Can Sustainable Ammonia Synthesis Pathways Compete with Fossil-fuel Based Haber-Bosch Processes?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miao Wang ◽  
M. A. Khan ◽  
Imtinan Mohsin ◽  
Joshua Wicks ◽  
Alexander H. Ip ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Ammonia Synthesis ◽  
Renewable Electricity ◽  
Electricity Prices ◽  
Fuels And Chemicals ◽  
Alternative Routes ◽  
Sustainable Fuels

As renewable electricity prices continue to diminish, interest grows in alternative routes for the synthesis of sustainable fuels and chemicals, including ammonia. Considering demand for fertilizers, as well as for...

What would it take for renewably powered electrosynthesis to displace petrochemical processes?

Science ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 364 (6438) ◽  
pp. eaav3506 ◽  
Author(s):  
Phil De Luna ◽  
Christopher Hahn ◽  
Drew Higgins ◽  
Shaffiq A. Jaffer ◽  
Thomas F. Jaramillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Emission ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Chemical Conversion ◽  
Renewable Electricity ◽  
Electricity Prices ◽  
Emission Analysis ◽  
Industrial Implementation ◽  
Article Type ◽  
Economic Barriers ◽  
Conversion Efficiencies

Electrocatalytic transformation of carbon dioxide (CO2) and water into chemical feedstocks offers the potential to reduce carbon emissions by shifting the chemical industry away from fossil fuel dependence. We provide a technoeconomic and carbon emission analysis of possible products, offering targets that would need to be met for economically compelling industrial implementation to be achieved. We also provide a comparison of the projected costs and CO2 emissions across electrocatalytic, biocatalytic, and fossil fuel–derived production of chemical feedstocks. We find that for electrosynthesis to become competitive with fossil fuel–derived feedstocks, electrical-to-chemical conversion efficiencies need to reach at least 60%, and renewable electricity prices need to fall below 4 cents per kilowatt-hour. We discuss the possibility of combining electro- and biocatalytic processes, using sequential upgrading of CO2 as a representative case. We describe the technical challenges and economic barriers to marketable electrosynthesized chemicals.Science, this issue p. eaav3506

Analyzing the impact of fossil fuel import reliance on electricity prices: The case of the Iberian Electricity Market

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 687-705 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blanca Moreno ◽  
María T García-Álvarez
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Electricity Market ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emission ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Electricity Production ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Electricity Prices ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Eu

Spain and Portugal are highly dependent on energy from abroad, importing more than 70% of all the energy they consume. This high energy dependence could involve important effects on the level and stability of their electricity prices as a half the gross electricity generated in both countries came from power stations using imported combustible fuels (such as natural gas, coal and oil). In general, changes in the prices of these fossil fuels can directly affect household electricity prices, since generation costs are likely to be transmitted through to the wholesale electricity market. Moreover, in the framework of the European Union Emission Trading System, electricity production technologies tend to incorporate their costs of carbon dioxide emission allowances in sale offers with the consequent increase of the electricity prices. The objective of this paper is to analyze the influence of fossil fuel costs and prices of carbon dioxide emission allowances in the EU on the Spanish and Portuguese electricity prices. With this aim, a maximum entropy econometric approach is used. The obtained results indicate that not only the price of imported gas are very important in explaining Spanish and Portuguese electricity prices but also the price of carbon dioxide emission allowances in the EU.

scholarly journals Recent Advances in Catalytic Conversion of Biomass to 2,5-Furandicarboxylic Acid

Catalysts ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1113
Author(s):  
Hanyu Cong ◽  
Haibo Yuan ◽  
Zekun Tao ◽  
Hanlin Bao ◽  
Zheming Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Terephthalic Acid ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Catalytic Conversion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Biodegradable Polyesters ◽  
Fuels And Chemicals ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
Furandicarboxylic Acid

Converting biomass into high value-added compounds has attracted great attention for solving fossil fuel consumption and global warming. 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) has been considered as a versatile biomass-derived building block that can be used to synthesize a variety of sustainable fuels and chemicals. Among these derivatives, 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) is a desirable alternative to petroleum-derived terephthalic acid for the synthesis of biodegradable polyesters. Herein, to fully understand the current development of the catalytic conversion of biomass to FDCA, a comprehensive review of the catalytic conversion of cellulose biomass to HMF and the oxidation of HMF to FDCA is presented. Moreover, future research directions and general trends of using biomass for FDCA production are also proposed.

