Decarbonising Heat & Transport

Question 1

How is the annual output of wind power determined?

Answer 1

Integrate the power curve, and use the wind profile probability density.

Question 2

Discuss changes in demand for domestic and industrial heating/cooling.

Answer 2

Domestic: Temperature and space dependant, fluctuating demand.
Industrial: Process dependent, flat demand.

Question 3

Discuss “distributed solutions”.

Answer 3

Favoured in lower density building environments, deregulated countries where natural gas is available.

Question 4

Discuss “centralised solutions”.

Answer 4

Favoured in dense urban environments, central planning authorities required.

Question 5

Discuss H2 as a distributed solution option.

Answer 5

Problematic for carbon-steel pipes, okay for HDPE.
Modifications to boilers, engines and turbines.
Low storage density, low efficiency.

Question 6

Discuss biomass and a distributed solution option.

Answer 6

Compatible with existing systems.
Needs more attention than gas, ash removal.
More expensive.
Large amount of particulates produced.

Question 7

How does a heat pump work?

Answer 7

Energy extracted from a low temperature source before being transferred to a higher temperature sink.

Question 8

Discuss thermal heating principles.

Answer 8

Flat plate collector: High efficiency, high loss.

Evacuated tubes: Low efficiency, low loss.

Question 9

Discuss “District Heating”.

Answer 9

Agnostic to heat source, long time to develop, high capital costs, very disruptive.

Question 10

Discuss “CHP”.

Answer 10

CHP=Combined Heat & Power

Energy not converted to power ends up as heat, used locally or in a network. Increases efficiency to 85%.

Question 11

What is the need for thermal storage?

Answer 11

Houses have very spikey demands, thermal storage used to smooth demands. Disconnects time of energy use from time of energy demand.

Question 12

Discuss phase change materials.

Answer 12

Latent heat storage through melting and solidifying a substance with a high heat of fusion, usually a wax or salt.

Question 13

Discuss decarbonising the rail system.

Answer 13

Electrification already present (&5% passenger).
1/3 rail lines have been electrified.
H2/NH3 may be used where electrification is difficult.

Question 14

Discuss decarbonising the shipping system.

Answer 14

41% of sea trade is linked to fossil fuel transport.

H2/NH£ used for large vessels.

Question 15

Discuss decarbonising the aviation industry.

Answer 15

May used 2nd or 3rd gen. biofuels.
H2 produced from electrolysis.
CO2 used to produce synthetic fuels.

Question 16

Discuss carbonising road vehicles.

Answer 16

LDV: Electrification / H2+Biofuel.
2-3 wheel: Electrification.
Short/medium freight: Electrification.
Long haul fright: Biofuels / H2
Buses: Electrification, H2 for long distance.