Periodic Reporting for period 2 - ARENHA (Advanced materials and Reactors for ENergy storage tHrough Ammonia)
Período documentado: 2021-10-01 hasta 2023-03-31
The current global shift towards renewable sources of energy demands a higher energy storage capacity to ensure its security and flexibility. It should be capable of providing a portfolio of services ranging from power grids to energy intensive sectors like transport and industry. Hydrogen produced from electrolysis provides a key pathway to unlock the potential of large renewable and seasonal energy storage which can be beneficial to situations dealing with large energy to power ratio.
Since hydrogen has a low volumetric energy density, it should either be compressed at high pressure, liquefied or combined as hydrogen carrier. Ammonia is a carbon free and dispatchable energy carrier alternative which allows storing large quantity of renewable electricity. It can act as a secure and clean supply of renewable energy for various stationary and mobile applications. Its ability to provide a wide range of energy storage services using existing infrastructures, well defined regulations and acceptable safety history deems it to be a primary candidate as hydrogen carriers.
ARENHA aims to demonstrate the full power-to-ammonia-to-usage value chain at TRL-5 and address the outstanding potential of green ammonia to address the issue of large scale energy storage through LCA, sociological survey, techno economic analysis deeply connected with multiscale modelling. Throughout this project, breakthrough technologies will be developed and integrated along the overall value chain.
Since hydrogen has a low volumetric energy density, it should either be compressed at high pressure, liquefied or combined as hydrogen carrier. Ammonia is a carbon free and dispatchable energy carrier alternative which allows storing large quantity of renewable electricity. It can act as a secure and clean supply of renewable energy for various stationary and mobile applications. Its ability to provide a wide range of energy storage services using existing infrastructures, well defined regulations and acceptable safety history deems it to be a primary candidate as hydrogen carriers.
ARENHA aims to demonstrate the full power-to-ammonia-to-usage value chain at TRL-5 and address the outstanding potential of green ammonia to address the issue of large scale energy storage through LCA, sociological survey, techno economic analysis deeply connected with multiscale modelling. Throughout this project, breakthrough technologies will be developed and integrated along the overall value chain.
WP1 Business case definition
WP1 partners completed a market analysis to identify promising opportunities for ammonia as a renewable energy storage solution and to pinpoint key stakeholders and competitors. ENGIE have carried out a Value Proposition of the ARENHA concept through identifying the state-of-the-art technology, underlining the peculiarity about the developed concept, evaluating the impact of the concept on the end-user. Initial Business Models are completed. Two patents have been filed and one more concept is under evaluation in the frame of the consortium.
WP2 System requirements, design and modelling
The main key subsystems developed in the frame of the ARENHA project have been completed. The models for the SOEC electrolysis, ammonia synthesis, ammonia solid storage and ammonia decomposition (and adsorption of ammonia traces on solid sorbents) systems have been delivered. A complete model in steady and dynamic has been produced for the modelling of the green ammonia production chain, where steady- and dynamic- state performance of the plant have been assessed and finally a preliminary techno-economic analysis has been made. Finally, scenarios for deploying ARENHA technology have been developed, while economic and employment impacts of the concept on the market have been evaluated.
WP3 Key component development
FhG-IKTS developed modified electrolyte supported cells for SOEC electrolyser whereas ELCOGEN has developed in modified anode supported cells for the electrolyser. FhG-IKTS is also involved in characterization of SOFC system for power generation from ammonia which has been partially achieved.
STFC and DTU are contributing to the development of advanced materials for ammonia synthesis. STFC has developed and characterized low temperature catalysts for NH3 based on Haber Bosch system as well as for ammonia decomposition reaction. DTU has achieved synthesising adsorbent materials and bed for NH3 based on Haber-Bosch system, materials for NH3 storage and electrochemical cell materials for N2 generation and is currently working on materials for NH3 electrosynthesis.
