Finland
Flexible Power and Biomass-To-Methanol Plants With Different Gasification Technologies
Jan 2022
Publication
The competitiveness of biofuels may be increased by integrating biomass gasification plants with electrolysis units which generate hydrogen to be combined with carbon-rich syngas. This option allows increasing the yield of the final product by retaining a higher amount of biogenic carbon and improving the resilience of the energy sector by favoring electric grid services and sector coupling. This article illustrates a techno-economic comparative analysis of three flexible power and biomass to methanol plants based on different gasification technologies: direct gasification indirect gasification and sorptionenhanced gasification. The design and operational criteria of each plant are conceived to operate both without green hydrogen addition (baseline mode) and with hydrogen addition (enhanced mode) following an intermittent use of the electrolysis system which is turned on when the electricity price allows an economically viable hydrogen production. The methanol production plants include a gasification section syngas cleaning conditioning and compression section methanol synthesis and purification and heat recovery steam cycle to be flexibly operated. Due to the high oxygen demand in the gasifier the direct gasification-based plant obtains a great advantage to be operated between a minimum load to satisfy the oxygen demand at high electricity prices and a maximum load to maximize methanol production at low electricity prices. This allows avoiding large oxygen storages with significant benefits for Capex and safety issues. The analysis reports specific fixed-capital investments between 1823 and 2048 €/kW of methanol output in the enhanced operation and LCOFs between 29.7 and 31.7 €/GJLHV. Economic advantages may be derived from a decrease in the electrolysis capital investment especially for the direct gasification-based plants which employ the greatest sized electrolyzer. Methanol breakeven selling prices range between 545 and 582 €/t with the 2019 reference Denmark electricity price curve and between 484 and 535 €/t with an assumed modified electricity price curve of a future energy mix with increased penetration of intermittent renewables.
The Role of Electricity-based Hydrogen in the Emerging Power-to-X Economy
Aug 2023
Publication
As energy system research into high shares of renewables has developed so have the perspectives of the fundamental nature of a highly renewable economy. Early energy system transition research suggested that current fossil fuel energy systems would transition to a ‘Hydrogen Economy’ whereas more recent insights suggest that a ‘Power-to-X Economy’ may be a more appropriate term as renewable electricity will become both the most important primary and final energy carrier through various Power-to-X conversion routes across the energy system. This paper provides a detailed overview on research insights of recent years on the core elements of the Power-to-X Economy and the role of hydrogen based on latest research results. These results suggest that by 2050 upwards of 61737 TWhLHV of hydrogen will be required to fully defossilise the global energy-industry system. Hydrogen therefore emerges as a central intermediate energy carrier and its relevance is driven by significant cost reductions in renewable electricity especially of solar photovoltaics and wind power. Efficiency and cost drivers position direct electrification as the primary solution for defossilisation of the global energy-industry system; however electron-to-molecule routes are essential for the large subset of remaining energy-related demands including chemical production marine and aviation fuels and steelmaking.
Seasonal Hydrogen Storage for Residential On- and Off-grid Solar Photovoltaics Prosumer Applications: Revolutionary Solution or Niche Market for the Energy Transition until 2050?
Apr 2023
Publication
Appropriate climate change mitigation requires solutions for all actors of the energy system. The residential sector is a major part of the energy system and solutions for the implementation of a seasonal hydrogen storage system in residential houses has been increasingly discussed. A global analysis of prosumer systems including seasonal hydrogen storage with water electrolyser hydrogen compressor storage tank and a fuel cell studying the role of such a seasonal household storage in the upcoming decades is not available. This study aims to close this research gap via the improved LUT-PROSUME model which models a fully micro sector coupled residential photovoltaic prosumer system with linear optimisation for 145 regions globally. The modelling of the cost development of hydrogen storage components allows for the simulation of a residential system from 2020 until 2050 in 5-year steps in hourly resolution. The systems are cost-optimised for either on– or off-grid operation in eight scenarios including battery electric vehicles which can act as an additional vehicle-to-home electricity storage for the system. Results show that implementation of seasonal hydrogen systems only occurs in least cost solutions in high latitude countries when the system is forced to run in off-grid mode. In general a solar photovoltaic plus battery system including technologies that can cover the heat demand is the most economic choice and can even achieve lower cost than a full grid supply in off-grid operation for most regions until 2050. Additional parameters including the self-consumption ratio the demand cover ratio and the heat cover ratio can therefore not be improved by seasonal storage systems if economics is the main deciding factor for a respective system. Further research opportunities and possible limitations of the system are then identified.
