Methanol-based thermochemical energy storage (TCES) for district heating networks

D.A. Rodríguez-Pastor, E. Carvajal, J.A. Becerra, V.M. Soltero and R. Chacartegui

Energy, 2024, vol. 298, issue C

Abstract: With increasing volatility in natural gas markets and the need for residential heat, research for alternative thermal systems based on green hydrogen-based fuels is necessary. Massive implementation of hydrogen in the current fleet presents a challenge for the decarbonisation of conventional thermal processes. This paper presents the integration of green methanol from a seasonal thermochemical energy storage system (TCES) coupled with district heating networks (DHN). It allows for a solar-based storage and low-temperature heat generation from the exothermic discharge reaction. The system uses concentrated solar thermal energy to decompose methanol into syngas at moderate temperatures (<315 °C), reducing GHG emissions from combustion to meet residential heat. Its potential is assessed through an analysis of 458 rural municipalities in Spain, achieving a substitution of 3.1 % of the natural gas demand. The system allows the production of green fuels from syngas using an open-loop approach, offering new market pathways in primary sector. In a closed-loop configuration, roundtrip efficiencies exceeding 60 % and chemical conversion efficiencies exceeding 70 % are reached, resulting in a global efficiency of 12 % for the DHN and methanol-TCES. The results show a levelized cost of stored energy highly competitive with other storage systems (<200€/MWh), given its simplicity.

Keywords: Thermochemical energy storage; Methanol; Concentrated solar power; District heating (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:298:y:2024:i:c:s036054422401065x

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2024.131292

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