Helmut-Schmidt-University / University of the Bundeswehr, Holstenhofweg 85, 22043 Hamburg, Germany

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Abstract: With the increasing share of fluctuating power generation in the electrical grid energy storage systems with large capacities receive an increasing interest. Power-to-Gas in particular enables the storage of vast quantities of electrical energy over long periods. Especially methanation of the produced hydrogen allows an unlimited use of the existing infrastructure for natural gas, however, the overall efficiency of the process and the initial installation costs still prevent widespread application. In this paper a novel concept for a combined electrolysis-methanation-cell is presented, which aims at a reduced complexity of the system and an increased efficiency by utilising synergies between electrolysis and methanation. The requirements for the reactor in the electrolysis-methanation-cell are defined and a simulation for a fixed bed reactor in an electrolysis-methanation-cell is carried out. It is shown that a new type of reactor is needed to fulfil the presented requirements, due to the inherent characteristics of fixed bed reactors, which are not ideally suited for application in electrolysis-methanation-cells.

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