Institutional Factors Affecting Commercialization of Fuel Cells A PDF version 329 kb of this complete document is available. Introduction Distributed generation (DG) involves the placement and use of small, modular electric generation, either integrated or stand-alone, close to the point of consumption. Fuel cells are poised to become an important component of DG in stationary applications involving commercial and residential buildings. Still under development and in the initial stages of commercialization, fuel cell technology competes with other DG technologies. These technologies include conventional small gas turbines and internal combustion engines, renewable energy generators such as photovoltaics (PV) and wind, as well as emerging microturbine technology. This report seeks to gain an understanding of the institutional and policy issues that provide barriers or opportunities for the commercialization of DG in general and fuel cells in particular in buildings. An initial review of the economics and regulatory evolution of stationary generation of electric power in the United States explains the origin of some of the barriers and opportunities that confront the commercialization of DG. | 
