Transformation of the German energy system - Towards photovoltaic and wind power: Technology Readiness Levels 2018

The aim of this thesis is to objectify the discussion regarding the availability of technologies related to the German energy transition. This work describes the state of development of relevant technologies on the basis of Technology Readiness Levels. Further, it points out development potentials and limits as well as the necessary power capacities needed for a certain energy system design that is mainly based on electricity. Thus, the scope is set to renewable energy sources suited to provide electricity in Germany, technologies that convert primary electricity for other energy sectors (heating and mobility) and storage technologies. Additionally, non-conventional technologies for electricity supply and grid technologies are examined. The underlying Technology Readiness Assessment is a method used to determine the maturity of these systems or their essential components. The major criteria for assessment are scale, system fidelity and environment. In order to estimate the relevant magnitudes for certain energy technologies regarding power and storage capacities, a comprehensible simulation model is drafted and implemented. It allows the calculation of a renewable, volatile power supply based on historic data and the display of load and storage characteristics. As a result, the Technology Readiness Level of the different systems examined varies widely. For every step in the direct or indirect usage of renewable intermittent energy sources technologies on megawatt scale are commercially available. The necessary scale for the energy storage capacity is in terawatt hours. Based on the examined storage technologies, only chemical storages potentially provide this magnitude. Further, the required total power capacities for complementary conversion technologies lay in the two-digit gigawatt range.:Abstract 2 Contents 3 1. Introduction 7 2. General remarks on the current state of the German energy system 12 3. Method of Technology Readiness Assessment 16 3.1. Fundamentals of the method 16 3.2. Drawbacks of TRA 19 3.3. Extended Readiness Levels 20 3.4. Conducting the Technology Readiness Assessment 21 3.5. Expert interviews 23 3.6. References 24 4. Preliminary remarks on the TRL assessment 25 4.1. Mission and environment 25 4.2. Simplifications and neglected aspects 26 4.3. References 26 5. Wind power 27 5.1. Technology description 27 5.2. Estimation of potential 32 5.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 37 5.4. TRL assessment 39 5.5. References 40 6. Solar energy 44 6.1. Technology description 44 6.2. Solar thermal energy 44 6.3. Photovoltaic technologies 45 6.4. Estimation of potential 48 6.5. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 52 6.6. TRL assessment 53 6.7. References 54 7. Geothermal energy 56 7.1. Technology description 56 7.2. Estimation of potential 59 7.3. Description of the current level of expansion 62 7.4. TRL assessment 63 7.5. References 64 8. Hydropower 66 8.1. Technology description 66 8.2. Estimation of potential 68 8.3. Description of the current level of development 70 8.4. TRL assessment 71 8.5. References 72 9. Biomass 73 9.1. Technology description 73 9.2. Estimation of potential 75 9.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 79 9.4. TRL assessment 81 9.5. References 82 10. Transmission and distribution grids 84 10.1. Technology description 84 10.2. Estimation of potential 90 10.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 94 10.4. TRL assessment 95 10.5. References 96 11. Power-to-heat 100 11.1. Technology description 100 11.2. Estimation of potential 104 11.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 107 11.4. TRL assessment 108 11.5. References 109 12. Power-to-cold 111 12.1. Technology description 111 12.2. Estimation of potential 114 12.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 117 12.4. TRL assessment 118 12.5. References 120 13. Power-to-chemicals 122 13.1. Technology description 122 13.2. Estimation of potential 134 13.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 137 13.4. TRL assessment 138 13.5. Manufacturer overview for electrolysis systems 140 13.6. References 142 14. Mechanical storage 146 14.1. Technology description 146 14.2. Estimation of potential 148 14.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 155 14.4. TRL assessment 155 14.5. References 158 15. Thermal storage 160 15.1. Technology description 160 15.2. Estimation of potential 164 15.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 169 15.4. TRL assessment 170 15.5. References 172 16. Chemical storage systems 175 16.1. Technology description 175 16.2. Estimation of potential 180 16.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 185 16.4. TRL assessment 186 16.5. References 188 17. Electro-chemical storage systems 191 17.1. Technology description 191 17.2. Estimation of potential 198 17.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 202 17.4. TRL assessment 202 17.5. References 204 18. Gas engines/gas turbines for hydrogen combustion 207 18.1. Technology description 207 18.2. Estimation of potential 208 18.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 211 18.4. TRL assessment 211 18.5. References 213 19. Chemicals-to-Power – Fuel cells 214 19.1. Technology description 214 19.2. Estimation of potential 218 19.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 221 19.4. TRL assessment 223 19.5. References 225 20. Interim conclusion for TRA 227 21. Evaluation of system integration 230 21.1. Modelling approach 230 21.2. Scenarios for a renewable energy supply 238 21.3. Results of the simulation 238 21.4. Consequences 244 21.5. References 245 22. Summary and Outlook 247 23. Abbreviations and symbols 249 24. Indices 254 25. List of Figures 255 26. List of Tables 258 27. Appendix 260 27.1. DOE TRL definition and description 260 27.2. Visualized summary of TRLs 26