Techno-Economic Assessment of Power-to-Liquids (PtL) Fuels Production and Global Trading Based on Hybrid PV-Wind Power Plants
Nov 2016
Publication
This paper introduces a value chain design for transportation fuels and a respective business case taking into account hybrid PV-Wind power plants electrolysis and hydrogen-to-liquids (H2tL) based on hourly resolved full load hours (FLh). The value chain is based on renewable electricity (RE) converted by power-to-liquids (PtL) facilities into synthetic fuels mainly diesel. Results show that the proposed RE-diesel value chains are competitive for crude oil prices within a minimum price range of about 79 - 135 USD/barrel (0.44 – 0.75 €/l of diesel production cost) depending on the chosen specific value chain and assumptions for cost of capital available oxygen sales and CO2 emission costs. A sensitivity analysis indicates that the RE-PtL value chain needs to be located at the best complementing solar and wind sites in the world combined with a de-risking strategy and a special focus on mid to long-term electrolyser and H2tL efficiency improvements. The substitution of fossil fuels by hybrid PV-Wind power plants could create a PV-wind market potential in the order of terawatts.
Impact of Climate and Geological Storage Potential on Feasibility of Hydrogen Fuels
Apr 2023
Publication
Electrofuels including hydrogen methane and ammonia have been suggested as one pathway in achieving net-zero greenhouse gas energy systems. They can play a role in providing an energy storage and fuel or feedstock to hard-to-abate sectors. In future energy systems their role is often studied in case studies adhering to specific region. In this study we study their role by defining multiple archetypal energy systems which represent approximations of real systems in different regions. Comparing the role of electrofuels across the cost-optimized systems relying only on renewable energy in power generation we found that hydrogen was a significant energy vector in all systems with its annual quantity approaching the classic electricity demand. The role of renewable methane was very limited. Electrofuel storages were needed in all systems and their capacity was the highest in the northern Hemiboreal system. Absence of cavern storage potential did not hamper the significance of electrofuels but increased the role of ammonia and led to average 5.5 % systemic cost increase. Systems where reservoir hydropower was scarce or level of electricity consumption was high needed more fuel storages. The findings of this study can help for better understanding of what kind of storage and generation technologies will be most useful in future carbon-neutral systems in different types of regions.
Resilience-oriented Operation of Microgrids in the Presence of Power-to-hydrogen Systems
Jul 2023
Publication
This study presents a novel framework for improving the resilience of microgrids based on the power-to-hydrogen concept and the ability of microgrids to operate independently (i.e. islanded mode). For this purpose a model is being developed for the resilient operation of microgrids in which the compressed hydrogen produced by power-to-hydrogen systems can either be used to generate electricity through fuel cells or sold to other industries. The model is a bi-objective optimization problem which minimizes the cost of operation and resilience by (i) reducing the active power exchange with the main grid (ii) reducing the ohmic power losses and (iii) increasing the amount of hydrogen stored in the tanks. A solution approach is also developed to deal with the complexity of the bi-objective model combining a goal programming approach and Generalized Benders Decomposition due to the mixed-integer nonlinear nature of the optimization problem. The results indicate that the resilience approach although increasing the operation cost does not lead to load shedding in the event of main grid failures. The study concludes that integrating distributed power-to-hydrogen systems results in significant benefits including emission reductions of up to 20 % and cost savings of up to 30 %. Additionally the integration of the decomposition method improves computational performance by 54 % compared to using commercial solvers within the GAMS software.
Global Demand Analysis for Carbon Dioxide as Raw Material from Key Industrial Sources and Direct Air Capture to Produce Renewable Electricity-based Fuels and Chemicals
Sep 2022
Publication
Defossilisation of the current fossil fuels dominated global energy system is one of the key goals in the upcoming decades to mitigate climate change. Sharp reduction in the costs of solar photovoltaics wind power and battery technologies enables a rapid transition of the power and some segments of the transport sectors to sustainable energy resources. However renewable electricity-based fuels and chemicals are required for the defossilisation of hard-to-abate segments of transport and industry. The global demand for carbon dioxide as raw material for the production of e-fuels and e-chemicals during a global energy transition to 100% renewable energy is analysed in this research. Carbon dioxide capture and utilisation potentials from key industrial point sources including cement mills pulp and paper mills and waste incinerators are evaluated. According to this study’s estimates the demand for carbon dioxide increases from 0.6 in 2030 to 6.1 gigatonnes in 2050. Key industrial point sources can potentially supply 2.1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide and thus meet the majority of the demand in the 2030s. By 2050 however direct air capture is expected to supply the majority of the demand contributing 3.8 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide annually. Sustainable and unavoidable industrial point sources and direct air capture are vital technologies which may help the world to achieve ambitious climate goals.
