@article{BauerSterner, author = {Bauer, Franz and Sterner, Michael}, title = {Impacts of lifestyle changes on energy demand and greenhouse gas emissions in Germany}, series = {Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews}, volume = {207}, journal = {Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {1364-0321}, doi = {10.1016/j.rser.2024.114944}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-77682}, pages = {17}, abstract = {Most energy scenario studies typically focus on technological options and fuel substitution for decarbonising future energy systems. Lifestyle changes are rarely considered, although they can significantly reduce energy demand and climate change mitigation efforts. By using an energy system model, this study shows that it is possible to reduce final energy demand in Germany by 61 \% in 2050 relative to 2019 levels, resulting in an annual per capita energy demand of 44 GJ for a representative country of the Global North. This goal can be achieved through a combination of technological measures and lifestyle changes without sacrificing a decent standard of living. Societal chances can eliminate reliance on not-yet-established negative emission technologies, reduce energy dependency, and reduce the need for energy-intensive hydrogen and e-fuels. Downsizing the energy system provides an opportunity for strengthening climate change mitigation, decrease material demand and reduce land use.}, language = {en} } @article{ThemaBauerSterner, author = {Thema, Martin and Bauer, Franz and Sterner, Michael}, title = {Power-to-Gas: Electrolysis and methanation status review}, series = {Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews}, volume = {112}, journal = {Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews}, number = {7}, publisher = {Elsevier}, doi = {10.1016/j.rser.2019.06.030}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-26238}, pages = {775 -- 787}, abstract = {This review gives a worldwide overview on Power-to-Gas projects producing hydrogen or renewable substitute natural gas focusing projects in central Europe. It deepens and completes the content of previous reviews by including hitherto unreviewed projects and by combining project names with details such as plant location. It is based on data from 153 completed, recent and planned projects since 1988 which were evaluated with regards to plant allocation, installed power development, plant size, shares and amounts of hydrogen or substitute natural gas producing examinations and product utilization phases. Cost development for electrolysis and carbon dioxide methanation was analyzed and a projection until 2030 is given with an outlook to 2050. The results show substantial cost reductions for electrolysis as well as for methanation during the recent years and a further price decline to less than 500 euro per kilowatt electric power input for both technologies until 2050 is estimated if cost projection follows the current trend. Most of the projects examined are located in Germany, Denmark, the United States of America and Canada. Following an exponential global trend to increase installed power, today's Power-to-Gas applications are operated at about 39 megawatt. Hydrogen and substitute natural gas were investigated on equal terms concerning the number of projects.}, language = {en} } @article{SternerHofrichterMeisingeretal., author = {Sterner, Michael and Hofrichter, Andreas and Meisinger, Alexander and Bauer, Franz and Pinkwart, Karsten and Maletzko, Annabelle and Dittmar, Felix and Cremers, Carsten}, title = {19 Import options for green hydrogen and derivatives - An overview of efficiencies and technology readiness levels}, series = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, volume = {90}, journal = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {0360-3199}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.10.045}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-77756}, pages = {1112 -- 1127}, abstract = {The import of hydrogen and derivatives forms part of many national strategies and is fundamental to achieving climate protection targets. This paper provides an overview and technical comparison of import pathways for hydrogen and derivatives in terms of efficiency, technological maturity and development and construction times with a focus on the period up to 2030. The import of hydrogen via pipeline has the highest system efficiency at 57-67 \% and the highest technological maturity with a technology readiness level (TRL) of 8-9. The import of ammonia and methanol via ship and of SNG via pipeline shows efficiencies in the range of 39-64 \% and a technological maturity of TRL 7 to 9 when using point sources. Liquid hydrogen, LOHC and Fischer-Tropsch products have the lowest efficiency and TRL in comparison. The use of direct air capture (DAC) reduces efficiency and TRL considerably. Reconversion of the derivatives to hydrogen is also associated with high losses and is not achievable for all technologies on an industrial scale up to 2030. In the short to medium term, import routes for derivatives that can utilise existing infrastructures and mature technologies are the most promising for imports. In the long term, the most promising option is hydrogen via pipelines.}, language = {en} } @incollection{SternerBauerCrotoginoetal., author = {Sterner, Michael and Bauer, Franz and Crotogino, Fritz and Eckert, Fabian and von Olshausen, Christian and Teichmann, Daniel and Thema, Martin}, title = {Chemical Energy Storage}, series = {Handbook of Energy Storage}, booktitle = {Handbook of Energy Storage}, editor = {Sterner, Michael and Stadler, Ingo}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {Berlin, Heidelberg}, isbn = {978-3-662-55503-3}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-662-55504-0_8}, pages = {325 -- 482}, abstract = {Purely electrical energy storage technologies are very efficient, however they are also very expensive and have the smallest capacities. Electrochemical-energy storage reaches higher capacities at smaller costs, but at the expense of efficiency. This pattern continues in a similar way for chemical-energy storage. In terms of capacities, the limits of batteries (accumulators) are reached when low-loss