Business case analysis of hybrid systems consisting of battery storage and power-to-heat on the German energy market

Declining prices on frequency containment reserve (FCR) markets endanger the profitability of battery energy storage systems (BESS). BESS combined with power-to-heat units could improve the economics both by supplying higher power rates on FCR markets and by converting excessive power into heat. Two cases were investigated with a techno-economic model using primary operation and market data of 2018/2019. The system amortises after 12 years with a net present value of two million € operating on the FCR market. No improvement was realized by additional arbitrage trading. Taxes, levies and charges frameworks are crucial for the economic success of hybrid systems

Evaluating environmental risk assessment models for nanomaterials according to requirements along the product innovation Stage-Gate process

Nanomaterial risk governance requires models to estimate the material flow, fate and transport as well as uptake/bioavailability, hazard and risk in the environment. This study assesses the fit of such available models to different stages during the innovation of nano-enabled products. Through stakeholder consultations, criteria were identified for each innovation stage from idea conception to market launch and monitoring. In total, 38 models were scored against 41 criteria concerning model features, applicability, resource demands and outcome parameters. A scoring scheme was developed to determine how the models fit the criteria of each innovation stage. For each model, the individual criteria scores were added, yielding an overall fit score to each innovation stage. Three criteria were critical to stakeholders and incorporated as multipliers in the scoring scheme; the required time/costs and level of expertise needed to use the model, and for risk assessment models only, the option to compare PEC and PNEC. Regulatory compliance was also identified as critical, but could not be incorporated, as a nanomaterial risk assessment framework has yet to be developed and adopted by legislators. In conclusion, the scoring approach underlined similar scoring profiles across stages within model categories. As most models are research tools designed for use by experts, their score generally increased for later stages where most resources and expertise are committed. In contrast, stakeholders need relatively simple models to identify potential hazards and risk management measures at early product development stages to ensure safe use of nanomaterials without costs and resource needs hindering innovation

Towards Resilient Energy Systems!

Ziel des Projekts RESYSTRA – Resiliente Gestaltung der Energiesysteme am Beispiel der Transformationsoptionen „EE-Methan-System“ und „Regionale Selbstversorgung“ war ein besseres Verständnis der Erfolgsfaktoren gerichteter Transformationen des Energiesystems herauszuarbeiten. Diese Faktoren wurden im Rahmen eines erweiterten Modells der Innovationssysteme im Bereich der Energieversorgung in Deutschland mit Bezug auf konkrete Akteure und deren Einflussmöglichkeiten dargestellt. http://www.resystra.de

caLIBRAte - Wigger et al - 2019 - CNT - PMFA

Codes relative to paper: Wigger, H., & Nowack, B. (2019). Material-specific properties applied to an environmental risk assessment of engineered nanomaterials – implications on grouping and read-across concepts. Nanotoxicology, 13(5), 623-643. https://doi.org/10.1080/17435390.2019.156860

Environmental and economic analysis of sector-integrating hybrid battery energy storage systems

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are advocated as crucial elements for ensuring grid stability in times of increasing infeed of intermittent renewable energy sources (RES) and therefore paving the way for more sustainable energy systems. Under the current regulative framework for frequency containment reserve, BESSs are required to reserve portions of their capacity available, which limits their use for further applications. Hence, resources deployed in the BESS are not fully utilised from a macroeconomic and environmental perspective. Hybridisation of BESS facilities with consumer units, such as power-to-heat modules or electrolysers, enables unlimited energy infeed and is discussed as potential means to overcome this constraint. Simultaneously, they make use of excess RES in other carbon-intensive sectors. Whilst, a couple of studies have investigated the economic advantages of hybrid BESS, environmental consequences of hybrid systems were hardly analysed, so far. Sector integration could form an integral part of the sustainable energy transition. In this regard, including environmental aspects in such analyses are expected to turn the page favouring hybrid solutions. This study analyses the environmental and macroeconomic impacts of a hybrid pilot-plant consisting of an 18 MW Li-Ion battery and a power-to-heat unit based on the life cycle thinking approach. It is shown that different scenarios (e.g. use of curtailed RES in the heat sector) can affect the environmental and macroeconomic performance of such hybrid systems and the heat sector. Finally, recommendations are given for the further development of sector integrating solutions

