Speakers
Speaker: Prof. dr. A.V. (Aravind) Purushothaman Vellayani | Chair at Energy Conversion / ESRIG
Title: Towards ultra-high efficiencies, reversible power plants and negative emissions.
Abstract:
In the first part of the presentation , ongoing research efforts for the development of Fuel Cell systems (for stationary power production, transportation applications etc) and the gasifier- solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems are presented (lab facilities, funded projects etc)
. Gasifier-SOFC system concepts for achieving very high efficiencies, reversible operation and negative emissions are then touched upon.
Together with Vattenfall, studies on the conversion of ~250 MW Willem-Alexander Centrale (WAC) Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) power plant in the Netherlands into a fuel cell integrated IGCC have been carried out. Validated models are presented first. They include a detailed thermodynamic model for the IGCC plant operating with coal as fuel and then a modified model with the fuel changing to biomass coal mixtures (up to 70% biomass). It is shown that the present day IGCC power plants could be operated without major plant modifications by retrofitting SOFCs and by employing partial oxy-combustion based CO2 capture, still obtaining relatively high electrical efficiencies (more than 40% based on LHV).
Achieving very high efficiencies (above 70% electrical efficiencies) in Gasifier-SOFC systems with proper heat integration is then presented. Finally, reversible SOFCs are discussed (bidirectional power plants) and the potential applications for such plants in Groningen region are touched upon. System concepts with biomass gasifiers and reversible SOFCs are then presented (thermodynamic models). Such plants could be operated either in power production mode or in reverse mode producing hydrogen, syngas and methane achieving high effici encies in both the modes.
Speaker: S.D. (Santiago) Vaca Jiménez MSc | PhD at Center for Energy and Environmental Sciences, IVEM / ESRIG
Title: Understanding the dynamics of the water-electricity nexus in Ecuador.
Abstract:
Water and energy are closely intertwined as water systems require water (energy for water), and energy systems require energy (water for energy) throughout their supply chains. This implies that any action in one of them will inevitably affect the other one. Unforeseen tradeoffs may appear when these two systems are not studied together. One of those tradeoffs is happening with the ongoing energy transition, in which renewable systems are replacing fossil-fueled technologies. However, most conventional renewable technologies are more water-intensive than their fossil counterparts. Thus, the carbon v. water tradeoff appears as we trade smaller carbon emissions with larger water consumptions. The water-electricity nexus aims to study this tradeoff, while it seeks to understand water consumption and withdrawals by power plants.
Previous studies have assessed the water-electricity nexus from a static perspective. They aimed to provide benchmarked values of water use or to show the magnitude of the flows of water in electricity systems in different regions. Nonetheless, they have not considered that water availability has well-defined temporal and spatial constraints that affect the water-electricity relationship. My research focused on showing how the dynamics of water availability affect electricity production, and therefore, its water use. In this presentation, I will show how seasonality, storage, climate, and energy-planning affect the water-electricity nexus in Ecuador. Moreover, how this case can be used as an example for the rest of the world.
Speaker: Assoc. Prof. E.J. (Eize) Stamhuis | Assoc. Prof. Exp. Marine Zoology & Biomimetics | Ocean Ecosystems / ESRIG
Title: Streamlining Sustainability.
Abstract:
The process of getting to a more sustainably future very often needs a lot of streamlining, but streamlining can also be used to get to a more sustainable future. This becomes apparent when biomimetic improvement of wind turbines shows the potential of getting more energy with less wind. Or by changing the propulsion system of barges towards a biomimetic fin-based system and save significantly on fuel and CO2-emissions. Or by streamlining a solar race car to such an extent that it only needs to overcome about 50 N of Drag to (almost) win the Solar Challenge. Sustainability and Streamlining as driving factors for scientific research within ESRIG.
Speaker: Dr. S. (Sander) Gersen | Senior specialist Combustion processes DNV GL
Title: Using fundamental research as basis for applied research.
Abstract:
Combustion takes place in much equipment we use daily, such as in the engine in your car and the domestic boiler to heat your house. The fundamental understanding of the elementary processes in combustion is essential for the (gas) industry for the introduction of sustainable fuels and for the development and optimization of combustion equipment. As head of the combustion group at DNV GL (and before that at Gasunie), Howard Levinsky worked since 1985 to study and use the physical and chemical origins of the effects of gas quality to understand and improve the behavior of practical combustion equipment.
The research performed at the RuG on elementary processes in combustion, specifically on the effects of fuel composition, form the fundamental basis for applied research at DNV GL. In this presentation, several examples will be shown how detailed understanding of elementary processes in combustion are used within DNV GL to optimize internal combustion engines, develop specifications for biomethane and facilitate the introduction of hydrogen as a fuel for high temperature processes such as melting glass and steel.
Speaker: Prof. dr. H.B. (Howard) Levinsky, chair of Combustion Technology
Title: Getting from A to B: thoughts on the future of energy conversion.
Abstract:
“Energy” is in transition. Predominantly driven by concerns regarding climate change, the world is striving to make the transition from its current reliance on fossil fuels (point A) to a future fueled by renewable sources (B). The ready availability, high energy density and the fact that the entire energy-using infrastructure, including end use, is geared to the properties of fossil fuels presents challenges for their replacement with something else. These challenges impact the ‘production’, transport and use of renewable energy sources. This presentation will discuss some of these challenges from the perspective of the requirements of end user, who now uses fossil fuels, and the role of combustion science in the transition to sustainability.
| Last modified: | 06 November 2019 3.42 p.m. |