Storage technology as an enabler for renewable energy
Presents
How should renewable energy be stored in the future in order for Denmark to fulfill the goal of being independent of fossil fuels by 2050?
In order to utilize more fluctuating renewable energy in the Danish power grid, it is necessary to implement storage technology that can store large quantities of energy when excess electricity is generated (e.g. wind farms, solar power). It is important that action is taken now and focus is set on the most versatile storage technologies, with the best overall perspective. Liquid fuels could be the answer for this.
Focus Area
Your research should be an evaluation of different routes towards a sustainable liquid synthetic fuels generated entirely from excess renewable electricity. This is of particular interest since fuels can be used both for centralized storage and directly for transportation in cars busses etc. An example of a liquid fuel could be methanol which is synthesized from methane by using a suitable catalyst. In this case the methanol is to be generated by green renewable sources like CO2from Biogas combined with hydrogen from electrolysis.
A review of the technological, economic and general acceptance of synthesis of the most relevant liquid fuels has previously been made[1]. Your study should look at the same criteria for the use of these liquids in a Danish context, looking into the application path instead of the synthesis path.
The Challenge
The goal of this challenge is to make a holistic consideration of the use of different type of liquid fuels in the Danish energy matrix. The fuels under consideration must be manufactured solely by renewable energy sources.
Optimally your study should answer these questions:
- What is the business case of implementing the liquid fuels?
- Which industries/applications are the most relevant for each type of fuel?
- How is the safety aspect of the fuels looked upon for the relevant applications?
- What is the current status of the technologies where these fuels are to be implemented?
- How does the fuel match the infrastructure in Denmark at present and in the future?
And, by combining the answers from the questions above: What is the holistic recommendation?
Considerations
This study should strictly look into the prospect of applying these liquid fuels in the Danish market. This means having in mind on what the plans are for the Danish energy system in the years to come and look in the energy infrastructure.
[1] Techno-economic analysis for the synthesis of liquid and gaseous fuels based on hydrogen production via electrolysis – Alexander Tremel , Peter Wasserscheid , Manfred Baldauf , Thomas Hammer
