Linking renewables and fossil fuels with carbon capture via energy storage for a sustainable energy future

Renewable energy sources and low-carbon power generation systems with carbon capture and storage (CCS) are expected to be key contributors towards the decarbonisation of the energy sector and to ensure sustainable energy supply in the future. However, the variable nature of wind and solar power generation systems may affect the operation of the electricity system grid. Deployment of energy storage is expected to increase grid stability and renewable energy utilisation. The power sector of the future, therefore, needs to seek a synergy between renewable energy sources and low-carbon fossil fuel power generation. This can be achieved via wide deployment of CCS linked with energy storage. Interestingly, recent progress in both the CCS and energy storage fields reveals that technologies such as calcium looping are technically viable and promising options in both cases. Novel integrated systems can be achieved by integrating these applications into CCS with inherent energy storage capacity, as well as linking other CCS technologies with renewable energy sources via energy storage technologies, which will maximise the profit from electricity production, mitigate efficiency and economic penalties related to CCS, and improve renewable energy utilisation.     

Infrastructure Challenges Caused by Industrial Transformation to Achieve Greenhouse Gas Neutrality. Ammonia Production in the Antwerp-Rotterdam-Rhine-Ruhr Area

Several pathways for potentially greenhouse gas neutral production of ammonia have been investigated compared to today's conventional ammonia production at chemical sites in Antwerp, Dormagen, and Geleen. These pathways include on-site water electrolysis using grid electricity, off-site production via water electrolysis using renewable electricity and supply of green hydrogen to the site, pyrolysis of natural gas and conventional ammonia production coupled with CO₂-capture on-site and transport to a storage site. All pathways effectively eliminate scope 1 emissions present in conventional production but continue to emit scope 2 emissions from grid electricity consumption. Eventually, a coordinated industry-wide and cross-industry effort is needed to address the transformational changes and develop the common cross-border infrastructures.     

Economic assessment of a distributed energy system in a new residential area with existing grid coverage in China

A distributed energy system refers to an energy system where energy production is close to end use, typically relying on various small-scale energy generation, conversion and storage technologies. The Chinese government has recently expressed interest in promoting this type of energy system. The paper develops an optimization model to evaluate the economic feasibility of adopting a distributed energy system in a new residential community in Beijing, where grid coverage is already well developed and accessible. The economic implications of adopting different grid connection regimes are also assessed.Results show that compared to the more conventional approach of relying entirely on the grid for electricity supplies, a distributed energy system is cheaper when a connection to the power grid can still be used to draw some electricity during periods of peak demand. Additionally, the economic benefits of electricity buy-back provisions for the distributed energy system are found to be minimal.     

Biomass-derived materials for electrochemical energy storages

During the past decade humans have witnessed dramatic expansion of fundamental research as well as the commercialization in the area of electrochemical energy storage, which is driven by the urgent demand by portable electronic devices, electric vehicles, transportation and storage of renewable energy for the power grid in the clean energy economy. Li-secondary batteries and electrochemical capacitors can efficiently convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy, and are currently the rapid-growing rechargeable devices. However, the characteristic (including energy density, cost, and safety issues, etc.) reported for these current rechargeable devices still cannot meet the requirements for electric vehicles and grid energy storage, which are mainly caused by the limited properties of the key materials (e.g. anode, cathode, electrolyte, separator, and binder) employed by these devices. Moreover, these key materials are normally far from renewable and sustainable. Therefore great challenges and opportunities remain to be realized are to search green and low-cost materials with high performances. A large number of the properties of biomass materials-such as renewable, low-cost, earth-abundant, specific structures, mechanical property and many others-are very attractive. These properties endow that biomass could replace some key materials in electrochemical energy storage systems. In this review, we focus on the fundamentals and applications of biomass-derived materials in electrochemical energy storage techniques. Specifically, we summarize the recent advances of the utilization of various biomasses as separators, binders and electrode materials. Finally, several perspectives related to the biomass-derived materials for electrochemical energy storages are proposed based on the reported progress and our own evaluation, aiming to provide some possible research directions in this field.     

