Description
For energy systems with high degrees on fluctuating renewable power generation energy storage is a must. Here, interconnecting different energy sectors is of clear advantage and has been demonstrated in many projects and countries. Shifting storage tasks from the electricity sector into other sectors makes the overall system much more cost effective. This is clear for e.g. power-to-heat applications.But out of electricity also fuels can be generated. Here, it is – at least nowadays – the opposite. Complex technology involved makes energy storage extremely costly. Starting with electrical power in most processes water electrolysis is the starting point. Mechanization (biological or chemical) could be a follow-up. Gases can be converted into liquid fuels. The same end products can be achieved from biomass products. The clear advantage is highest power and energy densities.
But will there ever be a market for fuels like these? When and how is the right time to start with its integration into energy systems? In case there will be a right time ever.
Panelists: Dr. Brian Vad Mathiesen, Dr. Jon Steinar G. Myrdal, Prof. Frano Barbir, Dr. Iva Ridjan, Prof. Jiří Jaromír Klemeš
The electrofuels are going to play important role in the future smart energy systems as they are offering a missing link between excessive renewable electricity penetration and transport sector. These fuels can be seen as electricity storage in the form of liquid or gaseous fuels and this opens a door to fuel storage systems already put in place. Electrofuels create flexibility in the system that will enable an extensive penetration of fluctuating resources into the electric grid. Based on today’s knowledge and expectations, it is unlikely that modal shift or electrification will completely remove the dependence on liquid or gaseous fuels in some modes of transport, such as heavy-duty trucks, shipping and air travel. Electrofuels provide an option for the parts of transport that cannot be electrified and due to the scarcity of biomass resources this part of transport demand cannot be met by different types of biofuels. The electrofuels can be produce by different production cycles and in this way be adjusted to the system designs. Moreover, all production cycles finish with chemical synthesis therefore the fuel produced can be adjusted to the existing infrastructure in place. As today’s infrastructure is built for liquid fuels and to some extent gaseous fuels, the further transformation of produced hydrogen from water electrolysis to fuels like methanol, DME or methane is beneficial in order to avoid extensive infrastructure changes and costs for alterations.
| Period | 29 Sept 2015 |
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| Held at | Unknown external organisation |