Modeling and performance assessment of an HT-PEMFC-based CHP system for residential energy communities

Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) allow citizens to jointly produce, consume and trade local green power, boosting self-sufficiency and grid resilience. To stabilize the variable output of solar and wind, RECs need flexible, dispatchable technologies. Hydrogen-fueled Combined Heat and Power (CHP) units equipped with High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (HT-PEMFCs) can deliver both electricity and high-grade heat with zero direct emissions. This study presents a simulation-based assessment of an HT-PEMFC CHP unit designed for residential use and future integration into REC-oriented architectures. The system was dynamically modeled in MATLAB Simscape, incorporating realistic electrochemical, thermal and auxiliary components. The model was tested under three control strategies (load-following, fixed-power and operation at maximum electrical efficiency) against a high-resolution load profile representative of a multi-apartment building in Rome. The aim was to evaluate the unit's standalone behavior in terms of net electrical output, thermal energy recovery, hydrogen consumption and impact on residential self-consumption. Results reveal that while the load-following strategy offers real-time responsiveness, it suffers from low electrical efficiency due to continuous auxiliary loads. Conversely, operating the system at optimized and constant power setpoints significantly improves its performance. In the maximum-efficiency scenario, the fuel cell achieves an electrical efficiency close to 45% and meets over 70% of the building's thermal demand, confirming its strong cogeneration potential. These findings support the inclusion of HT-PEMFC units as key assets in hybrid energy systems aimed at decarbonizing the residential sector through resilient, flexible and locally autonomous microgrids.