Life-cycle cost comparisons of advanced storage batteries and fuel cells for utility, stand-alone, and electric vehicle applications

Technical Report · Mon Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1990

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/7252331· OSTI ID:7252331

Humphreys, K K; Brown, D R

This report presents a comparison of battery and fuel cell economics for ten different technologies. To develop an equitable economic comparison, the technologies were evaluated on a life-cycle cost (LCC) basis. The LCC comparison involved normalizing source estimates to a standard set of assumptions and preparing a lifetime cost scenario for each technology, including the initial capital cost, replacement costs, operating and maintenance (O M) costs, auxiliary energy costs, costs due to system inefficiencies, the cost of energy stored, and salvage costs or credits. By considering all the costs associated with each technology over its respective lifetime, the technology that is most economical to operate over any given period of time can be determined. An analysis of this type indicates whether paying a high initial capital cost for a technology with low O M costs is more or less economical on a lifetime basis than purchasing a technology with a low initial capital cost and high O M costs. It is important to realize that while minimizing cost is important, the customer will not always purchase the least expensive technology. The customer may identify benefits associated with a more expensive option that make it the more attractive over all (e.g., reduced construction lead times, modularity, environmental benefits, spinning reserve, etc.). The LCC estimates presented in this report represent three end-use applications: utility load-leveling, stand-alone power systems, and electric vehicles.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/CE
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 7252331
• Report Number(s): PNL-7203; ON: DE90008090
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

25 ENERGY STORAGE
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
ELECTRIC BATTERIES
LIFE-CYCLE COST
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC UTILITIES
ELECTRIC-POWERED VEHICLES
FUEL CELLS
LOAD MANAGEMENT
MAINTENANCE
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
COST
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
MANAGEMENT
PUBLIC UTILITIES
VEHICLES
251000* - Energy Storage- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects- (1990-)
250900 - Energy Storage- Batteries
296000 - Energy Planning & Policy- Electric Power
330300 - Advanced Propulsion Systems- Electric-Powered Systems