Development of a LOHC system to compensate for seasonal fluctuations in energy prices (HyScale)

Entwicklung eines LOHC-Systems zum Ausgleich von saisonalen Schwankungen der Energiepreise (HyScale)
3D model of the LOHC reactor in FEED
Copyright:
Stefan Köberlein/HI ERN

The HyScale demonstration project aims to balance out seasonal fluctuations in the price of energy in the Scottish gas grid. This is to be achieved through the development of an LOHC system. LOHC stands for "Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carrier", a liquid organic hydrogen carrier. In HyScale, hydrogen stored in LOHC is to be coupled with an electrolyzer and the Scottish gas grid.

To this end, the project partners are conducting a FEED study (FEED = Front-End Engineering Design) to determine the technical and commercial benefits of LOHC hydrogen storage on a large scale and over long periods of time in the UK. This will provide the basis for the scalability of the LOHC system for this scenario and support the resilience of the gas grid.

As a project partner, HI ERN is contributing its expertise in the field of material hydrogen storage:

  • Detailed planning for the LOHC reactor, which is the centerpiece of the LOHC plant and therefore decisive for the planning and cost calculation of the demonstration plant.
  • Comparative studies between the dibenzyltoluene (DBT)- and benzyltoluene (BT)-based LOHC systems.
  • Selection of the reactor concept and development of the operating strategy for the demonstration project. The engineering of the reactor is also part of the FEED study.

Project background

The UK government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050. The government believes that low or zero carbon heat is a key factor in achieving this target. Essential to this is the use of hydrogen fed into the gas grid (blended or 100%). As a result, the demand for hydrogen, which must be produced and stored using a completely new infrastructure, will increase. Various solutions are currently being examined as to how a future storage system can be operated on the basis of 100% pure hydrogen.

Project partners

The project is coordinated by Blue Abdunance and supported by the partners ERM, Framatome and HI ERN.

Project period

June 2023 - March 2024

Funding

This project is funded by a Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) from the gas network operator Scottish Gas Networks (SGN).

Contact

Timo Schaerfe

Team Lead "Process Design and Intensification"

    Building HIERN-Cauerstr /
    Room 4011
    +49 9131-12538135
    E-Mail

    Last Modified: 08.07.2024