@article{HeberlWithelmKauletal., author = {Heberl, Michael and Withelm, Christian and Kaul, Anja and Rank, Daniel and Sterner, Michael}, title = {Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of Biological Methanation in a Trickle-Bed Pilot Plant and a Potential Scale-Up}, series = {Energies}, volume = {17}, journal = {Energies}, number = {9}, publisher = {MDPI AG}, address = {Basel}, issn = {1996-1073}, doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092206}, abstract = {The fluctuating nature of renewable energies results in the need for sustainable storage technologies to defossilize the energy system without other negative consequences for humans and the environment. In this study, a pilot-scale trickle-bed reactor for biological methanation and various scale-up scenarios for 2024 and 2050 were investigated using life cycle assessment. A best- and worst-case scenario for technology development until 2050 was evolved using cross-consistency analysis and a morphological field, based on which the data for the ecological models were determined. The results show that the plant scale-up has a very positive effect on the ecological consequences of methanation. In the best-case scenario, the values are a factor of 23-780 lower than those of the actual plant today. A hot-spot analysis showed that electrolysis operation has an especially large impact on total emissions. The final Monte Carlo simulation shows that the technology is likely to achieve a low global warming potential with a median of 104.0 kg CO2-eq/MWh CH4 and thus can contribute to decarbonization.}, language = {en} } @article{GaertnerRankHeberletal., author = {G{\"a}rtner, Sebastian and Rank, Daniel and Heberl, Michael and Gaderer, Matthias and Dawoud, Belal and Haumer, Anton and Sterner, Michael}, title = {Simulation and Techno-Economic Analysis of a Power-to-Hydrogen Process for Oxyfuel Glass Melting}, series = {Energies}, volume = {14}, journal = {Energies}, number = {24}, publisher = {MDPI}, doi = {10.3390/en14248603}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:898-opus4-22713}, abstract = {As an energy-intensive industry sector, the glass industry is strongly affected by the increasingly stringent climate protection targets. As established combustion-based production systems ensure high process stability and glass quality, an immediate switch to low greenhouse gas emission processes is difficult. To approach these challenges, this work investigates a step-by-step integration of a Power-to-Hydrogen concept into established oxyfuel glass melting processes using a simulation approach. This is complemented by a case study for economic analysis on a selected German glass industry site by simulating the power production of a nearby renewable energy park and subsequent optimization of the power-to-hydrogen plant performance and capacities. The results of this study indicate, that the proposed system can reduce specific carbon dioxide emissions by up to 60\%, while increasing specific energy demand by a maximum of 25\%. Investigations of the impact of altered combustion and furnace properties like adiabatic flame temperature (+25 °C), temperature efficiency (∆ξ = -0.003) and heat capacity flow ratio (∆zHL = -0.009) indicate that pure hydrogen-oxygen combustion has less impact on melting properties than assumed so far. Within the case study, high CO2 abatement costs of 295 €/t CO2-eq. were determined. This is mainly due to the insufficient performance of renewable energy sources. The correlations between process scaling and economic parameters presented in this study show promising potential for further economic optimization of the proposed energy system in the future.}, language = {en} } @techreport{RankHeberlSterner, author = {Rank, Daniel and Heberl, Michael and Sterner, Michael}, title = {Die CO2-Bilanz der OTH [Ostbayerischen Technische Hochschule Regenburg]}, language = {de} } @article{HofrichterRankHeberletal., author = {Hofrichter, Andreas and Rank, Daniel and Heberl, Michael and Sterner, Michael}, title = {Determination of the optimal power ratio between electrolysis and renewable energy to investigate the effects on the hydrogen production costs}, series = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, volume = {48}, journal = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, number = {5}, publisher = {Elsevier}, issn = {0360-3199}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.09.263}, pages = {1651 -- 1663}, abstract = {Green hydrogen via renewable powered electrolysis has a high relevance in decarbonization and supply security. Achieving economically competitive hydrogen production