Cimmino, Luca (2024) Modelling and dynamic simulation of advanced polygeneration systems based on Power-to-X technologies. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

During the last 70 years, from the mid-20th century to these days, the world was theatre of an incredible surge in technological growth and exponential increase in global population. This era marked the beginning of what is often referred to as the 'Great Acceleration', a period characterized by rapid industrialization and technological innovation post World War II. Advancements in fields such as computing, telecommunications, and medicine, along with the widespread adoption of automation and digital technology, revolutionized everyday life and industry. At the same time, the world population began to grow at an unprecedented rate, fuelled by improvements in healthcare and agriculture, leading to longer life expectancies and enhanced food production. This population boom contributed to increased urbanization and a surge in energy demand, setting the stage for the modern globalized society. This period of rapid technological and population growth, however, came with its own set of challenges. The increased demand for energy, predominantly met by fossil fuels, led to heightened environmental concerns, notably climate change. In the pre-industrialized era, no one would have cared about how much energy was consuming or if their production processes were efficient or eco-friendly. Neither the amount of energy consumed per capita nor the CO2 emitted were an issue. Nowadays, with an energy consumption per capita four times higher than in that time and a population which is almost ten times larger, these issues have arisen. Recognizing the unsustainable nature of the existing energy practices, the latter part of the 20th century and early 21st century has seen a concerted push towards an energy transition. This shift aims to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels, mitigate the global warming, and promote the adoption of renewable energy sources. The recent developments in Power-to-X technologies are a testament to these efforts, showcasing innovative ways to harness and utilize the surplus energy generated from renewable sources. In fact, what is currently known as Power-to-X is nothing else than the most advanced and high technological solution for avoiding wastage, in this case of renewable energy. Power-to-X is indeed the transformation of renewable energy surplus which could be wasted or even hurtful for the existing infrastructures, into useful energy carriers or other products, depending on the diverse needs. This process signifies a critical advancement in efficiently utilizing excess renewable energy, aligning with the evolving needs of energy consumption and management. This doctoral dissertation is an overview of a three-year effort in developing models, highlighting issues, and finding solutions for Power-to-X technologies adopted in diverse applications. The methodology adopted roots on the dynamic modelling and simulation of the systems proposed, which is pivotal when intermittent sources of energy are investigated. The first chapter introduces the reader to the current energy framework and delves into the concept of Power-to-X technology. The second chapter encompasses an extensive review of the state-of-the-art of the existing Power-to-X systems, investigating both real plants and scientific purposes. The third chapter deals with the first solution investigated, i.e. Power-to-Heat technology integrated with district heating and cooling systems. The fourth chapter investigates the dynamics of the storage of renewable energy excess in the form of hydrogen, also known as Power-to-Power solution. The fifth chapter performs an in-depth analysis of a Power-to-Gas system entirely based on renewable energy; integrating the anaerobic digestion process for production of biomethane and collection of CO2. The sixth and last chapter reassumes the main findings of the analyses developed and discussed in the previous chapters.

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