Title: P2G as a tool for sector coupling and energy transition in Germany

Biography:

Silvina Manrique has completed her PhD and postdoctoral studies from National University of Salta (Argentina) and National University of Salamanca (Spain). She has her expertise in biomass and bioenergy. She has more than 90 publications. For her research, has been awarded with the International Eco-Logical Award (2013), Bioenergy (2014), Bioenergy (2016) and has received the Distinction of "Outstanding Citizen" (2013) by the Local Deliberative Council. She has received numerous scholarships of national and international character, for training and improvement, including a stay in Europe.

Abstract

Energy storage plays a crucial role in the countries with high level of renewable energy generation and penetration. Intermittency of wind power, and transport of increasing masses of produced renewable energy to the consumers challenge modern energy systems with a growing trend.

It is very challenging to find a relevant technology to apply for large-scale storage needs and to appropriate costs. Power-to-Gas (P2G) represents a way to produce hydrogen and inject it into the grid, with or without a process of methanation.

P2G is of a special interest for the North Sea region´s countries (especially) due to their widely developed onshore and gradually evolving offshore infrastructures. This technology is being widely discussed in both targeted countries, but Germany has been a frontrunner regarding a number of existing pilot projects.

The biggest advantage of this technology is that the infrastructure can be immediately facilitated, including transport, storage and distribution. It can diminish a number of new power lines required. However, P2G is not competitive until now with natural gas (biomethane) due to its cost factor. For further deployment, it is recommended to combine different business cases (such as mobility, balancing services, etc.).

In a nutshell, P2G is one of the existing concepts, commanding a sector-coupling character. It enables optimisation of different sectors, from heating to mobility, utilising renewable production surplus and providing flexibility. For this, P2G should be included into the Energiewende programme as it can serve not only as a broad storage system but can also contribute to low-carbon consumption of many sectors. Market access barriers in the current legal framework should be abolished by recognising PtG products and eliminating system drawbacks for sector coupling technologies. In the context of political discourse, a model for further harmonisation of coupled sectors should be discussed and planned.