costs is a major challenge in times of an energy price crisis. Our objective is to show the economically optimal installed capacity of electrolysers in relation to wind and solar power so swift and credible statements can be made regarding the system design. The ratio between renewable generation and electrolysis power as well as scaling effects, operating behaviour and development of costs are considered. Hydrogen production costs are calculated for four exemplary real PV and wind sites and different ratios of electrolysis to renewable power for the year 2020. The ideal ratio for PV systems is between 14\% and 73\% and for wind between 3.3\% and 143\% for low and high full load hours. The lowest hydrogen production costs are identified at 2.53 €/kg for 50 MW wind power and 72 MW electrolysis power. The results provide plant constructors the possibility to create a cost-optimized design via an optimum ratio of electrolysis to renewable capacity. Therefore, the procedures for planning and dimensioning of selected systems can be drastically simplified.}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{GaertnerRankHeberletal., author = {G{\"a}rtner, Sebastian and Rank, Daniel and Heberl, Michael and Gaderer, Matthias and Sterner, Michael}, title = {Integration of Power-To-Methane into Glass Melting Processes}, series = {Proceedings of the International Renewable Energy Storage Conference (IRES 2022)}, volume = {16}, booktitle = {Proceedings of the International Renewable Energy Storage Conference (IRES 2022)}, publisher = {Atlantis Press}, issn = {2589-4943}, doi = {10.2991/978-94-6463-156-2_12}, pages = {147 -- 161}, abstract = {The glass industry is facing increased challenges regarding climate protection targets and rising energy costs. The integration of renewable energy including conversion and storage is a key for both challenges in this energy-intensive industrial sector, which has been mainly relying on fossil gas so far. The options considered to this point for reducing CO2 emissions and switching to a renewable energy supply involve far-reaching changes of the established melting processes. This entails significant risks in terms of influences on glass quality and stable production volumes. The presented approach for the integration of a Power-to-Methane (PtM) system into the glass industry is a completely new concept and has not been considered in detail before. It allows the use of established oxyfuel melting processes, the integration of fluctuating renewable energy sources and a simultaneous reduction of CO2 emissions by more than 78\%. At the same time, natural gas purchases become obsolete. A techno-economic evaluation of the complete PtM process shows, that 1,76 €/m3 or 1,26 €/kg synthetic natural gas are possible with renewable energy supply. Using electricity from the energy grid would require electricity prices < 0,126 €/kWh to allow cost competitive PtM processes in the glass industry. Such electricity prices could be achieved by electricity market-based optimization and operation of the PtM system. This operation strategy would require AI-based algorithms predicting availabilities and prices on future-based markets.}, language = {en} } @unpublished{HeberlWithelmKauletal., author = {Heberl, Michael and Withelm, Christian and Kaul, Anja and Rank, Daniel and Sterner, Michael}, title = {Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of Biological Methanation in a Trickle-Bed Pilot Plant and a Potential Scale-Up}, publisher = {SSRN}, doi = {10.2139/ssrn.4635066}, abstract = {In this study, a pilot-scale trickle-bed reactor for biological methanation and various scale-up scenarios for 2023 and 2050 were investigated using LCA. A best- and worst-case scenario for technology development until 2050 was evolved using cross consistency analysis and morphological field, based on which the data for the ecological models were determined.The results show that the plant scale-up has a very positive effect on the ecological consequences of methanation. In the best-case scenario, the values are a factor of 23-780 lower than those of the actual plant today. A hot-spot analysis showed that especially electrolysis operation has a large impact on total emissions. The final Monte-Carlo simulation shows that the technology is likely to achieve a low GWP with a median of 104.0 kg CO2-eq / MWh CH4.}, language = {en} } @techreport{SternerSchummRanketal., author = {Sterner, Michael and Schumm, Leon and Rank, Daniel and Hofrichter, Andreas}, title = {Intelligente Netzpuffer : Abschlussbericht (24.01.2021)}, language = {de} } @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} }