全钒液流电池关键材料研究进展

全钒液流电池是一种新型高效电能转化与储存装置。由于其电池输出功率与储能容量彼此独立,适用于风能、太阳能等可再生能源发电过程和电网调峰过程作为规模化储能装置使用。本文在介绍全钒液流电池原理基础上,重点围绕电池过程的关键材料展开讨论,包括电极材料的种类、各自特点与电极改性方法;电池隔膜材料的筛选结果、材料改性方法等国内外研究进展。     

Polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis: status of technologies and potential applications in combination with renewable power sources

Technological improvements in polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysers (PEMWEs) are promoted by their exciting possibilities to operate with renewable power sources. In this paper, a synopsis of the research efforts concerning with the development of electrocatalysts, polymer electrolytes and stack hardware components is presented. The most challenging problem for the development of PEMWEs is the enhancement of oxygen evolution reaction rate. At present, there are no practical alternatives to noble metal-based oxide catalysts such as IrO₂ and RuO₂. As well as carbon supported Pt nanoparticles are the benchmark cathode catalysts for hydrogen evolution. High noble metal loading on the electrodes and the use of perfluorosulfonic membranes significantly contribute to the cost of these devices. Critical areas include the design of appropriate mixed electrocatalysts and their dispersion on low cost Ti-oxide like supports to increase catalyst utilization. Moreover, the development of alternative membranes with enhanced mechanical properties for high pressure applications, proper conductivity and reduced gas cross-over is strongly required. This latter aspect is also addressed by the development of proper recombination catalysts. The development of anodic mixed non-noble transition metal oxides with spinel or perovskite structure and proper resistance to chemical degradation in the acidic environment and electrochemical corrosion is also an active area of research. Similarly, efforts are also being addressed to Pd and Ru based cathode formulations with cheaper characteristics than Pt. Whereas, concerning with stack hardware, cost reduction may be addressed by replacing Ti-based diffusion media and bipolar plates with appropriate and cost-effective stainless steel materials with enhanced resilience to chemical and electrochemical corrosion. Regarding the combination with renewable power sources, PEM electrolysers can find suitable applications for peak shaving in integrated systems grid connected or in grid independent operating conditions where hydrogen generated through electrolysis is stored and then via fuel cell converted back to electricity when needed or used to refill fuel cell-based cars. Hydrogen is the most promising clean energy carrier to accomplish the sustainable production of energy and a synergy among hydrogen, electricity and renewable energy sources is highly desired.     

Fixed‐Bed Heat Storage – Mathematical Modeling Approaches

While renewable heat makes up only 13 % of overall German heat consumption, the share of renewable electricity produced from wind, solar, water, and geothermal power already reached 36 % of overall electricity consumption in 2017. One measure to support the integration of renewable heat in the German energy system is the use of heat storage systems. Although water‐based heat storage systems for temperatures up to 100 °C are state of the art, systems for temperatures up to several hundred degrees Celsius are still under investigation or in the demonstration phase. Therefore, this work focuses on the development of a simulation model for analyzing and engineering fixed‐bed thermal storage systems that are filled with an inert bulk material such as stone fragments.     

Demand response scheduling under uncertainty: Chance-constrained framework and application to an air separation unit

Recent increases in renewable power generation challenge the operation of the power grid: generation rates fluctuate in time and are not synchronized with power demand fluctuations. Demand response (DR) consists of adjusting user electricity demand to match available power supply. Chemical plants are appealing candidates for DR programs; they offer large, concentrated loads that can be modulated via production scheduling. Price-based DR is a common means of engaging industrial entities; its benefits increase significantly when a longer (typically, a few days) scheduling time horizon is considered. DR production scheduling comes with its own challenges, related to uncertainty in future (i.e., forecast) electricity prices and product demand. In this work, we provide a framework for DR production scheduling under uncertainty based on a chance-constrained formulation that also accounts for the dynamics of the production facility. The ideas are illustrated with an air separation unit case study.     

基于分时电价的区域管网系统储能应用研究

区域供冷系统主要分为源、网、用户三部分，其中管网不仅可以作为能量输送环节，还可以实现能量的储存，因此可以利用管网的储能效应实现制冷站与电网的互动。以广东惠州某园区制冷站为例，基于Modelica语言在Dymola平台上搭建了区域供冷系统。基于分时电价，应用管网的储热与延迟特性，提出三种控制策略以探讨热网在电力响应中的应用。仿真结果显示，在案例中管网储热维持室温的效果为0.31 h，利用管网储热能够使供冷系统节省6.4%的电耗和6.7%的电费，可见管网的虚拟储能效应是制冷站参与电网需求响应的重要资源。     

Long-term scenarios for energy and environment: Energy from the desert with very large solar plants using liquid hydrogen and superconducting technologies

Among the long-term energy scenarios identified by major international organizations in order to drastically reduce fossil fuels consumption and to develop a sustainable energy system within the 21st century, the exploitation of desert areas for large-scale renewable energy production, must be seriously considered. Desert areas are characterized by large land availability, with high levels of solar radiation and wind. However, apart from generating costs (which should fall down in future), two main problems have to be faced. First, fluctuations of renewable power availability may lead to electric grid instability, reducing the quality of energy supply. Second, since deserts are typically far from energy-demanding areas, large power transport lines are needed. The system proposed in this paper resorts to the use of liquid hydrogen (LH₂) for energy storage, and to the combined transport of electric energy and LH₂ with a MgB₂ superconducting line. The system allows flexible delivering of energy in electric and chemical form, depending on end-users demands.     

