Enhanced optimization of combined heat and power systems for proton exchange membrane fuel cells coupled with ground source heat pumps

The Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) is a highly efficient technology for converting hydrogen energy into electrical energy, requiring elevated operating temperatures to achieve optimal performance. Cogeneration plays a crucial role in maximizing the overall efficiency of such systems. This study employs TRNSYS software to develop a dynamic simulation model coupling a PEMFC with a Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP). Waste heat generated by the PEMFC is recovered through the GSHP’s buried pipe heat exchanger, stabilizing soil temperatures and thereby enhancing the performance of both systems. The results indicate that for a building with a heating area of 6,400 m2in Changchun, 100 geothermal wells, each 150 meters deep, were employed. The hydrogen fuel cells contributed an additional 2.62 kW of waste heat per hour. After one year of operation, the GSHP system successfully maintained stable soil temperature differentials. The daily thermal load transferred to the underground rock and soil reached 62.88 kW, while the electrical load amounted to 89.76 kW. By optimizing electricity consumption during peak hours, the system achieved annual electricity cost savings of approximately ¥33.58 million. This study provides a robust theoretical basis for thermoelectric balance management and optimization in integrated systems utilizing hydrogen fuel cells and ground source heat pumps.