Integrating a fuel cell with a heat pump: An energy-saving system for residential housing

• A fuel cell coupled or not with a heat pump is investigated for housing. • The combined heat and power system is considered for different European locations. • At least 20% of energy savings is obtained with the heat pump. • The heat pump cost is compensated for in less than 5 years for cities like Paris or colder. Fuel cells are currently pointed out as a promising combined heat and power technology. In this work, the purpose was to investigate the potential to integrate a fuel cell and a heat pump as an energy-saving system for residential houses. We have applied a novel approach by evaluating the system across four European locations with diverse climates, focusing on fuel cell size, energy consumption, and cost. Results have shown that the system composed of the fuel cell and the heat pump can achieve a fuel cell size reduction of at least 40 % and an energy saving of at least 20 % compared to the system without a heat pump. Cost analysis has shown that despite the current high price for heat pumps, the system integrating the fuel cell and the heat pump can be compensated in less than 5 years for locations with a temperature profile similar to Paris or colder.