TECNALIA has completed the development and characterization of hydrogen separation membranes for NH3 decomposition. It has also succeeded in the recycling of Pd-based membranes which are used for the decomposition reaction. TUE has completed the lab scale testing of the NH3 decomposition membrane reactor. PSA-ID and UORL have completed the testing of ammonia combustion engine.
WP4 Key Component Scale-up
CNH2 is currently in the process of design and construction of the SOEC electrolyser BoP. FhG-IKTS and ELCOGEN are involved in manufacturing of cells and stacks for performance map tests and stacks for 5 kW stack modules. and integration of the stacks into module for prototype. The commissioning of the prototype is yet to be achieved and will be performed by CNH2 and FhG-IKTS.
PV and DTU are collaborating for the design of the advanced ammonia synthesis system. The construction and commissioning is yet to be achieved as the synthesis loop system is in the procurement stage. H2SITE has completed the design of the ammonia decomposition membrane reactor and TECNALIA has successfully manufactured the hydrogen separation membranes for the prototype. The construction and commissioning of the membrane reactor prototype is underway.
WP5 Plant integration and validation
Assessment of the legal safety regulations has been carried out. Requirement for both prototypes and demo site safety regulation has been conveyed and discussed between the parties involved in order to identify possible botlenecks and prepare the demo site for testing and validation of the prototypes.
WP6 Environmental LCA, economic and safety assessment
In WP6, Sociological Survey was carried out by ENGIE to analyse the social acceptance and environmental issues of Ammonia use. The preliminary Life Cycle Assessment dedicated to the ARENHA processes/chains were performed to gather inventories and modelling the information regarding environmental impacts. The preliminary Life Cycle Safety analysis is performed by CNH2 where the accidentology of hydrogen and ammonia related projects, the chainlinks of the ARENHA concept and the development of the risk map are assessed. Life Cycle Costing for economic assessment, technical and economic viability are carried by ENGIE. The final LCA and LCC based on the preliminary LCA and LCC are partially achieved.
WP7 Dissemination and communication
The Dissemination and Communication Plan was firstly presented at last period and then updated in the 30th month (D7.5). A set of branding elements have been created: the cards and roll-ups. Overall, 5 newsletters have been delivered, 8 articles published and other 2 under review in peer reviewed journals. The consortium has participated in more than 23 conferences,and has organised two public workshops. In addition, 6 public media articles have been released. And finally, an active social media campaign using a new ARENHA Linkedin account (https://www.linkedin.com/company/arenha-project/?viewAsMember=true) Twitter (@ARENHA_2020), Youtube (ARENHA Project), have been performed.
WP1 partners completed a market analysis to identify promising opportunities for ammonia as a renewable energy storage solution and to pinpoint key stakeholders and competitors. ENGIE have carried out a Value Proposition of the ARENHA concept through identifying the state-of-the-art technology, underlining the peculiarity about the developed concept, evaluating the impact of the concept on the end-user. Initial Business Models are completed. Two patents have been filed and one more concept is under evaluation in the frame of the consortium.
WP2 System requirements, design and modelling
The main key subsystems developed in the frame of the ARENHA project have been completed. The models for the SOEC electrolysis, ammonia synthesis, ammonia solid storage and ammonia decomposition (and adsorption of ammonia traces on solid sorbents) systems have been delivered. A complete model in steady and dynamic has been produced for the modelling of the green ammonia production chain, where steady- and dynamic- state performance of the plant have been assessed and finally a preliminary techno-economic analysis has been made. Finally, scenarios for deploying ARENHA technology have been developed, while economic and employment impacts of the concept on the market have been evaluated.
WP3 Key component development
FhG-IKTS developed modified electrolyte supported cells for SOEC electrolyser whereas ELCOGEN has developed in modified anode supported cells for the electrolyser. FhG-IKTS is also involved in characterization of SOFC system for power generation from ammonia which has been partially achieved.
