The Future of Coal

The study aims to estimate the supply prospects for coal by 2030 and beyond as a function of likely demand. The goal of the study is not to project future coal demand, supply and prices, but rather to highlight some facts and trends that may seriously affect coal supply in the future. The analysis is based on a critical review of a number of literature sources, complemented by the author's analysis.JRC.F.2-Cleaner energie

A Large Scale Test Facility for the Production of Hydrogen and Electricity - The Hypogen Project: a JRC-Setris Perspective

The HYPOGEN (HYdrogen POwer GENeration) project refers to a large-scale test facility for the co-production of hydrogen and electricity. HYPOGEN will be a clean fossil fuel design in which the CO2 will be captured and stored. Although this facility will be used to demonstrate the technology, it is emphasised that the design should be able to vary the ratio of hydrogen to electricity for commercial plants to be economic. The HYPOGEN concept will engender much interest from industry and the public, as an integral aspect in the development of a hydrogen-based energy economy in Europe.JRC.F.2-Cleaner energie

Technologies for Coal based Hydrogen and Electricity Co-production Power Plants with CO2 Capture

Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) plants allow the combination of the production of hydrogen and electricity because coal gasification process produces a syngas that can be used for the production of both commodities. A hydrogen and electricity power plant has been denominated as HYPOGEN. This report starts by reviewing the basics of the coal gasification process and continues by trying to map all the technological options currently available in the market as well as possible future trends that can be included in a HYPOGEN system . Besides, it offers an overview of the operating conditions and outputs of each process in order to provide the modeller with a useful information tool enabling an easier analysis of compatibilities and implementation of the model.JRC.F.7-Energy systems evaluatio

Distributed Power Generation in Europe: Technical Issues for Further Integration

The electric power sector in Europe is currently facing different changes and evolutions mainly in response to the three issues at EU level - environmental sustainability, security of supply, and competitiveness. These issues, against a background of growing electricity demand, may represent drivers for facilitating the further deployment of Distributed Power Generation technologies in Europe. The present Report focuses on the potential role of Distributed Power Generation (or simply Distributed Generation, DG) in a European perspective. More specifically, this work aims to assess the technical issues and developments related to DG technologies and their integration into the European power systems. As a starting point the concept of Distributed Generation is characterised for the purpose of the study. Distributed Generation, defined as an electric power source connected to the distribution network, serving a customer on-site or providing network support, may offer various benefits to the European electric power systems. DG technologies may consist of small/medium size, modular energy conversion units, which are generally located close to end users and transform primary energy resources into electricity and eventually heat. There are, however, major issues concerning the integration of DG technology into the distribution networks. In fact, the existing distribution networks were not generally designed to operate in presence of DG technologies. Consequently, a sustained increase in the deployment of DG resources may imply several changes in the electric power system architecture in the near future. The present Report on Distributed Generation in Europe, after an overview of the basic elements of electric power systems, introduces the proposed definition and main features of DG. Then, it reviews the state-of-the-art of DG technologies as well as focuses on current DG grid integration issues. Technical solutions towards DG integration in Europe and developments concerning the future distribution systems are also addressed in the study.JRC.F.7-Energy systems evaluatio

Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Carbon Dioxide in the European Energy System

Enhanced oil recovery using carbon dioxide (CO2-EOR) is a method that can increase oil production beyond what is typically achievable using conventional recovery methods by injecting, and hence storing, carbon dioxide (CO2) in the oil reservoir. This report indicates that the maximum technical potential for increased oil recovery is significant while the CO2 storage capacity is relatively small. A detailed economic analysis suggests that at the oil rpcies of today and with a financial incentive for CO2 storage, a number of CO2-EOR operations could be viable in the North Sea. These projects can contribute to the improvement of the European security of supply by increasing indigenous oil production, and assist in the reduction of GHG emissions and catalyse the development of decarbonised energy conversion technologies by providing the means for safe and permanent storage of CO2.JRC.F.2-Cleaner energie

IEA Hydrogen Implementing Agreement 2004 Annual Report - Member Report: European Commission

