Renewable Energies in Scotland and Energy Storage Possibilities: Building a Theoretical Black Box Model in a Closed Hybrid Energy System
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MSc Program Environmental Technology & International Affairs Renewable Energies in Scotland and Energy Storage Possibilities: Building a Theoretical Black Box Model in a Closed Hybrid Energy System A Master's Thesis submitted for the degree of “Master of Science” supervised by Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Mario Ortner Maria-Salua Gasan Abhari, MA 11933238 Vienna, 17.06.2021 Affidavit I, MARIA-SALUA GASAN ABHARI, MA, hereby declare 1. that I am the sole author of the present Master’s Thesis, "RENEWABLE ENERGIES IN SCOTLAND AND ENERGY STORAGE POSSIBILITIES: BUILDING A THEORETICAL BLACK BOX MODEL IN A CLOSED HYBRID ENERGY SYSTEM", 95 pages, bound, and that I have not used any source or tool other than those referenced or any other illicit aid or tool, and 2. that I have not prior to this date submitted the topic of this Master’s Thesis or parts of it in any form for assessment as an examination paper, either in Austria or abroad. Vienna, 17.06.2021 _______________________ Signature Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org) Abstract Recent years have seen the rise of renewable energy and the use of alternative energy resources. This comes as the solution to the use of fossil fuels – a finite resource with immense adverse effects on the environment. The global effort for climate change mitigation needs immediate action and genuine commitment, if it is to succeed, and hence, the share of renewables into the energy mix should be continuously increased. Scotland is a northern country, part of the UK, which has built itself a reputation of an innovative nation with strong ambition and desire to develop and grow their renewables’ potential. The country has some of the world’s most ambitious targets and an electricity demand almost completely met by renewables. Innovative projects in the fields of low-carbon technologies and energy storage are developed across the entire country, with hydrogen being one of the main focuses of R&D. Energy storage is not a new concept and yet, in the context of renewables it acquires a new meaning with its capacity to bridge the gap between the intermittent nature of most renewable sources and the varying consumers’ demand. Adopting a multi-layered approach, both social sciences and technical analysis of the topic are presented and build up the argument that innovative and creative thinking are needed for the successful implementation of renewables into the energy grid. A case study based on a closed system black box model explores to possibility for developing a hybrid energy system, comprised of on- and offshore wind, tidal power, and hydrogen, in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland. The technological advancements are present, it is only a matter of configuring them in such way that they maximise the efficiency and accelerate the energy transition. And for that, it is only needed to think outside the box. i | Page Table of Contents Abstract .................................................................................................................................... i Table of Contents . ................................................................................................................... ii List of Abbreviations .............................................................................................................iii Part I: Introduction, State of Art, and Methodology ............................................................... 1 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 2. State of Art: Transition to Renewables in the World ................................................... 5 3. Methodology .............................................................................................................. 14 Part II: Renewables in Scotland: figures, policies, economy, and society ........................... 1 8 1. How far is Scotland in its Transition to Renewables Journey? ................................. 18 2. National Energy Policies and Legislation ................................................................. 21 3. Economic Impact and Project Implementation ......................................................... 27 4. Scots and Renewables ................................................................................................ 31 Part III: Energy Storage Possibilities .................................................................................... 34 1. Energy Storage – A Viable Way Forward? ............................................................... 34 2. Hydrogen Storage and Use Technologies ................................................................. 39 3. Hydrogen Projects across Scotland ........................................................................... 44 Part IV: Aberdeen –Case Study on Renewables Potential and a Hybrid Energy System .... 50 1. Scope and Boundaries of the Researched Area ......................................................... 50 2. Hybrid Energy System (On- and Offshore Wind, Hydro Power, and Hydrogen) ..... 54 3. Building a simple model ............................................................................................ 61 a. Steps and Parameters ............................................................................................. 61 b. Findings ................................................................................................................. 66 c. Limitations ............................................................................................................. 68 Part V: Conclusion . ............................................................................................................... 70 Bibliography ......................................................................................................................... 7 2 List of Tables, Figures, and Maps......................................................................................... 8 9 ii | Page List of Abbreviations AREG – Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group BERD – Business Enterprise Research and Development EIS – Energy Investment Fund EOWDC – European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre GDP – Gross Domestic Product GHG – Greenhouse Gases HES – Hybrid Energy Systems IEA – International Energy Agency IRENA – International Renewable Energy Agency MSIP – Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc NIMBY – Not in my Back Yard movement NOx – Nitrogen Oxides PM – Particulate Matter PtG – Power-to-Gas R&D – Research and Development REIF – Renewable Energy Investment Fund RSE – Royal Society of Edinburgh iii | Page SDGs – Sustainable Development Goals SDI – Scottish Development International STP – Standard Temperature and Pressure UK – United Kingdom UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme iv | Page Part I: Introduction, State of Art, and Methodology 1. Introduction The global energy demand has steadily grown since the Industrial Revolutions and has experienced a drastic increase in recent decades. Truth to be said, energy is a multi-faceted concept, which in one way or another is part of every aspect of our lives. This could be interpreted on a very literal level, in the sense that energy in the form of food is needed to sustain life itself. However, it can also be construed as the driving force of a country’s or, in fact, world’s economy as well as a strategic area of focus in global politics. Furthermore, energy is inseparable part of science, technological advancement, and innovation. Yet, with globalisation and industrialisation, there is one very huge hiccup along the way of energy production and use that is the way in which energy is obtained. Nowadays, fossil fuels are the most affordable and accessible energy source. They are also a finite resource though, meaning that their exploitation and use is only possible up until the reserves are depleted, after which the industrial reality of today will be at a dead-end. Another issue that comes along the extensive use of fossil fuels and their sub-products is the negative impact on the environment of the planet Earth, which encompasses ecosystems, wildlife, climate, and human beings. In order to avoid a climate change catastrophe and detrimental and irreversible effects to the environment, there is a dire need for alternative energy sources and even more so, a need for innovation and technologies, through which these alternatives can be implemented into the current state of matters. Those alternatives, such as the sun, wind, and water are all natural resources classified as infinite and hence, can be used as a source of renewable energy to replace the energy from fossil fuels. In reality, humans are no strangers to these (alternatives) and have long benefited from their use, e.g. wind power for maritime travel or windmills for grinding grain. The technologies for harnessing the energy of these infinite resources are present, some are already put in place and operational, and new ones being continuously developed. What is needed nowadays, however, is a large-scale, active 1 | Page implementation and adoption of renewably generated energy. This transition should be endorsed by states worldwide and included into national and international policies and strategies for development. Renewables should be part of the everyday agenda and a global push in that direction should be made. With this thought in mind and because of personal interest of the author, renewables, specifically wind and tidal power, have been chosen as the main point of focus for the present master thesis. The objective is to offer a comprehensive