Diverse system layouts promising fine performance demonstration: A comprehensive review on present designs of SOFC-based energy systems for building applications.

• Various kinds of SOFC-based systems for building applications were reviewed. • System configurations and characteristics were analyzed and discussed. • Means, by which the system performance was assessed, were detailed. • An all-around performance demonstration of the systems was presented. • Possible strategies for a brighter prospect of development were discussed. Energy consumption in buildings has long been a target for reduction efforts, and in these efforts, adopting advanced technologies to design high efficient energy systems dominates buildings' energy supply side. To date SOFC systems are regarded as one of the most adaptable technologies for building applications in terms of efficiency, flexibility and environmental protection. In this paper, a comprehensive review of SOFC-based energy systems for building applications is presented from the aspect of system layouts and performance assessments. The first half of this review is structured by the way of distinguishing SOFC systems in power capacities, provided energy forms and thermal management, based on which the types of SOFC systems used in buildings are defined and classified, and various system configurations and characteristics are reviewed and analyzed. The latter part gives a thorough review on the performance assessment of SOFC systems designed to be used in buildings. The system-level model widely adopted to predict the system performance is presented. With regard to the SOFC module, a common electrochemical model evolved from the conservation laws of mass and energy is discussed. For performance demonstrations and specific building load features are inextricable, building loads calculations and system matching strategies in relevant literatures are discussed before presenting the review of energy efficiency, and economical and environmental benefits. Guided by the ever-growing environmental concerns, the end of this paper discusses possible strategies for a brighter prospect of SOFC systems for building applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]