Approaches on self-healing of an interpenetrating metal ceramic composite

An interpenetrating metal ceramic composite (IMCC), manufactured via gas pressure infiltration of AlSi10Mg melt into a open porous Al2O3-preform, was investigated upon the ability of self-healing. A specific damage is introduced into the IMCC first. Then microstructural investigations are carried out at the damaged samples and for self-healing treated samples. The nature of the interpenetrating structure is used to heat the composite above the solidus temperature of the metallic phase and provide a shape stability by the ceramic phase to melt the metal and fill the cracks formed before. The investigation is systematically compared to the results of the undamaged samples as well as the pre-damaged samples without treatment for self-healing. The microstructural results show a change in crack geometry and therefore the possibility of self-healing. Nevertheless, open questions in process control as well as parameter- optimization require further research to achieve microstructural improvement of the healed samples above the performance of the pre-damaged ones

OpenAPC: a contribution to a transparent and reproducible monitoring of fee-based open access publishing across institutions and nations

Pieper D, Broschinski C. OpenAPC: a contribution to a transparent and reproducible monitoring of fee-based open access publishing across institutions and nations. Insights the UKSG journal. 2018;31.The OpenAPC initiative releases data sets on fees paid for open access (OA) journal articles by universities, funders and research institutions under an open database licence. OpenAPC is part of the INTACT project, which is funded by the German Research Foundation and located at Bielefeld University Library. This article provides insight into OpenAPC’s technical and organizational background and shows how transparent and reproducible reporting on fee-based open access can be conducted across institutions and publishers to draw conclusions on the state of the OA transformation process. As part of the INTACT subproject, ESAC, the article also shows how OpenAPC workflows can be used to analyse offsetting deals, using the example of Springer Compact agreements

EU-Fördergelder: "Subventions-Hopping" oder sinnvolle Investitionsförderung - brauchen wir mehr Transparenz?