CO2 utilization in Eastern Canada: Sources,sites, and grid effects

Achieving net zero carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions will require the cessation of fossil fuel emissions into the atmosphere, yet the need for ‘fuel’ and energy storage will remain. One solution could be a carbon-based fuel system where CO₂ of biogenic origin is converted to fuels using hydrogen generated by electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources. Methane has value as an initial target given its prevalence in biogas, use in home heating and in electricity generation. Sources of CO₂ in Eastern Canada are dominated by the iron and steel, cement, and aluminium industries, all of which have biogenic fuel options. Collecting all of the potentially biogenic CO₂ would displace 75% of current natural gas use and require a 50% increase in generating capacity. Initial efforts could site a carbon capture, utilization, and storage facility near Montreal, QC, with other large-scale facilities near Hamilton, ON, and Lac St-Jean, QC. These facilities would be grid connected and expected to operate ~6200 h annually. The most high-frequency electrolysis events would be 10 h of run time and 2 h of idle time. These periods would peak during the equinox months and be at a minimum during the winter solstice. These operational assumptions will all be subject to the increased variability caused by anthropogenic climate change and increased renewable generation on the grid. A closed-loop carbon-based fuel system would require an equivalent price of $250 per tonne CO₂.     

企业节能技术分析

文章从照明、动力系统、(中央)空调系统、建筑、冷热电联产、蓄能系统等方面对节能技术逐一分析,其中重点分析了动力系统的节能技术和中央空调系统的节能。动力系统的节能技术包括电机变频器节能、电机相控节能、电网三相布控节电器节能。中央空调系统的节能包括中央空调余热回收技术、中央空调闭环变频节能技术、中央空调机组自动清洗技术和热泵空调技术。     

钠离子电池负极材料的储钠机制及性能研究进展

绿色能源的应用,促使着电化学储能与转换技术的飞速发展。锂离子电池作为储能领域最成功的二次离子电池之一,已被应用于各种电子产品中,但是由于锂资源短缺造成锂离子电池的成本增加,限制了其在大规模储能设备领域的应用。因此,寻找价格低廉、性能优异的二次离子电池是当下的研究热门之一。钠离子电池不仅拥有和锂离子电池相似的工作原理,而且还具有成本低、资源丰度大和可逆容量高的特点,有望成功地代替锂离子电池而应用于商业化生产。本工作主要综述了钠离子电池负极材料的性能研究进展,首先根据钠离子在负极材料存储方式不同,分析归纳了负极材料的插层反应、合金化反应和转换反应三种储钠机制,然后介绍了负极材料的结构修改、元素掺杂和材料复合三种改性方式,随后重点介绍了碳基材料、钛基材料、合金类材料、转换类材料和有机材料等几种关键的钠离子电池负极材料的电化学性能和所面临的问题,最后,以实际生产和工业应用为基础,展望了钠离子电池负极材料的研究方向。     

Renewable Power-to-Gas: A Technical and Economic Evaluation of Three Demo Sites Within the STORE&GO Project

For a successful energy transition, Power-to-Gas (PtG) offers the opportunity to convert renewable electricity to substitute natural gas. This renewable synthetic natural gas (SNG) can be used for long-term storage, transport, or can be integrated into other energy sectors. Main challenges for the commercial application of PtG are to achieve a high PtG process efficiency, dynamic operation capability, and low investment and production costs. Within the STORE&GO project, three demo sites were developed, operated, and evaluated. An overall efficiency of > 75 % is possible, the SNG production costs are expected to drop to less than 10 €-Cent kWh⁻¹ in 2050.     

