This paper is about the Power-to-Hydrogen in the German industry sector.
In addition to the decarbonization of the electricity, heat and transport sectors, the nonenergetic consumption of fossil fuels in the industry sector can also be replaced by renewable resources and therefore holds great potential for decarbonization. In the larger concept of Power-to-X, Power-to-Hydrogen plays an important role: Power-to-Hydrogen can accelerate cross-sectoral electrification via electrolysis as conversion technology and via hydrogen as chemical storage.
The annual hydrogen demand for ammonia and methanol production, refining processes, steelmaking and float glass production in Germany is above 50 TWh. Today, this demand is largely covered by conventional reforming processes based on fossil fuels and associated with considerable CO2 emissions. Power-to-Hydrogen has the potential to reduce fossil fuel use and CO2 emissions, while advancing the linkage between the energy and the industry sector.
From an environmental perspective, a necessary condition for the decarbonization of nonenergetic fossil fuel use is an energy mix that is already primarily based on renewable energy sources. Even though this requirement will only be fulfilled in 2030 at earliest, a combination of conventional and power-based hydrogen production can be viable earlier through additional flexibilities including hydrogen storage in salt caverns. With increasing rates of renewable electricity generation, Power-to-Hydrogen gets more competitive as well. However, a hydrogen production entirely based on Power-to-Hydrogen increases the electricity demand of the energy system substantially, bringing about new challenges in terms of costs, grid stability and reliability of supply.
Nevertheless, on-site solutions that combine power-based hydrogen production with renewable energy production on industry sites are first valid applications of Power-to-Hydrogen allowing to cut costs and CO2 emissions, and ensuring a decarbonization of both energetic and non-energetic consumption of resources.
Another concept that has an even wider range of possible applications than Power-to-Hydrogen is Power-to-Syngas. It has the potential to further intensify the decarbonization of the non-energetic consumption of resources via the enhanced coupling of industry, energy and transport sectors.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Decarbonization of non-energetic fossil fuel use
- Importance of hydrogen in the industry sector
- Power-to-X to advance decarbonization
- Goal and approach
- urbs optimization model
- General
- Model
- Input
- Output
- German electricity model
- Literary research
- Conventional hydrogen production
- Steam reforming
- Partial Oxidation
- Autothermal reforming
- Coal gasification
- Electricity-based hydrogen production
- Electrolysis
- Low temperature electrolysis
- High temperature electrolysis
- Hydrogen storage
- Storage technologies
- Typical characteristics of salt cavern hydrogen storage
- Potential for underground hydrogen storage in Germany
- Conventional hydrogen production
- First results
- Hydrogen demand in German industry sector
- Method
- Major hydrogen consumers in the industry
- Chemical industry
- Refineries
- Steel industry
- Glass industry
- Overview of hydrogen consumer sites
- Hydrogen production technologies
- Overview
- Conventional hydrogen production
- Results on federal state level for 2016
- General trends
- Results on federal state level for 2030
- Results on federal state level for 2050
- Hydrogen production in Germany
- Hydrogen as a by-product
- Hydrogen production sites in Germany
- Impact of Power-to-Hydrogen
- Potential for decarbonization
- Impact on CO2 emissions
- Reforming of natural gas and naphtha
- Partial oxidation of heavy oils
- Savings in 2016
- Savings in 2030 and 2050
- Impact on fossil fuel use
- Impact on energy use
- Hydrogen demand in German industry sector
- Implementation in urbs
- Input data
- Scenarios
- Results for 2016
- Results for 2030
- Results for 2050
- Discussion of results and comparison with prior finding
- Conclusion and outlook
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This work examines the potential of Power-to-Hydrogen (PtH) to decarbonize the German industry sector. The main objective is to assess the impact of PtH on the energy system and to identify the benefits and challenges associated with its implementation. The focus is on non-energetic fossil fuel consumption in industries like chemical production, refineries, steelmaking, and glass manufacturing. The study aims to develop an understanding of how PtH can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to the transition to a sustainable energy system.
- Decarbonization of the industry sector through renewable energy sources
- The role of hydrogen in industrial processes and its potential to replace fossil fuels
- Impact of PtH on the German energy system, including electricity demand and grid stability
- Economic feasibility of PtH and cost implications for industry
- Integration of PtH into the energy system, including hydrogen storage and transportation
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Introduction: This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the importance of decarbonizing the industry sector. It highlights the current status of renewable energy sources in different energy sectors (power, heat, and mobility) and explores the role of Power-to-X technologies, specifically Power-to-Hydrogen (PtH), in achieving this goal.
- Literary Research: This chapter delves into the existing literature on conventional and electricity-based hydrogen production methods. It analyzes various techniques for hydrogen production, including steam reforming, partial oxidation, autothermal reforming, and coal gasification. Furthermore, the chapter explores different electrolysis technologies, specifically low-temperature and high-temperature electrolysis. The section on hydrogen storage focuses on storage technologies and their potential in Germany.
- First Results: This chapter presents the results of an analysis of hydrogen demand in the German industry sector. It identifies the key industries consuming hydrogen and examines their specific needs and potential for transitioning to PtH. The analysis includes data on hydrogen production technologies, including conventional methods and PtH. The chapter also investigates the impact of PtH on CO2 emissions and fossil fuel usage.
- Implementation in urbs: This chapter discusses the implementation of PtH in a model of the German energy system (urbs). It details the input data used in the model and presents results for different scenarios, focusing on the years 2016, 2030, and 2050. This chapter evaluates the impact of PtH on various aspects of the energy system, such as electricity demand, grid stability, and cost-effectiveness.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This work focuses on the integration of Power-to-Hydrogen (PtH) in the German industry sector, aiming to decarbonize non-energetic fossil fuel use. Key topics explored include hydrogen demand, production technologies like electrolysis, and the impact of PtH on the energy system. It examines the feasibility of hydrogen storage in salt caverns, the potential for reducing CO2 emissions, and the implications for electricity demand and grid stability. The study emphasizes the importance of PtH in advancing the linkage between the energy and industry sectors.
- Citation du texte
- Anna Szujo (Auteur), 2018, Power-to-Hydrogen in the German industry sector. Potential and impact on the energy system, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/992620
