economic feasibility of methanol synthesis as a method for co2 reduction and energy storage

Abstract In this paper, a thermo-economic analysis concerning a methanol production plant is performed. In particular, this study was developed with the aim of evaluating the opportunity and viability of obtaining methanol from the chemical reaction between recycled CO2, emitted from a fossil-fuel power station, and hydrogen produced by water electrolysis. This solution can represent an interesting carbon dioxide reduction method and methanol as a product can be considered an energy storage means. As a first step, a thermodynamic analysis is performed in order to determine the mass and energy flows of the plant; then, a feasibility analysis concerning a large size methanol production plant is performed taking into account three different economic scenarios (Germany, Italy, and China). In order to evaluate the economic viability, the total investment cost and payback period are calculated in all the scenarios. Different methanol and electrical energy prices are considered, to take into proper account the influence of these parameters on mid-term future scenarios. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis, considering different oxygen selling prices and PEM electrolyzer capital costs, were performed

Techno-economic analysis for the integration of a power to fuel system with a CCS coal power plant

In this paper, an analysis of the integration of a carbon capture unit and a power to fuel system for methanol synthesis with a coal power plant is presented from the energetic, environmental and economic standpoints. The study is carried out in three different sections. In the first part, the impact of the integration of a carbon capture system (CCS ) and of a power to fuel plant (PtF) for methanol production is investigated in terms of plant average efficiency, fuel consumption,CO2 emissions. In the second part, the annual fixed and variable costs of the power plant, and the annual cost of electricity (COE) are assessed for different plant configurations. Additionally, future scenarios are analyzed considering the impact of European policies on the CO2 emission\u2019s cost, defined by the European Emission Trading System (ETS). Finally, an economic feasibility analysis of the power to fuel plant is performed and the methanol production is evaluated. Moreover, a sensitivity analysis is carried out to evaluate the impact of the most affecting parameters (electrical energy cost, the methanol selling price and the capital cost of the electrolyzer) in terms of Internal Rate of Return (IRR)

lean H2 and NH3 large production in Paraguay by the 14 GW Itaipu hydroelectric facility

This paper aims to present a feasibility study for clean production, storage and distribution of large amounts of hydrogen, starting from low-cost available renewable electrical energy. Paraguay and Brazil own equally the binational company ITAIPU Hydroelectric Plant (14 GW, about 96,000 GWh/year of production). 50% of this energy corresponds to Paraguay: however, since its energy demand is quite low, a large amount of this energy is sold to Brazil, receiving a compensation of 10 $/MWh. In this context, seeking for ways of adding value to generated electricity, this paper assesses the potential of clean H2 production by water electrolysis, simulating the use of one generator unit of the mentioned company (700 MW) and discussing two alternatives for the produced hydrogen: a) using it for ammonia production as base for fertilizers; b) using it for passenger cars. A detailed thermo-economic analysis is performed using a dedicated software developed by the authors. The results show that production is economically feasible for both cases, moreover the process is completely clean and significant amounts of oxygen are produced, potentially representing an additional revenue for the process

A multi-criteria approach for comparing alternative fuels and energy systems for marine applications

This paper presents an algorithm to compare traditional and innovative energy systems for maritime applications, adopting a multi-criteria method. The algorithm includes a large and updated database of market solutions. Two case studies are investigated: (i) a sailing yacht (ii) and a large-size cruise ship. For case (i), Fuel Cells represent a competitive solution, in particular considering navigation in emission control areas; the installation of electrical batteries is also evaluated. For case study (ii) Internal Combustion Engines are the best solution: the evaluation of alternative fuels (LNG, ammonia, methanol) is performed, also in dual-fuel configuration

Future of the production of green hydrogen in Paraguay

Paraguay is also joining the worldwide movement towards economy decarbonization by considering hydrogen as a viable option. Given Paraguay’s abundant renewable energy resources, boasting approximately 8.7 GW of installed hydroelectric capacity, as well as its cost-effective electricity, the country is attracting significant interest from various companies looking to engage in large-scale production of green hydrogen. However, Paraguay is currently experiencing a significant increase in electricity demand, with a growth rate of approximately 8% per year. By 2033, the country’s power system has the potential to attain a generation reserve margin of 12% if this pattern persists. An additional crucial aspect to consider is that the operator of the national electricity grid (ANDE) is currently developing various scenarios to accommodate the increasing demand for electricity energy. Nevertheless, these scenarios fail to consider the potential impact of widespread hydrogen production on the power grid. This paper aims to close the existing gap by introducing multiple scenarios for electricity demand that incorporate hydrogen production facilities linked to the National Interconnected System

A multi-criteria approach for assessment of maritime sector energy systems

This paper describes a multi-criteria tool for the performance comparison of alternative and conventional on board energy systems for maritime sector, both for hotel and propulsion loads, depending on the mission taken into account. The tool, named HELM (Helper for Energy Layouts in Maritime applications), carries out this analysis based on an extended and up-to-date market database of many technologies in terms of power units and suitable fuel storage systems. A wide range of maps has been created, correlating costs, volumes, weights, emissions and fuel environmental hazards with the installed power and the operational hours, given by the user as input. In this work, different maritime vessels typologies are investigated and the choice of the best solution is performed for each one, considering the single evaluation parameters. It is worth noting that the multi-criteria analysis carried out has a general approach, allowing it to give preliminary information on the energy system, in order to respect new requirements (e.g. more and more stringent normative in terms of pollutant emissions in ports and restricted areas). HELM can be used for many design approaches, either for a new ship project or for already existing ships retrofit; furthermore, the database can be easily extended to other generation and storage technologies

Best operative strategy for energy management of a cruise ship employing different distributed generation technologies

This paper aims to study the application of distributed generation technologies on a naval energy system, investigating the best operating strategy for energy management throughout an annual load profile. The thermo-economic analysis is performed considering electrical and thermal load demands referred to hotel and service loads of a cruise ship (around 6 MWel), both variable with the season and the period of the day, taking into account the off-design curves and cost functions for the different generators. Four different solutions are investigated, comparing the operative strategies in terms of energy efficiency, CO2 emissions and annual costs. The analysis is performed with dedicated software for the thermo-economic time-dependent analysis, developed by the University of Genoa. The thermo-economic approach has general validity, thus it can be also applied to different kinds of ships, even considering different technologies for energy generation and storage

Clean fuels synthesis from green hydrogen: A techno-economic comparative analysis

In this paper, two different power-to-fuel solutions for sustainable fuel synthesis are investigated from the energetic, environmental, and economic standpoints. Both the solutions consider a pressurized PEM electrolysis section, fed by renewable sources, where high purity green Hydrogen is produced. Then, two separate processes are investigated for the synthesis of two distinct chemicals. In the first case, the hydrogen is mixed with CO2, sequestered by an industrial plant, and captured a carbon capture system (CCS): the two gases are sent to a pressurized reactor for methanol synthesis. In the second case, the hydrogen is mixed with N2, obtained from an industrial air separation unit (ASU), and sent to a reactor for ammonia synthesis. Both the synthesis processes are performed at high pressures and temperatures, thus a thermodynamic analysis is mandatory in order to calculate the overall efficiencies. In both cases, the power to fuel plants are investigated also in economic terms. Methanol synthesis presents a slightly higher efficiency compared to ammonia, while the two solutions are very similar from the economic standpoint. The sale of the co-produced oxygen allows for an improvement in economic terms for both cases and can be a key point in order to reach economic sustainability, together with the expected reduction in PEM electrolysers capital cost