化工系统消纳可再生能源的电-氢协调储能系统优化设计

针对可再生能源发电间歇性和波动性与化工过程系统氢气需求波动性协调匹配的问题,本文以电-氢储能系统总费用最小为目标,建立了可再生能源发电与化工生产中加氢系统耦合的电-氢协调储能系统优化设计模型,以确定电-氢协调储能系统的最优容量配置和功率调度方案。采用典型案例研究了可再生能源渗透率和电-氢储能系统构成对电-氢储能优化设计和运行特性的影响。研究表明：当化工系统的氢气需求全部由可再生能源发电制氢提供时,在系统中同时采用电池和氢气储罐储能可有效地降低系统的总费用;在该系统中,电池可用于平抑短期内发电侧和负荷侧的波动,氢气储罐可平衡发电侧和负荷侧长期的不匹配;随着可再生能源渗透率的增加,系统的总费用显著增大;为了维持外购氢气流率的稳定,系统中需要增加电解槽和储能系统的容量以解决发电侧和负荷侧的波动和不匹配问题。     

Combining Electricity and Fuel Supply: Operational Strategies for Biogas Plants

The operational consequences resulting from the combination of a flexibly operated combined heat and power unit (CHP) and an off‐grid biomethane filling station at one biogas plant were investigated. Four different operating scenarios were compared to evaluate the storage capacity needed to balance biogas demand fluctuations and biogas production. The scenario in which fuel production was given priority and electricity was produced within the remaining hours proved to cause the lowest additional costs since it does not require additional installation of biogas storage capacity and causes minor opportunity cost in electricity marketing. Giving fuel demand the priority reduces the necessary biogas storage capacity by 75 % compared to parallel optimization of the electricity and fuel demands.     

相变储热技术研究进展

相变储热技术是储能技术的主要方向之一,在太阳能、风能发电、工业余热回收利用、分布式能源系统等领域具有广泛应用。本文通过梳理总结近年来国内外关于相变储热技术的研究成果,对相变材料进行分类并对其性质、优缺点、适用范围等进行了详细介绍。本文针对相变材料在实际使用中存在的泄漏、腐蚀、过冷、传热性能差等缺陷,重点介绍了复合相变储热技术及传热性能强化技术。指出当前相变储热技术存在的不足并对相变储热技术的未来发展方向进行了展望,可靠的复合相变技术、高效的传热强化技术、提高储热材料高温及循环稳定性等方面应是未来的主要研究方向。该综述研究对相变储热技术的进一步研究和开发具有重要参考价值。     

Flexible and economical operation of chlor-alkali process with subsequent polyvinyl chloride production

Demand response (DR) can compensate for imbalances in variable renewable energy supplies. This possibility is particularly interesting for electrochemical processes, due to their high energy intensity. To determine the technical feasibility and economic viability of DR, we chose the chlor-alkali process with subsequent polyvinyl chloride production, including intermediate storage for ethylene dichloride. We estimate the maximum possible cost savings of implementing load flexibility measures. A process model is set up to determine the system characteristic. Subsequent optimizations result in the facility's best possible dispatch depending on additional and minimum power load, storage volume, and cost of a load change. Real plant data are used to specify model parameters and validate the system characteristic and the plant dispatch. An economic evaluation reveals the economic advantages of efficiency and flexibility. The approach can be used to analyze the DR potential of other chlorine value chains or facilities with high electricity demand in general.     

Power-to-X: Between Electricity Storage,e-Production,and Demand Side Management

The common understanding of Power-to-X is exclusively the use of renewable electricity to manufacture products currently based on fossil sources. In this paper, it is argued that beyond such e-Production many of these technologies also include aspects related to demand side management and temporal storage of electricity. Therefore, a definition of Power-to-X is suggested that encompasses all three aspects. It is discussed, which of these are relevant under which conditions and illustrative examples are highlighted, which show how process systems engineering can help address common challenges for Power-to-X technologies.     

新能源化工技术

发展新能源是实现“碳中和”战略目标的必由之路。本文首先勾画出可再生能源转换利用基本途径,指出新能源化工技术研究的理论基础是电化学工程、光化学工程、生物化学工程、分子化学工程、系统工程和人工智能等;其次,以可再生能源制氢、燃料电池发电与化学品共生、太阳能转换过程为例,阐明可再生能源资源转换中的化工问题;第三,通过对锂离子电池和钠离子电池中多元过渡金属氧化物正极材料及其电极制备过程开发,揭示电化学储能材料与器件制造过程工程特性;第四,介绍了化工系统工程和人工智能在电池状态预测模型构建、综合能源系统管理、光-储-充系统集成与优化运行中的应用。最后,根据各种案例分析,归纳出新能源化工研究的本质是将新能源转换与储存中涉及的“生物/光/电化学反应”,从实验室放大到规模化生产装置,阐明反应中的传质、传热和传荷机理及其反应工程特性。对未来新能源化工技术研发,从“共性科学问题”和“关键技术”两个层面提出了若干研究方向以供参考。