Potential of Methane Usage as Long-Term Energy Storage and Hybrid Systems

Abstract:
Efficient and responsible use of energy implies, besides the basic requirement of a secure and reliable energy supply, also careful attention to further determining factors such as protection of resources, CO2-equivalent emissions, system efficiency, and system losses. A close look at the use of energy and distribution into primary - and final energy consumptions enables reliable conclu-sions as to processes of change and individual energy-supply sectors. For instance, in 2011 the rate of conversion of primary - into final energy was 64.67 %. An important qualitative part of the conversion chain falls upon electricity generation. It accounts for 39 % of primary-energy consumption at a gross electricity production of no more than 612 TWh in 2011. In consideration of final-energy service, generating heat draws upon 50 % of final-energy consumption whereas electricity production in 2011 made up hardly 20 %. In this paper well-founded options for generating electricity and heat as well as to highlight a stronger linkage of the energy sectors electricity and heat are discussed. The approach of combination of electricity and heat defines the Hybrid System.