Coupling a Chlor-Alkali Membrane Electrolyzer Cell to a Wind Energy Source: Dynamic Modeling and Simulations

Renewable energy sources are becoming a greater component of the electrical mix, while being significantly more volatile than conventional energy sources. As a result, net stability and availability pose significant challenges. Energy-intensive processes, such as chlor-alkali electrolysis, can potentially adjust their consumption to the available power, which is known as demand side management or demand response. In this study, a dynamic model of a chlor-alkali membrane cell is developed to assess the flexible potential of the membrane cell. Several improvements to previously published models were made, making the model more representative of state-of-the-art CA plants. By coupling the model with a wind power profile, the current and potential level over the course of a day was simulated. The simulation results show that the required ramp rates are within the regular operating possibilities of the plant for most of the time and that the electrolyte concentrations in the cell can be kept at the right level by varying inlet flows and concentrations. This means that a CA plant can indeed be flexibly operated in the future energy system.

Generation and Transmission Expansion Planning With Respect to Global Warming Potential

As a result of global efforts to reduce greenhouse<br>gas emissions, future energy system designs must be investigated. However, previous studies in integrated generation and transmission expansion planning neglect indirect emissions and therefore the full global warming potential of system designs. We introduce a linear, single-stage integrated expansion planning model with respect to global warming potential of all components. Neglecting indirect emissions underestimates the global warming potential by more than 20% and the total cost by almost 10% in an exemplary showcase. The inclusion of indirect emissions tightens the emission budget and therefore leads to different system designs.

Generation and Transmission Expansion Planning With Respect to Global Warming Potential

As a result of global efforts to reduce greenhouse<br>gas emissions, future energy system designs must be investigated. However, previous studies in integrated generation and transmission expansion planning neglect indirect emissions and therefore the full global warming potential of system designs. We introduce a linear, single-stage integrated expansion planning model with respect to global warming potential of all components. Neglecting indirect emissions underestimates the global warming potential by more than 20% and the total cost by almost 10% in an exemplary showcase. The inclusion of indirect emissions tightens the emission budget and therefore leads to different system designs.

Advancing Market Integration and Decarbonization: How to Ensure a Smooth Transition?

The concept of connecting electricity markets, which started with the sole objective of maximizing economic gains, is now being increasingly expanded to fulfill other policy objectives, primarily to support the low-carbon future energy system. The importance of clearly articulating policies, designing innovative regulations, and the presence of a local/regional institution to facilitate this change cannot be overstated.

Designing Tools for Energy System Scenario Making in Municipal Energy Planning

Energy planning increasingly revolves around the use of tools for energy system modelling and analysis with a view to generating scenarios to show implications and possibilities for decision makers. Municipalities engage in the transition to renewable energy systems through the formulation of strategies and goals at a local level despite often lacking appropriate tools and resources to conduct the needed complex analyses. Tools for energy system analyses have traditionally been designed either with the scope of national energy systems or detailed project-specific analysis in mind, leaving municipal planners in a state of flux. This study aims to identify important specifications and critical design principles for future energy system modelling tools designed for municipal planners. Through a qualitative case-oriented approach, this study investigates the planning practices of four municipalities. It is found that future tools for municipal planning purposes need to combine the need for systematic analyses with concrete and implementable initiatives while balancing analytical complexity with operational simplicity.