UKERC EDC: Publications

CCS_CC2009_1.pdf

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Abstract:

ETI modelling, using its Energy System Modelling Environment (ESME), shows that flexible power generation systems comprising hydrogen generation with CCS, intermediate hydrogen storage (particularly using salt caverns) and flexible turbines are attractive components in a future UK energy system. In such a system, hydrogen is supplied from coal and biomass fired gasifiers and steam methane reformers, with CO₂ captured for storage - see Figure 1 below for hypothetical layouts. This permits the use at high load of capital intensive and relatively inflexible conversion and CCS equipment, filling hydrogen storage when power is not needed, and releasing hydrogen at short notice through turbines when power is at a premium. Superficially there are no barriers to using salt caverns as stores, as such stores are in use in the USA. However these are for high value added applications andnot for use in power where loss of efficiency is a more serious drawback. The ETI currently lacks sufficient data and knowledge to build a good representation of costs or efficiency (particularly relating to hydrogen storage) in ESME.

The purpose and focus of the proposed project is:

To improve the ETI’s understanding of the economics of flexible power generation systems comprising hydrogen production (with CCS), intermediate hydrogen storage (e.g. in salt caverns) and flexible turbines;
To focus on the potential, economics and technical requirements for salt cavern storage and flexible turbines, to enable refinement of the ESME model in order to confirm or adjust ESME findings.

The first activity in the project (WP1 – see below for further details) is to characterise the requirements for storage for “power scale” use, in termsof offering tactical (diurnal) or strategic levels of storage (and what that means in terms of a delivery pattern of hydrogen) and to estimate what storage pressures are of interest.

The second exercise (WP2) is to find out where in the UK suitable salt structures exist, and how much storage there might be. “Suitability” will not just depend on rock quality, but on depth (pressure) and location. This will enable calculation of scalable costs for UK design types. This data will be of general use, to potentially examine the economics of different configurations around a store. It will be necessary to check, for example, whether or not use of a cavern as a hydrogen store represents better value than, say, a natural gas store or a CO₂ buffer store (which would also stabilise CCS flows).

The project will include a number of supporting studies (WP3) to provide context on the main thrust of the project: these will be brief and based on existing studies.

The outputs from WP1 - 3 will then be used to confirm the most favourable configuration (WP4) and/or identify any new ones. Provided these initial studies confirm the anticipated benefits of using hydrogen storage, the project will proceed via a Stage Gate following WP4 to model a representative system at high level and stress test the application in WP5.

Publication Year:

2012

Publisher:

ETI

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5286/UKERC.EDC.000095

Author(s):

ETI

Energy Category

Class Name:

Subclass Name:

Category Name:

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells

Hydrogen

Hydrogen end uses (incl. combustion; excl. fuel cells)

Language:

English

File Type:

application/pdf

File Size:

399924 B

Rights:

Energy Technologies Institute Open Licence for Materials

Rights Overview:

The Energy Technologies Institute is making this document available to use under the Energy Technologies Institute Open Licence for Materials. Please refer to the Energy Technologies Institute website for the terms and conditions of this licence. The Information is licensed "as is" and the Energy Technologies Institute excludes all representations, warranties, obligations and liabilities in relation to the Information to the maximum extent permitted by law. The Energy Technologies Institute is not liable for any errors or omissions in the Information and shall not be liable for any loss, injury or damage of any kind caused by its use. This exclusion of liability includes, but is not limited to, any direct, indirect, special, incidental, consequential, punitive, or exemplary damages in each case such as loss of revenue, data, anticipated profits, and lost business. The Energy Technologies Institute does not guarantee the continued supply of the Information. Notwithstanding any statement to the contrary contained on the face of this document, the Energy Technologies Institute confirms that it has the right to publish this document.

Further information:

N/A

Region:

United Kingdom

Publication Type:

Proposal Request

Subject:

Technology

Theme(s):

Carbon Capture and Storage

Related Dataset(s):

No related datasets