FWI Institutskolloquium: From renewable energy to hydrogen and synfuels

Date

Mar 17, 2016

Time

9:30 AM - 11:00 AM

Speaker

Prof. Dr. Andreas Züttel, EPFL Schweiz

Language

en

Main Topic

Physik

Other Topics

Physik

Host

Dr. Kay Potzger (3244), Susann Gebel (2345)

Description

Abstract: Storage of renewable energy becomes more important with increasing contribution of renewable energy to the energy demand. Energy storage for mobility and seasonal storage are the two major challenges, because of the high energy density required and the large amount of stored energy. The technical solution is to produce hydrogen from renewable electricity. Hydrogen production by electrolysis is an established technology also currently we are facing a lack of large scale electrolysers available. The storage of hydrogen under high pressure, in liquid form or in hydrides is a material challenge and limited to 50% of the energy density of liquid hydrocarbons. The hydrogen can be used to reduce CO2 from the atmosphere in order to synthesize liquid hydrocarbons. This requires large scale electrolyzers, hydrogen storage, adsorption of CO2 and finally a well controlled reaction of H2 and CO2 to a specific product, e.g. octane. The storage of liquid hydrocarbons is a well established technology. The challenges and the solutions for the realization of the technical process will be discussed and an example of the realization of the whole energy conversion chain will be presented.

Last modified: Mar 17, 2016, 8:47:26 AM