Green Hydrogen Supply Chain Risk Analysis: A European Hard-to-abate Sectors Perspective
May 2023
Publication
Green hydrogen is a tentative solution for the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as steel chemical cement and refinery industries. Green hydrogen is a form of hydrogen gas that is produced using renewable energy sources such as wind or solar power through a process called electrolysis. The green hydrogen supply chain includes several interconnected entities such as renewable energy providers electrolysers distribution facilities and consumers. Although there have been many studies about green hydrogen little attention has been devoted to green hydrogen supply chain risk identification and analysis especially for hard-to-abate sectors in Europe. This research contributes to existing knowledge by identifying and analysing the European region’s green hydrogen supply chain risk factors. Using a Delphi method 7 categories and 43 risk factors are identified based on the green hydrogen supply chain experts’ opinions. The best-worst method is utilised to determine the importance weights of the risk categories and risk factors. High investment of capital for hydrogen production and delivery technology was the highest-ranked risk factor followed by the lack of enough capacity for electrolyser and policy & regulation development. Several mitigation strategies and policy recommendations are proposed for high-importance risk factors. This study provides novelty in the form of an integrated approach resulting in a scientific ranking of the risk factors for the green hydrogen supply chain. The results of this study provide empirical evidence which corroborates with previous studies that European countries should endeavour to create comprehensive and supportive standards and regulations for green hydrogen supply chain implementation.
The Role of Power-to-hydrogen in Carbon Neutral Energy and Industrial Systems: Case Finland
Aug 2023
Publication
To combat climate change decarbonization measures are undertaken across the whole energy sector. Industry and transportation sectors are seen as difficult sectors to decarbonize with green hydrogen being proposed as a solution to achieve decarbonization in these sectors. While many methods of introducing hydrogen to these sectors are present in literature few systemlevel works study the specific impacts of large-scale introduction has on power and heat sectors in an energy system. This contribution examines the effects of introducing hydrogen into a Finnish energy system in 2040 by conducting scenario simulations in EnergyPLAN – software. Primary energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the base scenario and hydrogen scenarios are compared. Additionally the differences between a constant and flexible hydrogen production profile are studied. Introducing hydrogen increases electricity consumption by 31.9 % but reduces CO2 emissions by 71.5 % and fossil energy consumption by 72.6%. The flexible hydrogen profile lowers renewable curtailment and improves energy efficiency but requires economically unfeasible hydrogen storage. Biomass consumption remains high and is not impacted significantly by the introduction of hydrogen. Additional measures in other sectors are needed to ensure carbon neutrality.
How "Clean" is the Hydrogen Economy? Tracing the Connections Between Hydrogen and Fossil Fuels
Feb 2024
Publication
Hydrogen is experiencing a resurgence in energy transition debates. Before representing a solution however the existing hydrogen economy is still a climate change headache: over 99 % of production depends on fossil fuels oil refining accounts for 42 % of demand and its transportation is intertwined with fossil infrastructure like natural gas pipelines. This article investigates the path-dependent dynamics shaping the hydrogen economy and its interconnections with the oil and gas industry. It draws on the global production networks (GPN) approach and political economy research to provide a comprehensive review of current and prospective enduses of hydrogen modes of transport networks of industrial actors and state strategies along the major production facilities and holders of intellectual property rights. The results presented in this article suggest that the superimposition of private agendas may jeopardise the viability of future energy systems and requires counterbalancing forces to override the negative consequences of path-dependent energy transitions.
Impact of International Transportation Chains on Cost of Green E-hydrogen: Global Cost of Hydrogen and Consequences for Germany and Finland
Jun 2023
Publication
Widely available and low-cost solar photovoltaics and wind power can enable production of renewable electricity-based hydrogen at many locations throughout the world. Hydrogen is expected to emerge as an important energy carrier constituting some of the final energy demand; however its most important role will be as feedstock for further processing to e-fuels e-chemicals and e-steel. Apart from meeting their own hydrogen demand countries may have opportunities to export hydrogen to countries with area limitations or higher production costs. This paper assesses the feasibility of e-hydrogen imports to Germany and Finland from two case regions with a high availability of low-cost renewable electricity Chile and Morocco in comparison to domestic supply. Special attention is paid to the transport infrastructure which has a crucial impact on the economic viability of imports via two routes shipping and pipelines. This study has found that despite lower e-hydrogen production costs in Morocco and Chile compared to Germany and Finland additional transportation costs make imports of e-hydrogen economically unattractive. In early 2020s imported fuel costs are 39–79% and 34–100% higher than e-hydrogen produced in Germany and Finland respectively. In 2050 imported e-hydrogen is projected to be 39–70% more expensive than locally produced e-hydrogen in Germany and 43–54% in the case of Finland. e-Hydrogen may become a fuel that is mostly produced domestically and may be feasible for imports only in specific locations. Local e-hydrogen production may also lower dependence on imports enhance energy security and add jobs.
