, Proton Exchange Fuel Cell Membranes adapted or integrated with many components and varieties of combinations to obtain the highest possible efficiency and exergy. Therefore, they can be used depending on the heat demand or the energy demand.