Sector Coupling and Migration towards Carbon-Neutral Power Systems

Minjae Son, Minsoo Kim and Hongseok Kim ()
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Minjae Son: Department of Electronic Engineering, Sogang University, Baekbeom-ro 35, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
Minsoo Kim: Department of Electronic Engineering, Sogang University, Baekbeom-ro 35, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea
Hongseok Kim: Department of Electronic Engineering, Sogang University, Baekbeom-ro 35, Mapo-gu, Seoul 04107, Republic of Korea

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-12

Abstract: There is increasing interest in migrating to a carbon-neutral power system that relies on renewable energy due to concerns about greenhouse gas emissions, energy shortages, and global warming. However, the increasing share of renewable energy has added volatility and uncertainty to power system operations. Introducing new devices and using flexible resources may help solve the problem, but expanding the domain of the problem can be another solution. Sector coupling, which integrates production, consumption, conversion, and storage by connecting various energy domains, could potentially meet the needs of each energy sector. It can also reduce the generation of surplus energy and unnecessary carbon emissions. As a result, sector coupling, an integrated energy system, increases the acceptance of renewable energy in the traditional power system and makes it carbon neutral. However, difficulties in large-scale integration, low conversion efficiency and economic feasibility remain obstacles. This perspective paper discusses the background, definition, and components of sector coupling, as well as its functions and examples in rendering power systems carbon-neutral. The current limitations and outlook of sector coupling are also examined.

Keywords: sector coupling; renewable energy; electricity; hydrogen; heat; gas (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: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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