Impact of fossil fuel prices on electricity prices in Mexico

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 356-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Bernal ◽  
Juan Carlos Molero ◽  
Fernando Perez De Gracia
Keyword(s):  
Natural Gas ◽  
Crude Oil ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Electricity Price ◽  
Electricity Prices ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fuel Prices ◽  
Electricity Rates ◽  
Domestic Electricity

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of fossil fuel prices – crude oil, natural gas and coal – on different electricity prices in Mexico. The use of alternative variables for electricity price helps to increase the robustness of the analysis in comparison to previous empirical studies. Design/methodology/approach The authors use an unrestricted vector autoregressive model and the sample covers the period January 2006 to January 2016. Findings Empirical findings suggest that crude oil, natural gas and coal prices have a significant positive impact on electricity prices – domestic electricity rates – in Mexico in the short run. Furthermore, crude oil and natural gas prices have also a significant positive impact on electricity prices – commercial and industrial electricity rates. Originality/value Two are the main contributions. First, this paper explores the nexus among crude oil, natural gas, coal and electricity prices in Mexico, while previous studies focus on the US, UK and some European economies. Second, instead of using one electricity price as a reference of national or domestic electricity sector, the analysis considers alternative Mexican electricity prices.

scholarly journals What Fraction of the Electrical Energy Produced in a Hybrid Solar-Fossil Power Plant Should Qualify as ‘Renewable Electricity’?

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paolo Iora ◽  
Ahmed F. Ghoniem ◽  
Gian Paolo Beretta
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Power Production ◽  
Local Area ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Renewable Electricity ◽  
Renewable Sources ◽  
Continuous Increase ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Allocation Method ◽  
Variable Nature

Hybrid power production facilities, based on the integration of renewable resources into conventional fossil-fuel-fired power plants have gained a growing interest during the past decades due to a world-wide continuous increase of shares of the renewable sources into the electricity generation market. In fact, in spite of the variable nature of most of the renewable sources, the hybrid configuration may provide a more economic, sustainable, and reliable use of the renewables in all load-demand conditions compared to renewable single-resource facilities. Nonetheless, the question of what fraction of the electricity produced in such facilities is to be considered as generated from renewables, still remains not fully addressed. This implies that there is space for some arbitrariness in the quantification of the share of the produced electricity to be qualified for the subsidies granted to renewable electricity, as normally prescribed by most of the policies that promote the applications of renewable primary energy resources. To overcome this problem, in this work we first define the classical Single-Resource Separate-Production Reference allocation method (SRSPR) usually considered by the regulators which is based on reference partial primary energy factors that must be chosen by some authority as representative of the performance of the (best available or representative average single-resource) power production technologies that use the same renewable resource and the same fossil fuel as the hybrid facility. Then we propose a Self-Tuned Average-Local-Productions Reference allocation method (STLAPR) whereby the electricity allocation fractions are based on the energy scenario of the local area of interest that includes the hybrid plant itself. We compare the two methods for a case study consisting on the renewable-to-fossil allocation of the power produced in an Solar-Integrated Combined-Cycle System (SICCS) with parabolic trough solar field. It turns out that the differences between the classical SRSPR and the STLAPR method become significant as the hybrid facilities take on a sizable fraction of the production of electricity in the local area.

Towards sustainable fuels and chemicals through the electrochemical reduction of CO2: lessons from water electrolysis

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 5114-5130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio J. Martín ◽  
Gastón O. Larrazábal ◽  
Javier Pérez-Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Electrochemical Reduction ◽  
Water Splitting ◽  
Water Electrolysis ◽  
Fuels And Chemicals ◽  
Reduction Of Co2 ◽  
Sustainable Fuels

This Perspective discusses target parameters for the electroreduction of CO2, based on its comparison with water splitting, which is to become a practical alternative for energy storage into fuels and chemicals.