Der Fall Nokia hat in der Öffentlichkeit Empörung hervorgerufen und die Frage des Für und Wider von Subventionen für private Unternehmen aufgeworfen. Sind Investitionsförderungen durch Subventionen sinnvolle Standortpolitik, oder werden nur Mitnahmeeffekte erzielt? Christa Thoben, Ministerin für Wirtschaft, Mittelstand und Energie des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen, weist auf ein grundsätzliches Dilemma hin: Insgesamt ließe sich die erhoffte Wirkung einer langfristigen Standortbindung damit nicht erreichen, und oft würden nur Mitnahmeeffekte bei den Unternehmen ausgelöst. Hartmut Schauerte, Parlamentarischer Staatssekretär beim Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Technologie, verweist auf die Zahlungen, die Deutschland aus den EU-Strukturfonds erhält: "In der laufenden Förderperiode 2007-2013 werden rund 26,3 Mrd. € aus den EU-Strukturfonds nach Deutschland fließen." Auch habe die Europäische Kommission versichert, dass im Fall Nokia keinerlei EU-Strukturfondsmittel geflossen seien. Denn ein "Subventionswettlauf", in dem eine Region die andere mit noch besseren Förderkonditionen zu überbieten versuche, sei nicht im Sinne der EU-Kohäsionspolitik. Markus Pieper, Mitglied des Europäischen Parlaments, unterstreicht die Notwendigkeit von Transparenz. Leider lasse sich auf Grundlage eines recht allgemeinen Berichtswesens der Mitgliedstaaten die Zweckbindung von Subventionen nur schwer überprüfen. Christoph M. Schmidt, Rheinisch-Westfälisches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung (RWI), Essen, betont, dass es andere, weniger kostenintensive, anspruchsvollere Wege gebe, um für ansiedlungswillige Unternehmen attraktiv zu sein, als direkte Förderung. So gebe es z.B. aus Sicht der Unternehmen das Bedürfnis, einen konkreten und rasch zu erreichenden Ansprechpartner in den zuständigen Ministerien zu besitzen. Viel versprechend seien auch Investitionen in die Entwicklung einer qualitativ hochwertigen Bildungs- und Forschungsinfrastruktur.Investitionspolitik, Subvention, Standortpolitik, Wettbewerb, EU-Strukturfonds, EU-Regionalfonds, Europäische Wirtschafts- und Währungsunion, Deutschland

Diagnosis and outcome following tenoscopic surgery of the digital flexor tendon sheath in German sports and pleasure horses

Background Digital flexor tendon sheath (DFTS) pathology is an important cause of lameness in horses. The outcome after surgical treatment is variable and depends on the exact diagnosis. Objectives To (1) describe the prevalence of lesions associated with lameness caused by nonseptic DFTS tenosynovitis in a large population of German sports and pleasure horses; (2) determine the sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic imaging techniques for identifying lesions within the DFTS with tenoscopic diagnosis being the gold standard; (3) explore associations between tenoscopically diagnosed lesions and signalment, purpose, and limb affected; and (4) describe the outcome following DFTS tenoscopy with nonseptic DFTS tenosynovitis in this population. Study design Retrospective case series. Methods Medical records of horses admitted for tenoscopic surgery of nonseptic DFTS tenosynovitis between 2011 and 2020 were reviewed. Follow‐up information was obtained via telephone contact. Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography and contrast tenography were determined using tenoscopic diagnosis as gold standard and univariable analysis was used to explore associations between signalment, case history, and tenoscopic diagnosis. Results Medical records from 131 horses were retrieved, of which 8 horses had bilateral disease and 6 horses were presented for tenoscopy on two separate occasions (3 for tenoscopy in the same limb, 3 in a different limb), thus, making a total of 145 limbs. Lesions were most commonly diagnosed in the deep (DDFT; n = 55 limbs) and superficial (SDFT; n = 55 limbs) digital flexor tendons. Manica flexoria (MF) lesions were detected in 44 limbs and palmar/plantar annular ligament (PAL) constriction in 99 limbs. In 36 limbs, only one structure within the DFTS was injured, whereas in 109 limbs a combination of lesions was noted, the most common being the combination of a SDFT lesion with PAL constriction. All affected limbs were examined with diagnostic ultrasonography; contrast tenography was performed in 86 limbs. For diagnosis of MF and DDFT tears, tenography was more sensitive (89% [confidence interval, CI: 65.4%–95.2%]; 72% [CI: 46.4%–89.3%], respectively) than specific (64% [CI: 52.5%–77.6%]; 53% [CI: 42.2%–73.3%], respectively) whereas ultrasonography was more specific (92% [CI: 84.5%–96.3%]; 92% [CI: 83.6%–96.0%]) with lower sensitivity (64% [CI: 47.7%–77.2%]; 54% [CI: 39.5%–67.9%]). For SDFT lesions, ultrasonography was highly specific (94% [CI: 86.9%–97.9%]) with lower sensitivity (66% [CI: 51.3%–77.4%]). Follow‐up information following first surgery was obtained for 118 horses (132 limbs): 18 (15.3%) of 118 horses remained chronically lame, 40 (33.8%) performed at a reduced level and 60 (50.8%) performed at the same or higher level following rehabilitation after tenoscopy. Horses with DDFT lesions had the poorest outcomes with only 36.6% returning to the same or higher level of exercise. Main limitations Retrospective analysis of clinical records and subjective outcome assessment based on owner follow‐up with potential recall bias. Findings on diagnostic imaging are impacted by many factors including equipment quality and operator expertise and experience. Conclusion Diagnostic imaging techniques were complimentary and contrast tenography was sensitive and ultrasonography was specific for the diagnosis of MF and DDFT lesions. Following tenoscopic surgery for nonseptic tenosynovitis of the DFTS, approximately half the cases were able to return to preinjury level of exercise

