Electrolysis by means of SOEC

Ea participates in four projects about electrolysis by means of “solid oxide electrolyser cells”. By using electrolysis, inexpensive electricity can be used to convert e.g. biogas or CO₂ and steam into methane for the natural gas grid. This allows inexpensive power to be “stored” in the natural gas grid. The four projects are:

• Biogas SOEC, supported by ForskNG
• Green Natural Gas, supported by EUDP
• CO₂ electrofuels, supported by Nordic Energy Research
• El Upgraded Biogas, supportet by EUDP

Ea Energy Analyses’ role in all three projects is to model SOEC plants in different plant configurations (including various CO₂ sources, biogas sources, heat sources, technical configurations, etc.). The integration of the SOEC plants into the energy systems (including the power grid, heating network and gas networks) is modelled, and the technology’s value to the energy system is calculated and analysed.

The project Biogas SOEC is completed and the following is investigated:

• Which process configuration is the most cost effective for a SOEC plant?
• What will be the overall benefits for Danish society?
• Under what circumstances will the technology be commercially attractive?

Other participants in the project vas: Haldor Topsøe, RISØ-DTU and Topsoe Fuel Cell.

The project was initiated in spring 2011 and completed in summer 2012.

The project Green Natural Gas is completed and included the following:

• Possible CO₂ and heat sources are identified (eg.: Inbicon, gasification, RenesScience, power plant)
• Key characteristics for the technology are identified and quantified
• Dynamic properties for SOEC are tested
• SOEC integration with the power system, natural gas network and heating networks are analysed and modelled

Other participants in the project were: Haldor Topsøe, DONG, DGC, DTU-Electro and RISØ-DTU.

The project was carried out from 2011 to 2014.

The project CO₂ electrofuels is completed and included the following:

• Four cases for using SOEC in the production of transportation fuels were defined: DME in Piteå, E. ON biogas plant, industrial flue gases in Iceland and biomass gasification in Iceland
• The SOEC process was optimised for the four cases, and specific plant designs were proposed
• The use of CO₂ electrolysis fuel for trucks and fishing fleets was modelled
• An economic comparison of different cases for the production and use of CO₂ electrolysis fuels was carried out

Other participants in the project were: Haldor Topsøe, Chemrec, E.ON, Innovation centre Iceland, RISØ-DTU, SORPA, Olíudreifing, Volvo and Wärtsilä.

The project was carried out from 2011 to 2013.

El Upgraded Biogas includes the following:

• A facility is designed where an SOEC device is used for upgrading biogas
• The system is established and put into operation and prepared for durability test and test under partial load
• Economic calculations for a full scale plant and a business plan
  

Other participants in the project are: Haldor Topsøe, Aarhus University, PlanEnergi, HMN Naturgas, Naturgas Fyn, EnergiMidt infrastruktur, DGC, Cemtec Fonden, Xergi.