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Transformation of the German energy system - Towards photovoltaic and wind power: Technology Readiness Levels 2018

The aim of this thesis is to objectify the discussion regarding the availability of technologies related to the German energy transition. This work describes the state of development of relevant technologies on the basis of Technology Readiness Levels. Further, it points out development potentials and limits as well as the necessary power capacities needed for a certain energy system design that is mainly based on electricity. Thus, the scope is set to renewable energy sources suited to provide electricity in Germany, technologies that convert primary electricity for other energy sectors (heating and mobility) and storage technologies. Additionally, non-conventional technologies for electricity supply and grid technologies are examined. The underlying Technology Readiness Assessment is a method used to determine the maturity of these systems or their essential components. The major criteria for assessment are scale, system fidelity and environment. In order to estimate the relevant magnitudes for certain energy technologies regarding power and storage capacities, a comprehensible simulation model is drafted and implemented. It allows the calculation of a renewable, volatile power supply based on historic data and the display of load and storage characteristics. As a result, the Technology Readiness Level of the different systems examined varies widely. For every step in the direct or indirect usage of renewable intermittent energy sources technologies on megawatt scale are commercially available. The necessary scale for the energy storage capacity is in terawatt hours. Based on the examined storage technologies, only chemical storages potentially provide this magnitude. Further, the required total power capacities for complementary conversion technologies lay in the two-digit gigawatt range.:Abstract 2
Contents 3
1. Introduction 7
2. General remarks on the current state of the German energy system 12
3. Method of Technology Readiness Assessment 16
3.1. Fundamentals of the method 16
3.2. Drawbacks of TRA 19
3.3. Extended Readiness Levels 20
3.4. Conducting the Technology Readiness Assessment 21
3.5. Expert interviews 23
3.6. References 24
4. Preliminary remarks on the TRL assessment 25
4.1. Mission and environment 25
4.2. Simplifications and neglected aspects 26
4.3. References 26
5. Wind power 27
5.1. Technology description 27
5.2. Estimation of potential 32
5.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 37
5.4. TRL assessment 39
5.5. References 40
6. Solar energy 44
6.1. Technology description 44
6.2. Solar thermal energy 44
6.3. Photovoltaic technologies 45
6.4. Estimation of potential 48
6.5. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 52
6.6. TRL assessment 53
6.7. References 54
7. Geothermal energy 56
7.1. Technology description 56
7.2. Estimation of potential 59
7.3. Description of the current level of expansion 62
7.4. TRL assessment 63
7.5. References 64
8. Hydropower 66
8.1. Technology description 66
8.2. Estimation of potential 68
8.3. Description of the current level of development 70
8.4. TRL assessment 71
8.5. References 72
9. Biomass 73
9.1. Technology description 73
9.2. Estimation of potential 75
9.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 79
9.4. TRL assessment 81
9.5. References 82
10. Transmission and distribution grids 84
10.1. Technology description 84
10.2. Estimation of potential 90
10.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 94
10.4. TRL assessment 95
10.5. References 96
11. Power-to-heat 100
11.1. Technology description 100
11.2. Estimation of potential 104
11.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 107
11.4. TRL assessment 108
11.5. References 109
12. Power-to-cold 111
12.1. Technology description 111
12.2. Estimation of potential 114
12.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 117
12.4. TRL assessment 118
12.5. References 120
13. Power-to-chemicals 122
13.1. Technology description 122
13.2. Estimation of potential 134
13.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 137
13.4. TRL assessment 138
13.5. Manufacturer overview for electrolysis systems 140
13.6. References 142
14. Mechanical storage 146
14.1. Technology description 146
14.2. Estimation of potential 148
14.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 155
14.4. TRL assessment 155
14.5. References 158
15. Thermal storage 160
15.1. Technology description 160
15.2. Estimation of potential 164
15.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 169
15.4. TRL assessment 170
15.5. References 172
16. Chemical storage systems 175
16.1. Technology description 175
16.2. Estimation of potential 180
16.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 185
16.4. TRL assessment 186
16.5. References 188
17. Electro-chemical storage systems 191
17.1. Technology description 191
17.2. Estimation of potential 198
17.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 202
17.4. TRL assessment 202
17.5. References 204
18. Gas engines/gas turbines for hydrogen combustion 207
18.1. Technology description 207
18.2. Estimation of potential 208
18.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 211
18.4. TRL assessment 211
18.5. References 213
19. Chemicals-to-Power – Fuel cells 214
19.1. Technology description 214
19.2. Estimation of potential 218
19.3. Representation of the achieved state of expansion 221
19.4. TRL assessment 223
19.5. References 225
20. Interim conclusion for TRA 227
21. Evaluation of system integration 230
21.1. Modelling approach 230
21.2. Scenarios for a renewable energy supply 238
21.3. Results of the simulation 238
21.4. Consequences 244
21.5. References 245
22. Summary and Outlook 247
23. Abbreviations and symbols 249
24. Indices 254
25. List of Figures 255
26. List of Tables 258
27. Appendix 260
27.1. DOE TRL definition and description 260
27.2. Visualized summary of TRLs 262

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:DRESDEN/oai:qucosa:de:qucosa:35455
Date20 September 2019
CreatorsPieper, Christoph
ContributorsBeckmann, Michael, Specht, Eckehard, Technische Universität Dresden
Source SetsHochschulschriftenserver (HSSS) der SLUB Dresden
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion, doc-type:doctoralThesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/doctoralThesis, doc-type:Text
Rightsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

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