Synthetic biology: character and impact

Synthetic Biology is already an object of intensive debate. However, to a great extent the discussion to date has been concerned with fundamental ethical, religious and philosophical questions. By contrast, based on an investigation of the field’s scientific and technological character, this book focuses on new functionalities provided by synthetic biology and explores the associated opportunities and risks. Following an introduction to the subject and a discussion of the most central paradigms and methodologies, the book provides an overview of the structure of this field of science and technology. It informs the reader about the current stage of development, as well as topical problems and potential opportunities in important fields of application. But not only the science itself is in focus. In order to investigate its broader impact, ecological as well as ethical implications will be considered, paving the way for a discussion of responsibilities in the context of a field at a transitional crossroads between basic and applied science. In closing, the requirements for a suitable regulatory framework are discussed. The book is intended as a source of information and orientation for researchers, students and practitioners in the natural sciences and technology assessment; for members of scientific and technological, governmental and funding institutions; and for members of the general public interested in essential information on the current status, prospects and implications of synthetic biology

Considering user behaviour in life cycle assessments of smart energy technologies - a review of approaches, implications and their effects on research results

To measure and quantify environmental impacts of products and technologies the methodology of life cycle assessment (LCA) is a well-established tool, that has also been used on several smart technologies. Even though there is a high degree of standardisation concerning the LCA methodology, yet it appears that the consideration of the use phase of technologies can pose a challenge. Due to the lack of standards, practitioners often have to rely on own decision making, that may lead to simplifications or assumption-based considerations. Whilst these approaches can be quite sufficient for some products, we argue that especially for digital/smart devices and technologies that rely on the usage of energy (especially those aiming at altering the behaviour of their users) a deeper understanding of e.g. use patterns, different life/consumption styles within environmental technology assessment is needed. In order to address how and which user behaviour aspects could and should be considered in environmental assessments like LCAs, we conducted a systematic literature review. Since technologies like smart meters or whole and smart homes are supposed to play a key role in the energy transition process over the next years, we focus especially on smart devices. The review therefore includes an analysis of behaviour considerations in LCA studies on the one hand and case studies on the usage behaviour of smart appliances from the social sciences on the other, contrasting them in a second step. Our contribution to the conference will therefore include insights on the different understandings of ‘user behaviour’ in the diverse research fields, focussing on the different approaches in the social and the engineering/natural sciences

Environmental and economic analysis of sector-coupling battery energy storage systems used for frequency containment reserve

Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are advocated as crucial elements for ensuring grid stability in times of increasing infeed of intermittent renewable energy sources (RES) and are therefore paving the way for more sustainable energy systems. Providing frequency containment reserve (FCR) is an attractive business model for capital intensive stationary BESSs, but the current German FCR regulative framework restricts the BESS usage for other applications as capacity shares have to be reserved (FCR energy capacity requirement). Hence, stationary BESSs operating at the FCR market are not fully utilised from an economic and environmental perspective. Linking BESSs with other sectors as potential sinks such as power-to-heat modules or electrolysers, enables unlimited energy infeed and is discussed as potential means to diminish this constraint. Whilst, a couple of studies investigated the economic advantages of such sector-coupling BESSs, their environmental consequences were hardly analysed so far. Based on the life cycle thinking approach, the environmental and economic impacts of FCR provision in Germany by standalone and sector-coupling BESSs (i.e. with power-to-heat unit or electrolyser) were studied in this work. The sector-coupling BESSs were considered regarding different FCR energy capacity requirements (E/P ratios). It was shown that the CAPEX for the sector-coupling unit were primarily critical for the economic performance of BESSs favouring power-to-heat over electrolysers and standalone BESSs. The results of the environmental life cycle assessment indicated to potential benefits due to the reduced battery capacities depending on the varied FCR energy capacity requirement. The environmental implications of the operational stage showed that electrolysers can increase the environmental impacts by up to 10 % due to higher conversion losses compared to power-to-heat units. Finally, it was concluded that future energy system and market designs should foster the implementation of sustainable sector-coupling solutions considering technology-specific economic and environmental characteristics