Mapping Bio-CO₂ and Wind Resources for Decarbonized Steel, E-Methanol and District Heat Production in the Bothnian Bay

Hydrogen is a versatile feedstock for various chemical and industrial processes, as well as an energy carrier. Dedicated hydrogen infrastructure is envisioned to conceptualize in hydrogen valleys, which link together the suppliers and consumers of hydrogen, heat, oxygen, and electricity. One potential hydrogen valley is the Bay of Bothnia, located in the northern part of the Baltic Sea between Finland and Sweden. The region is characterized as having excellent wind power potential, a strong forest cluster with numerous pulp and paper mills, and significant iron ore and steel production. The study investigates the hydrogen-related opportunities in the region, focusing on infrastructural requirements, flexibility, and co-operation of different sectors. The study found that local wind power capacity is rapidly increasing and will eventually enable the decarbonization of the steel sector in the area, along with moderate Power-to-X implementation. In such case, the heat obtained as a by-product from the electrolysis of hydrogen would greatly exceed the combined district heat demand of the major cities in the area. To completely fulfil its district heat demand, the city of Oulu was simulated to require 0.5–1.2 GW of electrolyser capacity, supported by heat pumps and optionally with heat storages

Mapping Bio-CO2 and Wind Resources for Decarbonized Steel, E-Methanol and District Heat Production in the Bothnian Bay

Hydrogen is a versatile feedstock for various chemical and industrial processes, as well as an energy carrier. Dedicated hydrogen infrastructure is envisioned to conceptualize in hydrogen valleys, which link together the suppliers and consumers of hydrogen, heat, oxygen, and electricity. One potential hydrogen valley is the Bay of Bothnia, located in the northern part of the Baltic Sea between Finland and Sweden. The region is characterized as having excellent wind power potential, a strong forest cluster with numerous pulp and paper mills, and significant iron ore and steel production. The study investigates the hydrogen-related opportunities in the region, focusing on infrastructural requirements, flexibility, and co-operation of different sectors. The study found that local wind power capacity is rapidly increasing and will eventually enable the decarbonization of the steel sector in the area, along with moderate Power-to-X implementation. In such case, the heat obtained as a by-product from the electrolysis of hydrogen would greatly exceed the combined district heat demand of the major cities in the area. To completely fulfil its district heat demand, the city of Oulu was simulated to require 0.5–1.2 GW of electrolyser capacity, supported by heat pumps and optionally with heat storages

Energy transition changing land use - estimating large-scale PV and Power-to-X potential of present peat production areas

Due to EU Climate policies the use of peat as an energy source is winding down. In Finland alone there was approximately 900 km2 of active peat production area in 2021 and it has been proposed that these large and otherwise now unused areas, with often existing electricity distribution infrastructure, could be suitable for housing large scale solar photovoltaic (PV) installations. In this paper a geo-spatial analysis of the solar PV potential of the peat production areas in Finland with relation to existing power delivery infrastructure is studied by using openly available data. The Power-to-X potential of the PV generation is also estimated in relation to P2X related infrastructure. The main results of this study show that the peat production areas have significant potential for PV energy generation and they are largely located nearby power grid infrastructure. However if a large portion of the potential was utilized capacity problems in existing networks would likely occur. This could be alleviated with P2X. It was shown that peat production areas are also located close to P2X transport and end use infrastructure. P2X could be used for the needs of the transportation sector, heavy industries or transferred via existing gas pipelines.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe