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Exergo-economic analysis of a direct biogas upgrading process to synthetic natural gas via integrated high-temperature electrolysis and methanation

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  • Lorenzi, Guido
  • Lanzini, Andrea
  • Santarelli, Massimo
  • Martin, Andrew

Abstract

Biogas upgrading to synthetic natural gas (SNG) is a viable and appealing route for power-to-gas because it combines waste management with the use of the surplus electricity that might arise in energy systems having a considerable share of renewable energy sources in their production mix. In this work, the exergo-economic performance of a biogas upgrading process through integrated electrolysis and methanation is assessed in connection with the current market status to test which conditions could make the proposed option economically viable. Two different configurations, which differ mainly for the operating pressure of the electrolyser, are compared. The exergy efficiencies are high (>80%) and exergo-economic costs of the produced bio-SNG in the two analyzed configurations are 5.62 and 4.87 c€/kWhexergy, for low- and high-pressure respectively. Lower values would be required for the bio-SNG to compete with fossil natural gas. We show how both the input electricity price and the capacity factor have a substantial impact on the economic sustainability of the process. Eventually, the monetary exploitation of the oxygen produced by electrolysis and the participation to the emission trading scheme could contribute further to improve the economic attractiveness of the process.

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  • Lorenzi, Guido & Lanzini, Andrea & Santarelli, Massimo & Martin, Andrew, 2017. "Exergo-economic analysis of a direct biogas upgrading process to synthetic natural gas via integrated high-temperature electrolysis and methanation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 1524-1537.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:141:y:2017:i:c:p:1524-1537
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.11.080
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    2. Eveloy, Valerie, 2019. "Hybridization of solid oxide electrolysis-based power-to-methane with oxyfuel combustion and carbon dioxide utilization for energy storage," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 550-571.
    3. Uebbing, Jennifer & Rihko-Struckmann, Liisa K. & Sundmacher, Kai, 2019. "Exergetic assessment of CO2 methanation processes for the chemical storage of renewable energies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 271-282.
    4. Chen, Xiaoyuan & Jiang, Shan & Chen, Yu & Lei, Yi & Zhang, Donghui & Zhang, Mingshun & Gou, Huayu & Shen, Boyang, 2022. "A 10 MW class data center with ultra-dense high-efficiency energy distribution: Design and economic evaluation of superconducting DC busbar networks," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C).
    5. Jeanmonod, Guillaume & Wang, Ligang & Diethelm, Stefan & Maréchal, François & Van herle, Jan, 2019. "Trade-off designs of power-to-methane systems via solid-oxide electrolyzer and the application to biogas upgrading," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 572-581.
    6. Wang, Ligang & Pérez-Fortes, Mar & Madi, Hossein & Diethelm, Stefan & herle, Jan Van & Maréchal, François, 2018. "Optimal design of solid-oxide electrolyzer based power-to-methane systems: A comprehensive comparison between steam electrolysis and co-electrolysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 1060-1079.

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