scholarly journals Hourly modelling of Thermal Hydrogen electricity markets

Clean Energy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 270-287
Author(s):  
Jared Moore ◽  
Noah Meeks
Keyword(s):  
Electricity Markets ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Hybrid Electric Vehicles ◽  
Renewable Electricity ◽  
Electricity Prices ◽  
Heating Systems ◽  
Electric Transmission ◽  
Capacity Markets ◽  
Key Technologies ◽  
Transmission And Distribution

Abstract The hourly operation of Thermal Hydrogen electricity markets is modelled. The economic values for all applicable chemical commodities are quantified (syngas, ammonia, methanol and oxygen) and an hourly electricity model is constructed to mimic the dispatch of key technologies: bi-directional power plants, dual-fuel heating systems and plug-in fuel-cell hybrid electric vehicles. The operation of key technologies determines hourly electricity prices and an optimization model adjusts the capacity to minimize electricity prices yet allow all generators to recover costs. We examine 12 cost scenarios for renewables, nuclear and natural gas; the results demonstrate emissions-free, ‘energy-only’ electricity markets whose supply is largely dominated by renewables. The economic outcome is made possible in part by seizing the full supply-chain value from electrolysis (both hydrogen and oxygen), which allows an increased willingness to pay for (renewable) electricity. The wholesale electricity prices average $25–$45/MWh, or just slightly higher than the assumed levelized cost of renewable energy. This implies very competitive electricity prices, particularly given the lack of need for ‘scarcity’ pricing, capacity markets, dedicated electricity storage or underutilized electric transmission and distribution capacity.

Updated nationally determined contributions collectively raise ambition levels but need strengthening further to keep Paris goals within reach

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel den Elzen ◽  
Ioannis Dafnomilis ◽  
Nicklas Forsell ◽  
Panagiotis Fragkos ◽  
Kostas Fragkiadakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Paris Agreement ◽  
Renewable Electricity ◽  
Global Emission ◽  
Nationally Determined Contributions ◽  
Macroeconomic Impacts ◽  
Additional Reduction ◽  
Total Impact ◽  
Structural Shifts

Abstract By September 2021, 120 countries had submitted new or updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the UNFCCC in the context of the Paris Agreement. This study analyses the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and macroeconomic impacts of the new NDCs. The total impact of the updated NDCs of these countries on global emission levels by 2030 is an additional reduction of about 3.7 GtCO2e, compared to the previously submitted NDCs. This increases to about 4.1 GtCO2e, if also the lower projected emissions of the other countries are included. However, this total reduction needs to be four times greater to be consistent with keeping global temperature increase to well below 2 °C, and even eight times greater for 1.5 °C. Seven G20 economies have pledged stronger emission reduction targets for 2030 in their updated NDCs, leading to additional aggregated GHG emission reductions of about 3.1 GtCO2e, compared to those in the previous NDCs. The socio-economic impacts of the updated NDCs are limited in major economies, while structural shifts occur away from fossil fuel supply sectors and towards renewable electricity. However, two G20 economies have submitted new targets that will lead to an increase in emissions of about 0.3 GtCO2e, compared to their previous NDCs. The updated NDCs of non-G20 economies contain further net reductions. We conclude that countries should strongly increase the ambition levels of their updated NDC submissions to keep the climate goals of the Paris Agreement within reach.

Metal triflates formation of C12-C22 phenolic compounds by simultaneous C-O breaking and C-C coupling of lignin-derived benzyl phenyl ether

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Shahinur Shahinur Rahaman ◽  
Sarttrawut Tulaphol ◽  
ashten molley ◽  
Kyle Mills ◽  
Anwar Hossain ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Emissions ◽  
Greenhouse Gas ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Phenyl Ether ◽  
Fuel Processing ◽  
Gas Emissions ◽  
Fuels And Chemicals ◽  
Benzyl Phenyl Ether ◽  
Metal Triflates

The production of fuels and chemicals from lignin can mitigate greenhouse gas emissions generated by fossil fuel processing. Current upgrading pathways for converting lignin into useful chemicals require multiple steps...

New process for sustainable fuels and chemicals from bio-based alcohols and acetone

2014 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 504-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klaas Breitkreuz ◽  
Andreas Menne ◽  
Axel Kraft
Keyword(s):  
New Process ◽  
Fuels And Chemicals ◽  
Sustainable Fuels
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