STFC and DTU are contributing to the development of advanced materials for ammonia synthesis. STFC has developed and characterized low temperature catalysts for NH3 based on Haber Bosch system as well as for ammonia decomposition reaction. DTU has achieved synthesising adsorbent materials and bed for NH3 based on Haber-Bosch system, materials for NH3 storage and electrochemical cell materials for N2 generation and is currently working on materials for NH3 electrosynthesis.
TECNALIA has completed the development and characterization of hydrogen separation membranes for NH3 decomposition. It has also succeeded in the recycling of Pd-based membranes which are used for the decomposition reaction. TUE has completed the lab scale testing of the NH3 decomposition membrane reactor. PSA-ID and UORL have completed the testing of ammonia combustion engine.
WP4 Key Component Scale-up
CNH2 is currently in the process of design and construction of the SOEC electrolyser BoP. FhG-IKTS and ELCOGEN are involved in manufacturing of cells and stacks for performance map tests and stacks for 5 kW stack modules. and integration of the stacks into module for prototype. The commissioning of the prototype is yet to be achieved and will be performed by CNH2 and FhG-IKTS.
PV and DTU are collaborating for the design of the advanced ammonia synthesis system. The construction and commissioning is yet to be achieved as the synthesis loop system is in the procurement stage. H2SITE has completed the design of the ammonia decomposition membrane reactor and TECNALIA has successfully manufactured the hydrogen separation membranes for the prototype. The construction and commissioning of the membrane reactor prototype is underway.
WP5 Plant integration and validation
Assessment of the legal safety regulations has been carried out. Requirement for both prototypes and demo site safety regulation has been conveyed and discussed between the parties involved in order to identify possible botlenecks and prepare the demo site for testing and validation of the prototypes.
WP6 Environmental LCA, economic and safety assessment
In WP6, Sociological Survey was carried out by ENGIE to analyse the social acceptance and environmental issues of Ammonia use. The preliminary Life Cycle Assessment dedicated to the ARENHA processes/chains were performed to gather inventories and modelling the information regarding environmental impacts. The preliminary Life Cycle Safety analysis is performed by CNH2 where the accidentology of hydrogen and ammonia related projects, the chainlinks of the ARENHA concept and the development of the risk map are assessed. Life Cycle Costing for economic assessment, technical and economic viability are carried by ENGIE. The final LCA and LCC based on the preliminary LCA and LCC are partially achieved.
WP7 Dissemination and communication
The Dissemination and Communication Plan was firstly presented at last period and then updated in the 30th month (D7.5). A set of branding elements have been created: the cards and roll-ups. Overall, 5 newsletters have been delivered, 8 articles published and other 2 under review in peer reviewed journals. The consortium has participated in more than 23 conferences,and has organised two public workshops. In addition, 6 public media articles have been released. And finally, an active social media campaign using a new ARENHA Linkedin account (https://www.linkedin.com/company/arenha-project/?viewAsMember=true) Twitter (@ARENHA_2020), Youtube (ARENHA Project), have been performed.
The ARENHA systems offer a solution to produce, store and use green hydrogen using ammonia as energy carrier. In ARENHA, three main exploitable results are foreseen, being the forth one a combination of the previous ones into a full system.
1. The advanced SOEC electrolyser for renewable hydrogen generation.
2. The advanced ammonia synthesis unit capable of efficiently coping with the fluctuations of renewable energies.
3. The novel ammonia decomposition device based on a membrane reactor.
4. The novel advanced ammonia energy storage system capable of storage of massive amount of renewable electricity and long-distance transmission for industrial (feedstock or power) or mobility application.
1. The advanced SOEC electrolyser for renewable hydrogen generation.
2. The advanced ammonia synthesis unit capable of efficiently coping with the fluctuations of renewable energies.
3. The novel ammonia decomposition device based on a membrane reactor.
4. The novel advanced ammonia energy storage system capable of storage of massive amount of renewable electricity and long-distance transmission for industrial (feedstock or power) or mobility application.