Seasonal Energy Storage Potential Assessment of WWTPs with Power-to-Methane Technology

Zoltán Csedő, Botond Sinóros-Szabó and Máté Zavarkó
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Zoltán Csedő: Power-to-Gas Hungary Kft, 5000 Szolnok, Hungary
Botond Sinóros-Szabó: Power-to-Gas Hungary Kft, 5000 Szolnok, Hungary
Máté Zavarkó: Power-to-Gas Hungary Kft, 5000 Szolnok, Hungary

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 18, 1-21

Abstract: Power-to-methane technology (P2M) deployment at wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for seasonal energy storage might land on the agenda of decision-makers across EU countries, since large WWTPs produce a notable volume of biogas that could be injected into the natural gas grid with remarkable storage capacities. Because of the recent rapid increase of local photovoltaics (PV), it is essential to explore the role of WWTPs in energy storage and the conditions under which this potential can be realized. This study integrates a techno-economic assessment of P2M technology with commercial/investment attractiveness of seasonal energy storage at large WWTPs. Findings show that a standardized 1 MW el P2M technology would fit with most potential sites. This is in line with the current technology readiness level of P2M, but increasing electricity prices and limited financial resources of WWTPs would decrease the commercial attractiveness of P2M technology deployment. Based on a Hungarian case study, public funding, biomethane feed-in tariff and minimized or compensated surplus electricity sourcing costs are essential to realize the energy storage potential at WWTPs.

Keywords: seasonal energy storage; power-to-methane; wastewater treatment plants; techno-economic assessment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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