Power Balance Control and Dimensioning of a Hybrid Off-grid Energy system for a Nordic Climate Townhouse
Mar 2023
Publication
This paper investigates conversion of a Nordic oil-heated townhouse into carbon-neutral by different energy efficiency (EE) improvements and an off-grid system including solar photovoltaics (PV) wind power and battery and hydrogen energy storage systems (BESS and HESS). A heat-pump-based heating system including waste heat recovery (WHR) from the HESS and an off-grid electrical system are dimensioned for the building by applying models developed in MATLAB and Microsoft Excel to study the life cycle costs (LCC). The work uses a measured electrical load profile and the heat generation of the new heating system and the power generation are simulated by commercial software. It is shown that the EE improvements and WHR from the HESS have a positive effect on the dimensioning of the off-grid system and the LCC can be reduced by up to €2 million. With the EE improvements and WHR the component dimensioning can be reduced by 22%–41% and 13%–51% on average respectively. WHR can cover up to 57% of the building's annual heat demand and full-power dimensioning of the heat pump is not reasonable when WHR is applied. Wind power was found to be very relevant in the Nordic conditions reducing the LCC by 32%.
Towards Defossilised Steel: Supply Chain Options for a Green European Steel Industry
Mar 2023
Publication
As the European Union intensifies its response to the climate emergency increased focus has been placed on the hard-to-abate energy-intensive industries. Primary among these is the steel industry a cornerstone of the European economy and industry. With the emergence of new hydrogen-based steelmaking options particularly through hydrogen direct reduction the structure of global steel production and supply chains will transition from being based on low-cost coal resources to that based on low-cost electricity and therefore hydrogen production. This study examines the techno-economic options for three European countries of Germany Spain and Finland under five different steel supply chain configurations compared to local production. Results suggest that the high costs of hydrogen transportation make a European steelmaking supply chain cost competitive to steel produced with imported hydrogen with local production costs ranging from 465-545 €/t of crude steel (CS) and 380-494 €/tCS for 2030 and 2040 respectively. Conversely imports of hot briquetted iron and crude steel from Morocco become economically competitive with European supply chains. Given the capital and energy intensive nature of the steel industry critical investment decisions are required in this decade and this research serves to provide a deeper understanding of supply chain options for Europe.
Lessons Learned and Recommendations from Analysis of Hydrogen Incidents and Accidents to Support Risk Assessment for the Hydrogen Economy
Feb 2024
Publication
This study addresses challenges associated with hydrogen’s physio-chemical characteristics and the need for safety and public acceptance as a precursor to the emerging hydrogen economy. It highlights the gap in existing literature regarding lessons learned from events in the green hydrogen production value chain. The study aims to use the documented lessons learned from previous hydrogen-related events to assist in enhancing safety measures and to guide stakeholders on how to avoid and mitigate future hydrogen-related events. Given the potential catastrophic consequences robust safety systems are essential for hydrogen economy development. The work underscores the importance of human and operational factors as root causes of these events. The paper recommends establishing a specialized hydrogen-related event database to support risk assessment and risk mitigation thus catering to the growing hydrogen industry’s needs and facilitating quick access to critical information for stakeholders in the private and public sectors.
Selecting Appropriate Energy Source Options for an Arctic Research Ship
Dec 2023
Publication
Interest in more sustainable energy sources has increased rapidly in the maritime industry and ambitious goals have been set for decreasing ship emissions. All industry stakeholders have reacted to this with different approaches including the optimisation of ship power plants the development of new energy-improving sub-systems for existing solutions or the design of entirely novel power plant concepts employing alternative fuels. This paper assesses the feasibility of different ship energy sources for an icebreaking Arctic research ship. To that end possible energy sources are assessed based on fuel infrastructure availability and operational endurance criteria in the operational area of interest. Promising alternatives are analysed further using the evidence-based Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) method. Then a more thorough investigation with respect to the required fuel tank space life cycle cost and CO2 emissions is implemented. The results demonstrate that marine diesel oil (MDO) is currently still the most convenient solution due to the space operational range and endurance limitations although it is possible to use liquefied natural gas (LNG) and methanol if the ship’s arrangement is radically redesigned which will also lead to reduced emissions and life cycle costs. The use of liquefied hydrogen as the only energy solution for the considered vessel was excluded from the potential options due to low volumetric energy density and high life cycle and capital costs. Even if it is used with MDO for the investigated ship the reduction in CO2 emissions will not be as significant as for LNG and methanol at a much higher capital and lifecycle cost. The advantage of the proposed approach is that unrealistic alternatives are eliminated in a systematic manner before proceeding to detailed techno-economic analysis facilitating the decision-making and investigation of various options in a more holistic manner.
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