This article summarises selectively the activities of the European Commission as an input to the annual report of the Hydrogen Implementing Agreement (HIA) of the International Energy Agency. DG JRC and specifically the Institute for Energy in Petten represents the Commission in the Executive Committee of the HIA and contributes directly to a number of Tasks of the HIA (H2 storage, H2 production, Systems Analysis) through its scientific actions. The article also outlines the efforts of the Commission behind the European Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology Platform, its progress and future developments and presents the FP related projects.JRC.F.2-Cleaner energie

Opportunities and Threats for Bioheating in the European Union

Bioheating is a key factor for the delayed progress in achieving the 12% renewables target in gross inland energy consumption of the EU by 2010. The key opportunities for biomass in the heat sector are to substitute/complement coal, the small-scale heat generation in rural and mountainous areas, large-scale district heating plants in urban areas, run so far on coal, and industrial self-producers of steam, which generate biomass as by-product from their main activity, co-generation units for power and heat and the heat market in the 10 new member states of the EU. The main threats for the bioheat growth are the lack of promotional incentives at EU level and the competition with: natural gas and eletricity, other energy and non-energy applications of biomass, solar and geothermal heat.JRC.F.2-Cleaner energie

Exploiting Synergies in European Wind and Hydrogen Sectors: A Cost-benefit Assessment

This article outlines an assessment of the perspectives for exploiting synergies between European wind and hydrogen energy sectors, where wind energy conversion to hydrogen is used as a common strategy for reducing network management costs in high wind energy penetration situations, and for production of renewable hydrogen. The attractiveness of this approach, referred to here as a ¿¿wind-hydrogen strategy¿¿, is analysed using a costbenefit approach to evaluate the final impact at the level of the end-consumer when this strategy is implemented. The analysis is conducted for four scenarios, based on different levels of: wind energy penetration in the electricity network area, hydrogen energy price, and environmental taxation on fuels. The effect of technological learning on the outcome is also analysed for the period up to 2050. The results of the analysis indicate that the relative value of the wind energy in the electricity market compared to the hydrogen market is a deciding factor in the attractiveness of the strategy; here the wind energy penetration in the network is a key consideration. Finally, in order to exploit learning effects from linking European wind and hydrogen sectors, action would need to be taken in the short term.JRC.F.7-Energy systems evaluatio

The Impact of Carbon Sequestration on the Production Cost of Electricity and Hydrogen from Coal and Natural-Gas Technologies in Europe in the Medium Term

Carbon sequestration is a distinct technological option with a potential for controlling carbon emissions; it complements other measures, such as improvements in energy efficiency and utilization of renewable energy sources. The deployment of carbon sequestration technologies in electricity generation and hydrogen production will increase the production costs of these energy carriers. Our economic assessment has shown that the introduction of carbon sequestration technologies in Europe in 2020, will result in an increase in the production cost of electricity by coal and natural gas technologies of 30-55% depending on the electricity-generation technology used; gas turbines will remain the most competitive option for generation electricity; and integrated gasification combined cycle technology will become competitive. When carbon sequestration is coupled with natural-gas steam reforming or coal gasification for hydrogen production, the production cost of hydrogen will increase by 14-16%. Furthermore, natural-gas staem reforming with carbon sequestration is far more economically competitive than coals gasification.JRC.F.2-Cleaner energie

Opportunities for Bioheating in the EU

Biomass application for heating is seen as a major reason for the delayed penetration of the renewable energy sources in the EU. On the other hand, there is a significant unexploited bioheat potential, especially in the 10 new member states of the EU. In the small-scale heat market the reserves are associated with attracting new users and replacing heating with electricity. In the large-scale heat market segment of industrial self-producers of steam bioheating can be implemented in plants, which generate biomass fuels as by-products or residual products from their main activities. In the large-scale heat market segment of distributed heat comsumption, biomass can gain a larger share by covering new demand and/or by replacing coal, including by way of co-firing biomass with coal. Keywords: heat sector, bio-energy strategy, energy marketJRC.F.2-Cleaner energie