The paper deals with an estimation of the real energetic flows in a commercial proton-exchange-membrane fuel-cell system (PEMFCS). The PEMFCS considered here is the source of both electrical and thermal energy of a fuel fells based cogeneration system in a transportable dwelling container, and for the design of a cogeneration unit the actual amount of disposable energy from the PEMFC unit should be estimated. The assessment of the actual energetic flows, the disposable energy and the consequent electrical efficiency of the PEMFCS considered is carried out using commercial technical data for the PEMFCS. 978-1-4244-8092-0/10/$26.00 ©2010 IEEE during the operation of the PEMFCS at full power is . k , , convect J vapour J O H J exhaust J J thermal J W 8 W 137 8