long-term storage is of need. Chemical-energy storage and stocking fulfills these requirements completely. The storing itself may be subject to significant efficiency losses, but, from today's point of view and in combination with the existing gas and fuel infrastructure, it is the only national option with regards to the long-term storage of renewable energies. Chemical-energy storage is the backbone of today's conventional energy supply. Solid (wood and coal), liquid (mineral oil), and gaseous (natural gas) energy carriers are 'energy storages' themselves, and are stored using different technologies. In the course of energy transition, chemical-energy storage will be of significant importance, mainly as long-term storage for the power sector, but also in the form of combustibles and fuels for transport and heat. Not only are conventional storing technologies discussed within this chapter, but a detailed explanation is also given about the storage of renewable energies in the form of gaseous (power-to-gas, PtG) and liquid (power-to-liquid, PtL) energy carriers for electricity, heat, chemicals, and in the form of synthetic fuels.}, language = {en} } @incollection{StadlerBauerBudtetal., author = {Stadler, Ingo and Bauer, Franz and Budt, Marcus and Heindl, Eduard and Wolf, Daniel}, title = {Mechanical Energy Storage}, series = {Handbook of Energy Storage}, booktitle = {Handbook of Energy Storage}, editor = {Sterner, Michael and Stadler, Ingo}, publisher = {Springer Berlin Heidelberg}, address = {Berlin, Heidelberg}, isbn = {978-3-662-55503-3}, doi = {10.1007/978-3-662-55504-0_9}, pages = {483 -- 561}, abstract = {Chemical-energy storage systems use caverns, porous storage facilities, tanks, and storage rooms to store chemical energy sources. Caverns, caves, and reservoirs can also be used to store gaseous media such as air, liquid media such as water, and solid media such as rock. The principles of mechanical energy storage are based on classical Newtonian mechanics, or in other words on fundamental physics from the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. As a result, these types of storage are typically divided into two categories; storage of kinetic and potential energy, or storage of 'pressure energy'. In this chapter, storage media is categorized by its aggregate state, and described by its function and application: first compressed air energy storage and then conventional electricity storage—pumped-storage plants. The chapter continues with a discussion of innovative methods of storing potential energy using water as a medium. These include artificially constructed pumped storage, pumped storage in the open sea, dam storage on rivers, pumped storage on heaps in repurposed mining areas, underfloor or underground pumped storage, and surface mine storage. The chapter concludes with a description of classical and modern flywheel energy storage systems. This age-old technology is then compared with a new concept: mechanical stored energy exploiting both pumped storage and change in the potential energy of rocks or large boulders.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{MeisingerHofrichterBaueretal., author = {Meisinger, Alexander and Hofrichter, Andreas and Bauer, Franz and Sterner, Michael}, title = {Unlocking Potential Energy Partnerships in Europe: a Case Study on the Way to a Franco-German Energy Transition}, publisher = {SSRN}, doi = {10.2139/ssrn.5251699}, pages = {23}, abstract = {Global warming is already causing global destabilization. Geopolitical challenges fuel this instability and highlight the need for trusted energy partnerships to ensure energy security. To limit global warming and increase energy security, it is essential to take joint action on an international and global scale. The European Green Deal contributes to this. However, specific national actions are still needed. This research presents a way forward for a Franco-German energy transition and unlocks the potential of energy partnerships within Europe, using a cost-based, sector-coupled optimization model. Both countries are coupled via an isolated country optimization approach. Thus, the focus is on the development of each national energy system. The results highlight the increase of energy security in line with the European Green Deal. The main pillars of the energy transition are solar energy (32- 33\%), wind energy (25-38\%) and biogenic energy sources (13-27\%). Nuclear power is being phased out in Germany and France. The results show that a Franco-German energy partnership has great potential. Overall, France can cost-effectively cover 25\% of Germany's hydrogen import needs (122 TWh) in 2050. At the same time, France can also benefit from the energy partnership in terms of economic growth and joint action to mitigate climate crisis.}, language = {en} } @article{HeberlHofrichterRanketal., author = {Heberl, Michael and Hofrichter, Andreas and Rank, Daniel and Bauer, Franz and Sterner, Michael}, title = {Influence of plant dimensioning and location on the ecology of PEM electrolysis}, series = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, volume = {167}, journal = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {0360-3199}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijhydene.2025.151039}, pages = {11}, abstract = {PV and wind systems with PEM electrolysis offer great potential for producing hydrogen with low emissions. Our research has identified the ecologically optimal size of PEM in relation to fixed PV/wind capacities. We calculate efficiencies and production volumes for PEM with 240 capacity and site variations. We analyse the global warming potential of all systems and draw conclusions about the optimal system design. The lowest GWP is achieved at the site with the highest full load hours with 1.32 kg CO2-eq/kg H2 (Wind, 28 MW electrolysis) and 4.24 kg CO2-eq/kg H2 (PV, 23 MW electrolysis). We have identified a clear trend: increasing PV/wind full load hours leads to higher ideal PEM capacities. However, there is a significant discrepancy between the ideal economic and ecological capacity. Furthermore, higher electrolysis capacities can achieve lower emissions as they increasingly operate at a more efficient partial load.}, language = {en} }