Influence of Power-to-Fuel Plant Flexibility Towards Power and Plant Utilization and Intermediate Hydrogen Buffer Size

Conversion of intermittent renewable energy into synthetic fuels and chemicals is required to secure long-distance transport and feedstock for chemical industry. Due to the fluctuating energy generation, process intensification and feed flexibility are essential. This contribution investigates the importance of feed flexibility on the buffer size with applying a 20:80 scenario of wind/solar energy generation. The degree of power and plant utilization are calculated. With the capability to accept a lower load bound of 17 % after only 10 min, a minimum tank capacity of only 1.3 h is calculated to avoid a fuel plant stop throughout a calendar year. Additional tank capacity for peak power compensation in the range of ～10 h is beneficial for the utilization degree of power and under the prerequisite of a load-flexible fuel plant.