Analysing sector coupling technologies for Re-purposing coal-fired power plants–Case study for the ENTSO-E grid

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Abstract

The high emission intensity of coal-fired power plants (CFPP) leads to the inevitable next step towards energy transition, the coal phase-out. One challenge is the subsequent use of still-functioning assets. Re-purposing these assets avoids value loss and creates new opportunities for coal regions. Therefore, this study considers the sector coupling technologies Power-to-Gas (PtG) and Gas-to-Power (GtP) as re-purposing options. First, a multi-variable Mixed-Integer Linear Programming optimisation model is established. This model includes the participation of the plant in the current (2020) and future (2030, 2040) electricity and natural gas spot-markets and the balancing power market while fulfilling existing contracts, and allows for determining the re-purposing technologies' operating profiles. By applying a techno-economic analysis, investment recovery periods of the considered re-purposing technologies are assessed, which range between two (GtP) and over ten (PtG) years. A sensitivity analysis accounting for current energy prices and technological advancements reveals capital expenditure has the highest impact on this Return-On-Investment period. Additionally, a case study considering the Austrian energy grids is performed to account for the grid impact of integrating these technologies at former CFPP sites. Thus, it is found that the investigated sector coupling technologies have the potential to compensate for grid congestions even in profit-optimised operation.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)95-118
Number of pages24
Journal IET Energy systems integration
Volume5.2023
Issue number1
Early online date7 Dec 2022
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 Mar 2023