TY - JOUR
T1 - Optimizing hydrogen and e-methanol production through Power-to-X integration in biogas plants
AU - Alamia, Alberto
AU - Partoon, Behzad
AU - Rattigan, Eoghan
AU - Bruun Andresen, Gorm
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s)
PY - 2024/12
Y1 - 2024/12
N2 - The European Union's strategy for achieving net zero emissions heavily depends on the development of hydrogen and e-/bio-fuel infrastructure and economy. These fuels are poised to play a critical role, functioning both as energy carriers and balancing agents for the inherent variability of renewable energy sources. Large-scale production will necessitate additional renewable capacity, and various Power-to-X (PtX) concepts are emerging in countries with significant renewable potential. However, sourcing renewable carbon presents a significant challenge in scaling the production of carbon-based e-fuels, and this is anticipated to become a limiting factor in the future. This investigation examines the concept of a PtX hub that sources renewable CO2 from modern biogas plants, integrating renewable energy, hydrogen production, and methanol synthesis at a single site. This concept facilitates an internal, behind-the-meter market for energy and material flows, balanced by an interface with the external energy system. The size and operation of all plants comprising the PtX hub were co-optimized, considering various levels of integration with surrounding energy systems, including the potential establishment of a local hydrogen grid. The levelized costs of hydrogen and e-methanol were estimated for a site commencing operation in 2030, taking into consideration the recent legislation about renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs). Our findings indicate that, in its optimal configuration, the PtX hub relies almost exclusively on on-site renewable energy, selling excess electricity to the grid for balancing purposes. The connection to a local hydrogen grid facilitates smoother PtX process operations, while the behind-the-meter market reduces energy prices, providing a buffer against external market variability. The results demonstrate the feasibility of achieving a levelized cost of methanol below 650 € /t and hydrogen production costs below 3 €/kg in 2030. In comparison, a standalone e-methanol plant would incur a 23% higher cost. The ratio of CO2 recovered to methanol produced was identified as a critical technical parameter, with recovery rates exceeding 90% necessitating substantial investments in CO2 and H2 storage. Overall, our findings support the planning of PtX infrastructures that consider integration with the agricultural sector as a cost-effective pathway to access renewable carbon resources.
AB - The European Union's strategy for achieving net zero emissions heavily depends on the development of hydrogen and e-/bio-fuel infrastructure and economy. These fuels are poised to play a critical role, functioning both as energy carriers and balancing agents for the inherent variability of renewable energy sources. Large-scale production will necessitate additional renewable capacity, and various Power-to-X (PtX) concepts are emerging in countries with significant renewable potential. However, sourcing renewable carbon presents a significant challenge in scaling the production of carbon-based e-fuels, and this is anticipated to become a limiting factor in the future. This investigation examines the concept of a PtX hub that sources renewable CO2 from modern biogas plants, integrating renewable energy, hydrogen production, and methanol synthesis at a single site. This concept facilitates an internal, behind-the-meter market for energy and material flows, balanced by an interface with the external energy system. The size and operation of all plants comprising the PtX hub were co-optimized, considering various levels of integration with surrounding energy systems, including the potential establishment of a local hydrogen grid. The levelized costs of hydrogen and e-methanol were estimated for a site commencing operation in 2030, taking into consideration the recent legislation about renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs). Our findings indicate that, in its optimal configuration, the PtX hub relies almost exclusively on on-site renewable energy, selling excess electricity to the grid for balancing purposes. The connection to a local hydrogen grid facilitates smoother PtX process operations, while the behind-the-meter market reduces energy prices, providing a buffer against external market variability. The results demonstrate the feasibility of achieving a levelized cost of methanol below 650 € /t and hydrogen production costs below 3 €/kg in 2030. In comparison, a standalone e-methanol plant would incur a 23% higher cost. The ratio of CO2 recovered to methanol produced was identified as a critical technical parameter, with recovery rates exceeding 90% necessitating substantial investments in CO2 and H2 storage. Overall, our findings support the planning of PtX infrastructures that consider integration with the agricultural sector as a cost-effective pathway to access renewable carbon resources.
KW - Biogas
KW - Energy hub
KW - Energy systems optimization
KW - Power-to-X (PtX)
KW - Renewable hydrogen
KW - Renewable methanol
KW - RFNBO
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85207757540
U2 - 10.1016/j.enconman.2024.119175
DO - 10.1016/j.enconman.2024.119175
M3 - Journal article
AN - SCOPUS:85207757540
SN - 0196-8904
VL - 322
JO - Energy Conversion and Management
JF - Energy Conversion and Management
M1 - 119175
ER -