Thermo-economic evaluation and optimization of solar-driven power-to-chemical systems with thermal, electricity, and chemical storage
This paper evaluates the thermo-economics of power-to-chemicals using solar energy, with the chemicals being methane, methanol, and gasoline. In addition to the optimal technology sizing and heat cascade utilization, this paper also considers the optimal molten-salt solar power tower (MSPT) design,...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2023-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Energy Research |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2022.1097325/full |
| _version_ | 1797959852159401984 |
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| author | Shengwei Huang Yumeng Zhang Yumeng Zhang Xinyu Guo Xinyu Guo Meng Qian Meng Qian Yongming Zhao Liang Li Xing Zhou |
| author_facet | Shengwei Huang Yumeng Zhang Yumeng Zhang Xinyu Guo Xinyu Guo Meng Qian Meng Qian Yongming Zhao Liang Li Xing Zhou |
| author_sort | Shengwei Huang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper evaluates the thermo-economics of power-to-chemicals using solar energy, with the chemicals being methane, methanol, and gasoline. In addition to the optimal technology sizing and heat cascade utilization, this paper also considers the optimal molten-salt solar power tower (MSPT) design, as the MSPT significantly affects the levelized product cost. A bi-level optimization is proposed, employing mixed-integer linear programming at the lower level with heat and mass integration for optimizing sizes and operating strategies of technologies, and with heat cascade utilization and a genetic algorithm at the upper level for optimizing the MSPT design. In the upper level, the full-load storage hours, design direct normal irradiance, solar multiple, and sizes of the MSPT are optimized. The electricity sources considered are the MSPT, photovoltaic (PV) with daily electricity storage, and the electrical grid as a complementary technology to satisfy the targeted daily product demand. Cost-competitiveness of solar-driven chemical synthesis is thoroughly assessed via considering sensitivity analysis on 1) regional solar resource endowments and actual local demands; 2) electricity sources, that is, PV vs. MSPT; and 3) the scale effect represented by different chemicals’ yield. The results show that the levelized methane cost ranges from 4.5 to 8.5 €/kg, depending on the location, plant size, and annual power contribution of concentrated solar power. Due to the larger mass production, the levelized cost of methanol and gasoline is lower: 1.5–2.2 €/kg for methanol and 4–6 €/kg for gasoline. The findings highlight the significance of location choice, that is, natural endowment of solar radiation and carbon sources. Using the syngas co-electrolysis pathway and direct solar radiation 100 kWh/m2 higher, the methane production cost is decreased by 2.4 €/kg. Sensitivity analysis performed on plant scale reveals that a compact, small-scale system is far too expensive. The levelized cost of methane could be decreased by 1.2 €/kg when the plant is scaled up from 4,000 to 20,000 kg/day H2. Due to its expensive electricity storage and limited working hours, PV is typically not chosen as a power source. Overall, solar fuels are unlikely to be cost-competitive in the near future when compared to market prices for all three compounds under consideration. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:37:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d41bd9539f1648eb8a6ca72820018ba9 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-598X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T00:37:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Energy Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-d41bd9539f1648eb8a6ca72820018ba92023-01-06T16:47:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Energy Research2296-598X2023-01-011010.3389/fenrg.2022.10973251097325Thermo-economic evaluation and optimization of solar-driven power-to-chemical systems with thermal, electricity, and chemical storageShengwei Huang0Yumeng Zhang1Yumeng Zhang2Xinyu Guo3Xinyu Guo4Meng Qian5Meng Qian6Yongming Zhao7Liang Li8Xing Zhou9Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, CAS, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Energy Power Innovation, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Power Station Energy Transfer Conversion and System (North China Electric Power University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Energy Power Innovation, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Power Station Energy Transfer Conversion and System (North China Electric Power University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, ChinaInstitute of Energy Power Innovation, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, ChinaKey Laboratory of Power Station Energy Transfer Conversion and System (North China Electric Power University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, ChinaResearch Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing, ChinaFuture Technology Research Institute, Weichai Power Co., Ltd., Weifang, ChinaElectric Power Development Research Institute CEC, Beijing, ChinaThis paper evaluates the thermo-economics of power-to-chemicals using solar energy, with the chemicals being methane, methanol, and gasoline. In addition to the optimal technology sizing and heat cascade utilization, this paper also considers the optimal molten-salt solar power tower (MSPT) design, as the MSPT significantly affects the levelized product cost. A bi-level optimization is proposed, employing mixed-integer linear programming at the lower level with heat and mass integration for optimizing sizes and operating strategies of technologies, and with heat cascade utilization and a genetic algorithm at the upper level for optimizing the MSPT design. In the upper level, the full-load storage hours, design direct normal irradiance, solar multiple, and sizes of the MSPT are optimized. The electricity sources considered are the MSPT, photovoltaic (PV) with daily electricity storage, and the electrical grid as a complementary technology to satisfy the targeted daily product demand. Cost-competitiveness of solar-driven chemical synthesis is thoroughly assessed via considering sensitivity analysis on 1) regional solar resource endowments and actual local demands; 2) electricity sources, that is, PV vs. MSPT; and 3) the scale effect represented by different chemicals’ yield. The results show that the levelized methane cost ranges from 4.5 to 8.5 €/kg, depending on the location, plant size, and annual power contribution of concentrated solar power. Due to the larger mass production, the levelized cost of methanol and gasoline is lower: 1.5–2.2 €/kg for methanol and 4–6 €/kg for gasoline. The findings highlight the significance of location choice, that is, natural endowment of solar radiation and carbon sources. Using the syngas co-electrolysis pathway and direct solar radiation 100 kWh/m2 higher, the methane production cost is decreased by 2.4 €/kg. Sensitivity analysis performed on plant scale reveals that a compact, small-scale system is far too expensive. The levelized cost of methane could be decreased by 1.2 €/kg when the plant is scaled up from 4,000 to 20,000 kg/day H2. Due to its expensive electricity storage and limited working hours, PV is typically not chosen as a power source. Overall, solar fuels are unlikely to be cost-competitive in the near future when compared to market prices for all three compounds under consideration.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2022.1097325/fullenergy storagepower-to-chemicalsolid oxide electrolyzerco-electrolysissolar energyconcentrated solar |
| spellingShingle | Shengwei Huang Yumeng Zhang Yumeng Zhang Xinyu Guo Xinyu Guo Meng Qian Meng Qian Yongming Zhao Liang Li Xing Zhou Thermo-economic evaluation and optimization of solar-driven power-to-chemical systems with thermal, electricity, and chemical storage Frontiers in Energy Research energy storage power-to-chemical solid oxide electrolyzer co-electrolysis solar energy concentrated solar |
| title | Thermo-economic evaluation and optimization of solar-driven power-to-chemical systems with thermal, electricity, and chemical storage |
| title_full | Thermo-economic evaluation and optimization of solar-driven power-to-chemical systems with thermal, electricity, and chemical storage |
| title_fullStr | Thermo-economic evaluation and optimization of solar-driven power-to-chemical systems with thermal, electricity, and chemical storage |
| title_full_unstemmed | Thermo-economic evaluation and optimization of solar-driven power-to-chemical systems with thermal, electricity, and chemical storage |
| title_short | Thermo-economic evaluation and optimization of solar-driven power-to-chemical systems with thermal, electricity, and chemical storage |
| title_sort | thermo economic evaluation and optimization of solar driven power to chemical systems with thermal electricity and chemical storage |
| topic | energy storage power-to-chemical solid oxide electrolyzer co-electrolysis solar energy concentrated solar |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fenrg.2022.1097325/full |
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