The energy efficiency targets of the “Federal Government” are important parameters deciding upon the amount of energy we will need in the future and hence about the storage capacities we will require. The reduction of the primary energy consumption by 20% until 2020 and 50% until 2050 towards 2008’s figures, the reduction in electricity consumption by 10% until 2020 and 25% until 2050, the doubling of the rate of refurbishment from 1% to 2% per year and the reduction of the end energy consumption in the mobility sector by 10% until 2020 and 40% by 2050 towards 2005’s consumption will change the energy market substantially. For instance, houses will need less electricity for their devices and less gas for heating, load profiles will smoothen and passenger and freight traffic will switch from petrol engines to electric and gas engines, fuel cells or will switch to rail.
In Germany, the market structure has been designed to enhance and facilitate the development of renewable energies through the “Renewable Energies Act” (EEG) and the “Energy Economy Law” (EnWG). And actually, in 2011 the share of renewables in the electricity production totalled to over 20% and is expected to rise over 25% this year, whereby especially the photovoltaic is booming with growth rates of nearly 50%. The evolutions are certainly pleasant, still, the very quick development of these, mostly decentralised and location dependent energy sources, is making the market framework conditions come to its limits. The transmission grid capacities are not large enough to transfer the huge amounts of wind energy from the north to the south and the distribution grid is often too weak to feed in the large amounts of photovoltaic energy in the midday. These restrictions have caused 407 GWh of wind energy to get lost in 2011 (150 GWh in 2010), a small but exploding figure, and a valid argument for storage capacities.
This shows that the whole of the energy market has to be evaluated and diverse scenarios for the future have to be created, to forecast the development into one specific area. Additionally, because of the dynamic of this market, these analyses and forecasts have to be updated continuously. In the context of these recent events and developments the following paper will discuss how the need for storage capacities could be met by the “power-to-gas” technology, noting the need for flexibility, close market maturity and economic affordability.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1 Market structure analysis
1.2 Necessity for storage capacities
1.3 Power to Gas
2. Electrolysis – Step one
2.1 Technological and operational background
2.3 Potential and utilisation of hydrogen
2.4 Greenpeace Energy – proWindgas
3. Methanation – Step two
3.1 Technological and operational background
3.2 Storage and transportation
3.3 Potential and utilisation of synthetic methane
3.4 Origin of CO2
3.6 Solar Fuel Technology
4. Conclusion
4.1 Flexibility
4.2 Market maturity
4.3 Affordability
4.4 Outlook
Objectives and Research Themes
The paper aims to evaluate the potential of Power-to-Gas (PtG) technology within the German energy market, specifically focusing on how it can address the challenges posed by the transition to renewable energy sources and the associated need for efficient, large-scale storage solutions.
- Analysis of the current market structure and the necessity for storage capacities.
- Technical and operational evaluation of the electrolysis process.
- Examination of the methanation process and the utilisation of synthetic methane.
- Assessment of the economic feasibility and market maturity of PtG technologies.
- Discussion of carbon dioxide sources and the integration of solar fuel technology.
Excerpt from the Book
1.3 Power to Gas
The power to gas technology, mainly developed by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Sterner (University of Regensburg) and Dr. Jürgen Schmid (Head of the IWES-institute in Kassel), is a method to convert the excessive electricity in the system into the form of electrochemical energy which can then be stored in the gas network, in gasometers or in subterranean caverns. The biggest advantage of this form of storage definitely is the possibility to transport the energy carrier very easily and nearly without restrictions through the whole country. This makes it possible to transform, store and regenerate electricity in completely dispatched locations without making use of the temporarily overloaded electricity grids. Gas from renewable energies will help to decarbonise different sectors, to improve the security of supply in times of electricity grid restrictions and to generate CO2-neutral fuel. This will decrease dependencies on energy resources and hence smoothen international relations and conflicts. The process of transformation comprises the step of electrolysis in which hydrogen is being produced and the step of methanation in which the hydrogen reacts with carbon monoxide or dioxide to form methane, essential part of natural gas. These two steps can be looked at independently as both products, hydrogen and methane, can be used and to a certain degree stored in our current energy system. Therefore, the following will analyse these separately as indeed two steps of a process and two differently marketable products.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This chapter analyzes the German market structure and identifies the growing necessity for energy storage systems to support the increase of renewable energy sources.
2. Electrolysis – Step one: This chapter examines the technological background of water electrolysis and assesses the potential and challenges of hydrogen as a storage medium.
3. Methanation – Step two: This section covers the conversion of hydrogen into synthetic methane through the Sabatier reaction, discussing reactor technologies, storage, and CO2 sourcing.
4. Conclusion: The conclusion evaluates the overall viability of Power-to-Gas technology regarding flexibility, market maturity, and economic affordability in the German energy landscape.
Keywords
Power-to-Gas, Renewable Energies, Hydrogen, Synthetic Methane, Electrolysis, Methanation, Storage Capacities, German Energy Market, Sustainability, CO2 Neutrality, Energy Efficiency, Grid Management, Carbon Capture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this paper?
The paper evaluates the potential of Power-to-Gas (PtG) technology as a solution for energy storage challenges in the German power sector.
What are the primary thematic fields addressed?
The main themes include renewable energy integration, grid stability, hydrogen production, methanation processes, and the economic aspects of energy storage.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to determine how PtG can effectively bridge the gap between volatile electricity production from renewables and the required demand, using existing infrastructure.
Which scientific methods are utilized?
The work employs a technical and economic analysis of energy processes, evaluating existing benchmark studies, current pilot projects, and market forecasts.
What does the main part of the paper cover?
It covers the two-step transformation process: electrolysis (hydrogen production) and methanation (synthetic methane production), including their storage potential and economic frameworks.
How can this work be characterized by keywords?
It is characterized by terms like Power-to-Gas, renewable integration, synthetic methane, energy storage, and grid stability.
Why is methanation considered a crucial step in the PtG process?
Methanation is critical because it creates synthetic natural gas that is highly compatible with existing gas grid infrastructure and can be stored at higher energy densities.
What role does the "Renewable Energies Act" (EEG) play in this context?
The EEG is central to shaping the market framework, influencing how renewable energy surpluses are handled and creating incentives for storage development.
- Quote paper
- Julien Gianoncelli (Author), 2012, Power-to-Gas Technology. Evaluation of the technology’s potential in the German energy market, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/341630