Poseidon Berichte - Paphsanias Volcano Cruise POS512, 25.04.2017 – 06.05.2017, Heraklion (Griechenland) – Heraklion (Griechenland)

Summary Cruise POS512 was scheduled for ten working days from 25.4. to 6.5.2017 in order to (1) produce a bathymetric map of the Epidavros Basin near the peninsula of Methana, (2) survey the volcanic structures of the Paphsanias Volcanic Field with the ROV PHOCA, and (3) sample the volcanic rocks. The Paphsanias Volcanic Field was found in 1987 but only one rock sample had been recovered and the size, age and composition of the lavas were unknown. Historic reports suggested an eruption on Methana and potentially off the coast some 2000 years ago. The bathymetric survey showed that six volcanic structures form the volcanic field ranging from simple lava flows on the seafloor, small cone-like structures to relatively complex crater-like structures with small volcanic domes. The largest volcanoes are about 200 m high and have diameters of about 2 km. The northern two complex Volcanoes 1 and 2 are relatively young and consist of steep lava flows and dome-like structures with little sediment. No indication of very young volcanism and hydrothermal activity was found. In contrast, the four southern structures are mostly sediment-covered and outcrops of volcanic rocks are rare and often covered by thick carbonate and MnOOH crusts. These four edifices are older than the northern two. Lava samples range from olivine-bearing basalts to plagioclase-amphibole-biotite-phyric andesites and dacites. All lavas appear to be fresh but few show signs of submarine extrusion and quenching. Volcaniclastic material was rarely observed and sampled indicating that explosive volcanic activity did not occur. During cruise POS512 13 ROV dives recovered 163 samples including 131 fresh lavas from four different volcanoes of the Paphsanias Volcanic Field and 427 nm of bathymetric survey was carried out

Numerical modelling of the separation of complex shaped particles in an optical belt sorter using a DEM-CFD approach and comparison with experiments

In the growing field of bulk solids handling, automated optical sorting systems are of increasing importance. However, the initial sorter calibration is still very time consuming and the precise optical sorting of many materials still remains challenging. In order to investigate the impact of different operating parameters on the sorting quality, a numerical model of an existing modular optical belt sorter is presented in this study. The sorter and particle interaction is described with the Discrete Element Method (DEM) while the air nozzles required for deflecting undesired material fractions are modelled with Computation Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The correct representation of the resulting particle–fluid interaction is realized through a one–way coupling of the DEM with CFD. Complex shaped particle clusters are employed to model peppercorns also used in experimental investigations. To test the correct implementation of the utilized models, the particle mass flow within the sorter is compared between experiment and simulation. The particle separation results of the developed numerical model of the optical sorting system are compared with matching experimental investigations. The findings show that the numerical model is able to predict the sorting quality of the optical sorting system with reasonable accuracy