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Bioelectrochemical systems for energy storage: A scaled-up power-to-gas approach

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  • Ceballos-Escalera, Alba
  • Molognoni, Daniele
  • Bosch-Jimenez, Pau
  • Shahparasti, Mahdi
  • Bouchakour, Salim
  • Luna, Alvaro
  • Guisasola, Albert
  • Borràs, Eduard
  • Della Pirriera, Monica

Abstract

The development and implementation of energy storage solutions is essential for the sustainability of renewable energy penetration in the electrical system. In this regard, power-to-gas technologies are useful for seasonal, high-capacity energy storage. Bioelectrochemical systems for electromethanogenesis (EMG-BES) represent an additional power-to-gas technology to the existing chemical and biological methanation. EMG-BES process can be retrofitted in traditional anaerobic digesters, with advantages in terms of biologic process stability and high-quality biogas production. Nowadays, there are no reported studies of scaled-up EMG-BES plants for energy storage. The present work describes the setup and operation of a medium-scale EMG-BES prototype for power-to-gas, storing energy in the form of biomethane. The prototype was built by stacking 45 EMG-BES cells, accounting for a total volume of 32 L. It was continuously fed with 10 L day−1 municipal wastewater, and it was long-term operated at different voltage and temperature ranges. A steady-state current density demand of 0.5 A m−2 was achieved at 32 °C while producing 4.4 L CH4 m−2 d−1 and removing 70% of the initial organic matter present in wastewater. Microbial competition between electro-active bacteria and acetoclastic methanogens was observed. Energy storage efficiency was estimated around 42–47%, analyzing surplus CH4 production obtained when applying voltage to the stack. A first order electric model was calculated, based on the results of a series of electrical characterization tests. The model may be used in the future to design the converter for EMG-BES plant connection to the electrical grid. The obtained results show that energy storage based on EMG-BES technology is possible, as well as its future potential, mixing renewable power overproduction, biomethane generation and wastewater treatment under the circular economy umbrella.

Suggested Citation

  • Ceballos-Escalera, Alba & Molognoni, Daniele & Bosch-Jimenez, Pau & Shahparasti, Mahdi & Bouchakour, Salim & Luna, Alvaro & Guisasola, Albert & Borràs, Eduard & Della Pirriera, Monica, 2020. "Bioelectrochemical systems for energy storage: A scaled-up power-to-gas approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:260:y:2020:i:c:s0306261919318252
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114138
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    5. Daniarta, S. & Sowa, D. & Błasiak, P. & Imre, A.R. & Kolasiński, P., 2024. "Techno-economic survey of enhancing Power-to-Methane efficiency via waste heat recovery from electrolysis and biomethanation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 194(C).
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    7. Zoltán Csedő & Botond Sinóros-Szabó & Máté Zavarkó, 2020. "Seasonal Energy Storage Potential Assessment of WWTPs with Power-to-Methane Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-21, September.
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